A Deep Dive into Serves

Post-Camp Volleyball Tips: A Deep Dive into Serves

Hey there, volleyball superstars,

This is Dr. Darren Cannell, your coach from the Canadian Elite Academy. I trust you are all feeling fantastic after our electrifying volleyball camp. Your strides have been truly impressive, and we're determined to keep the momentum alive! To help with that, I've put together some tips and activities you can do at home to further sharpen your serving skills.

1. Standing Serve

Let's start with the fundamentals. The standing serve is all about reliability and accuracy. Keep your eyes on the ball during the toss and aim for a smooth, fluid motion when you strike.

Home Drill: Toss and Serve

All you need is your volleyball and some open space. Toss the ball, let it drop, retrieve it and try again. Once you've nailed a consistent toss, add in your serve. Don't stress about power at this stage. Just focus on hitting the ball cleanly and consistently.

2. Float Serve

The beauty of the float serve lies in its unpredictable trajectory, thanks to the lack of spin. This often catches opponents off guard, giving you an edge.

Home Drill: Balloon Float

Practice the "no-spin" hit at home using a balloon. Strive to hit the balloon in a way that it floats without spinning. It's trickier than it seems, but it will significantly help you master the float serve.

3. Top Spin Jump Serve

If done right, the topspin jump serve is a powerhouse of a serve. It blends the strength of a jump serve with the deceptive, downward trajectory of the topspin.

Home Drill: Wall Topspin

Find a tall wall or high fence, toss the ball up, and jump up to serve the ball against the wall. Concentrate on striking the ball to generate forward spin, which will help you create that desirable topspin.

4. Float Jump Serve

The float jump serve is an excellent skill to have in your arsenal. It's all about perfect timing and making good contact with the ball while airborne.

Home Drill: Jump and Touch

Find a spot on a wall or doorway at home that's slightly higher than your reach. Practice jumping up to touch that spot repeatedly. This exercise will help you improve your jump height and timing for your jump serves.

Remember, volleyball is more than physical skills; it encompasses strategy, team spirit, and fun. Carry these elements in your heart as you practice. And most importantly, always stretch before and after each practice session. We want to avoid any potential injuries, don't we?

Stay safe, and keep practicing. I'm excited to see you implement these skills when the new season kicks off!

Cheers,

Dr. Darren Cannell

Head Coach, Canadian Elite Academy