Overhand help???

Question

I need help doing an overhand serve. I can kinda do one, but my coach says it looks like I'm shotputting something. Any tips on how to do it correctly?

Answer 1

The easiest way to get better at serving overhand is to start anywhere on the court (say 15') and serve from there. When you become consistant from that point move back a foot or two and practice from there. Keep on doing that until you are hitting all your serves form the end line.

A couple of serving hints. Serve with your hand open (don't use a fist). Make sure you shift your body weight forward and don't toss the ball too high (maybe 2' over your head).

As you get older you will get stronger and serving overhand will become much easier.

Answer 2

Like the others said, it starts with a good toss. You may want to practice throwing the ball up with your left hand (if you are a righty, do the opposite if you are a lefty) and let it fall right in front of your right foot, that is considered a good toss and where it should be because it will be in the air in front of your right hand, easier to hit. Once you master that then you have a nice toss to work worth. All the coaches that have given me help use the example of someone shooting a bow and arrow. Right before you toss the ball, arch your elbow back with your hand wide upen, finger tips almost touching your ear while your elbow is pointing behind you. Toss the ball up, extend your arm to the highest point and when the ball hits its peak and begins descending is when you hit it. Try to snap your arm to give it power to, like I said, bow and arrow. Hope this helped some, it's kind of hard to explain but this is what I have always been told. Oh yeah, and DEFINITELY take your time. Take as long as you need to get yourself a good toss and don't worryabout impressing people, that's the best way to mess up everytime so just think about what you need to do and remember the stance and try to mimic what you do in practice, perfect practice makes perfect. =) About the shotput thing, you are most likely waiting too long to hit the ball and it's already in the middle of you so you push up at it (like a shotput thrower) to get it to go over so don't wait as long to hit it, hit it at it's peak and it'll work a lot better for you.

Answer 3

There are a lot of good instructions here already.  One more thing that might help you is to remember to use your torso.  

If you are right handed, stand directly facing the net, then rotate yourself 30 degrees to the right.  Now, step your right foot back about 6 inches.  Put all your weight on the right foot.  This should be your stance before you serve.  

Now, pull back your right arm and toss the ball like the other answers describe.  When you start to swing your arm you also want to:

1. Shift your weight forward to your left foot

2. Rotate your torso so it faces the net (think of an action figure that snaps back to face front when you turn it's upper body to the side)

Hit the ball while you are in the middle of this action.  When I was learning to serve 15 years ago, the torso twist is what helped me the most.

Some helpful drills:

A drill that really helps simulate this action is to throw a tennis ball from the end line over the net.  Notice how you had to rotate your torso and shift your weight forward.

To help stop "shot putt" arms, stand 4-5 feet away from a wall.  Toss the ball in the air and hit the ball down so it will bounce on the ground, hit the wall, and back at you.  Now try to hit the ball again when it's in the air.  Move your feet so that you can hit the ball with force.  When you serve, you need to hit the ball with the same speed and swing.

You should also be able to do at least 3 sets of 10 push ups.  Having the arm strength helps a great deal, and prevent injuries to your shoulders.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I thought I had mine down last year, but then my coach pretty much beat me down for not doing it right.

For a Right Handed Player

1) Hold the ball in your left hand and it extended it outward from your body at an angle that measures a little more than 90 degrees. your right arm should be bent, behind your head, with your finger tips at about head level.

2)From this position, give the ball a nice toss, about two feet higher than when you tossed it. Rather than moving your arm to toss it, bend your knees and lift with your whole body.

3) Swing your arm foreword when the ball reaches the top of its toss. Move your arm foreword in a controlled motion at a moderate speed. you should hit the ball with an open hand in the middle of the ball. This should happen if you toss the ball at the right height.

4) Follow through. Your right arm should pass on your right side, not your left.

Note:If you are not so good at these yet, you may want to aim your body at the place on the court you want to serve, otherwise it will be difficult to control.

Answer 5

its really hard to explain it..its better shown..but i'll try..

you have to have a nice high toss (not too high) straight infront of you..and make sure it doesnt go behind you or anything..extend your arm (no dropped elbows) and hit it straight and follow through..hit it with your whole hand..not just you're palm..and dont fist it.

Answer 6

The reason why your coach says you are shot putting is becuase you are trying to push the ball over.  You need to try to extend your arm higher and hit the ball like you are hitting a set.  You want to hit the ball from behind instead of from the bottom of the ball.

Answer 7

you need 2 bend your fingers more while going into the forward momentom position in the third quad of the upper net

Answer 8

trow the ball straight up and when its coming down hit the ball w/ ur risk and then ur fingers that helps me alot......

Answer 9

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.

4.) 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! Just keep doing ways for better coorditnation and always make sure you use a gentle toss.

Good luck!