Don’t Talk Yourself Into Service Miss in Volleyball
Summary: Serving under pressure can be challenging, but mindset determines success. Focusing on what you want to accomplish, using simple cues, and trusting your practiced skills helps you execute effectively. Avoid negative self-talk and practice game-like scenarios to stay composed.
Have you ever missed a crucial serve?
Like one of the “deadly sins” of serving?
A first point, a game point, after a time-out, after a teammate misses their serve?
Serving under pressure, especially in a position like game point, can be extremely difficult for volleyball players.
You might feel like the spotlight is on you and everyone is watching each move you make.
Also, the intensity of the serving situation could be going through your mind: “If I miss this serve, we lose. Don’t miss.”
You don’t want to let your team down in a moment like this, so you keep thinking, “Just don’t miss.”
I remember a specific game in college where this was my mentality… and I missed the game point serve.
I was a sophomore and we were playing our cross-town rivals, in our house.
We beat them earlier in the season at their gym, so they were out for revenge.
We were in the fifth set and the score was 14-13, them. It was my serve and I knew if I missed or we lost that point we’d lose the game.
I kept thinking, “Don’t miss, don’t mess up, don’t lose this,” over and over.
What Do You Think Happened?
Absolutely. I missed. Right into the middle of the net.
I felt so badly after, especially as I saw the immediate cheering and yelling across the net.
It was such a simple serve. All I needed to do was get it up and over, serve it anywhere on the 30×30 foot court.
I can serve the ball over with my eyes closed, so there was nothing I really needed to focus on. I just needed to serve.
However, I did quite the opposite.
I talked myself right out of success in that pressure-packed situation.
I always tell people, “You can talk yourself into victory or defeat,” just as I did.
Instead of stepping to the service line and thinking about what you want to avoid, or don’t want to happen; think about what you WANT to do.
You WANT to serve in, so have that focus.
Think to yourself, “Serve in, up and over, serve in.”
Serving a game point or serving in general can be stressful for volleyball players.
Rather than thinking negatively or about “not missing,” think about and see yourself “making it.”
The way you think can drastically influence what you do on the court.
5 Tips for Serving Under Pressure
1. Focus on What You Want to Achieve
Visualize successfully serving the ball in instead of thinking about missing. Positive focus improves performance under pressure.
2. Use Simple, Clear Cues
Repeat short, action-focused phrases like “Serve in, up and over” to stay mentally centered and reduce overthinking.
3. Trust Your Skills
Rely on the abilities you already have. Pressure situations do not require new skills, just execution of what you’ve practiced.
4. Avoid Negative Self-Talk
Stop repeating “don’t miss” or “don’t mess up.” Negative thoughts increase tension and decrease performance.
5. Practice Pressure Scenarios
Rehearse serving under game-like conditions to become comfortable with high-stress moments. Familiarity reduces anxiety during real matches.
Related Sports Psychology Articles:
- How to Focus Under Pressure in Big Games
- How to Minimize Game Time Pressure
- Do You Pressure Your Sports Kids?
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FAQ: Serving Under Pressure
Q: Why do athletes struggle with serving under pressure?
A: Pressure creates overthinking and negative self-talk, which interferes with muscle memory and execution.
Q: How can visualization help with serving?
A: Seeing yourself successfully serve the ball increases confidence and focus, making it more likely you will execute correctly.
Q: What is the role of self-talk in high-pressure situations?
A: Positive self-talk reinforces confidence and reduces tension, while negative self-talk can lead to mistakes.
Q: How can athletes prepare for stressful serves?
A: Practice under game-like conditions, including pressure scenarios, to build familiarity and composure.
Q: What should athletes focus on during a crucial serve?
A: Focus on the desired outcome, such as serving the ball in, rather than avoiding mistakes or failure.
Dr. Patrick Cohn is an expert mental performance coach who has helped athletes for over 30 years enhance their performance. Dr. Cohn earned a master’s degree in sports psychology from CSUF and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, specializing in Applied Sports Psychology.