Tips on a second serve..

[Woodstock_Tennis]

The problem for me right now is in game I have a powerful somewhat consistant 1 server (average about 1-2 faults per serves). However, when it comes to my second serve, I seem to have none lol.

I hear from people how easy the kick serve is; however, I just can't seem to get one going. Anyone else have trouble with this, or have some tips on getting a kick serve to break better...

[golden chicken]

why don't you hit another "first" serve? don't get tentative and worry about missing if you have a decent first serve, just try again. don't think of it as a "second" serve, just think of it as another chance to hit a first serve.

then, once you have confidence that you probably won't double fault, you can try changing the spin or speed to get the ball to do different things.

[Freedom]

Before you try to hit a kick serve, I reccomend you learn topspin serves. Topspin is very easy to learn. Kick seems simple, but it's harder than it looks. Just learn a topspin serve that you can hit 100% of the time.

However, if you only ever miss your first serve once or twice a match, you should just hit another "first" serve. That kind of first serve percentage is amazing, especially if your serve is big.

[EMestizo]

Practice, Practice, Practice....keep hitting your spin/kick serve until it starts to fall and you don't have to think about whether it's going in or not.

[Woodstock_Tennis]

What about technique, as it is right now I have the same stance as my first, but throw the ball behind me a little and try to hit it from 5 to 11 (lefty).

I prob. should just go with another first serve, feel more confident with it, but do think I should work on a kick or another serve that has a higher % to get it. Right now I'm playing mostly doubles to help my net technique, when I play singles I play at 5.0, my games pretty solid except that second serve lol.

I know a lot has to do with mental strength, but just can't seem to get the ball breaking as much as I'd like, thus when I hit it my opponent has a nice goose egg to hit winners off.

[bhaskart]

I know a lot has to do with mental strength, but just can't seem to get the ball breaking as much as I'd like, thus when I hit it my opponent has a nice goose egg to hit winners off.

In that case, try other spins...for example, a slice serve tends to stay low and not be a 'goose egg' like the top spin/kick serve (when hit with low/medium pace). If you present the same spin and position on the box on your second serve, your opponent is going to get used to it pretty soon and you'll essentially end up depending on UEs from your opponent on your second serve. Try mixing up your spins and serve placement for improving the effectiveness of your current 'sitter' second serve.

[kevhen]

I slice my second serves since I struggle with kicks. I do use kick serves when going wide on first serves though.

[Woodstock_Tennis]

Ya might try sliceing the second, just fraustrating the difference between my first and second. First I can add so much power that opponent is usually 3-5 feet behind the baseline, after a few games they'll realise nothings on my second and come 3-5 feet inside the baseline.

Any tips on how to hit the kicker so I can add more power and give it a higher bounce.

[lucky leprechaun]

My friend I rally with a lot has a good kicker, and it looks like to me he actually makes contact with the ball at lower than the highest contact point just so he can get the acceleration, the brush up the ball. I've tried it myself and has definitely helped my kicker.

[peternk]

make sure that u have good racquet speed. u can have a look of racquet speed on ur second serve. it will give you really good spin. just hit it less flat. same racquet head speed, more spin less flat. come across the ball.

[EMestizo]

What about technique, as it is right now I have the same stance as my first, but throw the ball behind me a little and try to hit it from 5 to 11 (lefty).

I'd also practice hitting your spin serves with the same toss as your first (flat) serve. It's very hard to pull off, but very beneficial. Even if your toss is slightly different between the two, that'd work perfect. You tip off your opponent when your tosses are completely different.

[Freedom]

I'd also practice hitting your spin serves with the same toss as your first (flat) serve. It's very hard to pull off, but very beneficial. Even if your toss is slightly different between the two, that'd work perfect. You tip off your opponent when your tosses are completely different.

Agreed. Watch Federer serve. Every single toss is in the exact same place. And he's one of the most effective servers in the game.

[BabolatFan]

Ya might try sliceing the second, just fraustrating the difference between my first and second. First I can add so much power that opponent is usually 3-5 feet behind the baseline, after a few games they'll realise nothings on my second and come 3-5 feet inside the baseline.

Any tips on how to hit the kicker so I can add more power and give it a higher bounce.
Interesting. You don't have a video clip either, I guess. When I do my extreme kick serves, I toss the ball a little behind my head at 130 clockwise from your standpoint. I'm a lefty...oh what kind of grip (continental?) do you use to do your second serves now?

[TENNIS_IS_FUN]

the 2nd serve is all about confidence....the less confidence you have, the less hard you hit, the less hard you hit, the less topspin you generate, the less topspin you generate, the less chance of the ball drooping down. Always make sure that the ball is a little behind your head and to the left. Remember...confidence.

[Woodstock_Tennis]

Interesting. You don't have a video clip either, I guess. When I do my extreme kick serves, I toss the ball a little behind my head at 130 clockwise from your standpoint. I'm a lefty...oh what kind of grip (continental?) do you use to do your second serves now?


I don't change my grip from first to second, could that be the problem lol. Aye, it is about confidence, if I could get the ball to break more I'd be a hell of a lot more confident heh.