Target Serving
Serve at targets placed in the opponent’s court. Turns “just get it in” into serving with a purpose.
- Focus
- Serving accuracy
- Level
- Intermediate
- Players
- 1 or more
- Equipment
- Balls, a net, 3–4 targets (hoops, towels or chairs)
- Time
- 10 min
Bird’s-eye view
Bird’s-eye view: a serve to the deep corner; the faint lines show other target zones.
📍 Setup
Place targets in the opponent’s zones 1, 6 and 5 (deep), and one short in zone 2 or 4.
🪜 How to run it
- Choose a target and say it out loud before serving.
- Serve from behind the end line.
- Hit the target or land within 1 m of it to score.
- Rotate through all the targets, then let a partner call the target as you toss.
🏆 Scoring
Three points for hitting a target, one for landing within 1 m, minus one for a missed serve. First to 15.
🧑🏫 Coaching this drill
What success looks like
The serve goes where it was called, without slowing the arm down.
Coaching cues
“Pick it, then hit it”“Face the target with the feet and shoulders”“Finish the hand at the target”
Common mistakes
- Aiming with the arm only. Fix: Turn the feet and shoulders to face the target before tossing.
- Missing into the net when aiming deep. Fix: Aim higher over the net, not harder.
➖ Make it easier
Use larger target areas (half a zone) and serve from inside the court.
➕ Make it harder
The partner calls the target after the toss, or use smaller targets.
When to move on
When you score 15 in under 12 serves, add a passer standing in the target zone.