Serving: What Is The Service At Sport?

by Joost Nusselder | Updated on:  October 11, 2022

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To serve is to put the ball into play at the beginning of a game. This is how you say that the player who has to bring the ball into play (the server) has the service.

what is serving

What is serving in sports?

Serving in sport is all about getting the ball or other object back into play. This mainly occurs in racket sports such as tennis and squash, but also in some ball sports such as volleyball.

There are a few different ways to serve, depending on the sport.

  • In tennis, for example, the server tries to hit the ball into the opponent's court so that the ball bounces and they can't hit it back because it's too hard or they can't reach it.
  • In volleyball, the server must send the ball over the net so that it lands in the opponent's lane.

The service is an essential part of the sport as it can provide a great advantage in the course of the rally.

This way you can immediately earn a point if the opponent is unable to return the ball correctly, or if the return is not optimal, you can use it in the next stroke.

The service is usually seen as an advantage to the serving side.

There are also different rules for how to serve, depending on the game. In tennis, for example, you have to serve alternately to the left and right sides of the court. In volleyball you have to serve from behind the back line.

Good serving can be tricky, but it's an important part of the game. If you get the hang of it, you'll be one step closer to becoming a champion!

How can you practice serving?

One way to practice serving is to use a ball machine. This can help you get a feel for the right amount of power and spin on the ball. You can also practice hitting a wall or net.

Another way to practice serving is to play with a friend or family member. This can help you get a feel for the timing and placement of your shots.

Finally, you can also practice by watching professional matches. This can help you see how the best players in the world serve, and give you ideas on how to improve your own game.

Joost Nusselder, the founder of referees.eu is a content marketer, father and loves to write about all kinds of sports, and has also played a lot of sports himself for most of his life. Now since 2016, he and his team have been creating helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with their sports activities.