OK, so when I started out, my ex-coach told me to hit the serve with my regular forehand at that time, which was a semi-western. So it was pretty easy for me to get the hang of hitting flat serves. Then I changed coaches and he's teaching me the slice serve right now but when I am hitting without him, this guy who I hit with told me to learn the flat serve. So I tried, using the continental grip. But I keep hitting slice serves, or at least half-flat half-slice. It really frustrates me because no matter how hard I try, I still hit it with slice. I think this is because of the natural stroke of the continental grip is slice and not flat. Any advice on how to hit flat serves? Like can anyone tell me where to throw the ball and how to stroke the ball at the contact point?
trouble hitting flat serves
- Thread starter na2b
- Start date
Duzza
Legend
Well I use continental. But on flat, remember to turn your wrist(guessing R handed) so that your thumb will go anti-clockwise a little more, gives that flatter face of the racquet. And importantly, keep the ball toss in front and to the right, same position as you would for a slice, maybe a little closer side-wise.
O
ondray
Guest
From the knowledge that I have gained from the MITS clinic, the toss for most men differs from the women. It's 12 o'clock for the guys and more towards 1 o'clock for the latter. This is relative to the head (taking the head as the middle of the clock). The explanation was most men has stronger core muscles so they can stay sideways longer giving a huge load up before contact while most women tend to open their hips towards the net.
The best practice is to practice the toss individually and shadow the load up position. Then proceed to the service line and serve both dtl and wide with moderate pace. Gradually move back towards the baseline as you progress. Got the tip from Nick Bolliterri's book and I personally find it helpful as it forces you to pronate correctly (to get the ball in) and it also builds confidence.
The best practice is to practice the toss individually and shadow the load up position. Then proceed to the service line and serve both dtl and wide with moderate pace. Gradually move back towards the baseline as you progress. Got the tip from Nick Bolliterri's book and I personally find it helpful as it forces you to pronate correctly (to get the ball in) and it also builds confidence.
You need to loosen up and not try so hard. You are too tense, so your hand is not pronating. If you don't pronate, you will cut into the ball which will cause slice. Slow your swing down, and swing at 80%. You will probably hit harder with less effort and be able to do flat.
na2b said:
I just posted this in another thread with the same question:
On the flat serve you have to come into the ball like you are going to hit it with the frame of your racket. Then you pronate (turn your hand and forearm) so that the strings meet the ball flat on. And then you must follow through from the shoulder to the hand so that the hitting arm extends far into the court.
You can study this frame by frame here:
http://www.hi-techtennis.com/serve/videos/hewitt/index.php
Jeff
Stinkdyr
Professional
The Flat Serve....... a tip.
If you are struggling with hitting a flat serve, don't think of it as a flat serve. In essence, it is really just a regular slice serve with minimal slice spin. So start your bucket of balls with your slice motion. Gradually rotate your grip or adjust your thong, or whatever works for you so that you feel that your are starting to hit more "through the ball" and less "across the face" of the ball. Eventually, you will get the hang of it.
If you are struggling with hitting a flat serve, don't think of it as a flat serve. In essence, it is really just a regular slice serve with minimal slice spin. So start your bucket of balls with your slice motion. Gradually rotate your grip or adjust your thong, or whatever works for you so that you feel that your are starting to hit more "through the ball" and less "across the face" of the ball. Eventually, you will get the hang of it.
I'm not JCO, but I'll answer...
If you don't pronate, you will be hitting the ball like a frying pan. I use this term a lot for a reason. Imagine your racket is facing the court just like a frying pan. If you actually were holding a frying pan, and swung at the ball like this, you would notice the huge air resistance. Now turn that frying pan edge on, and try swinging at it again, and do the pronation right before contact. You'll swing faster. Same thing applies for a racket.
So stop frying pan the ball!!!
If you don't pronate, you will be hitting the ball like a frying pan. I use this term a lot for a reason. Imagine your racket is facing the court just like a frying pan. If you actually were holding a frying pan, and swung at the ball like this, you would notice the huge air resistance. Now turn that frying pan edge on, and try swinging at it again, and do the pronation right before contact. You'll swing faster. Same thing applies for a racket.
So stop frying pan the ball!!!