what do yall think?

[topspin kid]

ok this is the deal. i took lessons on saturday.My flat serve went up about 20mph because of correct form and stuff also the consistency went up to about 75%. also my second serve had more pace and kick on it, but back to the story. i havent played until tuesday and i couldnt even remember the proper form. my serve went down the drain,i couldnt make a flat serve and the topspin serve i was doing was to just accelerate and that was not working,and to make it worst i was playing a pick up game in the park. i cant get lessons until probably next month. do you think its the muscle memory? I blame my mom for not letting me go to the park and practice the next day but i thought i would have probably would have remembered because i served like 1000 balls that day. what do yall think?

[tarheels2323]

One of my old coaches made me take notes on what I learned on a notecard right after the lesson (you know, little things to remember). McEnroe did the same thing and kept them in his bag. I suggest you try to remember what little things you learned that helped and write them down. If you can't, make sure to do it next lesson. And as for muscle memory, it takes alot more time (for the average player, also depends on years played) than what is included in one lesson for the muscle memory to sink in. I was always told to practice two hours for every hour of lessons I had (practice, not play). Actually I'm told in college to study for the same amount for every hour of classes I have, but I actually listened to my coach. Anyway, I was told to practice before the next lesson so you don't necessarily have to do it the next day.

[topspin kid]

thanks but i tried all of the things and i swear im doing them right but it feels wierd but when i was at the camp he was right by me for a while correcting me but then he went away and watch and just commented. but i feel so dumb because i felt like federer when i was at the camp i mean it was the best my serve ever felt and looked.

[papa]

Well, first of all, serving 1000 balls in one session leaves a lot to be desired - way too many. Depending on "normal" playing/practicing, maybe 5-200 would be good but not 1000.

Second, learn to practice not only you first serve but your second as well. As a matter of fact, you'd be better advised to get your second serve working well PRIOR to working exclusively on your first serve. You've got to remember that the swing on the "second" serve should be at least as hard as the first.

Often, when someone says they have "lost" their serve is generally means they didn't have one in the first place. Yeah, they had a session where they hit a few in - big deal. You have to do it on a regular basis, not just every once in a while, that gets you no-where.

Having said that, a lot of players do one of two things in game situations as compared to practice sessions. They either start throwing the ball too low or they aren't watching the ball/keeping their chin up. As a result their entire service motion is screwed up and they rush constantly - result, bad serve, generally into the net. You might want to check to see if your doing either or both.

Another thing, you can practice your serve out in the middle of a field, you don't necessarily need a court. Is a court better? - of course but a field/back yard is better than nothing. Many of us learned how to shot a puck in the garage/driveway - when there is a will, there is a way.

[shindemac]

No, it's not your mom's fault. Even if you went out the next day, you would've still lost your serve. What you need to do is practice your serve often. Ideally, that would mean 3-4 times a week. But there's no need to have marathon practice sessions and practice your serve exclusively for 3 hours. That's way too much so it's better to do maybe 1-2 hours. If you can't do that, then even 10-15 minutes every time you hit is better than nothing. This may not make any sense, but it's much better to practice 3 days for 1 hour each rather than 1 day for 3 hours.

[topspin kid]

there was like 100 in each basket and i served like 10 over a period of time not straight. and i did have a serve it was just not very good the next time i served.

[chroix]

sue your mom