please help!! any tips on overhand serve in volleyball?

Question

hi there
ive played volleyball for my 7th grade school team and we were only required to know underhand serve, although overhand serve was recommended. i practiced overhand serves for a while, but never learned it that season.
however, this year, i'm entering 8th and we have to know overhand. i have about 2 weeks before tryouts, and i'm nervous as ever. i've been practicing and practicing and i just CANT get it! its really frustrating because ive been told i'm superb at passing, digs, etc, but it's the serve i just can't get. any ideas? i would be thrilled if i could just get it over the net from behind the end line, honestly. any ideas would be VERY much appriciated. thanks =)

Answer 1

Serving:

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

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

Give yourself one step forward, that is enough for a good serve regardless serving upper-hand.

For 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.

Never put the ball above your shoulder, you may injure yourself when doing so.

Happy learning!!

Answer 2

I know how you feel! I was like that too.

Make sure you are tossing the ball on the side that your hitting arm is. If your toss is too far to one side and you try to hit it anyway, the ball will go out or it will go in but it hurts you. You want to hit the ball at the peak of your toss and it should be about 2 feet from your starting point. Step with your left foot (if you are a righty. otherwise do the opposite) during your toss and when you swing at the ball drag your right foot a little past your left. When you hit the ball swing straight through and not across your body or it will go out.

If you still can't get it from the end line, go up to where you can get it over and work your way back from there. Good luck!

Answer 3

A few tips that helped me get my serve in tune is to make an L with your hand that you serve with. Rest that "L" (open your hand and fingers are straight up and your thumb is out at a 90 degree angle) rest that on your shoulder by your neck/ear and when you extend your arm, pop it from there. Don't have your arm flailing in the air when you are getting ready to connect with the ball. Also, Don't throw the ball too high. When you connect with the ball, it should be at your highest point. You'll need to practice snapping your wrist once you get the hang of getting the ball over. It will come. If you play tennis, it's much like serving the ball in tennis. I am speaking of the motion of hitting the ball at your highest point. Let me know if I can help further. I know you'll get it!!!

Answer 4

well there are a lot of different overhand serves such as the floater and topspin. but the very basic one would just be hitting the ball. put strength in your hand. it should NOT be totally flat. put your fingers back just a little bit. stop your hand right after you hit it. use the part of your hand right under your fingers. good luck trying out. thats the best i could do online. haha

Answer 5

hey... practice tossing it up and swinging your arm without hitting the ball.... you have to make sure that you hit the ball while your arm is straight in the air and at the top of your swing... once you get that mastered try getting it over the net... you just have to keep practicing. Make sure the ball hits the palm of your hand and not your finger tips. Toss the ball in front of you and make sure that your arm is straight when you hit it... that's about all i have. I hope this helps :) It takes tons of practice, but you'll perfect it eventually. :)