Q&A for How to Do an Underhand Serve

It’s not a sign of injury. Sometimes, when players hit the ball at places they aren’t used to hitting at, they get bruised and the spot starts to hurt. It’s a thing most volleyball players go through, but it just proves how tough you are.

Yes, especially if you are just starting out, though you should always be aware of your surroundings.

Take one step at a time. Focus on the ball, and also make sure your hand movements are correct. When you serve the ball, you can try to move the arm you're serving with upwards a little more so you get a little more height. Believing in yourself is the most important thing. If you have time before tryouts, talk to the coach or anyone you know who is good at serving and get some tips.

When you first start to practice, just work on the motion of hitting the ball, without actually hitting the ball. If you do this, and really work hard toward it, your habit will break.

You'll ultimately hit the ball with the inside of your palms and thumbs, near where your hand meets your wrist.

It doesn’t really matter, but if you don’t have a net, try to hit the ball so it reaches at least 10 feet in the air.

Make a fist with your serving hand. Turn it, so you can see your nails. You will hit the ball close to your wrist.

Of course! You then have a better chance of not hitting your nail. Make sure your serving hand is turned out so it hits where your palm meets your wrist . Also make sure that you don’t you don’t slap it (that will take practice).

Your “running start” should just be two or three steps. If you take a running start, the ball might fall out of your hands.

Keep practicing! Your technique will get better as your body memorizes the movements. Try hitting it from the lower part of the ball to make it go higher.

Take two or three steps before going to hit the ball. Getting momentum will give you a more powerful serve.

Hold the ball where your hand is going to contact it. Hold it with your left hand on the right side of your body so that you don't have to reach for the ball while serving. This goes for right handed people and vice versa for lefties.

Hold the ball in your non-dominant hand. Hold it so that it won't fall out of your hand but you can still use your other hand to hit it out. Separating your fingers a bit is a good idea, and you want to cup your hand rather than having a flat hand.

This usually happens because of the posture or stance of the server. Make sure your dominant hand sided foot is in front (My right) and is an equal length behind your left. Then either ball your fist and turn it on the side where it'll be flat or slap it under and it should straighten!

Try to look where you want the ball to go, or 'square up,' which essentially means to be looking and have your body angled to where you want the ball to go. Try to also not use too much power, that might be what is causing the ball to go wayward. And lastly, don't hit the ball with your fist, you'll have no control what-so-ever over the ball, which will cause it to fly to the side. Instead, hit the ball with the inside of your wrist, because it is a flat surface your ball should fly over the net perfectly.