Introduction: Easy Steps for the Perfect Overhand Serve

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An overhand serve in volleyball is a serve in which the player tosses the ball with one hand and strikes it in the air above their head with the other hand. Overhand serving is more advanced than underhand but that does not mean it’s impossible. You won’t master the serve right away so be patient. Remember that practice makes perfect. If you use the following tips and stick with it, you will be overhand serving in no time! And when you get really good you’ll start to get aces(that's when you serve the ball into your opponent's side of the court without it being touched or returned)!

*Before you start*

If you have a pre-serve routine or 'ritual' that you like to do, get that finished first.;) Some girls like to bounce their volleyball a few times before they serve or sometimes players will spin the ball before they toss it. You can get ready in whatever way you like just make sure you are prepared to create a great overhand serve into the other court. A big part of the overhand serve is imagining exactly where you want the ball to go on your opponent's court. Pick your spot and really focus on it.

What you Need:

  • 1 volleyball
  • 2 working arms
  • 1 volleyball net (optional)
  • persistence ;)
  • maybe a friend to shag your ball (unless you like to run;))

Step 1: Where to Put Your Feet

*ATTENTION LEFTIES*
If you are left handed this serve might take a little more time. Volleyball was invented for right handed players so many things will be backwards for you, but you can still make great use of these steps. Because your dominant foot and arm is the left, you will just switch your hand/foot to the opposite of the one I describe. Example:Toss the ball to your right hand.(You would toss the ball to your left hand;)) I believe in you lefties!;) Enjoy!:)


If you want your serve to be successful you have to start off with the correct footwork.

  1. Place your right foot slightly in front of your left foot.
  2. Make sure your feet are a decent distance apart(about 12 inches).
  3. Keep your knees slightly bent but make sure it's not uncomfortable.I like to lift my left foot and bend my left knee but do what feels best for you. (You want your serve to feel as natural as possible)

Step 2: Tossing the Ball

  1. Start your serve with the volleyball in your left hand. Find a happy medium.;) Don’t squeeze the ball, but make sure its not falling out of your hand.
  2. Place your right hand next to your right ear so they are almost touching.Your palm should be facing the ground.
  3. When tossing the ball, lightly toss it up and towards your right hand (try not to throw it behind you).
  4. Make sure your toss goes about as high as your arm when it is fully extended upward(this is where you are going to make contact with the ball).

Step 3: Toss,Step,Hit!

This is where you can put it all together.:)

Now that you know where to put your feet and how to toss the volleyball you can put all of your skill together into a great serve. I was told by one of my volleyball coaches to think these three words to myself as I serve: toss,step,hit. This is a great little trick and you will remember exactly what to do. When you first start over hand serving you might step before you toss, or try to hit before you step. This little song will hopefully keep you from doing that.;)

  1. Get your feet ready (as in Step 1)- right in front of left
  2. TOSS- Toss the ball (as in Step 2)- high and to the right
  3. STEP-Step forward with your left foot as you ...
  4. HIT- Hit the volleyball once it's at its highest point(as high as your arm can extend).
Hitting Tips:
  • Be powerful! You have to get the ball over the net and onto the other side of the court so you have to use a lot of strength and really push the ball hard.
  • Use the part of your hand in between your palm and your fingers. It's kind of the underside of your knuckles. Again, you can tweek the rules if you need to. Use the part of your hand that will create the most power in your serve.
  • Make sure you follow through. After you hit the ball bring your arm all the way down with it. This way your energy will be traveling in a forward motion and not stopping after you've made contact with the ball.

Step 4: THANK YOU!

Thank you for reading my Easy Steps to A Perfect Overhand Serve! I hope I've helped you learn to overhand serve or improve on your serve. Remember it will not be 'perfect' the first time. Be persistent and have fun with it! Good luck! Bye!:)