Serve Landing Foot? 4.5+

[tennis_prodigy]

I just noticed that while serving most RIGHT-handed pros land on their left foot after they surge in the air at the contact point, I've alwasy landed on my right foot, and It seems to work fine for me, but seeing literlally everyone land on the left, i recently started to question whether what im dong is right according to the latest technique. I tried to alter my "landing" techinque and my serve got somewhat different, not better or worse, just different with a little more kick. Which foot do you gusy land on and how does it influece your serve speed and spin? and should I switch?? thanks

[alan-n]

LOL, I land on my left... the reason why is because when you uncoil your upper body and throw your weight into the serve your weight also goes towards the left (in terms of which direction your body is facing, not court position...). The follow through of the racquet is also on the left side, left arm is tucked in.

I couldn't land on right even if I tried, simply impossible too much driving of legs and uncoiling of body to left side while I thrown the racket up.... If I tried to land on my right leg I would end up on my rear end.

[Noelle]

I'm not 4.5, but I recently started using a leg drive in my serve, and I always land on my left foot first. I didn't even know I was doing the leg drive, but once it started happening, I naturally landed on my left foot all the time.

[Tomek_Pl]

You should land on your left foot and this is how I doo it...

[johnmcc516]

You should land on your left foot.

[Marius_Hancu]

From the current pros, I know only Kucera landing on his right foot.

From the fab ones, Becker was landing on his right foot.

[tom-selleck]

somewhat related question,

with all this focus on wrist pronation, doesn't that make it such that the follow-thru doesn't go to the other side of the body as easily. ......... for the huge pronation people suggest, seems like it's almost as easy to stay on same side for follow-thru.

[FiveO]

Many years ago, "hurdling" (landing on your strong side foot) was actually a technique some instructors would teach. Dick Stockton Sr. was the instructor who taught the style to all his sons and other students including myself. He advocated the technique as a better way to get to net quicker. And quicker than the step through used by the generation prior Kramer, Gonzo, thru Laver, etc.. It felt quick and many good S&Vers of the day Newcombe, Tanner, Stockton, etc., and later Becker, used the technique w/ great success. In fact McEnroe, as a s&v, was considered unconventional in employing a front foot landing.

Almost everyone on the advanced/pro level uses a front foot landing today. I switched to a front foot landing only after finally being convinced by Sampras's success employing the technique. Yeah, I was a little resistant to change (McEnroe and Edberg weren't enough to convince me).

Having used both techniques at a fairly high level, I have to say the front foot landing is superior. I've found it to be no slower to net when playing s&v and providing the ability to hit serves more effectively. More pace and more spin, attained easier. It was an adjustment but the results were worth it for me.

Good luck.

[tennis_prodigy]

http://www.advantage-tennis.com/becker/index.php?ind=116

[soyelmocano]

AAAAAAaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrgggghhhh!!!!!!! Now you're going to make me think about my feet when I serve. I'll be luck to hit the ball.

I'm guessing that I land on the left, but I really couldn't say. I just did whatever was natural. We often over complicate things by thinking about them.

[equinox]

I'm supposed to get off the ground? hmm, I'll get working on that technique now.

[Kaptain Karl]

I usually fall to my knees....

- KK

[Ethan04]

I think Michael Stich landed on RIGHT.

[papa]

With all due respect for everyone, it depends on the type of serve you use. So the correct answer can be either foot and if you don't believe me, just watch some high level matches.

[takeuchi]

I usually fall to my knees....

- KK
haha you're not that old are you KK?

[Dopke]

falling to knees = OUCH!?