A service (or, more informally, a serve) in tennis is a shot that starts a point. The serve is started by throwing the ball into the air and then hitting it (as a rule near the peak of ball¡¦s trajectory) towards the diagonally opposite box with no touch of the net. The player on serve may use different types of service: a top-spin, a flat, an American twist (or kick), a slice serves, or a reverse spin. The last is hit in a way that spins the tennis ball opposite the usual spin of the server, the direction of spin depending upon left - or right -handedness, whereas a sternly sliced service is occasionally called a sidespin. There are some servers who are satisfied enough from using the serve just to start the point while advanced players regularly attempt to hit a winning point with their service. The winning service that takes place when the opponent has not managed to touch the ball is called an ace.

There are several types of service: an American twist serve (or kick serve), a flat serve, and a slice serve. Each service type has its strategic advantages. Such variety of serve allows the server to have many variants and therefore a key advantage. A generally used tactic is to make a hard flat service on the first serve, and hit a twist serve on the second service.

For those who are only starting their career or simply looking for solutions in improving the serve our quick service tips and serve do's and don'ts may be of a great use. However, these service tips are not a quick fix solution and you¡¦ll have to work hard on the court mastering and improving your service.

Essential service tips:
{ If you are a left-handed player, stand with your left foot parallel to baseline, about a shoulder width at the back your right foot. Your right foot ought to be a few inches after the baseline, pointing toward the left net post.
{ A Continental grip fits best for most new players. Novices may find it not as convenient as the Eastern grip, but they generally adjust quickly.
{ A lot of players hit all services with a Continental grip. Some though switch to Eastern backhand grip for more intensive spin on topspin and twist serves.
{ Don¡¦t jump trying to hit the ball. As your service develops, you will use an appropriate knee bend and drive up with your legs. That will lift you off the ground when you go up after the ball.
{ Don¡¦t try to snap your wrist on your serve. It won¡¦t deliberately help. Moreover, it may hurt both your arm and your serve.

And following the list of service tips here is another list of service return tips:
{ Make your concluding defensive/offensive decision after the opponent has made the serve.
{ Emphasize steadiness and depth on all service returns, particularly on defensive service ones.
{ As a common rule, use offensive returns against a service and volley player. Use defensive returns against a constant groundstroke.
{ Direct all defensive serve returns to one of the three target points of the backcourt.
{ Apply only 60% power when hitting your defensive returns.
{ Watch the ball on all the route to the strings.
{ Use a fitting service return position.
{ React promptly.
{ Maintain a hard wrist at impact.