Underhand serve basics: volley and drop serves

Setup

1. Servers line up behind one baseline, starting on the right-hand side; waiting players stand well back from the server.
2. Cones mark the corners of the target service court, diagonally across the net.
3. A collector stands at the far baseline, outside the target court.

How it runs

1. Explain the serve: underhand and diagonal, landing beyond the kitchen in the opposite service court. A serve on the kitchen line is a fault; the sideline and baseline count as in.
2. Stand with at least one foot behind the baseline, inside the extensions of the centre line and sideline.
3. Volley serve: hit the ball before it bounces, with an upward arc of the arm, contact below the waist and the paddle head below the wrist.
4. Drop serve: let the ball drop from the hand (no throwing it down or bouncing it), then hit it after it bounces.
5. Five of each serve from the right-hand side, then five of each from the left. The collector rolls balls back between rounds.

Coaching points

• Swing like a pendulum from the shoulder, low to high, and follow through towards the target.
• Aim deep with plenty of height over the net; a steady serve that lands beats a fast one that misses.
• Keep the eyes on the ball until the paddle meets it.
• Notice which serve feels steadier and make it the go-to serve.

Common mistakes

• Contact above the waist, or the paddle head flicked above the wrist, on the volley serve.
• Tossing the ball up or pushing it down for the drop serve.
• Starting with both feet inside the court.
• Serving straight ahead instead of diagonally.