Serving is how you start a volleyball rally. Let's learn the underhand serve and send the ball over the net!
Stand behind the end line facing the net. Put your feet about shoulder-width apart and bend your knees a little. Lean your body slightly forward so your weight is on the balls of your feet.
🧢 Coach's Tip
Take a deep breath before every serve. Calm servers are great servers!
⚠️ Watch Out!
Don't stand stiff with straight legs. Soft knees help you stay balanced.
If you are right-handed, step your left foot forward (left-handers step the right foot forward). Point your front toes and your shoulders straight at where you want the ball to go.
🧢 Coach's Tip
Imagine a straight line from your belly button to your target.
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Don't put the same foot forward as your hitting hand. Opposite foot forward keeps you balanced.
Hold the ball in your non-hitting hand, out in front of your hitting hip and about waist height. Keep that arm relaxed and slightly bent. The ball should sit on your flat palm.
🧢 Coach's Tip
Keep your eyes on the ball the whole time, even when you swing.
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Don't hold the ball too far to the side, or your swing will miss it.
Make a fist with your hitting hand, thumb resting on top of your fingers. Swing that arm straight back behind you like a pendulum, keeping it straight but not locked.
🧢 Coach's Tip
A pendulum swing is smooth: back, then forward, without stopping.
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Don't bend your elbow on the backswing. A straight arm gives more control.
Shift your weight onto your front foot and swing your arm forward. Hit the bottom-back of the ball with the heel of your hand or the flat part of your fist. Drop the holding hand away just before contact, or gently toss the ball a few centimetres up.
🧢 Coach's Tip
Hit through the ball, not at it. Pretend your hand wants to keep going!
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Don't toss the ball high. A tiny lift or no toss makes it much easier to hit.
Keep your arm moving forward and up after you hit the ball, finishing with your hand pointing at your target. Step your back foot forward so you are ready to play.
🧢 Coach's Tip
Freeze at the end and check: is your hand pointing at the target?
⚠️ Watch Out!
Don't stop your arm the moment you touch the ball. Stopping makes serves fall short.