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The most decisive shot in tennis is the serve. It begins every point for better or worse. It either puts you in an offensive position to leverage the point or allows your opponent a launching pad for their own attack.

In the absolute worst case, you can double fault and give your opponent a point without them even having to swing the racket.

As you progress through the levels of play, 2.5 to 3.0 consistency and placement are of the highest priority. All players at that level have an attackable weakness and the unerring placement toward that weakness will produce many an error and free point.

At the 3.5 level serving with good depth in the serve box is essential to keep the opponent back from the net and out of the kill zone.

At higher levels consistency, placement and depth are still priorities but you must be able to hold back the attack of your second serve by your more skillful opponent and do so without overhitting and without flirting with the demon of the double fault.

The only way to accomplish that task is to deliver your serve with a heavy dose of topspin. Not just any old spin. Certainly not a slice. That keeps the ball low and brings the net into the equation but total topspin.

To create that type of serve, the racket must accelerate explosively straight up the back of the ball creating a virtual topspin lob from a toss above your head rather than out in front of you like a first serve toss.

The effect of this type of delivery is a high arching ball that clears the net by feet, not inches. With the appropriate amount of practice and commitment you will create a high bouncing ball that jumps quickly up and out of the strike zone of your opponent, who is looking to attack you.

This serve takes a clear understanding of the necessary technique and a commitment to practice until you trust the effect of the spin to arc the ball sufficiently to create the desired ball flight.

If you see yourself as committed to reach the top level of your game, take the time and make the focused effort to add this tool to your tool box.

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Howie Burnett is a member of the United States Professional Tennis Association and tennis director at the Island Country Club on Marco Island. Burnett welcomes questions on strokes, tactics or etiquette. To reach him, call the tennis shop at 394-4464 or e-mail him at islandclubtennis@hotmail.com.