A Kick Serve is a type of tennis serve that makes the ball bounce very high.
It uses a combination of topspin and sidespin. The server hits up and across the ball to create this spin. When the ball lands, it jumps up and to the side. This serve was first used in the United States in the late 1880s.
It was originally called the "American Twist". Kick serves are often used as second serves because they're safer. They can also be effective first serves to surprise opponents. This serve is harder to return because of its high bounce and sideways movement.