Spinning the Service Toss

[marcl65]

The guy I was playing the other day (a 4.5 IIRC) did this weird thing with his serve – he spun his toss. He flicked his wrist so that the ball went straight up but had a pronounced spin to it (towards him I think). His serves were hard and fast and he had a high 1st serve percentage but I’ve seen similar serves from people that don’t put spin on their tosses. Anyone use this method or know what it’s benefits are?

[kevhen]

I see volleyball players put forward spin on their overhead serve tosses allowing them to create even more topspin than normal. The same would work for tennis as well but would be trickier to do. You could put sidespin on the toss too if you were serving slice to add more spin to it.

[Freedom]

I don't think it really makes a huge difference. I think it's mostly a psychological thing...either it makes him believe hes hitting with a lot more spin, or it's meant to make you think hes hitting with a lot more spin.

[Buzzlightyear]

Tossing the ball by flicking your wrist is a not a good idea because it is a poor way to get a consistent toss. The guy you saw has probably did this for many years so he is able to keep a fairly consistent toss. But anyway, this is not a good technique.

Moreover, the power and spin of his serve couldn't have any connection with his spining toss. He is a case of having a good serve despite of his toss, not because of his toss.

[Pomeranian]

Yes, a spinny toss isn't the secret to more spin on your serve. A consistant well placed toss can do that along with a sound serve.