Explicitly calling superclass methods in Java uses 'super.methodName()' to invoke the parent's version of an overridden method. This is useful when you want to extend rather than replace parent behavior: call the parent method, then add additional behavior. For example, in an overridden 'save()' method, 'super.save();' executes parent logic, then child-specific code follows. Understanding super method calls enables extending rather than completely replacing parent behavior.

Mastering explicit super method calls enables you to build on parent functionality rather than duplicating it. Being able to extend parent behavior maintains code reuse and DRY principles. In professional development, super calls appear when overriding methods that have useful parent behavior: call super to execute common logic, then add specialization. For example, overriding 'toString()' often calls 'super.toString()' first to include parent fields. This pattern maintains inheritance benefits while enabling extension.

By learning super method calls effectively, you'll extend parent behavior without duplication. Understanding that super calls access the immediate parent (not grandparent) helps you navigate hierarchies. This knowledge is fundamental to inheritance. Prerequisites include understanding inheritance, method overriding, and the super keyword.