Jump Serve in Volleyball
A serve means the beginning of volleyball game. And of course, a serve needs to be done properly by a volleyball player. It’s important for you to know that there are several types of serves in volleyball sport. A server can do jump serve, float serve as well as topspin serve.
This blog will concentrate on jump serve (also known as power serve or jump power serve). We’ll tell you what a jump serve is and explain to you how to do jump serve. In addition, we’ll give you some training tips for a better jump serve. Finally, you’ll get a better understanding of what you need to do to succeed with jump power serve in volleyball.
What is Jump Serve?
First of all, we would like to tell you what a jump serve is. Actually, this type of serve involves two motions. It’s fair to say that jump serve is all about jumping and hitting the ball. This type of serve is done during the jump.
The jump gives a volleyball player the perfect opportunity to make an extra motion and hit the ball harder. If jump serve is done right, the opposite team’s defensive players will definitely find it hard to handle the ball.
On the other hand, a jump serve is a skill that has its own drawbacks. It’s important to note that jump serve is not an easy skill that requires a lot of patience, dedication and practice. So, it may take a volleyball player too much time to master a jump serve. Those servers who choose to do jump serve oftentimes make mistakes. Below, we’ll explain to you how to do jump serve.
How to Jump Serve
Jump serving process consists of several steps – tossing, approaching, jumping, hitting and landing. Now, we’ll give you more details about each of these steps.
- Initially, the ball is tossed in the air. When tossing the ball, a server needs to ensure that it would be easy for him/her to hit the ball with his/her right hand. The job of a server is to hit the ball when it reaches the highest point. That’s the reason why a server should aim to toss the ball high enough in the air. You should also toss the ball several feet in front of you. So, you’ll have some time to approach the ball and hit it forcefully.
- After tossing a server has to approach the ball quickly. Would you like to benefit from high toss? In this case, you need to wait some time after tossing and then go to the ball. If you choose to take advantage of low toss then you’ll definitely need to toss and step at the same time.
The big question is – how many steps does a server need to take to approach the ball after tossing? Usually, a server needs to take three steps to approach the ball. A setter has to take three steps before jumping. Let’s imagine that you would like to hit ball with right hand. In this case, you’ll need to take left-right-left steps to approach the ball. However, if you are going to hit the ball with left hand then you’ll need to take right-left-right steps to approach the ball.
- Once you have approached the ball you’ll need to jump high and position your body properly. You should jump up and forward before a serve. By doing this, you’ll be able to get ready for hitting the ball.
- After hitting the ball, a server has to land on his/her feet. After that a server has to return back to his initial position on the court as soon as possible. Obviously, a setter has to position himself in the back row.
- It’s crucial for a server to select the right time for jumping. Do your best to hit the ball at the top of a jump. On the other hand, you should try to hit the ball when it has reached the highest possible point. A server has to contact the ball with flat and opened hand. When hitting the ball a setter should also keep fingers apart. Above all, a server has to hit the ball with a straight arm.
How to Improve Your Jump Serve
It’s incredibly important for a server to work on a jump serve consistently. While practicing a
jump serve you can make experiments. It makes sense to toss the ball to different heights. In other words, you can take advantage of either low toss or high toss. Plus, you can also try to toss the ball differently (using your left hand, right hand or both hands). Sooner or later, you’ll be able to find your way of doing a jump serve.
There has been a lot of talk about the benefits of using visualization techniques in volleyball training. Visualization helps volleyball players master the necessary skills. Mental imaginary is something that allows volleyball player to improve a jump serve. So, you should visualize your jump serve before volleyball practices and matches.
It’s a great idea to take a time-out before to start doing a jump serve. Or you can also spend a few seconds on bouncing the ball. This will help you improve your focus and boost your confidence prior to tossing the ball. Finally, you’ll be able to get ready for a jump serve mentally.
Jump Serving Tips from Micah Christenson
The legendary American volleyball player, Micah Christenson, is happy to share his secrets to a
successful jump serve with beginner servers. The athlete says that he chooses to follow a 3 step approach when doing a jump serve. However, there are also servers who prefer follow 4 or 5 step approach. Actually, a server can take as many steps as he/she wants. What is great about a 3 step approach is that this type of approach is easy to master.
Micah also says that the athlete can serve the ball with one hand or both hands. No matter what approach a server chooses to follow, a volleyball player has to toss the ball high and in front. After tossing, a server needs to bring his/her arms down immediately. By doing so, he/she will be able to get extra power for serving and hit the ball more forcefully.
When practicing a jump serve volleyball players also need to pay a close attention to timing. Micah recommends athletes to do a special volleyball drill to practise timing for a jump serve. Initially, an athlete has to toss the ball high in the air. After that a volleyball player needs to follow a 3 step approach to accelerate to the ball and then hit it forcefully.
In fact, there are two ways to start jump serve. A server can start tossing the ball high in the air first and after that begin to approach to the ball quickly. A server can also toss and approach to the ball at the same time.
From his own experience, Micah recommends athletes tossing and stepping at the same time. However, he says that some of athletes choose to toss the ball high before they go. By doing so, they can generate as much power as they can.
Another important thing is that servers shouldn’t change anything to their footwork when spiking the ball. When hitting the ball during the jump volleyball players have to do exactly the same thing. During the jump the task of a server is to open up and close to the target. Try to keep the ball slightly in front of the right shoulder. This will help a server hit the ball harder and feel better on the back.
Micah Christenson have also told about the most common mistakes that volleyball players tend to do while jump serving. The reality is volleyball players oftentimes overrun the ball when trying to do a jump serve. Some of athletes don’t open up properly and that’s why they can’t generate a lot of power when jump serving.
Thank you so much for reading our article about a jump serve in volleyball. Now, you know what it takes to be a good server. Practise a jump serve on a regular basis and there is no doubt that the success will not keep you waiting for a long time. As a result, you’ll be able to get the most out of a jump serve! Good luck!