The purpose of the serve is not just to put the ball in play but to try and score a point or to stop/change the attacking strategy of the opposition.
Throw the ball up without rotation to a height or slightly above the contact point. This should be above the right shoulder and in front of the head. The hitting arm should move back with elbow bent and with hand by the ear and the fingers pointing at the ball.
Move the weight from back foot to front foot with a small step forwards. Bring serving arm up and forward with fixed wrist, with elbow slightly bent on contact.
Make contact with the ball in the middle of the ball (no rotation). Make contact with the ball as short as possible (karate hit). At moment of impact, weight should be between both feet. Don't follow through rather pull back the hand after contact.
Most teams win the dig and then hand the point straight back with a slow, predictable transition swing. The best 2026 sides treat the moment after the dig as their sharpest scoring chance, feeding the middle in transition and running first-tempo attacks off a defensive ball.
When the first pass breaks down, most teams collapse into a high ball straight into the opposing block. The best 2026 sides are building structured out-of-system offences that turn broken plays into scoring chances using libero sets, left-side options and disciplined hitter routes.
The modern pipe attack has evolved from a high middle-back set into a flat, fast weapon that arrives at quick tempo. Coaches at every level are now drilling it as a primary scoring option, forcing blockers into impossible decisions and unlocking four-hitter offences.
Register for FREE and get coaching tips, top drills, session and more every week!
