Volleyball Serve Types

Serving is a crucial skill to learn for all players. While not every player will serve over the course of a game, learning how to serve can be crucial in emergency situations. Each point cannot start without a properly executed serve, and failing to do so will result in a point for the other team.

What are the types of serves in volleyball?

The different types of volleyball serves include:

• Underhand Serves
• Overhand Serves
• Float Serves
• Topspin Serves
• Jump Serves
• Skyballs

Underhand Serve

A volleyball game, set, or even point cannot be started until the ball is served in. This makes the serve an integral part of the sport. An underhand serve is typically the technique used in recreational volleyball, by beginners. This is done by holding out the ball with one’s non-dominant hand, then striking the underside of the ball with a closed fist. This type of serve tends to be used less and less as the level of competition increases, as it is very easy to receive.

Overhand Serve

This is the serving technique used most commonly in high school/college. When done normally, it is slightly more difficult to receive than the underhand serve, as it is easier to aim and has more of a horizontal trajectory than the underhand serve. This serve is performed by tossing the ball up with one’s non-dominant hand, then hitting the ball above one’s head with the other hand.

Float Serve

This is a type of overhand serve, but with a twist, or rather lack thereof. This is an overhand serve, but hit so that the ball does not have any spin as it travels through the air. While this may seem easier to receive, as spin often causes receives to go awry, the lack of spin causes the ball to catch the air, and can move unpredictably. The ball can move from side to side, or drop suddenly, or even sometimes go long when it seems like it should drop.

Topspin Serve

This is another type of overhand serve, with added topspin in order to make the serve more difficult to receive. This serve is far more predictable than a float serve, however is much faster, more powerful, and drops quickly, making it difficult to receive, even if the trajectory of the ball is predicted.

Jump Serve

This is the serve that is used primarily to get an ace or fluster the defense in professional volleyball. This serve is done by tossing the ball higher than an overhand serve, then running into a jump, and striking the ball overhand at the peak of the jump. Jump serves can be either topspin serves or float serves. The jump serve using topspin is incredibly difficult, and has a high potential for error. However, when done correctly, the serve is almost as effective as a spike. Jump floats are also incredibly difficult, but as the power of the serve is irrelevant, it tends to go over the net more often than when done with topspin. Jump floats are primarily used as more powerful float serves, with more range.

Skyball

The final type of serve, and the most rarely used. This is a form of underhand serve, however struck with as much power as possible. This is in order to get the ball as high in the air as possible, in order to disorient the receivers. Due to the height of this serve, it tends to only be used in beach volleyball, or in large stadiums.

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