Serve technique: body weight transfer and net transition

What this lesson covers

The serve serves one primary purpose: to reach the net position. Because the net is the most advantageous spot on the court, the serve should be hit with enough depth and control to allow the server to move forward comfortably. Players should avoid hitting the ball too fast, as this prevents them from reaching the net in time. Instead, the focus is on a controlled, deep serve that puts the opponents under pressure without risking a fault.

Technically, the serve requires a smooth transfer of body weight from back to front. The server should impact the ball while already moving forward, rather than hitting and then starting to run. The contact point should be at waist height, allowing for a slight backspin rather than side spin. To achieve this, the ball toss must be consistent, letting the ball reach its highest point before contact. If the ball is hit too low, the player loses the ability to generate backspin and risks hitting with side spin. The server should aim to keep the arm loose and use the legs to propel the body forward immediately upon impact.