You are a newbie and heard the term ACE while playing Volleyball. Today we’ll discuss what is an ace? and its types.
Definition of ACE in Volleyball
An ace is a volleyball serve that earns a point for a server’s team. If the ball touches the opposing team’s court or they can’t receive it correctly, the server’s team wins a point.
Now, let’s talk in detail about the characteristics of an ace in Volleyball.
What Are The Different Ways You Can Get An Ace? Types
For someone watching a volleyball game for the first time, knowing there is an ace is not so obvious.
As I said at the beginning, an ace is earned directly by serving.
There are 2 types of aces. They don’t have official names, but I’ll call them No Touch Ace and Regular Ace.
No Touch Ace
A no Touch Ace is when a server serves a ball and lands in the opponent’s court without contacting any player. In other words, you touch the orange field, and the server is the last person to handle it.
Regular Ace
There is also a Regular Ace. This type of service is more complex. Before a server’s team wins a point, the ball must be touched at least once before it hits the ground. The regular ace is when the server hits the ball. Some opposing team member receives it but does it so badly that they can’t keep the ball in the air, and it touches the court.
How Often Do Aces Occur In A Volleyball Match?
As I said, an ace is not something that happens every 2 minutes in Volleyball. In professional Volleyball, it is even rarer.
If you play Volleyball for fun or on an amateur team, there are a higher number of aces in a match. From my experience, I know that in a 4-set game, there can be up to 20 aces per match! It is a lot, and, as a general rule, we must assume that in amateur Volleyball, there are 5 aces per set.
In professional Volleyball, of course, it is less. I looked at the professional stats to see the exact number of sets. In 30 volleyball matches, I calculated about 1.8 aces per set. It’s not much. Assuming there are 4 sets in a match, that gives more than 7 aces per match.
Fastest Volleyball serves in the world.
Best ace in volleyball history
Wilfredo Leon Destroys Serbia with 13 Aces.
Tips to improve Ace in Volleyball
Targeting Your Serve
To successfully serve an ace in tennis, it’s essential to have a specific target on the court where you want to place the ball. Randomly serving the ball without a precise aim can quickly lose points. You can easily hit your target and score an ace by precisely serving the ball. Coaches often identify weak spots on the court and advise their players to aim for those positions. They may show the player a number corresponding to a specific area on the court. If a weak point exists between two places, they will show the player two numbers to direct them to serve in that gap. Practising service games can also help players improve their accuracy in spotting their targets.
Serving Aggressively
It is essential to serve fast and aggressively if you are looking to earn an Ace in Volleyball.
By serving Fast, your opponent’s player can’t reach to defend, and they lose a point.
What is Return Ace in Volleyball?
A return ace is when a server serves the ball, and the opponents block and spike the ball back to the server side, which cannot return the ball.
The Importance Of Serving In Volleyball
Serving in Volleyball is super important, and I will tell you why. When you start the game with a serve, you set the tone and get the rally going. A booming serve can score direct points through aces and mess up the opponent’s offence. It’s like a secret weapon! You can strategically target weak spots or specific players to give your team an advantage. Plus, serving well can swing the momentum and mess with the other team’s heads. It’s a game-changer! So, practice your serves, try different techniques, and gain control on the court. You’ll be a serving pro in no time!
How can you avoid ace in Volleyball?
Follow these tips to avoid an ace in Volleyball:
- Focus on your receiving technique. When you’re in the serve receive position, get into a ready stance with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and arms forming a solid platform.
- Keep your eye on the ball, track its trajectory, and move your feet quickly to align with the incoming serve.
- Use your platform to absorb the ball’s impact, keeping your wrists firm and elbows slightly bent.
- Angle the platform upwards to direct the ball to your target, usually the setter.
Practising with various serves will help you improve your reaction time and accuracy, making it more challenging for the opposing team to score aces against you. Remember, consistent practice and focus are key to becoming a reliable receiver in Volleyball.
Final Words
An ace in Volleyball is a fantastic achievement. It would help if you aimed for it during a game. As I’ve explained, an ace happens when you serve the ball, so the receiving team cannot return it, resulting in an immediate point for your team.
So keep honing your serving skills; you’ll be acing it on the court in no time!