Serve technique: impact height and ball placement

What this lesson covers

The serve requires contact at or below the navel line. Players often mistakenly crouch to meet this requirement, which can lead to inconsistent contact points. A more effective approach involves standing upright and adjusting the toss height to ensure the ball is struck at the optimal level. The toss should be placed slightly in front of the body to allow for a forward weight transfer during the stroke.

Tactically, the serve serves as a setup for the subsequent volley. Aiming for the T reduces the opponent's angles and often forces a lob return. Serving to the side glass can create different return trajectories depending on the opponent's anticipation. Aiming for the body is a strategic choice, particularly during golden points, as it often results in a lower return that allows the server to move forward and attack with a volley. Players may choose to step back before the serve to generate momentum, provided one foot remains grounded at the moment of impact.