Desperate for volleyball serve help?

Question

I have played on my high school's volleyball team and I have played on a club volleyball team(but I was libero so I did not need to serve). However, I am not going to make the team again unless I get my serve to a consistent point. It seems like I have tried absolutely everything! I am so desperate to get an amazing serving quickly. I still have a little under a month to practice, but I really ned help. I used to push the ball up, almost like I was doing shot put. I have learned how to stop doing that, but now I cannot serve. Please help! I absolutely love volleyball and not making the team would just kill me! Thanks so much! Feel free to leave links to volleyball serving videos or just describe in detail how you serve! Thanks again!!

Answer 1

i rarely miss my serves and always places them deep. you want to keep your elbow out and back when you are getting ready to serve. when you throw the ball up it should be about 2 to 3 three feet in the air. that sounds about right. if the toss is bad you can just let it drop. you let 2 tosses drop before you just have to hit it over. when you hit the ball hit it with an open hand. a lot of coaches will tell you to use the palm of your hand. if you use a closed fist, the ball can hit your knuckles, fingers or wrists and go in crazy directions. follow through with your arm. when you're done serving, wherever your shoulders are facing thats where the ball is going. line your shoulders up with where you want the ball to go. do ab workouts and things to build strength in your arms to put power behind your serves.

good luck and hope that helps.

Answer 2

my best advice would be stand at a 45 degree angle and ALWAYS keep your hips, shoulders, and hand all the way open

***hope i helped and good luck

Answer 3

oh gees, for years this was exactly how i was.  This year was the first year I could consistantly serve.  Try tossing the ball just a little in front of your strong shoulder and pop the ball.  It should be like hitting a wall, just full force hit the ball and then stop immediately.  Popcorn and short serving was easiest for me, so don't just try to line drive it.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Well when i serve i make sure that i have a really good toss becuz that is the most important part. make sure your toss is a bit in front of you so that when you swing you r not under the ball. when u hit it make sure ur arm is as fully extended as possible. and wen u swing swing really hard.

ps: make sure ur toss is high enough that u can hit it straight on with ur hand and dnt hav to make a quick hit.

Answer 5

A practice volleyball, and a wall. A cheap practice volleyball, because when it's an outside wall, only a cheap volleyball will take such punishment [never use a good indoor volleyball, outside]... Just hold the ball above your head and spike it - hit it, just as for a spike. Use a bent elbow that straightens, when you hit the ball very fast, that is your power - which comes with practice. Start slowly, so that your muscles warm up slowly. Do not go all out fast right away - because that is not good for your body and muscles. Add a curling of your wrist upon impact with the ball, this adds spin. This is crucial to keep the ball spinning in court - and makes it difficult to receive. A lot of practice against a wall, will develop your power, which comes with coordinating everything, so that you are energy efficient - ie. full transmission of energy to the ball. It helps if your ball isn't hard, ie. has too much air pressure. You should be able to press your thumbs about 1/8th inch into the ball.

You do not need to throw the ball into the air - holding it just above your head  - means it will always be in the same place, when you hit it, making it more consistant - so that you can concentrate on your elbow and wrist technique.

And there is always the windmill serve. This is excellent as a second serve - it uses your bodyweight, and normally you can put lots of extra spin to the ball using this technique.

Answer 6

When I started playing volleyball, I did the same "push up serve," but I've learned to swing through the ball. First, you should have a routine that you do before you serve. (ie...i bounce the ball three times) Then I throw the ball about 2 feet above my head & sorta in front of me so the ball dives down after it goes over the net. When I hit the ball, it's @ my head height. My coach coined my serve as the "walking serve" b/c I throw the ball more in front of me and take a step towards the ball, so it's a dagger serve. Hope this helps. ~If you don't get something just ask & I can clear it up for you.~   =D

Answer 7

the main thing to understand in volleyball and serving is that you wont do well unless you concentrate. and you cant let the nerves get to you!

if you are constantly thinking, this must get over, this must get over, and you put to much pressure on yourself, it wont work.

before you serve the ball, take a deep breath.

then aim, throw the ball up, and watch your hand hit the ball, then follow through

Answer 8

i know how you feel for a while a couldn't hit a volleyball either. What you have to do is what ever hand you throe the ball up with put that foot behind the other. throw the ball up straight up in the air. as you go to swing step into the ball. if it help for a while you don't have to us your palm. your couches ask you to us your palm but for a while i used a fist instead

Hoped I Helped

Answer 9

practice

Answer 10

the best thing is to make sure the ball is out in front of you. Then there is no way you can have a shotput serve. Completely extend your arm out when you throw the ball up. Then step into the serve, and if you use your whole body instead of just your arm, you will have a much more powerful, accurate serve and not a weak "shotput" serve.

Answer 11

I had the same trouble I have been playing for 5 yrs. now and i am awesome at serving but i want to be setter... sorry anywayz... when u serve use a big hand and keep your elbow up... when i learned it they told me to pretend its someone i hate... also do push ups or something to increase your strength in your abs and arms.. my coach said u use your abs... plus get mad becuz u hit harder when ur mad.. and just have fun! but be competitive... you'll be a great player!!!

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