Different Methods to Perform the Underhand Serve in Volleyball
Every game is an opportunity to measure yourself against your own potential.
Bud Wilkinson
Source: Everyday Power
Are you a beginner volleyball player looking for a detailed guide that explains thoroughly about the different methods to perform the underhand serve in volleyball?
Do you want to learn them and understand how this particular serve will aid you in getting the overhand serve right?
Then keep reading!
I’ve recently uploaded about the different serves performed in volleyball as a 2 part series and in the part 1 of the video, I’ve talked about the underhand serve. In that one, I’ve talked about a particular method that you can utilize to perform the underhand serve.
Actually, there are a couple of methods with which you can perform this serve. And that’s precisely what I am going to tell you today.
But before we go any further, here’s an interesting fact about volleyball serves.
Did you know? Once referee blows the whistle, a player has 8 seconds to perform a serve. If a player fails to serve within the time frame or serves after the 8 seconds mark, a point will be awarded to the opponent and the serve turn for the player is forfeited. On the other hand, if a player serves before the referee’s whistle, then there won’t be any point penalty and they can serve again.
Different Methods to Perform the Underhand Serve in Volleyball
Method 1
In the method one, you hold the ball in your less dominant hand and keep it further in front of your body. Your stance should be foot split slightly apart and you facing the net. You have to keep your wait on your back foot.
Toss the ball slightly and as it comes down, transfer your wait on to your front foot and take the hitting arm all the way back in a swing motion. When the ball reaches to a comfortable hitting height, swing your arm forward and strike it.
You can make contact on the ball either with an open hand or by making a fist.
Here’s my volleyball serves part one video explains this method with proper demonstration.
Method 2
in the method 2, your stance is key to making an impactful serve. It’ll be left foot forward and right foot back for the right handed server and it is the exact reverse if you are a left hand player.
you don’t toss the ball when performing the underhand serve with this particular method. Rather, you hold the ball in your less dominant hand, keep it further in front of your body, take your striking arm all the way back in a swing motion, transfer your wait forward as you are about to serve and then swinging it straight through and hitting the ball out of your hand.
This is the simplest method amongst the 2 for learning the underhand serve, if you are just starting to play volleyball.
Video for Different Methods to Perform the Underhand Serve in Volleyball
Some Key Points to Remember when Practicing to Get the Underhand Serve Right
You can use any of these methods to perform the underhand serve and you need to remember some key points when practicing to get it right.
- Stance is critical when performing the underhand serve irrespective of the method you use.
- Make sure to keep the ball further in front of your body so that you can utilize the full swing of your hitting hand to strike it.
- Keep your wait on your back foot and as you are about to serve, move forward on to your front foot and then make contact on the ball. That way, you can avoid your serve going straight up in the air.
- You can serve the ball either with an open hand or making a fist with your striking hand. Making a fist provides power to any serve you perform on the volleyball court. When you are just starting to play volleyball, it helps you to get your serve over the net successfully as well.
- On the other hand, open hand contact provides accuracy due to the fact that you hit the ball with the significant part of your striking hand.
- Ensure that you bend your knees slightly forward for getting elevation and power on your serve when using any of the methods I’ve mentioned in this post to perform the underhand serve.
The Truth About the 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. Also, this particular serve is only taught up to the eighth grade students in the top 10 countries that dominate the volleyball circuit. The main reason for this 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.
Although this is the case, there are a couple of instances where you can use the underhand serve.
- When you can impart topspin on the serve.
- When you are struggling to understand and perform the overhand serve and you want a starting point to learn the basics. In that instance, learn the underhand serve, practice the different parts of the overhand serve, once you feel confident and comfortable, try to put them all for performing that particular serve.
FAQs on the Different Methods to Perform the Underhand Serve
What are the Common Mistakes Players Make when Performing the Underhand Serve in Volleyball?
There are 3 common mistakes players make when performing the underhand serve in volleyball. They are over swinging, holding the ball tight and keeping their wait on the back foot when performing the serve.
If you over swing your hitting arm, it leads to mistimed serves. If you hold the ball tight when performing the underhand serve, you won’t be able to provide the needed power when making contact on the ball.
Finally when you keep your wait on the back foot, there’s a high chance that your serve might go straight up in the air while hitting the ball.
Avoiding these 3 key mistakes will aid you to perform an effective underhand serve.
What is the Main Reason for Using the Underhand Serve?
Usually, underhand serve is the first thing a volleyball coach teaches to a beginner player when it comes to serving the ball. It’ll help them get a better ball control.
Therefore, it’s a type of serve that’s exclusively taught for beginner volleyball players.
What are the Different Parts of an Underhand Serve in Volleyball?
There are 3 key parts you need to get good at when performing the underhand serve in Volleyball.
They are the swing of your hitting arm, the way you hold the ball and the contact you make while hitting it out of your hand.
Conclusion
I hope that you now have a thorough idea of the different methods you can use to perform an underhand serve in volleyball.
Although it isn’t a serve that’s used in match situations or most volleyball coaches typically teach this particular type of serve to beginner players, it’s a great starting point if you are just getting into playing volleyball. Also, if you are struggling to understand and perform the overhand serve, then the easiest thing you can do is to practice this serve, understand the fundamentals and use them to get good at the overhand serve/perform it successfully.
Now it’s your turn.
What is the easiest method for you to perform the underhand serve?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Related Posts
The Ultimate Guide to the Types of Serves in Volleyball and their Basics (Part 1)
The Ultimate Guide to the Types of Serves in Volleyball and their Basics (Part 2)
How to Set Realistic Goals as a Beginner Volleyball Player? A Detailed Guide
LET’S BE SOCIAL!
I am not a sports person. I don’t play but I love to watch as both my husband and kids are into sports.. nevertheless I love going through your blog..
Hi Eshna, thanks for your encouraging words. Glad to know that you love to watch sports and both your husband and kids are into sportts. So happy that you like the blog!
Wow! This website is so good. I used to be very bad at playing volleyball when I was at high school, I wish I had a blog like this to help me out!
Hi Claudia, thank you so much for your kind words. Very happy to know that you are a volleyball player in your high school days. Although you think that you weren’t good at playing volleyball, the fact that you attempted this sport and that’s a major win in my book.
Now that my daughter is playing, I appreciate the detailed guidance on the stances, arm swings, and crucial points for a killer serve.
Hi LavandaMIchelle, thanks for your comment. Glad you found the tips in this post helpful. Happy to know that your daughter started playing volleyball at her school. Convey my best wishes!
There are definitely a lot of helpful tips here. I am sharing this with my neice who is getting into the sport.
Hi Lani, thanks for your comment. Glad you found this post helpful. Happy to know that your niece is getting into playing volleyball and you are sharing the post. Convey my best wishes to your niece!
We have enjoyed playing volleyball at home. I will have to give this a try. It is nice to have some pointers.
Hi Marysa, thanks for your comment. Glad you found the post helpful. Very happy to know that your family enjoys playing volleyball. Definitely give this sport a try and I am sure you’ll have lots of fun. All the very best!
I really sucked at volleyball in high school haha! I wish I had known these tips to improve my serve.
Hi Natalie, thanks for your comment. Glad you found the serve tips in this post helpful. Although you think you weren’t good in playing volleyball in your high school days, the fact that you attempted your best and that’s a win in my book.
I don’t think I’ve properly played volleyball as it’s not as common here in the UK. Some great tips on the serve for beginners x
Hi Rhian Scammell, thanks for your comment. Glad you found the serve tips in this post valuable. Although volleyball isn’t a commonly played sport in the UK, I am happy that you played it for some time.
Very helpful for those playing volleyball or are looking to improve! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Tammy, thanks for your comment. Glad you found the post helpful for volleyball players.
I used to play in high school and am teaching Mollie to play. Thank you for the great tips.
Hi Susan m Quackenbush, thanks for your comment. Very happy to know that you played volleyball in your high school days and now teaching the sport to your daughter. Wish her all the best on behalf of me!
I started playing volleyball many years ago and have always been very good at it. Still love it to this day.
Hi Paula Richie, thanks for your comment. Very happy to know that you played volleyball and love the sport to this day.
I have actually never played volleyball, but I may well have to give it a go and learn a few moves lol xx
Hi Melanie williams, thanks for your comment. Glad you’ve decided to give volleyball a go even though you haven’t played the sport. Very happy for that. All the very best!
This sounds like an awesome resource for beginner volleyball players! 🏐 Exploring the art of the underhand serve and how it can set the stage for mastering the overhand serve is key for anyone looking to up their game. Looking forward to delving into this two-part series to gain a better understanding of the techniques involved. Thanks for sharing your expertise and helping us improve our skills!
Hi Sue-Tanya Mchorgh, thanks a lot for your encouraging comment. Glad to know that you find the tips and techniques in this post are useful to improve your overall skills in the sport. All the very best!
I’m not sporty, but all these tips are very helpful. Especially to all who started their journey for being a Volleyball athlete!
Hi Marie Cris Angeles, thanks for your kind words. Glad you found this post helpful for beginner volleyball players.
I am a total beginner to volleyball so I appreciate your tips about this serve. It’s good to know there are different methods.
Hi Lisa, thanks for your comment. Glad you found the methods of performing the underhand serve useful. All the very best!
I have never played volleyball before, but this post makes me understand it more and great for beginners
Hi Samantha Donnelly, thanks for your comment. Glad to know that you find this post helpful for beginner volleyball players.
I will show this post to my daughter as she has very much got into playing volleyball at school and really enjoys it!
Hi Yeah Lifestyle, thanks for your comment. Very happy to know that your daughter gotten into playing volleyball and loving the sport. Wish her best of luck on behalf of me!
I’ve not played volleyball in so long that I completely forgot everything. This has served as a great reminder and taught me some things too.
Hi Melanie E, thanks for your comment. Very happy to know that you played volleyball and you learned some things through this post. If possible, try playing volleyball again and I am sure you’ll enjoy!
This was such an interesting read. I actually had no idea that there was more than one way to do an underhand serve. I don’t play volleyball, so I found this to be very fascinating.
Hi Beth, thanks for your comment. Glad to know that you’ve found the post fascinating to read.
I know nothing about volleyball but I find the game very interesting! I would love to learn more about it and practice it, it is so much fun.
Hi Karen, thanks for your comment. Very happy to know that you find volleyball as an interesting to play sport. Although you don’t know about volleyball, your willingness to practice would be enough to get you started. All the very best!
This is great! Very detailed, perfect for beginners.
Hi Lani, thanks for your comment. Glad you found this post helpful for beginner players.
This is very helpful! I’m not very good at volleyball, so this is great information to have. I’m sure it’ll improve my skills.
Hi Christine, thanks for your comment. Glad you’ve found this post helpful. Practice and valuable guidance is the way to go if you want to improve in playing volleyball. All the very best!
I learned how to play volleyball using an underhanded serve. Being left handed, “serves” me well!
Hi Susan, thanks for your comment. Glad you’ve found this post helppful. Very happy to know that you learned serving in volleyball using the underhand serve. Being a left hand server is a pretty advantageous for a team simply because there aren’t not many left hand players and the angle/flight of their serve is totally different to a right hand server.
I know nothing about volleyball but you are clearly an expert in this sport! I really learned about the underhand serve from watching your video.
Hi Lisa, thanks for your comment. Very happy that the post helped you a lot and you learned the underhand serve through my video. You completely made my day! I am sharing the following information just for your knowledge. Italy is one of the top performing teams in volleyball.
Spent all day watching volleyball yesterday & was totally lost! Thank you for your easy-to-understand explanations!
Hi Alleya Ray, thanks for your comment. Glad to know that the post and the information is easy to understand.
Great post! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kirsten, Thanks!
I live in uk and didnt know anything about volleyball, thanks for sharing
Hi Eileen Burns, thanks for your comment. Hope you’ve learned something about volleyball.
I love watching my kids play volleyball. These are all great tips for the underhand serve. Thank you for writing this great post!
Hi Laura Levitan, thank you so much for your encouraging comment. Glad you’ve found this post helpful. Very happy to know that your kids play volleyball and you love watching them take part in the sport!
Thank you for highlighting the different methods to perform an underhand serve in volleyball. These are really great tips for beginners.
Hi Debbie, thanks for your comment. Glad you’ve found this post helpful for beginner players.
Good info. I like playing volleyball for fun but wondered how I can be effective in serving since I hit or miss at it. Love the details and videos explaining it.
Hi Ann, thanks for your comment. Glad you’ve found this post helpful. Very happy to know that you play volleyball and the tips in this post will help you get good at the serving aspect of the post. All the very best!
These are great tips! I love that it is well-detailed and beginners can easily understand it.
Hi Valentina, thanks for your comment. Glad that you’ve found this post helpful for beginner volleyball players.