Mastering the Volleyball Serve

This lesson plan focuses on teaching youth volleyball players the fundamental techniques of serving, including both underhand and overhand serves, with an emphasis on practicing proper form and improving accuracy.
By mark
Part of SUSD 2025 - Youth Volleyball
Public

Lesson Steps

Overview
1
Introduction to Underhand Serve
10 minutes
2
Practice Underhand Serve
15 minutes
3
Introduction to Overhand Serve
10 minutes
4
Practice Overhand Serve
15 minutes
5
Serving Drills
20 minutes
Show All Steps

Lesson Overview

Welcome to an engaging session where students explore the fundamental skills of serving in volleyball, a critical component of the game that sets the tone for each play. This lesson focuses on mastering both underhand and overhand serves, ensuring that students grasp the essentials of proper form and technique. Through a series of dynamic drills and hands-on practice, students develop a strong foundation in serving, enhancing their confidence and precision on the court.

By the end of this lesson, students aim to achieve the following goals:

  • Understand the mechanics of underhand and overhand serves.
  • Demonstrate correct serving form with consistent accuracy.
  • Develop muscle memory through repetitive practice.
  • Identify and correct common serving errors in real-time.

Key Objectives

Key Objectives
  • Introduce students to the fundamental techniques of both underhand and overhand volleyball serves, ensuring they understand the mechanics and differences between each style.
  • Emphasize the importance of proper form and posture to maximize serve accuracy and effectiveness.
  • Ensure students recognize and adhere to safety protocols to prevent injuries, including appropriate warm-up exercises and safe serving distances.
  • Encourage practice and repetition to build muscle memory and confidence in serving skills.
  • Highlight the significance of mental preparation and focus during serving to enhance performance under game conditions.
Equipment Required
  • Volleyballs (enough for each student to practice simultaneously)
  • Volleyball net (set up at regulation height for practice)
  • Cones or markers (to designate serving areas and distances)
  • Whistle (for instructor to manage drills and provide feedback)
  • Scoreboard or counters (optional, for tracking progress and accuracy)
  • First aid kit (for addressing any minor injuries during practice)
Step 1 of 5

Introduction to Underhand Serve

10 minutes

Begin by explaining the fundamental mechanics of the underhand serve. Highlight the importance of each component to ensure students understand how to execute the serve effectively.

  • Stance: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, with the non-dominant foot slightly forward and knees slightly bent for balance.
  • Grip: Hold the ball in the non-dominant hand at waist level, keeping a relaxed grip.
  • Arm Swing: With the dominant hand, swing the arm back slightly, then bring it forward in a smooth motion. Make contact with the ball using the heel of the hand.
  • Follow-Through: After contact, continue the arm motion upwards and towards the target, ensuring the body weight shifts from the back foot to the front foot.

Demonstrate the underhand serve to the students, showing each step slowly and deliberately. Encourage them to observe the fluidity and rhythm of the serve.

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Step 2 of 5

Practice Underhand Serve

15 minutes

In this activity, students practice the underhand serve with an emphasis on consistent form and accuracy. Follow these steps:

  • Pair up students and have them stand on opposite sides of the volleyball net.
  • Instruct students to assume the proper underhand serving stance: feet shoulder-width apart, dominant foot slightly back, and knees slightly bent.
  • Guide them to hold the ball in their non-dominant hand at waist level.
  • Demonstrate the arm swing technique: swing the dominant arm back and then forward in a smooth motion, striking the ball with the heel of the hand.
  • Encourage students to focus on aiming the ball toward a specific target on the opposite side of the net.
  • Allow students to take turns serving the ball, offering feedback on their form and accuracy.

Encourage students to make adjustments to improve their technique based on peer and instructor feedback.

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Step 3 of 5

Introduction to Overhand Serve

10 minutes

Introduce students to the technique of the overhand serve by explaining the key components involved. Use the following steps to guide the demonstration:

  • Stance: Begin by standing with feet shoulder-width apart. Position the non-dominant foot slightly forward to create balance.
  • Grip: Hold the volleyball in the non-dominant hand at waist height. Ensure a relaxed grip to maintain control.
  • Toss: Demonstrate a controlled toss. The ball should be tossed about 12-18 inches into the air, slightly in front of the serving shoulder.
  • Arm Motion: As the ball reaches its peak, bring the dominant arm back into a cocked position, with the elbow high and hand open.
  • Contact: Swing the arm forward, making contact with the ball using the heel of the hand. Encourage students to keep their eyes on the ball throughout the motion.
  • Follow-through: Emphasize the importance of a complete follow-through, with the arm extending fully toward the target to ensure accuracy and power.

Invite students to observe closely and ask questions for clarification on each step before they attempt their first overhand serve practice.

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Step 4 of 5

Practice Overhand Serve

15 minutes

In this activity, students practice the overhand serve, focusing on refining their technique with special attention to the toss and timing. Follow these steps to facilitate the practice:

  • Warm-Up: Begin with light arm and shoulder stretches to prevent injury and ensure flexibility.
  • Demonstration: Quickly review the key elements of the overhand serve, emphasizing the toss and the follow-through motion.
  • Pair Up: Have students partner up, with one serving and the other observing and providing feedback. Switch roles after several serves.
  • Controlled Toss Practice: Focus on practicing the toss. Students stand in position and practice tossing the ball to the correct height and position without hitting it.
  • Full Serve Practice: Students perform the complete overhand serve, aiming for consistency and accuracy in their technique.
  • Feedback: Encourage peer feedback focusing on toss height, timing, and follow-through.
  • Reflection: After practice, gather students to discuss common challenges faced and share tips for improvement.
4 / 5
Step 5 of 5

Serving Drills

20 minutes

To reinforce the skills acquired in underhand and overhand serving, students participate in a series of drills designed to simulate real-game scenarios. These drills help players apply their learned techniques effectively.

  • Target Practice: Set up targets on the opposite side of the net. Have students alternate between underhand and overhand serves, aiming to hit specific targets. Encourage them to focus on both power and precision.
  • Relay Serve: Divide the class into small teams. Each team member must complete a successful serve before the next player serves. This drill fosters teamwork and emphasizes consistency under time constraints.
  • Serve and Defend: Pair up students. One student serves while the other prepares to receive the ball. This drill helps players understand how serving affects the opponent's strategy and improves their anticipation skills.

These drills not only enhance serving skills but also build confidence and readiness for competitive play.

5 / 5
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