Game version
Target-box serving: two teams of two take turns serving into target boxes. Each team counts only its own boxes hit.
Overarm Toss to Serve
Throw a soft ball over the net overarm to learn the same arm path a serve uses.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Stand side-on with your non-hitting shoulder toward the net.
Core: Medium. Beat your own best out of 10.
- Ages
- 7 and up
- Time
- 8 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Gym or court
- Bring
- Soft balls, net or rope
- Level · skill
- Beginner · Serve
The steps
How it works
- Stand side-on with your non-hitting shoulder toward the net.
- Reach your arm back, then throw the ball high over the net.
- Finish with your arm across your body.
- Do 3 sets of 8 throws.
Coaching point
Elbow up, reach high, finish across.
Safety: Warm up your arm first. Stop if your shoulder, elbow or low back hurts, and keep serve sets short.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a box: Less (big), Core (medium), More (small). Beat your own best out of 10.
Story
You are opening the match with a serve that lands exactly on the line.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own best out of 10. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
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