Is the server allowed to serve the ball directly out of a hand?

Is the server allowed to serve the ball directly out of a hand?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only in certain leagues
• D. It depends on the line judge

Answer: (B)

A legal serve happens after the ball is released from the server’s hand. If the ball is struck while it’s still in contact with the hand (i.e., held or “directly out of the hand”), it’s considered a fault for a thrown or held ball. Therefore, you must release or toss the ball before making contact in order to have a legal serve. That’s why the statement is false. In practice, players typically toss the ball into the air and then strike it, or release it so it can be struck as it leaves the hand.

A legal serve happens after the ball is released from the server’s hand. If the ball is struck while it’s still in contact with the hand (i.e., held or “directly out of the hand”), it’s considered a fault for a thrown or held ball. Therefore, you must release or toss the ball before making contact in order to have a legal serve. That’s why the statement is false. In practice, players typically toss the ball into the air and then strike it, or release it so it can be struck as it leaves the hand.