The Ultimate Guide to the Types of Serves in Volleyball and their Basics (Part 2)
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
Darrel Royal
Source: How They Play.
In the part 1 of this post, I talked about the basics of the 4 types of serves in volleyball that are performed by players namely underarm/underhand, overhand, jump and float serves.
If you haven’t read the post, you can do so here.
When you are just getting started playing volleyball, learning and getting good at the underarm, overhand and jump serves would be enough. Why?
Good question!
Since you are in the early stages of playing volleyball, most volleyball coaches don’t want you to be going for technical and challenging serves such as float, jump float, jump topspin, hybrid or the sidearm serves. Due to the technical and precise nature of these serves, it’d be too overwhelming as a beginner and there’s a high chance that you may lose interest on the sport.
No volleyball coach would like to see that and that’s the exact reason why, they want you to go from easier serves to the challenging ones.
But everything has exceptions and if you can learn and get good at the technical serves from the start, then kudos to you and nobody will object you for doing that.
Having said that, we’ll be discussing in detail about the jump float, jump topspin, hybrid and the sidearm serves in this post.
Let’s go!
Did you know? The most number of aces scored in a volleyball match is by Stephanie Niemer and she scored an astounding total of 17. It’s a pretty challenging feet to achieve and the record would stay for a long time in my opinion.
The Types of Serves in Volleyball and their Basics (Part 2)
Jump Float Serve
The jump float serve will be pretty challenging for your opponent serve receivers to receive. Here’s why.
- Number one. As the name suggests, the serve is going to float which means it’s tough to predict the movement of the ball in the air and it’ll be subtle as well.
- Number 2. You can’t actually determine at what point the movement on the ball starts.
Because of these reasons, this is a technical serve and you should practice to get it right only when you are very good at the basic serves.
The main components of jump float serve are having a right footwork, toss and the contact you make on the ball. You have to understand that there’s a different footwork for people who use either their left or right hand while serving in volleyball.
To perform a jump float serve, first complete your serve routine and then footwork. The footwork will be right left right for the right handed servers and the left right left for the left hander.
Toss the ball straight up over your nose and as it comes down and just about to reach your nose, strike the ball with an open fist at the bottom center or the top center of the ball depending on the kind of float you want on your serve.
Make sure that when you toss the ball, it shouldn’t go far in front of you or behind you. It should be straight over your nose. That way, you can send the ball to the specific area of the court and you’ll have better control on the accuracy of the serve.
Jump Topspin Serve
This is also one of the types of serves in volleyball that require technical precision to execute accurately. You need to have an aggressive approach when performing this particular serve.
Just like all jump serves, you got to understand the 3 major parts namely toss, approach and the contact you make on the ball. Practice them regularly, and put them all in one sequence when executing this serve.
To perform a jump topspin serve, toss the ball with topspin high in the air and further in front of your body, approach the ball aggressively and hit it over the top with an open fist. Make sure that you strike the ball in a downward motion and with a flatter trajectory so that the ball gets additional topspin on it and drops on to the opponent’s court much faster than usual.
Video for the Types of Serves in Volleyball and their Basics (Part 2)
Hybrid Serve
The hybrid serve is a kind of serve that’s developed in the recent times. This type of serve is just that little bit straightforward to explain. To put it simply, you pretend to perform either a jump topspin serve or a jump float serve and at the point of you making contact on the ball, performing the exact opposite serve.
For example, pretending to perform a jump topspin serve and producing a jump float serve at the point of impact. Among all the serve types, this is the most challenging to receive for your opponents.
The Sidearm Serve
To be honest, nobody uses sidearm serve in volleyball matches. Just like the underhand serve, volleyball coaches don’t recommend this particular one to be used in a match situation. The simple reason being much like the underhand serve, this is also easy to receive for your opponents and they can manipulate it to their advantage and score a point easily.
Although it’s a less important serve in volleyball, the reason for me adding this to the list is when you are starting out, you need to practice all kinds of serves to get your 2 or 3 strong ones. To get good at the most technical serves, the sidearm along with the underhand serves can be a best starting point.
To perform this serve, hold the ball opposite to your dominant serving hand and stand side on to the net. Keep your legs slightly open and bend your knees slightly forward to generate more power to your serve. Toss the ball lower than usual and when the ball reaches to your waste height, hit the ball powerfully either with an open fist or your wrist.
FAQs on the Types of Serves in Volleyball and their Basics (Part 2)
Where should You Make Contact when Performing a Jump Topspin Serve?
When performing a jump topspin serve, it’s crucial that you make contact at the right spot on the ball. Powerful contact and the flatter trajectory hit makes the jump topspin serve that much potent and impactful.
Contact the ball at the top center with an open fist. Hit the ball with a downward motion of the striking hand. That way, your serve goes with a flatter trajectory and gets additional topspin.
What’s Required to Successfully Tackle the Jump Float Serve?
Much like the float serve, you can’t predict the movement of the ball when a player performs a jump float serve. You also won’t be able to determine when the actual movement on the ball starts.
So, you have to be a very good reader of the flight of the ball and swift with your footwork to cover the movement as well as tackle this particular serve.
What are the Most Widely Used Serves in Competitive Volleyball Matches?
Here are the serves that are most widely used in competitive volleyball matches.
- Jump.
- Float.
- Jump float.
- Jump topspin serve.
Conclusion
There we go! The part 2 of the types of serves in volleyball and their basics.
Having a sound overall serve game makes you an impactful player in a volleyball team. When you combine it with accuracy, you have significantly higher chances of making an impact every time you serve during a volleyball match.
Now, it’s your turn!
What are the methods you follow
To perform these technical serves?
Share them away in the comments section below!
Related Posts
The Ultimate Guide to the Types of Serves in Volleyball and their Basics (Part 1)
How to Set Realistic Goals as a Beginner Volleyball Player? A Detailed Guide
10 Common Mistakes to Avoid as Beginner Volleyball Players During a Match
LET’S BE SOCIAL!
I also appreciate your insights into when certain serves are best suited for different skill levels. As someone who is relatively new to volleyball, understanding that I should start with the basic serves and progress to the more challenging ones is valuable advice.
Hi LavandaMIchelle, Thanks for your appreciative comment. Yes, there are serves you can practice and get good at as a beginner player before moving to advanced ones. Very happy to know that you are starting out in playing volleyball, and all the very best in your journey!
I read this after reading ‘part 1’ so thank you for sharing all this extra information on volleyball serves. The video is quite helpful also.
Hi Stephanie, thanks for your appreciative comment. Very glad to know that you found the post and the video helpful. Also, thank you so much for reading the part 1.
I played competitive volleyball and never thought about how much work it takes to explain the mechanics of it all!
Hi Slowestuff, thanks for your appreciative comment. Very happy to know that you’ve played competitive volleyball!
Good information, thank you. It has been a long time since I’ve played Volleyball, makes me want to give it a try again ☺️
Hi Carmen, thanks for your comment. Glad you’ve found this post helpful. Very happy to know that you’ve played volleyball in the past. All the very best for considering to give it a try once again!
A helpful guide for those looking to learn more about volleyball!
Hi Lani, thanks for your comment. Glad you found this post helpful!
This is a great post! I was never a great volleyball player. Perhaps, I should try again!
Hi Marcia Moulton, thanks for your comment. Glad you’ve found this post helpful. Super happy to know that you are thinking to try playing volleyball again. Forget about the past and you now have a great chance to improve your overall skills for the sport. All the very best!
Great post! My girls are just getting started playing volleyball.
Hi Stacie, thanks for your comment. Glad you’ve found this post helpful. Very happy to know that your daughters are just started playing volleyball. All the very best to them!
I appreciate how you explained each serve in such a clear and concise manner. Now I have a solid understanding of the different types. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Peggy Chen, thanks for your comment. Glad you’ve found this post helpful. Happy to know that you now have a great understanding of the types of serves performed in volleyball.
This is such a well-detailed and educative post for beginner volleyball players. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Valentina, thanks for your comment. Glad you’ve found this post informative and educative.
I miss playing volleyball, I hope to play again soon. Thanks for the tips, something to keep in mind.
Hi Lani, thanks for your comment. Glad you’ve found this post. Happy to know that you are a former volleyball player. All the very best for starting again!
Great second part post on the types of serves in volleyball. Great and helpful guide for those looking to learn more about the sport!
Hi Debbie, thanks for your comment. Glad you’ve found this post helpful.