Target Serving Drill

In target serving, players aim each serve at a marked zone on the far court and score points for accuracy. It turns serving practice from just getting the ball over into aiming, which is what wins points in matches. Beginners use big targets and serve from closer; stronger servers use small targets in zones 1, 5 and 6 from behind the end line.

Skill

Serving

Level

Beginner–intermediate

Players

2–12+

Time

10–15 min

Equipment

Balls, 3–6 targets

Print this drill

Purpose

Build serving accuracy and a repeatable routine. Scoring gives every serve a clear goal and makes progress easy to see.

Players & equipment

• Any number; best with 2–4 servers per ball cart and a ball collector on the far side.
• Net, many balls, 3–6 targets (cones, towels, hoops, or floor tape squares about 1.5–2 m wide).

Setup

• Place targets on the far court. Start with three: deep zone 1 (back right), deep zone 5 (back left) and zone 6 (middle back). See Court Zones.
• Servers stand in the service zone behind the end line, which runs the full 9 m width of the court. Beginners may start at mid-court on their own side.
• One player on the far side collects balls and rolls them back under the net.

Step by step

1. The coach calls a target (“zone 5!”) or the server picks one and says it out loud.
2. The server does their routine, then serves at that target.
3. Score: 3 points for landing in the target, 1 point for landing in the court, 0 for a miss (net or out).
4. Each server takes 10 serves, then rotates to collect balls. Track each player’s total.
5. Repeat for a second round and try to beat the first-round score.

Watch it

Video: SIKANA English on YouTube. This version uses chairs near the 3 m line and the end line as targets, and the first player to hit them all wins. Learn Volley is not affiliated with this channel.

Coaching cues

• “Same routine, every serve.”
• “Toss in front of your hitting shoulder.”
• “Step and point.” Step toward the target with the opposite foot and face it.
• “Firm hand, follow toward the target.”

Common mistakes

• Changing the toss for each target. Fix: keep the toss the same; aim by turning your body and stepping toward the target.
• Rushing. Fix: use the full routine every serve, even in practice.
• Serving harder to reach deep targets. The serve sails long. Fix: keep the same swing and adjust contact, not power.
• Only serving to one zone. Fix: rotate targets so every server can hit zones 1, 5 and 6.

Progressions & regressions

• Easier: Serve from mid-court or the attack line; use bigger targets.
• Easier: Score 1 point for any serve that lands in.
• Harder: Smaller targets, or only score for deep serves (within about 2 m of the end line).
• Harder: Add short targets in zones 2 and 4 near the attack line.
• Harder: Team game: two teams compete for the highest total; a miss subtracts 1 point.
• Harder: Serve at passers instead of targets in the Serve-receive triangle, or play games from Serving under pressure.
• Harder: Try a new serve type at a big target (Types of Serves).

Time

10–15 minutes (about 20 serves per player).

Safety

Only serve when the far court is clear except for the ball collector, who should stay near the sideline and watch the server. Warm up the shoulder before serving many balls (Warm-Up), and stop if the shoulder hurts (Common Injuries).

Frequently asked questions