Critique Serve!

[MTChong]

First... these are terrible quality because I decided to record these on a whim with my camera phone tonight.

Second... I noticed there is a weird delay between the action and the sound.

Anyways, please keep in mind these are first - not second - serves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2WbBxBwseQ (The fourth serve here was out; the rest landed in the box).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYpJtsYnWL0 (The fifth serve here was out; the rest landed in the box).

I haven't seen myself serve in awhile and this was truly eye-opening; though it wasn't my best serving day (in terms of getting them in overall), it's still worth critiquing as that is my form for my serve either way. Furthermore, this is not really an excuse; I suck at serving and that's why I come here.

Things I noticed:
I'm really jerky, I never noticed that my motion was so abbreviated and then sudden; I think that part of it has to do with my rhythm today - it was shot. But even so, on my better days, when I feel slower, I am certain - after watching these clips - that I am still very abrupt with my motion. In addition, my tosses were flying everywhere today; and I have no idea what was up with that - I was trying too many different things out. It may be the second serve in the second video, I threw that ball so far out into the court! Though a bad day, it's still me and my game; I will have bad days occassionally, so this is no excuse - something I still must work on. On the upside, I noticed that I have quite a shoulder turn and trunk rotation that allows me to put lots of energy into the ball. I also generate a good amount of spin but would like ot generate more, so any advice as to how I can adjust my form to do so would help. (Note I am already using in between a continental and eastern backhand grip). Other than those two, I don't see too many upsides.

Things to work on:
- Overall form
- Consistent toss
- Kinetic chain - focus on my leg drive.

Anything else? I ask for what I'm doing right and what I am doing wrong so that I have a good idea about it. Thanks in advance!

[MasterTS]

My first impression is that you're practicing kung fu or something.. then I realized you had a racquet in your hand.

I think your motion is too abrupt and 'quick' in certain areas.. need to be smoother.

[MasterTS]

BTW i just read what you posted.. guess u use the same 'abrupt' word..

[dewey2110]

Thats too fast, slow down a little, toss the ball high, wait for it to come down and take it when its still high. You seem to generate good power and spin with the quickness but not consistent...
It may sound sarcastic but masterTS is right, you do look like youre practicing kungfu :|
I also notice that you kept going for the T. Work on placements first if you're having trouble with your technique, not power.

[snoflewis]

for some reason, that video seems like it's twice as fast as it should be.

[skuludo]

The video is fast because his body moves fast. Youtube can't handle his body speed. The video is dropping frames.

[boojay]

that's a quick mamma jamma! i think i used to be like you. now i'm more relaxed. eventually, i want to get to the point where serving is effortless and smooth.

[MTChong]

Anyone else?

[drakulie]

In addition, my tosses were flying everywhere today; and I have no idea what was up with that - I was trying too many different things out.

- Consistent toss

The toss is the first thing I would work on if I was you. Your toss was "flying all over the place" becasue you throw/toss the ball out of your hand.

Pretend your hand is an elevator. You want to lift the ball smoothly and let it come out of your hand on it's own, and continue to lift your arm up, even after it has left your hand. (DO not throw the ball) A good trick is to point at the ball when it has left your hand. This will help you get in the proper position for the next step in the serving motion (the trophy pose). The ball should be leaving your hand at a little above eye level. Yours is sometimes leaving at chest level, and as a result you do not continue to lift your arm to get in the proper position.

A consistent toss is very important, and as you found out, without it your serve was "all over the place".

Hope this helps,

Good luck, and thanks for sharing the vids with us.

[newnuse]

Listen to Drakulie, use the force.

Your knee bend is a little late on your motion. you toss, wait, quick knee bend and quick release

start your need bend as your arm is almost about to release the ball, bend them slowly, get to your max knee flex point and start your forward motion... some people actually hesitate for a split second before starting their forward motion... that's fine as well... just don't rush it

as you start up and foward, don't explode right away from the max knee flex position like you do in ur vids... it should be nice and smooth...almost slowly at first... the explosion should take place as the racket approaches the ball... your serve should be more consistent since your intial motion forward is slower and more relax... you shouldn't lose power and might gain some even

I like your overall motion.. just the timing looks off... makings of a good serve.. needs some fine tuning