Slice Serve 2nd serve?

[300Gkid]

Yesterday, i was experimenting with my 2nd serve and all of a sudden FOUND ONE. I get it in probably 9/10 times, and it has really good pace, probably 4/5 of my first serve. The only issue is its a slice serve, or at least those are the mechanics im using to hit it. I toss it a little bit more out to the right and cut around it. However, the end result does have some kick. My only question is, by using this serve, which is very successful now, limit my ability in the long run?

[Kid Carlos]

Not at all in fact I believe in the future you will see more "power slice" second serves, because unless you have a crazy kicker it will just sit up and guys will clock it. Ive talked to many coaches about this issue and they all think that in the future even atp players will be hittting more slice second serves. Now the slice is not as high percentage as the kick serve, but in my opinion the kick serve is easier to return because it is spinning into your body almost like a 1st serve. Therefore much like any other part of your game, or shot in your game you do not want to use it to much. Variety is the best way to go. So although their is nothing wrong with a slice second serve, you would be best served to mix in some kick at times and move it around the box as well.

[TonyB]

Now the slice is not as high percentage as the kick serve, but in my opinion the kick serve is easier to return because it is spinning into your body almost like a 1st serve.


Huh? If you hit a kicker to a right hander down the center T in the deuce court, it will spin AWAY from their body. Same thing for kickers hit to the ad court out wide.

The main reason kick serves are ineffective (especially at the lower levels) is that people tend to hit more topspin than sidespin, which makes the ball sit up for the returner. Plus, you add the fact that the speed of the 2nd serve is 80% or less than that of the 1st serve, and you have a pretty easy ball to hit.

Slice serves are tougher to hit in general at the non-pro level, mainly because they tend to skid along the court, causing the returner to have to hit UP on the ball.

[goober]

Not at all in fact I believe in the future you will see more "power slice" second serves, because unless you have a crazy kicker it will just sit up and guys will clock it. Ive talked to many coaches about this issue and they all think that in the future even atp players will be hittting more slice second serves. Now the slice is not as high percentage as the kick serve, but in my opinion the kick serve is easier to return because it is spinning into your body almost like a 1st serve. Therefore much like any other part of your game, or shot in your game you do not want to use it to much. Variety is the best way to go. So although their is nothing wrong with a slice second serve, you would be best served to mix in some kick at times and move it around the box as well.

Kick serves on the pro level will continue to be the mainstay for 2nd serves IMO. The pro level ones have a lot of pace and action on the ball and are not easy at all to return. On the club level, kickers at the 3.5-4.0 level sit up a lot with no pace.

[Kid Carlos]

I totally disagree that slice serves are easier to hit at the club level than a kick serve. I have been teaching tennis for over 10 years and I have rarely seen a good kicker from a 3.5-4.0. Kick serves are way harder to hit for most. The slice is a much easier motion. As well I have talked with many coaches and most say that a "power slice" serve is the way of the future in regards to second serves. Just like ive heard theories that players will return serve with 2 handed backhand and play the point out with one.

[ZPTennis]

Yesterday, i was experimenting with my 2nd serve and all of a sudden FOUND ONE. I get it in probably 9/10 times, and it has really good pace, probably 4/5 of my first serve. The only issue is its a slice serve, or at least those are the mechanics im using to hit it. I toss it a little bit more out to the right and cut around it. However, the end result does have some kick. My only question is, by using this serve, which is very successful now, limit my ability in the long run?

It sure didn't hurt Ivanišević . :)

[goober]

I totally disagree that slice serves are easier to hit at the club level than a kick serve. I have been teaching tennis for over 10 years and I have rarely seen a good kicker from a 3.5-4.0. Kick serves are way harder to hit for most. The slice is a much easier motion. As well I have talked with many coaches and most say that a "power slice" serve is the way of the future in regards to second serves. Just like ive heard theories that players will return serve with 2 handed backhand and play the point out with one.

uh what are you trying to say? First you say you disagree that slice serves are easier on the club level and then you say that you haven't seen a good kick serve from a 3.5-4.0. Which post are you disagreeing with?

[FiveO]

Yesterday, i was experimenting with my 2nd serve and all of a sudden FOUND ONE. I get it in probably 9/10 times, and it has really good pace, probably 4/5 of my first serve. The only issue is its a slice serve, or at least those are the mechanics im using to hit it. I toss it a little bit more out to the right and cut around it. However, the end result does have some kick. My only question is, by using this serve, which is very successful now, limit my ability in the long run?

I come from the school of thought of keeping the tosses for various serves as similar as possible. While there is nothing wrong with tossing further to the right for the slice it is possible to achieve very similar results off a toss which also facilitates slice, flat and more topspinned serves.

Variety and change-ups of placement and spin on the second serve are tremendous tools to have in your bag.

However, I see know reason to "tip" serve type by altering tosses enough to telegraph intent to the opponent. As one rises the tennis ladder "reads" and more importantly "tells" the server gives away on the serve tend to get exploited more and more.

Mechanically too, grooving the toss further to the outside can have an effect making it more difficult to find flat, topspin and twist serves at will. I have seen many players who fall in love with one serve, committing to it with exaggerated toss placement and subsequently lose the ability to call on other serves reliably.

So for disguise, which will become more important at higher levels and for mechanics generally, I would recommend trying to keep tosses as similar as possible (not identical but fairly close) and relying on racket path and specific points of contact on the ball's surface to achieve varying spin, pace and placement.

[Bagumbawalla]

Excellent, good for you. Now that you have a good reliable second serve, take time to treasure that for a moment or two, and then start working on your first serve, your kick serve, and, most importantly, your placement.

As some have pointed out, above, the slice (and really, any serve) is only effective when you can hit it where you want and when you can vary your serve so the opponent does not get grooved on your one good serve.

So, to repeat, what you have is good. It will improve your game, but do not stop there. Keep at it and work on placement and the kick.

Merry Christmas,

B