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It is critical to know the definition of an attack, a block, and when a serve ends to calling this appropriately.
A serve ends only when it is obvious that it will not cross the net, or when it passes over the net and any part of the ball drops below the height of the net.
Any hit that directs the ball toward the opponents court is considered an attack, with the exception of a block or serve.
A block is defined as the action to deflect an opponents attack. Think of this as a hit where you do not attempt to direct the ball, just merely getting in the way of an opponents hit.
So, blocking a serve is any action that is a deflection of an opponents serve. The location of the ball is immaterial in this case, as soon as you make a deflecting contact on the ball it is a violation. Where the ball is in relation to the plane of the net is immaterial.
Attacking the serve is any hit on a served ball that is completely above the height of the net; and the ball is directed completely over the net or blocked by the opponent. A ball into the tape is not automatically below the tape. I have seen very hard serves hit the serving side tape then pop straight into the air. This is still a served ball and an attack or block would be a violation. There are no "automatically" in any sport, you need to watch the ball to know where it is and make the proper call.
Realistically, if the ball is not attacked at or near the net, this is not going to happen. A player attacking the ball out of the back row would need to be very tall to make contact while the ball is still completely above the height of the net. Even a front row player standing a few feet off and attacking the ball once it drops below the net is legal.
If you guys want some insane, will never happen, but you want to debate scenario: A very tall player using what we would consider a classic "bump" or passing motion contacts the serve completely above the net and directs the ball over the net would be guilty of attacking the serve.
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