Power for a float serve?

Question

I was wondering where does the power for the float serve come from?

a)from the weight shift in the right leg to left leg

or

b)from the arm itself?

I'm asking cuz i cant seem to get my serves over the net without a fist(i know, incorrect) also, my arm is killing me, it hurts bad.

Answer 1

The correct answer is actually a and b.  In the early stages, you can use the weight shift to help your arm have enough power to get the serve over.  Once you get more power, you will have enough arm power to stop using any weight shift.  (You will see some younger players walking and using a fist.  You will see more experienced players standing with no weight shift and using their palm.)

As far as your arm hurting, you should try to take one day off from any swinging.  No serving or spiking.  I would still practice your tosses for your serve since that is done with your opposite hand.

Answer 2

You need to strengthen your shoulder and arm muscles.  Your legs and positioning of your legs will def. play a big part.  Don't cup your hand, but keep five fingers open.  Toss is impt. as well and must be high enough and in front of you.

Answer 3

I had very much struggled to serve the ball over the net and thought I just wasn't strong enough but now I have a really hard serve to return.  I think my arms aren't all that much stronger now, although I would recommend lifting weights.  I think its a combination of my legs and arms and working them together in a synchronized motion along with have a good throw too.

Answer 4

The correct way to serve is without a fist, float serve or not. The power for your floater comes from your arm.

Answer 5

Forward motion... you stop your arm in midair to make it float, don't try to hard. Let it go naturally and shift your weight

Answer 6

THE POWER COMES ON WHERE YOU STOP YOUR HAND I AM THE BEST FLOAT SEVER ON MY TEAM AND THE OTHER TEAMS HATE WHEN I SERVE CAUSE IT LIKE TWIST AND WILL KNOCK THEM OFF SO THEY CANT HIT IT BUT STOP YOUR HAND A LITTLE IN FRONT OF YOUR HEAD DON'T SWING THROUGH...PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT...

Answer 7

I serve floater with pure arm power. There is a "stop" when contacting the ball, so that my arm cannot (should not) follow thru.

Some people do serve floaters with a fist while contacting the ball with the middle of fist (or say four finger tips). It would have better control compared to knuckle-hit.