Secret service technique (9)
I believe the answer is:
underhand
'secret' is the definition.
(underhand means secret or duplicitous)
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for underhand that I've seen before include "servant of lower rank" , "Unsporting" , "way of delivering service." , "In a secret or dishonest way" , "Deceitful" .)