The Ultimate Guide to the Types of Serves in Volleyball and their Basics (Part 1)
All I want out of life is that when I walk down the street folks will say, there goes the greatest hitter that ever lived.
Ted Williams
Source: How They Play.
Do you know what are the types of serves used in volleyball?
Are you searching for a guide that explains all about the serves in volleyball and their basics? Then look no further!
If you are a beginner volleyball player looking to learn the different types of serves that are used in volleyball, the basics of each one and how they are performed, keep reading!.
There are a total of 8 types of serves performed in volleyball and they are underhand, overhand, jump, float, jump float, jump topspin, hybrid, and the side arm serves. Those serves can be categorized into 4 groups for easily remembering them. They are underhand, overhand, float and topspin.
Since there are 8 different serves, I don’t want you to feel the information overload.
So what I’ll be doing is that I’ll be covering the first 4 namely the underarm/underhand, overhand, jump and the float serves.
Read the part 2 of this guide to learn about the rest of the serves.
Before we get to the meet of the post, here’s an interesting fact about volleyball serves.
Did you know? The fastest serve that was ever performed during a volleyball match is by Wilfredo Leon of Cuba. The actual speed of the serve was 138 km/h.
That’s to be honest, a ferociously powerful one and almost all serve receivers wouldn’t want to be in the firing line of the ball. Even if they want to receive and tackle the serve, they’d have a very difficult time dealing with it.
The Types of Serves in Volleyball and their Basics (Part 1)
Underarm/underhand Serve
To be honest, the underhand serve isn’t used by almost all players to serve the ball in most levels of playing volleyball. In fact, most coaches don’t recommend using this serve in a match situation. The main reason is that it is very easy to receive and you basically hand a point to your opponent as a gift. Your opponent will be able to manipulate the serve just like that and play it to their advantage with ease.
But, there are a couple of instances where you can use the underhand serve. They are.
- Number 1. When you are able to impart topspin on the serve.
- Number 2. If you aren’t able to get good at the overhand serve and you want a starting point. In this case, the underhand serve is your best friend.
Having said that, this serve is performed by holding the ball in one hand, tossing it up slightly, and when the ball comes down, hitting it with your dominant hand. If you are just getting started playing volleyball, learning this serve will be very helpful to perfect the overhand serve.
The Overhand Serve
The overhand serve is the basic version of the jump serve without the actual jump. For some people, performing the overhand serve can be challenging. In that case, learn and get good at the underhand serve as I previously mentioned and then, understand and practice each part of the overhand serve and put them in one sequence.
The 2 major parts of the overhand serve are the toss and the contact you make on the ball.
This serve is performed by tossing the ball up above your eye line and hitting when the flight of it reaches just above your head. It is also known as the standing overhand serve in the volleyball circles.
When you are tossing the ball for an overhand serve, you can hold it either in one or both the hands. If you could impart topspin on your overhand serve, then it’d be difficult to receive for your opponents.
Video for the Types of Serves in Volleyball and their Basics
Jump Serve
The jump serve is, to put it in simple words, an extension of the overhand serve with a jump and speed as added elements. This, along with the jump float and the jump topspin serves are the most widely used ones in volleyball.
To get good at it, you’ll have to perfect 3 parts namely the toss, approach to the ball and the contact you make on it.
To perform this serve, hold the ball in one or both the hands, toss it up slightly higher than usual, take a 3 or 4 step run when the ball is in the air and when it starts to come down, hit the ball with a jump hard over the net and into the opponent court by keeping your hitting hand downward facing.
The run is called approach in volleyball and it is used to increase the momentum and the power of your serve. Also, make sure to keep an open fist when striking the ball.
Float Serve
The overhand serve and the float serves are slightly similar in nature. But the important distinction is that the float serve is performed with less force, speed and significantly lower trajectory than usual. The speciality of float serve is that it moves in the air unpredictably as soon as it reaches the court of the opponent, making it very difficult for the serve receivers to predict the path of the ball.
Although this is the case, it is one of the challenging serves to get good at. You need constant practice to perfect this particular one.
Having said that, here’s how you’ll perform it.
Hold the ball with one or both the hands and ensure that the airhole mouth facing the palm, toss it up, take a 2 to 3 step slow run when the ball is in the air and when it comes down, jump high and hit the ball with the palm of your dominant hand at the highest point. Use less force and send the ball to the specific region of the opponent court.
FAQs on the Types of Serves in Volleyball and their Basics (Part 1)
Is there Another Way to Perform the Underarm/underhand Serve in Volleyball?
Yes, there’s another way to perform the underhand serve.
Here’s how it goes. Instead of tossing the ball slightly, you hold the ball in your less dominant hand and keep it well in front of your body.
Make a fist with your striking hand as you about to hit it, move on to your front foot and then strike it.
Ensure to bend your knees slightly to add additional power on your serve.
Can You Predict the Movement of the Ball when a Player Performs Float Serve?
No, you can’t predict the movement of the ball when a player performs float serve. That’s the challenging nature of it.
The only way to tackle this serve is, you got to be a very good reader of the flight of the ball and swift on your feet to cover for the movement of it.
Is it Possible to Impart Topspin on the Overhand Serve?
A big yes. The only thing is, you’d have to practice consistently to get the accuracy as well as the desired topspin on the ball.
Conclusion
and there you have it! the part 1 of the types of serves in volleyball and their basics.
Serve is an integral part of volleyball and if you have 2 or 3 of your strong ones, then you can dominate the match for sure every time!
Now, it’s your turn.
What are the tips and things you do to perform your serves accurately and achieve the desired results?
Share them all in the comments section below!
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A Detailed Guide About the Governing Bodies of Volleyball for Beginner Players
LET’S BE SOCIAL!
Nice post! I always enjoy your posts about volleyball and admire your expertise.
Hi Susan, thanks for your kind words!
I played volleyball in school when I was 12-14 years old. I remember I enjoyed it a lot. Your articles are so educational and helpful. Thanks for explaining the types of serves in volleyball.
Hi Hadassah Treu, thanks for your comment. Glad you found this post educational and helpful. Very happy to know that you played volleyball in your school days.
Thank you for this great guide to master the basics of volleyball. It’s been years since I played the sport – so this is a great refresher on the types of serves.
Hi Debbie, thanks for your comment. Glad you found this post helpful. Very happy to know that you played volleyball.
Thanks for the great information about the types of serves in volleyball. I have a lot to learn!
Hi Crysti, thanks for your comment. Glad you found this post helpful.
I loved Volleyball in HS, and this post brought back so many wonderful memories. I am saving this post for when it gets warmer and I can hit the sand and implement your teachings! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kirstiee Rizzo, thanks for your encouraging comment. Glad you found the tips in this post helpful. Very happy to know that you loved playing volleyball in your high school days and it brought back some wonderful memories of playing the sport.
These are some helpful information you shared. I had no clue about it. Thanks for sharing
Hi Khush, thank you so very much!
I like watching Volleyball, but I didn’t realise it was as technical as it is! Definitely learnt something new today 🙂
Hi Lou, thanks for your comment. Glad you learned some technical aspects of playing volleyball and very happy to know that you enjoy watching this sport.
Jump serves are always really fun to see! Volleyball is a really fun sport actually and it doesn’t get too much attention but it’s very entertaining!
Hi Tammy, thanks for your comment. I totally agree that jump serve is exciting to watch.
This is so interesting to learn more about the different rules and techniques in volleyball, thanks for sharing.
Hi Jenny, thanks for your comment. Glad you found the info in this post about the various rules and techniques of volleyball interesting to learn.
I honestly didn’t realise there were so many ways to serve! I’ve never played volleyball, other than messing around on the beach or when at a picnic … I will rehearse some of these so I can impress my opposition the next time we play!
Hi Tracey Kifford, thanks for your comment. Glad you learned about the various types of serves performed in volleyball from this post. Very happy to know that you are thinking about practice some of the serves so that you can perform them the next time you play. All the best!
Hey there! Loved your breakdown of different volleyball serves! You transported me back to my school days! Your explanations are so clear and helpful 👏
Hi Vasu Devan, thanks for yor kind words. Glad you found the explanations in this post about the various types of serves performed in volleyball clear. Happy to know that you played volleyball in your school days.
I did not know that there were so many different serves in Volleyball.
Hi jupiter hadley, thanks for your comment. Glad you learned about the different types of serves performed in volleyball.
I only ever somewhat managed to do underarm serves, although my wrist would pay the price so I probably was doing it wrong! I have to try the other types!
Hi Natalie, thanks for your comment. Yes, your wrist hurts when you make the wrong contact on the ball. Happy that you are thinking to try out other types of serves. All the best!
Great information! I didn’t know there were this many types of serves.
Hi Luna S, thanks for your comment. Glad you learned about the various types of serves performed in volleyball.
I remember playing volleyball in high school. Things have changed a bit since then, but the sport is still fun to watch and/or play.
Hi Rosey, thanks for your comment. Very happy to know that you played volleyball in your high school days.
Thank you for providing such a comprehensive guide on volleyball serves! As someone new to the sport, I really appreciate the breakdown of the different types of serves and the basics of each one. It can be overwhelming for beginners to grasp all the nuances, and your approach of categorizing them into underhand, overhand, float, and topspin serves makes it much more digestible.
Hi Sue-Tanya Mchorgh, thanks a lot for your thoughtful comment. Glad you found the post helpful in understanding the various types of serves performed in volleyball. Very happy to know that you started playing volleyball. All the best!
You are clearly an expert on describing anything related to volleyball. Thanks for the professional advice and explaining clearly types of volleyball serves.
Hi Stephanie, thanks a lot for your kind words. Glad you are able to understand the different types of serves performed in volleyball.
Very cool. I had no idea there were variations on both kinds of serves. It’s almost like all the different baseball pitches.
Hi Ben, thanks for your comment. Glad you learned about the different types of serves performed in volleyball through this post.
This was another really interesting read. I love reading your blog because I learn so much. I had no idea a floater serve was even a thing!
Hi Beth, thank you so very much for your kind words. So glad to know that you find the posts interesting to read. Happy to know that you learned about some new serves in volleyball.
This is such a detailed post for volleyball players. I know nothing about these serves so it was interesting to read about.
Hi Lisa, thanks for your comment. Glad you found the post helpful for beginner volleyball players and interesting to read about.
I’ve never tried volleyball but I love the sound of it as a team sport
Hi Jenny, thanks for your comment. Glad to know that you love volleyball as a team sport.
I’ve never played volleyball before as it’s not a commonly played sport in the UK. I had no idea there were so many different types of serves x
Hi Rhian Scammell, thanks for your comment. Glad you are able to learn the different types of serves performed in volleyball.
Your advice provides a clear path for beginners like me to build a strong foundation in the sport and work our way up. It’s reassuring to know that there’s a structured approach to learning and improving in volleyball.
Hi LavandaMIchelle, thanks for your kind words. Very happy to know that you are playing volleyball. With consistent practice, you can definitely work your way up even though you are a beginner of the sport. All the very best!
I had no idea there were this many types of serves in volleyball. I don’t play but I do enjoy watching my kids so this information is most useful in understanding what they are doing!
Hi Stephanie, thanks for your comment. Glad you found this post helpful. Very happy to know that your kids play volleyball, and wish them all the best on behalf of me!
What great info! Being someone who has only played volleyball a couple of times, this is super helpful and detailed enough so I can feel confident playing today.
Hi Emily, thanks for your comment. Glad you’ve found this post helpful. All the very best for starting confidently in playing volleyball!
This post reminds me of high school, I used to play Volley and now hoping my kids will enjoy it soon as well. I’ll make them read this when the day comes! Thanks!
Hi Marie B, thanks for your comment. Glad you’ve found this post helpful and reminded positive memories about your high school days of playing volleyball. Very happy to know that you’ve played volleyball and thanks for your kind words.