Increasing Service Speed

[darknight08]

What factors equate a faster serve?

[35ft6]

Using the whole body, good rhythm, and racket head speed.

Using the whole body, developing a smooth kinetic chain, is key. Think about it. A 90 pound guy swings his arm at 50 mph, slaps you in the face. A 220 pound guy swings his arm at 50 mph, slaps you in the face. Or a Honda Civic rear ends you going 30mph, perhaps no big deal. A 16 wheel truck rearends you at 30mph, perhaps 4 months in the hospital.

It's not JUST racket head speed. Sampras, Becker, and T Johanson are good players to watch.

[Freedom]

Another big factor is clean contact. Doesn't matter how fast you can swing your racquet if you're serving off the frame.

[35ft6]

^ True. And to take it a step further, if you miss the ball altogether, your speed will suffer. :p No, you're right. Even hitting a half inch higher than the sweet spot than greatly lower the speed off even the best service motion.

On my best serving days, I feel like I'm swinging slower than usual sometimes. My timing just feels great, and I keep going with it, seeing how much speed I can get using less effort. And by "less effort" I really mean by being very loose. A loose arm is critical to a fast serve. When you're muscling the ball, and trying really hard to serve fast, you're really undermining yourself.

[darknight08]

Well. I have a clean motion. My foot placement is solid. How much/What of the body do you use?

[thursdayisgod]

I'd like to know which muscles are used other than legs?

[Freedom]

Everything! Your legs, your abs and back to get rotation and to swing your body around, your shoulder and triceps...

[darknight08]

How do you use your abs????

[pkpcrouton]

you use your abs (core muscles) in all movements in tennis. the shoulder rotation of every shot, all the stability in keeping your balance and moving around the court, etc. with the serve you should actually be using your abs quite a bit to rotate and whip your arm through the serve and transferring your weight into the court.

interesting fact in mens health magazine-

with weak core muscles, in order to swing a tennis racket hard you have to increase your arm-swing velocity 34%...

[mdhubert]

One key aspect is relaxed arm, especially at the elbow. Not easy to achieve as other strokes rely a bit less on relaxed arm.

[shindemac]

The serve is so difficult because you have to recruit so many muscles in order to get the high speeds. If you're not getting the high speeds, then it pretty much means you're not incorporating some of your muscles into the serve. Not only that, but your timing and flexibility plays a role. Timing is critical to transfer all the energy to the next element in the chain. It's a chain because one piece connects to the next. That's why there's a chain from your legs to your racket to the ball, so essentially your whole body is involved in this transfer of energy. Not only that, each part of the chain can also add more power and pass it on. The easiest way to allow this transfer is to be loose, and that's why people keep mentioning this. Flexibility plays a role because it allows you to store up more energy. For example, bending your knees more will give you more potential energy. Once you straighten your knees, this stored energy will become kinetic and transfer to the next chain. Roddick is a prime example of how freaky flexibility allows him to store up more energy and therefore have the fastest serve in the game.

Using your whole body and the kinetic chain to generate power are fundamental to a lot of activities. Besides serving in tennis, it's also frequently mentioned when throwing a ball in baseball. The same concept applies in the martial arts i.e. throwing a punch, and also for olympic lifters.

About the abs, it provides a base for your back to push against. Imagine trying to jump up while standing on something soft like sand. You won't jump very high. But on something hard like asphalt or concrete, you can push off and generate a lot of power. Similar thing with your back muscle.

With all this information, it can be hard to figure what to do. I'm no expert, but I would try to keep it simple and basic instead of worrying about more complex things like how to maximize shoulder rotation or whatever. Just get a good knee bend, try to keep your torso and shoulder sideways to the net as long as possible, and swing at 80% effort. Usually, that's the easiest way to explain to someone on how to be "loose" and get more power.

[drgnpride]

to increase pace, toss ball further in front of you and to right and 'go get it', you should land well inside the baseline, if you do this you will see pace significantly increase, don't try to 'muscle' it, that's counterproductive. remember that with more pace accuracy is compromised.

[darknight08]

My FirstServe I think is pretty powerful. I win alot of free points with my first serve. My teams top varsity guys have trouble returning my serves, but I want it to become MORE faster/powerful.
I know
-I have a high toss
-I have a relaxed arm
-I use my abs
-I toss the ball in front of me and actually hit down
-I use my shoulders
-I use my hip
-I use my legs
-I have a solid form

I dont know about my knees. I bend them but i dont feel them being used.
How can I increase my speed??

[bobo4eva]

lift weights

[EricW]

My FirstServe I think is pretty powerful. I win alot of free points with my first serve. My teams top varsity guys have trouble returning my serves, but I want it to become MORE faster/powerful.
I know
-I have a high toss
-I have a relaxed arm
-I use my abs
-I toss the ball in front of me and actually hit down
-I use my shoulders
-I use my hip
-I use my legs
-I have a solid form

I dont know about my knees. I bend them but i dont feel them being used.
How can I increase my speed??

Lift weights and continue serving hard, you won't have to change anything, if you alreayd have a hard serve chances are you're doing most things right, so if you just continue serving hard it'll gain more mph without you don't anything. It takes time though. Also it's not a bad idea to register on a site like hi-techtennis.com so you understand everything about the serve technique

[darknight08]

lift weights

For what muscle group?

[The Gorilla]

throw yourself forward with your bent legs.

[sharpy]

lol. its not racket head speed that will help, or lifting the weights lol. its true that being loose is a must, but also to get in key positions like the top pros do.

[Tennismastery]

It is always interesting to observe "fast serve contests" and watch typical players trying to serve as hard as they can...usually barely hitting 90 mph in most cases. Then, watch a highly skilled player and they hit 120 mph with such relatively effortless motion and execution.

The secret to serving 'big' is employing much of the advice already stated. However, I wanted to add that there is a lot of misconceptions out there...even within the teaching profession. One noted pro said that that the serve speed is 70% generated by the legs. Well, I commented that is amazing...since I can serve over 90 mph on my knees and still get the ball in. (And I am only 5' 10" tall!) If this 90 mph is generated by only 30% if my potential power (not using my legs that supposively provides 70% more power), I should be able to serve over 250 mph if I use my legs correctly. Well, I can only serve about 120 using my legs (and I'm over 45 years old) so obviously, this guy was not exactly correct.

The point is, ball velocity is a combination of racquet head speed, and the time that the racquet moves within its swing pattern. Acceleration is Velocity divided by Time...thus, if we increase the velocity or decrease the amont of time that the racquet is moving, we increase the racquet's acceleration. But, we must also consider the amount of spin applied within this racquet head speed; and then there is the Momentum equation that states the greater the mass of a moving object multiplied by a greater velocity of a moving object will increase momentum of both that moving object as well as any object hit by that object. A player using a heavier racquet or weighs more with the same racquet head speed of a player using a lighter racquet and/or weighs less will have an overall greater resultant ball velocity.

Thus, the more a player can "lean in" and employ his or her body weight into the movement and motion of the serve will increase pace too. The problem with most players is when they lean in, they compromise the proper body position for a optimal swing path.

Someone mentioned a clean hit too. This is certainly true and a given.

Consider all these elements when you work on improving ball speed. But remember too, that a serve is only good if it lands in. A 150 mph serve hit out is no better than a 30 mph serve hit in the net. Thus, an element of spin is needed.

Remember, the pros employ a lot of spin even on their so-called flat serves. Sampras averaged over 2800 rpm's on his 120 mph first serve. (On average.) And it isn't just the spin, but the type of spin...(Axis of spin) that will either contribute to a serves ability to drop down into the court or actually decrease the ability for a ball to land in.

Sorry if this is more infor than was really needed. I always feel that there is some need for greater explanation...which may or may not be needed.

[darknight08]

lol. its not racket head speed that will help, or lifting the weights lol. its true that being loose is a must, but also to get in key positions like the top pros do.

Please Elaborate

[Slazenger]

My FirstServe I think is pretty powerful. I win alot of free points with my first serve. My teams top varsity guys have trouble returning my serves, but I want it to become MORE faster/powerful.
I know
-I have a high toss
-I have a relaxed arm
-I use my abs
-I toss the ball in front of me and actually hit down
-I use my shoulders
-I use my hip
-I use my legs
-I have a solid form

I dont know about my knees. I bend them but i dont feel them being used.
How can I increase my speed??

Quick question? How deep do your serves land? Can you hit 5 in a row on the service line? Anywhere on the service line?

As to what I highlighted above, not to nitpick, but you aren't hitting down. It shouldn't even feel like you are hitting down. Hitting forward yes, down no.

You are probably doing this if you have solid form, but if not, incorporate pulling the tossing arm into the torso area during shoulder rotation. Helps accelerate hitting shoulder which if executed properly should increase your serve speed some.

[darknight08]

Quick question? How deep do your serves land? Can you hit 5 in a row on the service line? Anywhere on the service line?

As to what I highlighted above, not to nitpick, but you aren't hitting down. It shouldn't even feel like you are hitting down. Hitting forward yes, down no.

You are probably doing this if you have solid form, but if not, incorporate pulling the tossing arm into the torso area during shoulder rotation. Helps accelerate hitting shoulder which if executed properly should increase your serve speed some.

My Serves are deep. They are probably not exactly on the service line but are relatively close I dont know if i can hit 5 in a row on the service line most likely 3. Oh Yea, definitely i can hit serves to the service lines.

AFter I think about it, yea, I am probably not hitting down. I am not tall enough to do that. Then, I am hitting forward.

[Kevo]

I've got to agree with Dave. Racquet head speed is critical, but you can't get the most out of it without clean execution of the whole stroke. Racquet head speed is only important at the point of contact. You want to achieve maximum velocity at the instant you hit the ball. It seems obvious, but I see a lot of people swing too hard and their body gets out of alignment and their timing is thrown off, and by the time they make contact, the max speed of their swing has already passed and they are out of balance hitting with just their arm.

I like to think of a serve as my body unrolling into a giant board from toes to racquet tip, and I want that full extension to happen at the moment I hit the ball and all of my energy goes to that unrolling. I don't need to be to energetic at the beginning though. It's like a wave breaking on the shore. It builds slowly and carries more energy through each additional moving part until it breaks on the ball. If you do this in an almost lazy fashion, but you're timing is good, you'd be surprised at how easy it is to crank a serve.

[maverick1]

Tennismastery, I have a question for you.

Once you push off the floor with your legs, How important is it to keep both legs vertical and close together until contact? My right leg has a tendency to kick back while the left leg is pretty much vertical.

My team captain tells me that my serve is very good except for this one problem, and I must correct it. I don't want to ignore his suggestion because he has an awesome serve himself. But then, it doesn't necessarily make him good at correcting technical flaws. So I was wondering what this forum thinks.

[Tennismastery]

Tennismastery, I have a question for you.

Once you push off the floor with your legs, How important is it to keep both legs vertical and close together until contact? My right leg has a tendency to kick back while the left leg is pretty much vertical.

My team captain tells me that my serve is very good except for this one problem, and I must correct it. I don't want to ignore his suggestion because he has an awesome serve himself. But then, it doesn't necessarily make him good at correcting technical flaws. So I was wondering what this forum thinks.

It depends on when your kick back is occuring with your right leg. If you watch most all pros, you will see a significant kickback with this right leg. (I'm talking about right-handed servers.) This is actually a very important part of hitting not just a more powerful serve, but this action helps maintain the proper alignment of the body so you don't over rotate and end up serving with the speed of your body's rotation.

99% of the pros will land on their front foot. (Left foot again for right handed servers.) As they land, their opposite leg will have significant leg kick.

http://www.tennisone.com/club/lessons/smith/serve/fed-kick.gif

If your kick back is occuring too early or too late, it could effect your service motion in a detramental way.

Pay very close attention to this video clip of Fed and notice his motion and leg action.

Hope this clarifies this aspect of the serve.

[maverick1]

Thanks TM.
It is difficult for me to say whether my kick back is occurring early or late, but I think it is too early.
Th Fed video gives me a mental picture of what I should do. Hopefully I can achieve something like that.

[Amone]

It depends on when your kick back is occuring with your right leg. If you watch most all pros, you will see a significant kickback with this right leg. (I'm talking about right-handed servers.) This is actually a very important part of hitting not just a more powerful serve, but this action helps maintain the proper alignment of the body so you don't over rotate and end up serving with the speed of your body's rotation.

99% of the pros will land on their front foot. (Left foot again for right handed servers.) As they land, their opposite leg will have significant leg kick.

http://www.tennisone.com/club/lessons/smith/serve/fed-kick.gif

If your kick back is occuring too early or too late, it could effect your service motion in a detramental way.

Pay very close attention to this video clip of Fed and notice his motion and leg action.

Hope this clarifies this aspect of the serve.

I'm curious, Dave, who consistutes the 1%, and why you think they land that way.

Also, since we're discussing footwork (or I am, sorry to threadjack), how can you use your forward momentum better in rushing the net after a serve? I always seem to land, re-balance (and therefor, lose all momentum) and then start moving up. I'm never later than I want to be, but I want to get a faster serve, and that in turn means a faster approach.

[jackson vile]

What factors equate a faster serve?

Just which ever racket you feel most comfortable with, realy though this is a techniqe issue, you can serve 100+ keep legs straight and just letting the racket are drop all the way and see sawing and pulling up into the ball.

Just force yourself to relax, if you feel tired and or whinded you are serving wrong, should be one of the most effortless shots there is.

Otherwise try a Pure drive of the new RDS002tour

[Amone]

Just which ever racket you feel most comfortable with, realy though this is a techniqe issue, you can serve 100+ keep legs straight and just letting the racket are drop all the way and see sawing and pulling up into the ball.

Just force yourself to relax, if you feel tired and or whinded you are serving wrong, should be one of the most effortless shots there is.

Otherwise try a Pure drive of the new RDS002tour

Totally disagree (with the last sentence). No offense, Jackson, I have served with a good number of frames (I'll include as complete a list as I can at the end) and I find that the PD actually is rather... limited in it's ball speed. Then again, I have a problem using all the muscles in my body to go especially fast, so I don't swing any faster with those PDs.

List (I have as much fun writing this as you have being annoyed at having it here... maybe more): Prince Diablo 93, Head iRadical (a long time ago...), Wilson ROK, Babolat PD, Bab APC+, Bab PDR, Prince Speedport Blue, Donnay Borg Pro (the woodie), Volkl DNX10 MP, Wilson 6.1 Classic, Wilson n6.1 95, Volkl VEngine 10 mid, a green Prince (Beast, maybe?)

That's it, though.

I forget which I liked most stock, but I remember what my favorite frame was leaded, haha.

[Tennismastery]

I'm curious, Dave, who consistutes the 1%, and why you think they land that way.

Also, since we're discussing footwork (or I am, sorry to threadjack), how can you use your forward momentum better in rushing the net after a serve? I always seem to land, re-balance (and therefor, lose all momentum) and then start moving up. I'm never later than I want to be, but I want to get a faster serve, and that in turn means a faster approach.

The 1% are the anomolies: Taylor Dent to a certain degree. Boris Becker used to step through with his back foot too. I'm sure there are a few others, but I don't know who they are.

In regards to using your forward momentum, if you are landing on your front foot, the back foot has kicked back (as in the video of Fed), and then its natural motion is then to come back forward after landing on your front foot. This sequence is perfect for a player following a serve to the net. If you are off balance after you land, you may need to look at your toss and service motion because you should land and be leaning forward after the serve in a natural sequence.

But, also remember this: A faster serve will provide you LESS time to get into the net behind it. Thus, you better also develop a solid first volley or half volley that is often hit lower or bouncing in front of you as you get these volleys back a bit deeper than what your slower serve might have allowed you to get in behind.