Definition: A fifth ball attack is the term used to describe the situation where the server hits a less powerful attack on his first stroke after serving (the third stroke of the rally), and then hits a very powerful attack on his next stroke (the fifth stroke of the rally).
Some fifth ball attacks are planned from the beginning of the serve, with a specific third ball stroke in mind by the server to prepare for the fifth ball attack. Other fifth ball attacks happen when the server cannot make a planned third ball attack, and uses a less powerful stroke, (usually slower and with heavier topspin), hoping to set up a chance for a fifth ball attack instead.
See also: third ball attack, fourth ball attack, sixth ball attack
