Overhand Serve Toss: Land It in the Hoop

Overhand serve practice that starts with its weak spot: the toss. If the tossed ball lands in a hoop in front of the lead foot, it's in the right place to hit.

How to play

1. Shoulder warm-up with arm circles and a no-ball hitting motion: high elbow, open, firm hand (4 min).
2. Everyone has a hoop on the floor in front of their lead foot. Toss with the non-hitting hand, low and in front of the hitting shoulder, and let it drop: it must bounce inside the hoop (5 min).
3. Toss and hit against the wall from 4 m with a firm palm, no net to worry about (5 min).
4. Serve over the net from a distance each student chooses, starting at 6 m (6 min).
5. Golden rule in pairs: if the toss isn't good, don't hit it; catch and redo. Pairs count legal serves out of ten (5 min).

Rules

• Serve only when the far side is clear, and call "serving!"
• Keep the toss low: about a meter above the hand is plenty.
• Hit with an open, firm hand, never a fist.
• Ball collectors on the far side wait for the switch signal.

Variations

Adaptations

• Shoulder injury: practice only the toss to the hoop and serve underhand.
• Wheelchair users: overhand serve from the chair, closer in, with a slightly higher toss.
• Students with less strength or confidence: use a soft ball and serve from 4 m.

Learning goals

• Make a consistent toss before the overhand serve.
• Hit with an open hand and a high elbow.
• Recognize when a bad toss should be redone.

Equipment for a class of 25

• volleyballs: 15
• hula hoops: 15
• volleyball net: 1

Teacher tip

Mistake number one is tossing high and behind the head; the hoop makes it obvious. If there aren't enough hoops, a chalk mark or a cone on its side works.

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