should I learn a new serve or strengthen my kick serve?

[pmata814]

I use a kick serve for both my 1st and 2nd serve. I've finally gotten to where I only double fault about 2 or three times in the match. I have some placement but I can't place anywhere I want whenever I want either. I was planning to ask my instructor this sunday to teach me how to hit a slice serve. Should I...or should I just strengthen my kick serve and work on another part of my game during those 30 minutes?

[LuckyR]

I think noone would disagree (including yourself) that you an everyone else benefits from at least some variety. We all need a Plan B or you will lose against someone who has your A game dialed in.

[mucat]

I think a combination of kick, twist, and topspin-slice will confuse the heck out of your opponent. Also, you can vary the amount of kick (topspin) to throw off your opponent's timing.

[Bagumbawalla]

Both.

Always practice and try to improve the strokes you have.

But, don't forget to try new things and add variety to your game.

Once you develop a good, smooth, consistant service motion, it is easy to pick up the other service motions, which are, really, not as different as you might think.

[shindemac]

It's tough to say unless we know how good your kick serve is. If you can get 90% of your second serves in, then it's time to learn a new serve. But remember your first serve is supposed to be different than your second. That's why you have 2 serves. Your first serve is meant to be aggressive to help you win the point. Your second is primarily meant to get the ball in play AND not get you in too much trouble.

Assuming your second serve is up to par, it's really up to you on where to go next. You can develop your kick serve into a weapon by adding more pace, spin, or placement. You can flatten out your serve (less spin, more pace). You can develop a flat bomb. For me, I have decided to turn my kick serve into a weapon because I don't want to deal with too many different motions.

[pNoyr3D]

I would say yes learn the slice serve. It's always good to have more than 1 serve, so you can confuse your opponents on what serve you'll hit. Also kick and slice serves do 2 different things so it's always good. I always think that Kick serve should be a 2nd serve but, some people think more differently. I have a kick serve as my 2nd serve and a slice as my first. Also, slice serves are way easier to put placement..

[pmata814]

thanks for the replies. I'm going to try to learn the slice serve :D

[aznspongehead]

Well, no matter how good it is, if your opponent can predict that it would kick, wouldn't that defeat its purpose?

[fishuuuuu]

Well, no matter how good it is, if your opponent can predict that it would kick, wouldn't that defeat its purpose?

Not always, if they predicted it, they would still have to hit it. Usually kick serves vary and so attacking it early off the rise could be a low-percentage shot. Conversely, predicting the kick serve could be safely taken further back, putting you out of position one to win the point.

[ubel]

Bagumwalla and the rest who suggest both are dead on. Fortify your strengths and broaden your horizons. Think of how nice it would be if you could place your kickserves even better with more pace; your opponent would always have this in the back of their mind, and as they're trying to anticipate where you're going to kick it to, you change it up on them.. That kind of variety would catch them off guard and might earn you a cheap point or two when you really need a hold ;)

[mucat]

pmata814, how hard you swing your racket for your 2nd serve?

[pmata814]

pmata814, how hard you swing your racket for your 2nd serve?

I swing pretty much the same on both. I don't feel like I have to take anything off it because the spin brings the ball in. If I go long on my first serve I'll just adjust the toss a bit throwing it a little farther in front or vice versa (and higher toss) if it's in the net.

On my first serve I try to place the ball closer to the lines. If I miss, the second I just try to put in the center of the box.

[mucat]

I swing pretty much the same on both. I don't feel like I have to take anything off it because the spin brings the ball in. If I go long on my first serve I'll just adjust the toss a bit throwing it a little farther in front or vice versa (and higher toss) if it's in the net.

On my first serve I try to place the ball closer to the lines. If I miss, the second I just try to put in the center of the box.

It sounds like your 2nd serve is pretty good, then you need a new serve.

[andyroddick's mojo]

learning slice is always good. It won't always be a weapon, but with slice, you don't have to think "oh i'll have to hit it right on the alley line", you'll just be able to put lots of side spin, and it'll naturally curve. I believe that to be a great tennis player, you need to master all kinds of different tennis techniques, and mastering the 3 serves, kick, slice, flat, are crucial.