1. Practice the Toss
When serving in volleyball, you want to have a consistent serve toss. You can only accomplish this consistency through practice. To have a dependable serve in volleyball, it starts with the toss. To practice the toss, extend your arm straight out in front of you, place the ball your hand and toss the ball up. The toss should travel two to three feet straight up, depending on your height and body type. The volleyball should land six to eight inches in front of your lead foot. Repeat this exercise until you get comfortable with the toss.
2. Work that Body
All your body parts must work together to get maximum accuracy and velocity on the volleyball serve. First, place the foot of the non-serving side of your body six to eight inches in front of your body. Then, put the other foot behind your body at about the same distance. Keep a majority of your weight on the back foot until you start the arm swing. As you toss the ball, bring the arm up and, at the same time, step into the serve. A closed fist or open hand should meet the ball at its highest point. Finally, bring the arm through the volleyball and down, completing a circular motion of the serve.
3. Watch that Elbow
Like in other sports, a misplaced elbow can get you into trouble. When serving a volleyball, you want make sure to get and keep the elbow high. A good way to tell if it is high enough is to stop in mid-serve and look behind you. If you can see under the elbow, then it is high enough. Another good reminder is to always keep the elbow higher than your ear when you serve the volleyball.
4. Body Position
Point your body squarely in the direction you want to serve the ball. Some try to get tricky and serve in a direction their body is not facing in an attempt to trick the opponent. More times than not, this will only result in a bad serve. Simply keep the shoulders square and feet balanced in the direction of the serve. A good serve is a more than sufficient weapon. Do not try to use subterfuge to score on the serve.
5. Jump Serve
There are really two main types of serves: the standing serve and the jump serve. Just like the names sound, a standing serve has you serving from your feet, and a jump serve, sees your feet leaving the ground. A jump serve is more difficult and requires timing and practice to master. If you are a beginning player, you should start with the standing serve and then work your way up to a jump serve. In addition, the jump serve has more power, but is more difficult to execute.
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