Opposite arm tuck on the serve.

[Kobble]

I completely understand the mechanics of it, and the exact effect it produces. My problem is that it does not feel natural to me. Even when I served my best, I never had much of a tuck. Theoretically, I should be able to crank the ball even harder with a better tuck of my left arm, but it just does not feel natural. When I purposely do it I do not feel any significant speed added to the serve. Has anyone else had this problem? Did you gain any significant power from doing it?

[TennsDog]

I have never given a single thought to tucking in my tossing arm, but pictures of my serve show that it does tuck. That is the whole idea, it should be natural. I think that if you have a proper motion and the right rhythm, the arm should tuck itself in rather automatically. It seems like if you don't tuck it in, it would actually get in the way of the hitting arm. How good is your serve now? Is it consistant? Much power? How long have you been playing?

[Cypo]

I had to learn it, and it did feel unnatural for a time. What I find it really helps with is my timing. Now, if I don't bring the arm down, you can be sure it's fault.

I have the feeling the my second serves have more power because of bring the arm down, but to be honest, I'm not sure about the first.

[Bungalo Bill]

I dont agree you should be able to crank the ball even harder with a arm tuck. But I understand where your coming from.

YOu obviously know the reasons why the arm is to naturally stay within the body. It allows for a natural braking system to happen which helps accelerate or keep the acceleration of your arm continous into the ball without short circuiting your effort. It should be natural.

However, if your arm is dangling outside of your shoulder width, then you may have some other issues going on (like balance, hitches, etc.) and could be losing some power in your serve, but not a tremendous amount. Fluidness is key to the serve but we are all limited to our gene pool.

Unless we can see your serve it is hard to comment further. I would work on making it feel unnatural till it feels natural. A great place to practice this is against a wall.

[Kobble]

Bungalow Bill- My humerus remains by my side while my hand is about an inch or two inside my oblique area at contact. It is definitely not dangling away from my body. I know Sampras does not use a text book style tuck, and he served big. However, I see that most of the biggest servers have the arm very close to their midsection, and I am just looking to get the most out of my serve.


Tennsdog- My serve has been on its recovery from a serious slump. I would say my serve is pretty consistent. I rarely double fault, and I can serve to most areas in the box without much problem on a typical day. My power has been on the climb again, and I am sure that I am breaking a 100mph easily on most first serves. When I was serving my best I could break 110mph on the flat serves, so I am looking to getting back to that level.

Cypo- It is interesting what you said about it helping you second serve more than your first. I have never had a great second serve, so maybe their is a link there, but Pete had a great second serve while not using the very close tuck method.

Thanks for the replies.

[Bungalo Bill]

Bungalow Bill- My humerus remains by my side while my hand is about an inch or two inside my oblique area at contact. It is definitely not dangling away from my body. I know Sampras does not use a text book style tuck, and he served big. However, I see that most of the biggest servers have the arm very close to their midsection, and I am just looking to get the most out of my serve.


Tennsdog- My serve has been on its recovery from a serious slump. I would say my serve is pretty consistent. I rarely double fault, and I can serve to most areas in the box without much problem on a typical day. My power has been on the climb again, and I am sure that I am breaking a 100mph easily on most first serves. When I was serving my best I could break 110mph on the flat serves, so I am looking to getting back to that level.

Cypo- It is interesting what you said about it helping you second serve more than your first. I have never had a great second serve, so maybe their is a link there, but Pete had a great second serve while not using the very close tuck method.

Thanks for the replies.

Then your fine. I wouldnt worry about making it perfect. The tucking arm really helps transfer lots of energy into the swing of the arm - no doubt. But I wouldnt fret to much as these things take time to practice. dont worry about "not getting it at first" just go and practice it until you feel the acceleration your getting. It could be weeks of good practice before you feel the sensation of your arm really moving into the ball.

It is totally natural to feel uncomfortable learning to do it. Like other things in life, it takes time. But I wouldnt worry about it if you dont get it right away - just be patient.