American twist

American twist is generated by tossing the ball over the head, then hitting it laterally on the server’s non-dominant side brushing upward toward the dominant side. Holcombe Ward and Dwight Davis introduced the kick/American twist serve in the late 1800s. When hit correctly, the ball clears the net in a high arc with heavy topspin, causing the ball to dive into the service box. Upon hitting the surface of the court, the ball may bounce high directly toward the receiver for a kick serve, or to the left for the receiver for an American twist serve.

The physics of the spinning ball in flight involves the Magnus effect because the spinning ball creates a whirlpool of air around itself. The twist serve is a more extreme version of the kick serve, which involves more brushing of the ball from the 7-8 o’clock position to the 1-2 o’clock position, and faster swing speeds. If performed exceptionally, it can completely change the direction of the ball movement away from the other player, although this requires a very strong and flexible back.

Kick/topspin serves are often used as both first and second serves. As a first serve, a player will put more pace on the ball, while it is a consistent second serve since the spin brings it into the service box with high net clearance.

The reverse kick/American twist serve is rarely used except as a novelty. As the word “reverse” is defined, one must hit opposite to the side and opposite to the path of the kick struck serve.