Underhand Serving Progression

This progression teaches the underhand serve by starting close to the net and moving back one line at a time. 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

Time

10–15 min

Equipment

Net, balls, cones

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Purpose

Build 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.

Setup

• Players: 1 or more. Pairs work well: one partner on each side of the net serves 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 minutes.

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. In a match, every serve is made from behind the end line; the closer lines are only for practice. For technique, see Serving.

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.

Coaching cues

• “Drop, then hit.” The ball leaves your holding hand before your hitting hand touches it.
• “Pendulum swing.” The hitting arm swings straight back and straight through, close to your hip.
• “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.

Common mistakes

• Hitting the ball out of the holding hand. This is a fault: the ball must be tossed or released before it is hit. Fix: practice the drop-and-hit slowly without a net first.
• 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.
• Swinging across the body. The ball curves off to the side. Fix: swing straight toward the target.

Make it easier or harder

• Easier: serve to a partner across an open space with no net, about 4.5 m apart.
• Easier: start closer than the attack line, or use a lighter ball.
• Easier: lower the net for young players.
• Harder: from the end line, aim at the left or right half of the court.
• 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.

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.

Frequently asked questions