Q&A for How to Serve a Volleyball Overhand

Depending on how you serve, stand at least 5 to 6 inches behind the line. This way, you are safe from getting a line fault.

Hit the ball as hard as you can on the side/bottom and that will make it go up and over the net.

Hit with your open palm. Using a closed fist will produce a harder hit but will sacrifice accuracy, which is usually a bad thing.

You can lift weights to build up your arm muscles or just keep practicing serving. Your volleyball coach should be able to give you tips as well.

Not terribly far, maybe about 6-8 inches away from you face. However, you want to have enough room to swing and spike the ball.

Turn your body before the serve, so that if you turn while serving, you end up facing the net.

Use a flat hand.

If you're asking about serving, most of your weight IS supported by your back leg as you hit the ball in order to move your body forward during the serve. Players should always wear knee pads in high-level competition. As for your serving motion, a full follow-through will help in a power serve, but if you're concerned about accuracy, you can dispense with the follow-through.

An easy way to remember the key points of serving is: arm out, arm up, toss, step, swing.

Start practicing hitting the ball higher and softer. Once you can consistently get the ball in, gradually aim lower and hit harder.

No, most people stand still when they serve.

Just go to tryouts and do your best. Try out for multiple teams if possible to increase your chances of geting on a team. Don't forget to practice in advance.

That just means that you need to practice more. It means that you are capable of serving the ball, but you just need to practice doing it.

Focus on your arm. Your arm should move fast and strong.

No. That would not be considered a legal hit.

You should stretch before you play, and make sure that you have stretched thoroughly.

Your toss is probably not high enough. Work on your toss for a little while so you can get one that is consistently perfect.

There's no rule against that, but what you're suggesting will produce a very weak serve.

Yes, the server may elect to let the ball drop and then start over.

It is the same placement as a regular serve.

Keep a straight arm, then swing it straight back. Swing straight front and hit the ball. You don't want to toss the ball too high. Toss it just enough so that when your hand comes in contact with the ball, it isn't touching your other hand.

Each team uses six players at a time in an indoor game, two players in beach volleyball.

Always stand in the right position and keep your form.

Yes, that is legal.

Yes. Underhand serves are allowed in volleyball, unless your school or league has special rules.

You can always do a jump serve, but there usually isn't any real disadvantage. I am a very short person but I can serve perfectly fine. Just serve the way any person would, and practice! If you are really having trouble, you can always ask a coach, or try hitting in an upwards motion instead of straight forward with a flat hand.

It depends on your strength. If you can barely get the ball over the net, you should move as close as possible. If your serves are too strong and go too far, you should serve father away from the line.

The fingers and palm.

To bump a ball near or above your head, you can turn your shoulders to make the usual forearm bump, or you can open your hands and use your fingertips.

Yes. An underhand serve is legal, and it's easier for beginning players to master, but most players use the overhand serve because it is harder to return than the underhand serve.