I previously submitted an article on a simplified Serve Technique, which has received good feed back from coaches and players around the country. It encourages coaches to train younger players to start the serve by setting up with left foot pulled back (for right handed hitters) and then stepping with that left foot at the same time as the toss. That gets the whole body moving forward into the serve, greatly increasing chances of the ball actually getting over the net.

But even with the intentional step, many players struggle with the serve - even those who have played for several years; in fact, I was watching a Division I college player recently (a setter, no less, so the coach couldn't sub her out on serves) who consistently drove her serves into the net. A diagnosis of her serving form indicated her arm swing was counterproductive.- and easily correctable.

This incorrect arm swing is a common problem which plagues even experienced players who did not learn good serving techniques when they starting playing. I describe this improper arm swing as "up, stop and forward," as that's what the arm does. Such a swing is terribly counterproductive to a good serve, because the arm is moving the wrong direction- away from the net- then it must stop, and start forward. By consequence, contact with the ball is weak, and it often flutters like a wounded duck and falls helplessly short of the net.

The reason why this action is wrong for serving is easily demonstrated to your player. Have her hold her hitting arm straight out, with palm down, and then raise her arm straight up and back. Not much beyond 90 degrees, the arm stops. It simply won't go any further unless the shoulder is rotated: God designed it that way.

Now have your player hold her hitting arm straight out with palm down and swing her arm downward and around, like a wind mill. Guess what? The arm very naturally makes a nice big arch: the elbow can be pulled up and back, and the swing accelerates as the open palm makes solid contact with the ball. Your player will be pleasantly amazed as she watches the ball travel over the net (assuming she makes good contact, but that's another training session! )

Like any habit, this method will take repetition to become second nature, especially if your player has taught herself to struggle with an "up, stop, and forward" motion. To help them, I give my players a key phrase when they set up to serve, such as "swing down," or "under and over." I've seen the change improve the serve of several of my players this season, who've gone from less than 40% efficiency to more than 80%, with little more than changing the arm swing.- and with rally scoring giving a point for every missed serve, your team must have high serving effectiveness!

Thankfully, it can be as easy as "under and over." Try it, and let me know what you find, plus any way you've discovered to improve the serve.