Consistency in serve receive is one of the most important factors in being able to run a fast-paced offense in volleyball. In order to be most effective players must be able to receive overhand.
In the video below, two-time national champion coach Mick Haley addresses the overhand serve receive.
One of the most consistently difficult serves to deal with as a serve receiver is a ball that comes high toward the chest. Coach Haley demonstrates how to take that high ball.
In receiving the serve overhand coach Haley stresses that it is not a set, but rather more of a grab and throw. Players should grab the ball and get it as high as possible. The goal is to get the ball on the same trajectory as a pass. The ball should be “thrown” high
To do this players must keep their hands high and in front. He shares the following key coaching point. “On serve receive the line of force should be through the body and out your back” This will allow players to have force back into the ball.
The teaching progression that coach Haley uses is as follows.
First, he instructs the players to drop and load. He then throws the ball high and asks then to simply catch the ball. Next, he asks the player to catch the ball, keep it high and take it back high to him. Then finally he asks the player to bring the ball back to him.
This clip was taken from Coach Haley’s DVD entitled Teaching Serve Receive Techniques and Patterns. To learn more about that DVD click here
The YouTube video has audio so please make sure that your speakers are turned on.