Post-Camp Volleyball Tips: Nailing the Overhand Serve Receive

Hello again volleyball superstars,

It's Dr. Darren Cannell here, your coach from the Canadian Elite Academy. Our journey together during the camp was amazing, and your continued improvement has been inspiring! Today, let's talk about a skill that can significantly impact the game's flow – the overhand serve receive. I'll share some tips and at-home activities to help you fine-tune this vital skill.

Overhand Serve Receive

Receiving a serve overhand can be an effective strategy, especially against powerful serves. It requires quick reactions, accurate hand positioning, and precise control.

The Position

Start with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. Your body should be balanced and ready to move in any direction.

Home Drill: Mirror Stance Practice your ready stance in front of a mirror. Make sure your body is balanced, your knees are bent, and you're ready to move quickly. This will help you instinctively adopt the correct stance during a game.

The Contact

Just like setting, you want to contact the ball with your fingers, creating a diamond shape. The key difference is you're not looking to set the ball high for an attack but instead to control it and direct it to your setter.

Home Drill: Wall Receive Stand a few feet from a wall and toss the ball up, then receive it overhand, directing it back towards the wall. This will help improve your hand positioning and ball control.

The Direction

The goal is to direct the received ball towards your setter. It's important to move your feet to get behind the ball and use your arms and wrists to guide the ball to its intended destination.

Home Drill: Target Receive Set up a target and practice directing your overhand receives towards it. As you get more comfortable, move the target further away or change its position to mimic in-game scenarios.

The Movement

Being quick on your feet and reading the serve are essential for getting in position to make a good overhand serve receive.

Home Drill: Shadow Receive In an open space, practice moving quickly into position as if you were going to receive a serve. You can also have someone else toss or serve the ball to add a level of unpredictability.

Remember, receiving a serve is your team's first touch of the rally, and a good receive can set the tone for a successful play. Practice these drills regularly, and your confidence and skill in overhand serve receives will improve dramatically.

Stay safe, keep practicing, and always remember to stretch before and after each session. I can't wait to see you all demonstrate these improved skills in the next season!

Cheers, Dr. Darren Cannell Head Coach, Canadian Elite Academy