Lead tape to improve Serve?

[twocents]

Where would you put lead tape in order to improve your serve and how many grams?
I hit groundies with a lot of topspin so I don't want the head to be real heavy.
I have the new VOLKL Tour SE 8.
THANKS!

[TennsDog]

It depends on what you mean by "improve your serve." More pace? More spin? Heavier? Roddick has a very fast and very heavy serve, and I believe he has lead tape running along the top of the frame (from about 11 to 1). I think that that much weight in the head for a more normal person would probably be too much to handle. I find that about 4 inches (I don't know the grams) put on either side just above half way -- with the bottom of the strip at around 9 and 3. This increases the stability if you don't make a perfectly clean hit at the ball which will keep the power up. It also has more weight placed right there the ball is struck, which, if you can generate the racket head speed, will make for a heavy, more penetrating serve. I also put an equal amount of tape in the handle of the racket to keep the overall balance of the frame about the same. Otherwise it would be too immaneuverable. Probably if you're just looking purely for spin, I am not sure I would recommend putting any tape on because it will make the head harder to whip around.

[Bungalo Bill]

I would try three inches around the two and ten o'clock area. Then go from there. Having it around the 3 and 9 would be to stablize the frame and widen the sweet spot of your racquet. Having it around the 2 and 10 area will raise the sweetspot but also provide some head stability.

Some people put it around the twelve o'clock area but be careful as it will increase the racquets swing weight. You might have some problems timing your groundstrokes with the heavier swingweight.

Otherwise, improve your serving mechanics for more pace - that always works.