feet during serve

[imalil2gangsta4u]

Ive always kept my feet apart when i serve, but i gave bringing them together during the motion i try. I couldnt really time it well ( still need to practice more ), but i felt like i could jump a little higher with my legs together. What are the benefits of keeping your legs apart then bending / bring right leg foward then bending during serve?

[larry10s]

feet apart thruout the serve called platform stance. bringing leg up called pinpoint stance . use these terms for searches.breifly pinpoint more up leg drive. if up leg too far foward hips open too soon. more moving parts tougher to time. platform more foward leg drive. less moving parts

[charliefedererer]

If you are more comfortable with the platform stance, stick with it. Sampras, Federer and a majority of the pros use it. (If instead you were already using the pinpoint stance, it would have been an equally fine alternative.)

[fuzz nation]

I kind of agree with our pals here in that footwork on your serve is a personal thing. One style or the other will "click" for you and I think you're smart to try both. Unless a teacher/coach is trying to help you build a specific type of serve that demands one or the other, use the footwork that gives you more confidence and consistency.

[fuzz nation]

I kind of agree with our pals here in that footwork on your serve is a personal thing. One style or the other will "click" for you and I think you're smart to try both. Unless a teacher/coach is trying to help you build a specific type of serve that demands one or the other, use the footwork that gives you more confidence and consistency.

[larry10s]

I kind of agree with our pals here in that footwork on your serve is a personal thing. One style or the other will "click" for you and I think you're smart to try both. Unless a teacher/coach is trying to help you build a specific type of serve that demands one or the other, use the footwork that gives you more confidence and consistency.

can you tell us what serve demands one or the other?

[mikeler]

I use the pinpoint stance, but I wish I had learned how to serve with the platform stance. Like someone else mentioned, less moving parts seem like it would lead to a more consistent serve.

[LeeD]

Less moving parts is similar to long backswing... some like it for control, other's hate it for it's "less" dynamics and power.
Guys with tons of power need to control it, so platform.
Guys who want to generate lots of power and already CAN control it, tend to use pinpoint.
So practice both, find which works best for you combining consistency, power, comfort, and repeatability.

[fuzz nation]

I kind of agree with our pals here in that footwork on your serve is a personal thing. One style or the other will "click" for you and I think you're smart to try both. Unless a teacher/coach is trying to help you build a specific type of serve that demands one or the other, use the footwork that gives you more confidence and consistency.

[imalil2gangsta4u]

lots of good responses, thanks. ive always served with a platform stance since thats how my coach taught me. im always trying to improve my serve, since it is the weakest part of my game. sometimes i feel like i just cant get up at the ball. so i used pinpoint stance on a serve and it felt very weird. as you guys said, lots of parts moving at the same time. i was missing balls, shanking serves, etc... but occasionally i would find the rhythm ( i felt it ) where everything was moving together and i hit my best serves ever. by the end of the practice, the person i was serving with was near the fence returning to give himself some time lol. bad thing is i thew in a double fault a game and i havent been able to get the rhythm down since that day. ill keep working with it and see how it goes.

[mikeler]

lots of good responses, thanks. ive always served with a platform stance since thats how my coach taught me. im always trying to improve my serve, since it is the weakest part of my game. sometimes i feel like i just cant get up at the ball. so i used pinpoint stance on a serve and it felt very weird. as you guys said, lots of parts moving at the same time. i was missing balls, shanking serves, etc... but occasionally i would find the rhythm ( i felt it ) where everything was moving together and i hit my best serves ever. by the end of the practice, the person i was serving with was near the fence returning to give himself some time lol. bad thing is i thew in a double fault a game and i havent been able to get the rhythm down since that day. ill keep working with it and see how it goes.


I'm short, so the platform stance would steal another inch or two of net clearance for me which I can't afford. If I was taller I'd probably try and make the switch.

[LeeD]

I know this sounds like a cop out response, but basically, you guys haven't hit enough serves, period. You can't take 3 months, 5 days a week, 1 hour a day to perfect your serves. You need much more than triple the time to get to maybe 3/4'er of your possible serve effectiveness....
Serves are not something you learn in one simple lesson. Even top 6.0 players are working to improve the serves, and that includes footwork and timing, movement into the court and prep/toss/mental attitude.
Play with what you know, try different techniques IN PRACTICE, to see if it's actually better or worse for your game. Let the results of the BALL movement determine your technique.
I'm also short, at 5'11" trying for the big S/V game, so employ pinpoint to gain maybe 5-10mph faster first serves than platform.

[imalil2gangsta4u]

I know this sounds like a cop out response, but basically, you guys haven't hit enough serves, period. You can't take 3 months, 5 days a week, 1 hour a day to perfect your serves. You need much more than triple the time to get to maybe 3/4'er of your possible serve effectiveness....
Serves are not something you learn in one simple lesson. Even top 6.0 players are working to improve the serves, and that includes footwork and timing, movement into the court and prep/toss/mental attitude.
Play with what you know, try different techniques IN PRACTICE, to see if it's actually better or worse for your game. Let the results of the BALL movement determine your technique.
I'm also short, at 5'11" trying for the big S/V game, so employ pinpoint to gain maybe 5-10mph faster first serves than platform.

your exactly right LeeD. Im a little impatient :D

Also another reason why its hard for me to "practice" is because everywhere i play im always playing matches. Its kind of frustrating trying/practicing new things during a match because if they arent working, you want to revert back to your old ways. Im number 1 varsity at my school and i dont plan on loosing anytime soon. This summer will give me time to practice my new serve hopefully.

[imalil2gangsta4u]

ok so im praticing my serve with pinpoint stants and theres so much more to do. what should i focus on getting down first?

[LeeD]

Pinpoint... WATCH BALL! Keep head up until just after you strike the ball.
Since you are moving as you strike the serve, you gotta watch the ball more closely and thru the swing. Your opponent can't do anything until AFTER you hit the ball, so watch ball, number ONE.
You can employ platform for second serves, but changing style does affect your game. I use pinpoint on all serves, because I need the swingspeed due to my short height.
Remember, the back foot moves up to behind the front foot, not to the side. Your knee explosion comes after the feet are together, while the whole body is moving forwards, so toss height can really determine your timing thru the service stroke. Some guys use low toss's, like Tanner, go make the timing easier.

[imalil2gangsta4u]

Pinpoint... WATCH BALL! Keep head up until just after you strike the ball.
Since you are moving as you strike the serve, you gotta watch the ball more closely and thru the swing. Your opponent can't do anything until AFTER you hit the ball, so watch ball, number ONE.
You can employ platform for second serves, but changing style does affect your game. I use pinpoint on all serves, because I need the swingspeed due to my short height.
Remember, the back foot moves up to behind the front foot, not to the side. Your knee explosion comes after the feet are together, while the whole body is moving forwards, so toss height can really determine your timing thru the service stroke. Some guys use low toss's, like Tanner, go make the timing easier.


after about 2 hours of practicing serves, i played a match using pinpoint stance and did very well :D its so much more about rhythm and timing with pinpoint.

[LeeD]

Most excellent !!
Keep it up, you'll find your serves a real weapon soon.