Flat vs Slice vs Kick Serve: Which to Use and When
Quick answer
The three serves differ by spin, toss, and bounce. A flat serve has little spin and maximum speed, tossed in front, best as a first serve. A slice serve has sidespin that curves the ball and keeps it low, tossed slightly to your right for a right-hander, great wide in the deuce court or to jam the body. A kick serve has heavy topspin that clears the net high and jumps up, tossed over your head, the most reliable second serve. All three use the same continental grip.
One grip, three serves
You hit all three with a continental grip. The biggest difference is where you toss the ball and how the racket meets it. Because the toss location is the main tell, keeping your motion similar helps you disguise which serve is coming.
Flat serve
- Minimal spin, maximum speed.
- Toss in front and slightly inside the baseline.
- Low, fast bounce.
- Mostly a first serve. Lower margin, so it is your go-for-it serve.
Slice serve
- Sidespin that curves the ball, for a right-hander it moves right to left.
- Toss slightly to your right.
- Stays low and skids.
- Great pulled wide in the deuce court, or jammed into the body. Works as a first or second serve.
Kick serve
- Heavy topspin.
- Toss over your head, slightly to your non-dominant side.
- High net clearance and a high, jumping bounce.
- The standard reliable second serve. See how to hit a kick serve.
Which should you use
Use a flat or slice serve on the first ball to win free points, and a kick or slice on the second to stay reliable. Then vary your targets to keep the returner guessing. Combine this with serve placement and a calm second serve under pressure.
Same grip, different toss
The toss location is the biggest difference between the three serves. Keep your motion similar so your opponent cannot read the toss.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between flat, slice, and kick serves?
Spin, toss, and bounce. Flat has little spin and a low fast bounce, slice has sidespin and stays low, and kick has heavy topspin and jumps up high.
Which serve is best for a second serve?
The kick serve, or a slice. Both add spin and margin so you can swing freely without double faulting.
Do I change my grip for each serve?
No. All three use a continental grip. Some players shift slightly toward the backhand for extra kick or slice, but it is optional.
Which serve is hardest to learn?
The kick serve. The upward brushing path is counterintuitive, so it rewards patient reps more than the flat or slice.
Sources and further reading
Written by
Bolor Enkhbayar
Tennis coach and founder of CoachesNote
Bolor coaches serious juniors and adult competitors. She builds every weekly plan, reviews the video and match notes, and decides the next job, in person and remotely through CoachesNote.
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