How to get a more powerful serve...?

Question

I am told that I have excellent form for my overhand serve....however I am having some trouble making it over the net. Help!

Answer 1

http://youtube.com/watch?v=uRaDVnUt-6w

Serve like this. This is the serve everyone models after.

Answer 2

build up arm strength and get a fast swing. i also turn my hips (like throwing a softball). turning hips gives it an extra push

keep practicing until you can get it. start close, serve 3 over in a row, take a step back, serve 3 over in a row, take a step back until you reach the end line. i taught someone on jv that way and she's a really good server now. there's some other info that you should know, like where to make contact, but im better at showing it than typing it all down... so im not gonna type it down

Answer 3

Enough practice will do it - a lot of it. Don't use your shoulder, as this will give out later, and cause major problems. The power is from your bent elbow straightening - you develop a fast elbow flick. This can be practiced anywhere - you don't even need a volleyball to hit. Start s-l-o-w then go faster and faster. Never go all out fast, because your muscles need to warm up first. You always add the extra wrist curling over, upon contact with the volleyball, this adds the spin, so that your serve will always land in, and also climb the net and over any blockers. With constant practice - this will become an automatic spike for you.

Purchase a cheap practice volleyball for $20 or under - this can take any kind of punishment outside on any surface. You can practice throwing up the volleyball, as like in a set, then go forward and spike it against a wall somewhere. Regular practice will ensure that you will be confident and go in with exact timing - you can vary the height later, so that you will do any kind of spike for any kind of set. If you can practice with friends - so much the better, you can now dig, set and spike with them - still, no need for a net. If you think this gets kinda boring (a ball and a wall) - then start some practice with your other (left?) hand/arm, because it is handy to spike with your other hand, when a set ends up in the wrong place.

Also develop a windmill serve - as this is handy for when you are tired of overhand serving. It helps to have a serve, for when you are tired - the windmill uses your body weight, and works best when relaxed. You can put on a lot of spin, with this serve - and for people not use to receiving this serve, it can catch them unawares.

Power will come with the practice and confidence. You do have to work for it...

If you have the spin working, if the ball hits the top of the net, it will automatically go over.  This is how you know it is working properly.  Overemphasizing the wrist movement is good - even if it near the top of the net, you may even see it climb the net and go over?  With a lightweight volleyball, it will even do that...

Answer 4

Swing faster and contact the ball before it starts to drop

Answer 5

it helps to have a good technique first. You could try to make your hand (or fist) hard. Also, some people lift their feet when they do the walk. you shouldnt do that since your energy shifts from going up to your hand, to your other leg.

Answer 6

serve harder

Answer 7

At the beginning of the season I struggled with power, but the main thing is PRACTICE! I know nobody wants to hear that it might take a while but it's true. There are some tips though:

1. Make sure that you have spread apart fingers

2. Make sure that you smack the ball a couple of times so that your hand has the shape of the ball when it makes contact

3. Use as much stomach torque as possible

Good Luck and All the Best!

Answer 8

with me, im pretty small, but my serve is really powerful.

i pretend like im throwing a baseball or something, and i follow through with my arm swinging across my body.

hope this helps?

good luck.

Answer 9

My only suggestion would be to lift weights, or maybe try following through better.