- The service puts the ball into play: the back-right player (position 1) hits it from the service zone.
- The ball must be hit with one hand or any part of one arm after being tossed or released from the hand(s).
- Only one toss or release is allowed. Dribbling or moving the ball in the hands before the toss is fine.
- At the moment of the hit — or take-off for a jump serve — the server must not touch the court (including the end line) or the floor outside the service zone.
- After the hit, the server may step or land on the court or outside the service zone.
- The server must hit the ball within 8 seconds after the first referee’s whistle. A serve made before the whistle is cancelled and repeated.
Side view