Kick Serve off certain ball toss

[Rod Laver II]

Is it possible to hit a good kick serve on a 12:00 ball toss. I'm a junior, and my coach doesn't want to ruin my back.

[SystemicAnomaly]

With a "12:00 toss" you should be able to learn to hit a decent topspin kick serve, but it will be more difficult to hit a twist kick serve. The former one kicks mostly up & forward whereas the latter will kick up and more to the side (bounces to the right side from a right-handed server's perspective).

The twist kick usually requires a right-handed server to toss a bit to the left. Even tho' the toss is somewhat to the left, the serve cna be executed with a relatively minor arching of the back. Get your heels off the ground when bending your knees. This should help to get your body to "lay back" rather than arch backward to hit the twist (kick) serve.

[fuzz nation]

I applaud your coach! I got to attend a great serving clinic done by Nick Saviano a while back and he stressed the safety aspect ahead of everything else. Kids need to learn habits that they can use for the long term instead of using funky motions that they can get away with while they're young and flexible.

No argument with our pal SystemicAnomaly. Keep the back arch on the minor side and learn the different swing paths you need. A good progressive motion with ample leg drive, etc. will keep you healthy over the long haul and you can greatly vary your serve without heavy contortions.

[Rod Laver II]

thank you both

[Sword]

try 3:00
10 char

[LeeD]

Not everyone uses the kick/twist EVERY second serve, so you can choose to use it as an alternative to your normal topspin second serve, and not need to wreck your back.
But yes, you can kick with a 12 toss, but you gotta MOVE under the ball, arch your back, and still hit thru upwards and outwards, so takes more skill and practice than the twist toss behind your head....you gotta move under it the right amount...more chance for error.