The underhand serve, a technique often used in sports like volleyball and pickleball, is spelled /ʌndərhænd sɜrv/. The first syllable, "un-", is pronounced with a schwa sound and represents the prefix meaning "below" or "less than." The second syllable, "der", is pronounced with a short "e" sound and is followed by the consonant cluster "-hand." The final syllable, "serve," is pronounced with a broad "er" sound and represents the action of hitting a ball over the net.
The term "underhand serve" is predominantly used in the sports of tennis and volleyball to describe a specific method of initiating play. In both sports, serving is the act of starting a point by striking the ball over the net towards the opponent's court.
An underhand serve refers to a technique where the server holds the ball in their non-hitting hand and swings their serving arm underneath the ball, making contact with the hand or fingers in a gentle motion. This results in a softer and slower trajectory compared to an overhand serve.
In tennis, an underhand serve often involves a lower toss and a gentle upward swing to strike the ball. This style of serve is typically employed in situations where the server aims to catch the opponent off guard or disrupt their rhythm. It is often used as a strategic variation to introduce unpredictability and exploit the element of surprise.
In volleyball, an underhand serve is executed by tossing the ball up slightly and striking it with a closed fist or open palm in an upward motion. This serve is commonly seen in beginner or recreational settings due to its simplicity and ease of execution, as well as its ability to maintain accuracy and control.
The underhand serve allows players to maintain better control over the ball's trajectory and placement, making it useful for strategic purposes such as targeting weak points in the opponent's positioning or creating opportunities for deception. However, it generally sacrifices power and speed compared to an overhand serve.
The etymology of the term "underhand serve" relates to the way the action of serving a ball is performed in sports such as volleyball or tennis.
The word "underhand" comes from the combination of the prefix "under-" meaning "beneath" or "below", and the noun "hand". This term describes the motion of serving the ball with an underarm action, where the hand swings upward from below and the ball is struck from beneath.
The word "serve" originates from the Old French "servir", meaning "to serve or give". In the context of sports, such as tennis or volleyball, serving refers to the action of starting the game by hitting or sending the ball into play by one player to the opponent's side, initiating each point.