4 Steps to Master the Underhand Serve | How to Serve a Volleyball for Beginners

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One of the first skills a young volleyball player should learn is how to serve a volleyball. This will allow them to play with friends, family, and of course, in a match! Although most players are able to serve overhand with some practice and training, we want our players to succeed early on!
One of the ways we can foster an early interest in volleyball is to teach the underhand serve first. This will build a love for the sport, and keep them coming back to practice energized and enthusiastic to keep pushing themselves.
The underhand serve is perfect for 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and even 6th grade volleyball players! With these 4 simple steps, you'll have your team serving in no time!
Step 1: Rock back and forth without a ball. This is where we learn how to transfer our weight forward, giving our serve more power!
Step 2: Add the armswing! Rock back and forth, practicing making contact with the ball.
Step 3: Now try it holding the ball! Balance the ball in the left hand (for right-handed players) and rock back and forth, swinging your arm like you're going to serve.
Step 4: Drumroll please...... SERVE!
A few bonus tips:
a. Turn and face the center of the court (this gives you a little wiggle room if the contact isn't perfect).
b. Hit the ball out of your hand, NOT from a toss. Tossing could cause the ball to fly off in any direction if the contact isn't perfect!
c. Have your palm facing the ceiling. This gives you a wider surface to make contact and angles towards the center of the court (as opposed to OUT)!
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[@tflanagan484]

Very helpful! I loved this! Thank you! I can't wait to see more of your videos!

[@GetThePancake]

Thank you for watching! More are on the way!

[@sarthakmaurya5938]

Lol 😂🤣🥲❤😂😂

[@chloeskeith9381]

2021 vibes

[@veenaveena5293]

Me too 😌

[@leanarenee352]

*Thank you for this.* My whole school is learning volleyball in PE for about 4 weeks. Whenever it was my turn to serve, It wouldn’t go far and it would end up turning to the side. I felt like absolute trash because I was the only one who couldn’t serve. I also don’t do very well with pressure. This video did teach me something, so maybe tomorrow when it’s time for PE, I’ll use these steps and see if I’ll improve.

[@GetThePancake]

Good luck!!!! Please let me know how it goes, I believe in you!!! Don’t get frustrated if it doesn’t work right away, stick with it and keep your head up! 💪🏼🏐

[@leanarenee352]

Get The Pancake Hey again! So today wasn’t so hot.. When I missed the ball to try and pass it, one of the other people on the other team told me “You don’t deserve this.” And those words made me lose hope. I felt like garbage. And my teammates would ask if they could switch places with me so I wouldn’t serve. When it was finally my turn, I told myself to just go for it. However those hurtful words still stuck with me. I wasn’t feeling my best. It was probably the worst serve I ever did. I started to cry and I told my gym teacher about it. She made me stay longer so I can practice with just her. She told me some of the same steps in this video, and I did it. I was lacking my force. She told me to be rather angry and not sensitive when a someone says that about me. Some of that anger will help me serve harder. AND IT WORKED! :) I got it over the net!! Wish me luck tomorrow! Hopefully I will follow what this video said and some advise from my teacher. Thank you for the very helpful video.

[@GetThePancake]

So many things to say here! 1) It sounds like you’re much more mature than the other kids you’re in PE with! It’s tough to deal with people saying that stuff to you, but I don’t think they realize what impact their words have on others! I’m proud of you for going back to serve anyway! 2) Your teacher sounds AWESOME. How cool that she worked with you one on one after class! 3) I’m so happy the advice plus your teacher’s help WORKED!! 🎉🎊 4) Your biggest challenge is coming up! Keep up the positive self-talk. You know you can do it, your teacher knows you can do it, now it’s time to show everyone else! If you get nervous, three deep breaths always helped me ;) Good luck!!!!!!

[@leanarenee352]

Get The Pancake Thank you soooo much!!! Your comment just makes me more motivated. It makes me feel A LOT better to talk about it with someone. I will be practicing tonight:)) Thanks for making me smile with the magnificent complements and advise

[@lainibrown9530]

You've got this Leana! 💪🏽🏐😊

[@kaiser9598]

If only kids in volleyball were as comforting and kind as the people in the anime when it comes to serving LOL

[@nataliamidzio]

Lol yeah Haikyuu if you miss: "It's fine, you tried your best, get the next one!" IRL: *"Wtf was that meant to be, the libero can serve better"*

[@maham2934]

in anime people arent nice and supporting. Look at kageyama lmao

[@StvrryJ]

U mess up they look at u and laugh later they end up messing it up too lol

[@skybudd]

I helped win our volleyball tournament for my school with the underhand. I would basically uppercut the ball with my wrist and send it about 50ft in the air. Landing just an inch away from the net. My coach would praise me for it so I kept doing it & it got us our last final 5 points. Great technique!

[@fallentenno2297]

Thanks for sharing I'll try to practice that

[@skybudd]

@@fallentenno2297 yeah it’s really unorthodox. Everyone will look at you in disbelief aha, but if you get it down bro you will be unstoppable!

[@chickenskink1]

My serves are always okay when we're doing drills, but then I mess up so much during games... I have a hard time because I get so nervous. But I feel like if I really get this down even the jitters won't ruin it. Thank you!

[@finjasondgen2950]

Same I am playing in a mixed Team with a lot of judgy boys and I get so nervous every time I serve!

[@grig-0107]

Same.. games always go in inexpected ways

[@chrisk6853]

This is so helpful! Coaching 3rd/4th grade for the first time. Played over 20 years ago but needed a refresh on the very basics for kids at this level. I love how you broke down every step of the serve. This is what I was looking for! Thank you!!

[@icy9192]

Very nice video! What I learned is (I'm a righty): Rock back and forth with your left leg forward and right leg backward. Then try and practice trying to serve the ball without actually touching the ball with you right now. Then get the ball into your left hand and act as if you're about to serve it with your right hand. Put your palm facing upward and don't put your thumb over your fist when serving. Finally, left leg foward, right leg backward, left hand holding the ball, and right hand hitting the ball with a palm facing upward and thumb not over the fist.

[@gingerhartshorn9333]

thank you so much, Im studying for PE testing and your simple explanation was perfect....

[@mfranklin5732]

AWESOME video! I coach girls basketball, but my niece picked up volleyball. She is a lot smaller than the girls on her team so understanding the fundamentals of serving is key for me to help build her confidence. She doesn't play much and is excited for the extra coaching. I don't teach whining about playing time...I teach work harder in the gym. I am excited to watch more videos from you. VERY easy to follow and little phrases like Rock and Pop makes it easy on me to teach as well.

[@ghostietoastiebread]

Thank you, this was really helpful for my game tomorrow 🙌💕

[@Emurelle]

Thank you so much

[@edgardrodriguez4945]

Excellent! My daughter played organized volleyball in high school and I was her training partner. Now my 7 YO granddaughter wants me to help her. This video help us tune the skill. Thanks!

[@mysunsburneraccount2076]

My 11 yr just started playing volleyball,and she is really struggling with serving , just sent her this video in hopes it will help.... It should. Ty

[@chrissybreezy1075]

Thank you so much for this is used to be really bad a serving and after watching this and practicing all my servers went over the net!

[@nicolebuhler6860]

i love how you broke it down completely! nice work, thanks!

[@karenanne2432]

Thx for the tip! I hope I get picked to join the competition and Ye! Thx!

[@DjayXx3446]

Very helpful thank you I’m planning on being a middle blocker

[@ale2003eddie]

Thank you very much

[@ashhh8720]

I used to be really good at serving, I even made my team win by my serves one time, but I feel like nowadays my serving is starting to worsen. Before it used to go at least 5 times over the net, but now it just goes once or twice before when the third time I try, it hits the net and doesn't go over. I think it has something to do with how much pressure I put, and at the moment I am serving I can't determine if I should hit the ball lightly, or use full force. I use full force, but sometimes it doesn't go over. I'm starting to wonder if I should use less power to make the ball go more far, than high.

[@stephaniewilson2617]

Hi! Thank you for this! It's perfect for our 3rd grader who just began. Do you have a similar step-by-step for our 8th grader so she can graduate to an overhand serve?

[@paiwastp.s.j6240]

Thanks

[@lululemon3515]

In my physical education class, we are learning how to play volleyball in just 3 weeks. We have skills testing on bumping, setting, and serving over the net. We spend two class periods practicing the underhand and overhand serve. I still can’t do it and I’m one of the only people that can’t. The test is coming up soon and if I don’t get it in 5 tries I will get a 0/10. I obviously want to get a 10/10 and I need to have the confidence to do so. Hopefully your tips with help me. I feel like my problem is power. Wish me good luck! 🏐🏐🏐 “Rock and pop!”🏐🏐🏐😃😃😃

[@skycat1350]

Did you do good on the test?

[@leonvwang]

Thank you. Love the step by step breakdown. The only thing is for me, growing up playing as a kid, I always made contact with the ball with the lower part of my forearm, including the wrist. Curious to know if you think the hand vs the forearm/wrist is better.

[@GetThePancake]

My personal opinion is that a fist would be better, simply because you would not need to swing as hard to generate the same amount of "pop." Younger players often need all the help they can get to generate power, so a fist is what I'd prefer! If a player was using a forearm/wrist and getting it over with ease, I would suggest working on their overhand serve with them, since they're likely generating enough power!

[@Yourhandleshouldbeatleastwhat]

Thank you, as a dad coaching my ten year old daughter’s team, thank you

[@solschuller]

Love it, yes please do one for overhead serving and practice drills, thank you!

[@ianramos3531]

Thanks a lot I was able to learn a lot and now my underhand serve is better

[@categrady975]

tysm! i think this will help me a lot - im a new player going into 6th grade. all of my friends started during the year (im doing summer season) and i havent gotten it over the net yet. thanks again:)

[@kebicookie]

Now you're in 7th grade huh, y still play voleyball?

[@yumihisancha1189]

i am using a underhand serve but when i serve i throw the ball exactly at my face and have eye contact with the ball and hit it, i dont just normally hit the ball withouth lifting it through the air cause my serve wont make it.

[@izaali2144]

I am horrible at volleyball, this video really helped! Great vid!

[@jigmitamang728]

This helped me a lot

[@galaxy5916]

I am learning volleyball in a team so this help me allot

[@taflinder4295]

I know how to overhand serve but it usually pretty weak and only just get over the net so I always do underhand serves and always get it over the net.I think serves are completely up to preference

[@pipero2834]

I find overhand easier than underhand I still can’t get underhand I have a BAD habit of throwing the ball when I go underhand serve I try so hard not to but I always end up doing it! Any tips of how to not throw the ball up when u serve?

[@brooke4608]

Piper Odum I SUFFER FROM THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. No matter what I do, I always throw it. No matter how much I practice

[@ujubin]

same

[@alicjajankos8485]

OMG SAMEE

[@yoboyloc]

Same but I cant overhand for shit

[@toddgabriel1194]

Same

[@RoxanneMartin603]

This really helped I’m on a volleyball team and our game is today

[@emma-dd4cp]

thanks for this. i’m not a club player. yet. but i would like to be with my school volleyball as well. me and friends are first year player bc our school starts middle school sports at 7th grade not 6th and being from rittman they do not have a youth team. one girl from my team has played club and she is really good. my coach doesn’t like my overhand so i have to practice under hand now. thanks for this video. it was really helpful

[@beabisda7137]

34amme34

[@atheamarie3877]

My school started volleyball tryouts in 4th grade

[@vitbplvimal5886]

Ur video is really informative & easy to understand ... thanks lot

[@judgementblaze3311]

Thank you i just got a volleyball net and I want to do the underhand serve cuz it’s easier But i dont always get it over the net thank u

[@teejay9812]

super helpful video. more visual demonstrations please.

[@BBQSteve1]

Yes please on your take for the overhand serving.

[@karissarogers7160]

yes, very helpful!!🙌 My kid has a game today and she says your video will help!

[@swatipawar698]

Thanks ! We have a match in 4 days and it helped a lot ❤️❤️

[@fresty9945]

thank you so much for this video! im the only one on the volleyball team who can't serve so i hope this video came help me improve :)

[@GetThePancake]

Good luck!

[@AMuslimNamedDaniah]

*TYSM* this video helped so much because my serves are garbage and after I mess up I feel terrible for scoring the other team a point..❤🎉

[@cherryjello3921]

this was really helpful to understand how to serve :)

[@GetThePancake]

Glad this helped you!

[@catherinerey789]

Your telling me 1st graders can do better than be if they trained 💀 wow maybe I do need to practice. But it’s not like I’m on a team. I just wanna do good because of the volleyball unit. People tell me I’m the worst and this dude was like “we are good expect for them 2 (points at me and another due) and her also” he really makes me feel terrible and I almost start crying because of what he says....he even tried for the volleyball team...

[@ishaet933]

I Was Really Thankful This Video Was Created.Not Only Did I Learn But I Also Gained Confidence To Play and Pursue Learning Volleyball.I Was Being Scolded and Hated During Practices But Now,I Think I'll Improve.Thank You For This!!

[@anupstraightfitness4731]

Thank you.

[@Alexperez-xy8ph]

thank you know i know how to serve!!

[@GambinoTheGoat]

thx

[@user-cy9eh6xz1y]

hye, i want to download this video to my desktop, how is it working ? i dont know here to download it ?

[@hi.0o048]

thank you soo much for this I'm a 5th grader I just started volleyball I really enjoy it but the players that I have on my team hate volleyball they hate any sport soo I'm the only player who has an interest in the sport and can and knows how to play it the problem was that I can't serve soo this really helped. hopefully I will not lose my next game.

[@justinjk3]

simple explanation. I have seen some servers curve the ball in the air when serving. Could you please explain how to do that?

[@mirasinc5790]

i need help. i’ve been playing volleyball since 2018 and i still cant get my overhand! do you have any tips?

[@pemillpark2363]

silly question: Where should the ball contact - is it the wrist area or the entire hand - fingers and all?

[@rubiksbrandcuber4123]

Im here because we have a practical test for the basic volleyball skills next week. As a volleyball player myself, i usually serve using the overhand rather than the underhand. And tbh i am pretty bad at the underhand hahaha😅 thanks for this video, it really helped.

[@shae.stageberg]

Omg I couldn’t serve for the longest time this is ulterior moooost helpful serving vid evverrr 😀😀👍

[@shae.stageberg]

Idk why the word ulterior is there lol

[@samxiregabriel4609]

Do you have a vid on how to spike a ball? Cuz i really suck at spiking

[@user-fn4dk8ro7b]

Please do make an overhand serve video. This was great

[@jacywinburn3573]

Got a volleyball game now

[@shadowkiller6653]

I am 12 years old and I have mastered it in just maybe 1 week or so. When iI stated doing I tried using underhand. I mastered it about 3-5 days

[@ALR27]

I just learned how to overhand but I did the short way in gym since there were two nets in the gym but I'm way better and underhand than overhand

[@sudsrobbie882]

I have a game tomorrow and I’m so worried I’ll let down my team or not be able to serve

[@fatmandirtball4746]

Bud don't worry

[@rexhina9147]

TYSMMM! This Helped me soo much but...idk how i will do at school bc i can't do it not only bc i can't serve but ALLLLL the people there bully and laugh at me and am really NOT confindet at serving And the worst part is they never give me the ball to serve bc when i "serve" i never get a point so yeah...but this helped me can't wait to go to school and play volleyball again and show them that i can serve🥺TYSSMm

[@_11DEBBSTERS11_]

I'm trying out for the volleyball team, I know how to do the basic things but for some reason I can't "move" like I stand so still

[@mohamedthoufeeqp7780]

What is the maximum height that the ball can reach while underhand serve ?

[@bruh-js7tz]

i keep on getting so close to getting over the net, but it never makes it. i believe i made it over once or twice? but i want to be able to get the ball above the net more often.

[@ashleysophia5839]

i’ve been playing volleyball for 3 years and i’ve practice overhand serving but i still can’t do it. is that bad?

[@kwaago]

I need this to pass my p.e subject 😭

[@mini_mono6879]

same

[@Aceshightrooper]

Please make a video on how to over hand serve.. would like to see step by step .. thank u

[@buzzbustillos3016]

Thank you. Working with my 13 year old girl. She is playing club.

[@symphoniecampbell5832]

A big problem i have is throwing it up before i hit it. This helped a lot!

[@hvminnella9305]

Do the hips stay squared and facing forward?

[@ricaocampo]

This is very helpful. Thank you very much. I wish I learned this when I was starting to play.

[@user-xj1kr6rv2o]

I just got on my new volleyball team. My teacher promised she would teach me how to serve but never did. Im left handed so it's really difficult 😭

[@Lisa-rt3do]

Thanks, So Much. I Can’t Wait To Play VolleyBall On My New Team!!!! I can’t wait to see more of your content.

[@bobthebuilder3392]

oh my goodness. thank you so much, i play at the Y and everytime i was to serve, the ball would curve in the wrong direction, not anymore though cause this video was honestly awesome

[@EllaaRosee]

I'm so nervous, in school for gym we're doing volleyball and I'm on a team with all of the popular kids, kinda terrified to serve.. or even do anything :,)

[@anlmg]

I have volleyball camp today and I can hit (I’m kinda bad) but I can’t serve

[@willowanne4471]

Im grade 5 and I have a game in sept 4 and it really helps me *TYVM*

[@willowanne4471]

Im a mobile legends player lol bye

[@vanessamercado5457]

Good luck today ;')

[@yamiyo_sag4637]

Same im in grade 5 too. I can overhand serve but not a far distance(5 metres) and is low and whenever i underhand serve it goes like 45 inches far and goes to the side. I think I'm better at over hand serve

[@exsalaalcantara1072]

If you serve underhand do you have to toss it in the air first in order for the serve to be legal? This is for community leagues (adults, lower intermediate). Thank you so much for the video.

[@dharmishthalad3102]

Yea

[@Fuzzybudget]

Never seen the overhand serve til recently. Was taught the serve was underhand - fist with thumb side up . Nearing 70 and I've never heard of the overhand.

[@angusc1]

If u can’t to overarm normally than try jump serving. My shoulder is hurt and I can’t hit overarm very well but jump serving allows me to put much more power in and get it over.

[@GetThePancake]

I would suggest if your shoulder is hurt to do physical therapy and work with someone to make sure you don't injure your arm/shoulder further. Jump serving is more advanced than a standing overhand serve and I do not recommend that players go directly from underhand to jump serving without proper overhand serving mechanics.

[@angusc1]

Yeah I don’t know if it is just an underlying issue with my arms in general as I have never been able to twist them properly as well as my fingers. This has made it difficult to dig and set for me as I can’t really align me arm correctly. I’ve persevered however and I just enjoy playing with friends :)

[@flappybird9327]

Thank you! My middle school is required to take P.E. and I’m the only one who isn’t good at underhand serve

[@karolinahernandez_1257]

I used to be the BEST server, like my accuracy was 98% but now I can't get my serves over!!! I don't know whyy

[@veneziaaguilar239]

This was really helpful i know how to serve properly now

[@its_just_marvlus]

Its so easy to serve underhand over the net. Except that i stand still when i do it and it goes over the net. I do things different so i don't need the correct form.

[@TheRobHancock]

Such a great tutorial of serving a volleyball when 95% of it is just watching you talk.

[@ii_mystic25]

its easy for me to do overhand and i mean i can do underhand is well kinda, except when i have it and im about to hit it i have to throw it up a little bit then hit it. idk if im doing it right like that, am i?

[@_slater9979]

Everytime i practice an underhand serve at home its great,its very high and fast,but when around people..thats when i get REALLY anxious,and it always goes on the side whenever somebody is watching me

[@PrinceMath]

Boost dem self confidence if your having anxiety around people. Works alot for me :)

[@taylorpruett9488]

U need to make one about bumping and ACLU serving instead of just steps

[@GetThePancake]

Thanks for the feedback, I'll get to working on your request as soon as I can!

[@alexyoung5663]

I'm a new player to volleyball but underhand is much harder than overhand 😅

[@kierad479]

I was able to serve last year, but I haven’t done it in so long that I can’t do it anymore 😭

[@cel1sta]

Thanks sm cause my class is playing volleyball for our Unit and I ain’t good and I basically embarrassed myself in front of my crush and sophomores 🥺

[@GetThePancake]

Oh noooo! Well good luck!! I hope these tips help!

[@bornathlete9206]

My kids have learnt the technique bt they can't generate enough power to cross the net.

[@tgw230]

Great video, but 1 thing, how in the world is a 1st grader with just a little bit of training able to get that ball so far and high as to make it over the net?? Seems like a low percentage of 1st graders could do this

[@mini_mono6879]

I am doing this against my will!!!

[@GetThePancake]

It's less than 7 minutes, you'll be fine.

[@chaeyoungminion4286]

I'm in volleyball team and my coach is a player in up I need to be better at serving I literally want to be in a laban/fight But my problem is even underhand serve I can't do it right when I'm serving my serve is not straight that's my problem

[@Meme-yp8um]

hello

[@LoveAster_]

I wish I saw this video before a played volleyball with like half my class.

[@nori87]

Thx My team blame me bcz my serves are going left or right

[@taflinder4295]

Same and they always be mean to me

[@taflinder4295]

Same and they always be mean to me