Serving · Intermediate

Split the Passers

This drill works on developing a serve that splits the passers down the middle (often referred to as the 'husband and wife' serve)

How to run it

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Using the wind the server attempts to serve at the inside shoulder of a passer with the intention of using the wind to draw the ball back to the other passer and cause confusion. If the score is tight and the passers are hesitant this serve can often result in a valuable point. This could be turned into a game where the server plays against the passers - just make sure the passers do not both move into the middle of the court to make a ace down the middle near impossible. Athletes are likely to be most effective when using this strategy with the float serve (as it moves more in the wind) but a topspin serve can also be utilized to create confusion down the middle of the court. WIND
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Coach emphasis: Athletes can often gain accuracy by focusing on

This drill works on developing a serve that splits the passers down the middle (often referred to as the 'husband and wife' serve)

Keep building

Install a repeatable pre-serve routine and build control before power.

Connect serve with immediate transition to defensive ready — no admiring the serve.

Add a jump spike serve to the toolbox using the footwork that fits the athlete.

Practice the deep rainbow (high-arc deep) serve — land it past the back line passers without going out.

Train serving through serve + free ball run-throughs with a clear rep structure and game-like feedback.

Train serving through short/deep serve receive reps with a clear rep structure and game-like feedback.

Many of our drills are adapted from the coaching resources at Better at Beach and the FIVB.

Give us a call, send an email, or just stop by one of our events and chat with a coach.