Underhand Serving Progression

This progression teaches the underhand serve by starting close to the net and moving back one line at a time. The goal is a reliable underhand serve: the same stance, swing and release on every serve, so the ball goes over the net and lands in from farther and farther away. Players serve from the attack line first, where the ball easily clears the net, then earn a step back after each successful set of serves until they serve from behind the end line. The ball is always dropped or lifted out of the holding hand before it is hit, just as the rules require.

Focus

Underhand serve

Level

Beginner

Players

1 or more; pairs work well, one partner on each side of the net serving the ball back and forth

Equipment

A net, 1 ball per server (more if you serve alone), and cones or tape for the serving lines

Space

A court, or half a court per group

Time

10–15 min

Print this drill

Setup

Mark three serving lines on each side: the attack line, 3 m from the net; a cone line about 6 m from the net; and the end line, 9 m from the net. The closer lines are only for practice. For technique, see Serving.

Rule required by the named rulebook. Team agreement a choice this team makes; other teams may choose differently. Practice cue a simplified instruction for practice.

Rule: In a match, the ball must be tossed or released from the holding hand before you hit it with one hand or arm, and at the moment you hit it you must be behind the end line, in the service zone, without touching the court. (FIVB 2025–2028, rules 12.4.1 and 12.4.3)

How to run it

1. Stand at the attack line facing the net, with the foot opposite your hitting hand forward.
2. Hold the ball low in front of your hitting-side hip with your other hand. Make a firm open hand or a loose fist with your hitting hand.
3. Swing your hitting arm straight back, then forward like a pendulum, shifting your weight onto your front foot.
4. Just before contact, drop the ball or lift it slightly out of your holding hand, then hit its lower back half with the heel of your hand.
5. Follow through toward your target. Your partner catches the ball and serves it back from their side.
6. Serve 5 balls. If 3 of the 5 go over and land in, step back to the next line. Finish by serving from behind the end line.

Scoring

Each serve that lands in earns 1 point. Each line is a level: attack line, cone line, end line. Players record the farthest line where they landed 3 of 5 serves and try to beat it next practice.

Safety

Serve only when the players on the other side are ready and watching. Have everyone collect balls at the same time, not while others are still serving.

Health note: General information, not medical advice. Young athletes should train under a qualified coach, and anyone with pain or an injury should see a doctor or physical therapist.

Coaching this drill

What success looks like

Serves that clear the net and land in from your current line, made with the same stance, pendulum swing and release every time, so the ball goes where your arm finishes.

One cue

“Drop, then hit.” The ball leaves your holding hand before your hitting hand touches it.

One common error

Hitting the ball while it is still in the holding hand (a fault in a match). Adjustment: practice the drop-and-hit slowly without a net first.

Make it easier

Start closer than the attack line, or use a lighter ball.

Make it harder

From the end line, aim at the left or right half of the court.

When to progress

The 3-of-5 step-back rule in the steps is a practice suggestion, not a pass mark: make it 4 of 5 for a group that finds it easy, or 2 of 5 for young players, and repeat a line as often as needed.

More cues and common mistakes

• “Pendulum swing.” The hitting arm swings straight back and straight through, close to your hip. Swinging across the body makes the ball curve off to the side. Fix: swing straight toward the target.
• “Step and swing.” Shift your weight forward as the arm comes through.
• “Heel of the hand.” Hit with the firm base of your hand, not your fingers.
• “Finish to the target.” Your hitting arm ends pointing where you want the ball to go.
• Tossing the ball high. The timing changes every serve and the hand misses. Fix: keep the drop small and low, just out of your hand.
• Serve goes into the net. Fix: hit a little lower on the ball and follow through higher.
• Serve goes long. Fix: swing more gently and hit more through the back of the ball.

More ways to make it easier or harder

• Easier: serve to a partner across an open space with no net, about 4.5 m apart.
• Easier: lower the net for young players.
• Harder: serve at hoops or towels and score extra points for hitting them; see Target Serving.
• Harder: land 5 serves in a row from behind the end line before you finish.

Frequently asked questions

Rules on this page checked on 5 October 2026 against: FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2025–2028.