Difficulty in control the direction of serve

[Baffin]

It is more easy to direct the forehand and backhand drive by hitting the ball all the way through the swing line, but I have difficulty in control the direction of my serve since I swing the racquet from left to right in order to generate spin. I am serving with continental grip, can anyone help?

[papa]

You know, so much has been written about the serve that its difficult to try and sum up all that information in a few sentences - its a very complicated subject to cover in words. There are some good post in here about various techniques and the like.

A couple of things though that seem to get a little bit overlooked are the "position of the feet", "looking directly where you want the serve to go" and "having a low toss". These three things, which some might consider "minor" are extremely important and often overlooked. Sure the other points we all talk about are very important also but these three things are easy (I think so anyway) to learn/master and many times are the problem - or at least part of the problem. The low toss for example can kill just about any serve because one has to rush through the motion so fast its bound to give negative results. If you were to take any good player and suddenly make them hit serves with a toss a foot or more lower than their regular toss they probably couln't serve very effectively unless they were to change their entire motion or at least shortened it up.

Also on grips, (assuming everything else is ok) I like to have players aim for a specific target and hit ten or fifteen ball at it. Then I turn the racquet just a spec in their hand and try another fifteen at the same target - have to keep checking because they all (most anyway) want to revert back to the original grip somewhere during the service motion. I'll then turn the racquet again and repeat the process. By doing this, the player starts to understand where the ball is going and realizes they have some major control over the flight of the ball.

I'm not suggesting there is an "easy" or "majic" cure/solution for the serve but some of the basics are ofter overlooked even by experiences players.

[Marius_Hancu]

You seem to only use the arm for direction control. That's not enough. Go to a coach.

Check these threads; you just need to do a correct weigh transfer/rocking motion:

first serve
Rocking Motion
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=34724
(check my postings on r.s.t on "rocking motion")

What is the right way?I think i transfer weight too early when serving..
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=41838

Basically, you need to "fall" into the direction of your target (and to plan for it).

The Rocking Motion/weight transfer should end in the direction of the target (you should fall/continue towards it), and you should have during ALL its progression the feeling of controlled dynamical balance, which is not easy to achieve, because you're in motion, standing on your toes at times, etc, a little on edge.

You have to control the position of the center of gravity wrt your temporary base of support, while in motion.

During your training, try to think about where you're moving, and try to keep balance.

[arosen]

papa's right, it's all in the toss. You master the toss, and the rest of the motion will follow.

[Baffin]

Dear Marius, nice to hear from you. I agree with you that the Rocking Motion/weight transfer should end in the direction of the target, can you pls tell me one more thing, should my chest or my right shoulder facing to the direction of the target when finishing the serving motion?


You seem to only use the arm for direction control. That's not enough. Go to a coach.

Check these threads; you just need to do a correct weigh transfer/rocking motion:

first serve
Rocking Motion
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=34724
(check my postings on r.s.t on "rocking motion")

What is the right way?I think i transfer weight too early when serving..
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=41838

Basically, you need to "fall" into the direction of your target (and to plan for it).

The Rocking Motion/weight transfer should end in the direction of the target (you should fall/continue towards it), and you should have during ALL its progression the feeling of controlled dynamical balance, which is not easy to achieve, because you're in motion, standing on your toes at times, etc, a little on edge.

You have to control the position of the center of gravity wrt your temporary base of support, while in motion.

During your training, try to think about where you're moving, and try to keep balance.