The serve should land within 6 feet of the baseline.

This will mean that the returner has to hit a long return, and will have to strike the ball at or past the baseline. As you get better the ball should land between 3-6 feet of the baseline. This gives a great margin of error.

This ball should clear the net by ~6 feet

You can imagine a player standing on the net! The main apex (i.e. the tallest point) of the trajectory should be 6 feet above the net. This will ensure that 1). The ball has no chance of being put into the net, 2). the bounce will force the returner to have to stay behind the baseline if they want to hit the ball at “thigh high".”

This serve should be used 80-90% of the time.

This must be the serve that you can do with your eyes closed (not literally however). It is especially important to use this serve if you are behind in the score and the second server.

You (and your partner) should stand to serve so the returner hits the ball to the side of your body that you like to hit the ball.

Most players prefer to hit the ball on one side of their body versus the other. For many players this is the “forehand” side. That is, the right side for a right handed player or the left side for a left handed player.

Is there a risk that other the returners will get used to this?

In a later lesson we will learn how to 1). Use the lob, power, topspin, sidespin and drop spin serve for variety and disguise. 2). Moving the ball around in the 3-6 feet zone to make the returner have to move.

Remember that the key to the serve is to keep the returner hitting from the baseline so even if they get used to it, the options are limited.