AboutTom Houser Expertise I can answer any type of volleyball question: school, college, club, coaching, playing, etc. (I am not, however, a athletic trainer! haha)
Experience 23 years coaching varsity, JV, club.
You can see all about me at www.coachhouser.com There are also free downloads for coaches & parents, and hundreds of smiling faces for you volleyball players!
Publications www.active.com
www.yesIcansports.com
Education/Credentials BS degree from Va Tech in Math Education. MS degree from Va Tech in Secondary Administration. 28 years teaching high school math!
The Picture! The picture that you see is my team after winning the 52-team Capitol Hill Classic in February 2008 in Washington DC. We were the only undefeated team in the 15's division. However, they presented our awards to the team that won the SILVER division! haha So the tournament directors had to reorder our medals and our player's MVP trophy, then mail them all to us later!
Expert: Tom Houser Date: 5/31/2008 Subject: volleyball
Question I'm working on my overhand serves and i have the power but i need help with my toss. Any sugestions?
Answer Yes, I have several suggestions.
a) When holding the ball, do not drop your hand down to your leg, or even to your waist. Start with the ball at chest level, then just push it up in the air. This very limited motion will help you out tremendously, as most girls' tosses are all over because of their massive arm movement prior to the toss.
You may try this and say, "This toss is impossible. It's so low, I can't serve it." Sure you can. I do, and all my players do. The reason kids can't serve a low toss is because they start with their right hand at their waste, or they drop their right hand right after they toss the ball. In both cases, of course the toss has to be higher. My girls don't drop their right arm before or during the serve. They hold the ball with both hands, take the right of the ball, toss with left and prepare the right, then serve with the right.
b) You say strength is not an issue. Then toss the ball slightly in front of you. For right handers, if the toss were to land on the floor w/o being served, the toss should land in front of the right foot and beside the left.
After you have a consistent toss, you'll realize that "your serve is regulated by your toss." If you toss the ball too far over your head, then the serve will pass high over the net. But if you toss the ball too far in front of you, the ball will be served in or under the net. Find the location or your toss where you can serve the ball at least 90% in the court......that is usually a toss that's landing in front of you.
c) If your power is sending the ball out of bounds, e-mail me again! We all have to realize that, just like in tennis, power means nothing if you don't know where the ball is going.
