How do I get my toss for my overhand serve to go straight up?

Question

I've been practicing for two weeks, but I haven't really gotten my toss right yet. Any tips?

I'm talking about my volleyball serve. I kinda assumed that would go w/out saying since it's the volleyball section, but ah well. =D

Answer 1

Okay, I have had problems with this too. To get a good serve with a nice toss always start with a good position with your feet.

1.) Make sure your left foot is next to your right, but a little higher up. About 6-8 inches higher, depending on how big your feet are.
2.) Then have your volleyball in your left hand and make sure your left arm is out straight but bend your elbow very slightly.
3.) Now the tossing! When you toss it up, never push your arm down and then swing it up. Pretend there's an imaginary line, right below your left arm, just toss it up without having to push your arm below that 'line'. Make sure you toss it gently so it goes about 2+ feet above your head.
3.) What my coach makes me do is, when i toss it up and its in the air I point my left hand up following it in the shape of an 'L' so I have better coordination with it.

I hope this helps you! If you still can't get the toss right just keep doing ways for better coorditnation and always make sure you use a gentle toss.
Good luck!

Answer 2

Two important keys to a successful serve are balance and good toss.

1) Keep yourself in a good balance when serving. In fact when you are doing anything in playing volleyball, balance is very important.

2) Try not to jump or hop when you serve. Give yourself one step forward, that is enough for a good serve regardless serving upper-hand or lower-hand.

3) If you are serving upper-hand, the toss has to be in front of your hitting hand and with enough height. Keep the tossed ball half a step in front of you, so you can step out and hit the ball.

4) Never put the ball above your shoulder, you may injure yourself when doing so. If you are serving lower-hand, keep the ball low by bending your knees, and hit the ball up while standing upward using both your body and your arm to get the ball high and forward.

Answer 3

One drill I have done with people that struggle with a straight toss, is to have a regular size piece of paper on the floor that is directly under your hand when you have the ball straight in front of you with your left hand (for a righty). Practice your toss....just high enough so you can hit it, but let it drop and hit the paper. If you can hit the paper 10 times in a row, you are on the right track. Good luck and keep at it....overhand is soooooo much better than underhand in so many ways.

Answer 4

It may look silly but if you are right-handed (assuming you are, do the opposite if left) hold the ball with your left hand and your left foot out in front but not too far, just a normal stance. Throw the ball up like you were going to serve and see where it bounces. Keep practicing that over and over until you can get it to fall right in front of your right foot, that is the best toss. Once you get consistent with that, you should be able to serve it when it hits it's peak 'cause it's in front of your right hand. good luck. =)

Answer 5

It may sound weird, but you want to toss the ball up just high enough that you can hit the ball. The higher the toss, the less control you have on it.

Practice just tossing the ball and try having it hit right in front of your foot. Start with shorter tosses and once you get comfortable toss it a little higher. Focus on trying to hit right in front of your foot.

Answer 6

For volleyball or tennis you want to place the ball in your hand, keep your arm straight and bring it straight up. Keeping your arm straight the ball should leave your hand about level with your head. That same arm is also going to help you "sight" the ball. Then bring your serving arm up to hit the ball. It's kind of hard to explain...but basically when you toss the ball up you need to keep your arm straight and the ball should leave your arm abou head level. If it's for volleyball I could try to send you a video of me demonstrating a serve. Good luck! [e-mail]

Answer 7

Volleyball? Tennis? Hold it between your hands between the forefinger and thumb on each hand and a nice even toss upward. Hit the ball at the highest point where it isn't going up or down. Basically like it is on a platter.

Answer 8

its gonna take some practice, but you'll get the hang of it soon!!

so when i had your problem, my coach told us to stand on a striaght line (im assuming that youre right handed)
then place youre left foot on the line, and with yur left hand toss the ball up. it should fall on the line in front of your left foot.

keep practicing that...it will give you the hang of where your toss should be, and if it does fall on the line then ur toss is straight.

also make sure that your not overdoing ur toss...cuz that could also be ur problem.

hope this helped!

Answer 9

Stand with your tossing hand in the middle of your stance. When you toss the ball try not to bend your wrist so the ball won't spin. When your hand starts moving up, keep your wrist level. And use your legs to throw it high. So you would start with your knees bent then toss the ball with a level wrist and extend your knees upward.

Answer 10

I presume you mean Volley Ball. But, as with any sport involving the hand, it IS all in the wrist. Try to "snap" the wrist in the direction you want. Basketball players get the arch, baseball players get speed, boxers get stinging punches, football players get extra distance, etc.