How is an athlete’s serve judged based on speed and trajectory?

An athlete's serve is judged based on speed and trajectory primarily through assessment during practice games. This method provides a controlled environment where coaches can observe the server's technique and effectiveness. In practice games, the focus can be on various elements such as the angle of the ball's flight, the speed with which it travels over the net, and how consistently the serve lands in designated areas on the court. Feedback gathered during these assessments allows coaches to give targeted instruction and make adjustments to enhance the athlete's performance.

Other methods, such as spectator feedback, social media highlights, or timing the serve with a stopwatch, do not provide the comprehensive evaluation needed to effectively judge the serve. Spectator feedback may be subjective and based on personal opinions, while social media highlights focus on moments of performance but lack the in-depth analysis necessary for improvement. Timing the serve with a stopwatch might measure speed, but it does not consider trajectory or placement, which are critical components for assessing a serve's overall effectiveness in volleyball. Thus, practice games offer the most relevant context for evaluating an athlete's serving abilities.