Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Taking a position
• Part 2 of 3: Aiming the ball
• Part 3 of 3: Running the service
• Tips
• Warnings

In volleyball, an underhand serve is one of the most basic skills you need. Serving is the only time in a volleyball game when you have the opportunity to be in control of a ball that is not moving and you can score a lot of points this way, so it is important to develop good technique. An overhand service doesn't take as much power as an overhand service or as much training as a jump service, so it's great for beginners.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Taking a position

1. Take position with your feet. Stand with your non-dominant foot in front and your toes forward. Your dominant foot should be behind with your toes slightly out.
   • Shift your weight to your dominant foot.
   • Make sure your hips are straight out, not turned to the side.
2. Get the ball ready. Make a small bowl of your non-dominant hand and place the ball in it. Make sure the ball is secure so it doesn't wobble or fall off your hand.
   • Keep your fingers a little loose to distribute the weight of the ball. This keeps him in balance.
   • Do not grab the ball with your fingers. You want to have it stable, but it should still be able to fly out of your hand when you hit it.
3. Lower the ball. Bring the arm holding the ball to the side of your body in front of the arm you're hitting with. The ball should be level with the center of your thigh.
   • Straighten the arm with the ball and move it to the side by moving your arm at the shoulder, not at the elbow.
   • You want the ball to be low so you can put more power into it as you move your whole body forward and up.
4. Lean forward with your shoulders. Move your hips back and keep your upper back straight as you bring your shoulders to the ball. This will bring you a little closer to the ball so that you have more control.
   • Do not lean forward, but do not stand upright.
   • As your hips move back, you can lift the toes of your front foot so that your heel touches the floor and your toes are pointing up.

Part 2 of 3: Aiming the ball

1. Choose a strategic place for the ball to land. You want to confuse the opponents as much as possible. If you're training on your own it doesn't seem that important, but when you're in a team you want the ball to go where you are aiming - so practice aiming!
   • First you practice aiming at the right or left at the back of the field. This forces the compasses to leave the formation.
   • After you have practiced that you start aiming for spots between players. This confuses players as to who should take the ball, enhancing your strategic advantage.
2. Adjust your angle in relation to the net. If you aim deep left in the back, your shoulders will point to the left and your back foot will move slightly to the right, and vice versa.
   • Draw a straight line across the field with your eyes. Bring your eyes from your chosen landing spot to the point at the bottom of the ball where you will hit it.
   • If you need to move your head to the side to draw a line from your landing point to your contact point, adjust your feet and shoulders so that you are facing your chosen landing point.
3. Squeeze your slapping hand into a fist. Then turn your arm so that your closed fingers and the inside of your wrist are pointing up.
   • Visualize your fist hitting the point of contact on the ball and follow a line to where you want it to land.
   • It is also possible to have your fist pointed to the side, with your wrist turned in and your thumb up.

Part 3 of 3: Running the service

1. Determine the arc of the ball. The desired arc of the ball depends on whether you want the ball to land far on the other side or closer to you. Hitting the ball with more forward force means the ball will fly lower and faster towards the back of the field, while hitting the ball upward means the ball will fly lower and land closer to you.
   • Usually low arches that end deep are desirable in volleyball. They are difficult to play back and control, so it is more likely that you can score points on them.
   • If you know that two people will get confused closer to the front due to a service landing in between them, you can aim for a higher arc that ends there.
   • If you want more speed and control, you should try an overhand service.
2. Pull your slapping arm straight back. It should move quickly, like a pendulum. Then swing it forward firmly and hit the bottom of the ball with your closed fist.
   • You must hit the ball just below center so that it follows an upward trajectory over the net.
   • Accelerate your swing just before making contact with the bottom of the ball.
3. Step forward while swinging your arm. You must shift your weight to your non-dominant foot, which must be in front. Move your whole body forwards and upwards, propelling the ball over the net.
4. Continue with your arm. Your arm should continue in a revolving arc after hitting the ball. Raising your arm completely guarantees a straight flight path over the net.
   • Keep your arm straight. It should swing straight up like a pendulum, to a height equal to or just above your head.
   • Remember the imaginary line you drew from your landing point to your contact point. Your fist should trace that line as it follows.
5. Assume a ready position. When you have served the ball, stand ready immediately. Stand with your face forward and your feet shoulder-width apart, legs bent and arms straight down in front of you with your hands clasped together.
   • After following, let your arms hang for a moment before clasping them together to get ready again.
   • You can check briefly how your ball lands, but don't be too distracted to do your part if the ball returns over the net.

Tips

• You have to practice your swing many times to know how hard to hit to get it over the net.
• Try to serve from different angles. The more you practice, the better you will be at knowing what effect it will have on the flight of the ball.
• Do not throw the ball with the left instead of hitting it with the right.

Warnings

• A soft ball is best for learning to serve and will hurt less.