to this learning process is following the ball to the line.  A tool that you can use is to measure the ball with your hands.  You will be trained to receive serves with the overhead pass.  If you get your hands up and begin retreating to the end line there will come a point on the court where if the ball is still above your hands the ball will go out.  We will follow the ball to the line just to be sure.

   The second key to this serve receive is communication.  Players must communicate with each other in three different phases. Most players ignore the first phase completely but it is probably the most important and helpful to prepare you to pass.  The first phase comes even before the server has contacted the ball.  During the "precall" phase the players in the serve receive should be communicating to each other.  Servers can give away where they are serving, and the players in the reception should make a "precall" determination of where the ball looks like it will go.  During the "precall" phase the type of serve should be identified.  The players should state; jump serve, float serve, top spin.  The players should state whether a server has served to the same place continuously during the match.  This may seem like a great deal to before the serve even takes place, but all of this communication can be completed in a short time, especially if the players in serve receive are focused on the server and are paying attention to what has transpired in the match.
   The second phase of communication comes immediately after contact of the serve.  During the "informational" phase of communication the players in the serve receive are communicating information to each about where the serve is going.  During this phase the players are saying things like: in, out, short or deep.  Trying to help the players the serve is going to make a better play on the ball. 
   The last phase of communication is the "possession" phase.  During this phase the identity of the players who will be passing the ball is determined.  This is done in two ways.  The players not passing the ball are communicating using body language by opening up to the passer, allowing them a more direct view of the ball and showing that they are not attempting to pass the ball.  The players calling for possession will state "mine", showing they are going to pass the ball.  This call should be aggressive, loud, and repeated to insure there is not confusion.  Repetitive calling of the ball will help eliminate the problem of two players calling for the ball at the same time.  Generally, if one person calls for the ball aggressively and repetitively the other passer will

concede the pass.
   The third key to serve receive is the willingness to make adjustments during the match.  If a server only serves deep then the whole serve receive should move back.  If the server can barely get the ball over the net, move up.  If the serve is top spin, everyone in the serve receive should step up.  Information learned during the match or from scouting reports will