Jump serve build-up

What you need

Players

1 to 6 players

Time

10 to 15 min

Level

Advanced

Equipment

Balls, Ball cart, Tape, Target

Ball fed by

Not needed

Space

A full court

Setup

1. One server behind the right end of the near end line, with a ball cart close by.
2. A tape mark about 50 cm (20 in) behind the end line for the take-off spot.
3. A target mat in the far deep left corner (zone 5).
4. Other servers wait off court and take over after each stage.

How it runs

A server builds a jump serve in stages, all from the same spot behind the right end of the end line. Stage 1 is a standing serve to feel the toss and the wrist snap. Stage 2 is the approach on its own: no ball, a slow first step, a quick plant on the tape mark and a jump that lands inside the court. Stage 3 puts it together: toss, approach, jump and swing to the target. In practice each stage gets about five reps before moving on; the clip shows one of each.

Time and reps: 5 serves per stage, three stages a session, about 2 minutes of rest between stages.

Coaching points

• Toss the same way in every stage: in front of the hitting shoulder and slightly inside it.
• Start the approach slow and finish fast, planting on the tape mark.
• Meet the ball at full reach, arm long, wrist snapping over the top.
• Leave the floor behind the end line and land inside the court after the contact.
• Only add speed in stage 3 once the toss and the plant are the same every time.

Ways to change it

• Put a landing mark inside the court to control how far the approach carries you.
• Serve stage 3 at a passer instead of a mat.
• Use a jump float in stage 3 for control before adding topspin.

Terms on this page

Zones 1 to 6

The six court spots, numbered from your own side facing the net. Zone 1 is back right, where the serve is hit from.

        net
  4     3     2
  5     6     1
      end line

Approach

The steps a hitter takes before jumping: a slow first step, then quicker steps into the jump.