jumping when serving

[raiden031]

Are you supposed to jump when serving? I noticed the pros do it but I wasn't sure if its required or because its the only way to hit the right speed for that level of playing.

Nobody I play against does it, but maybe thats because at the 3.0-3.5 level serves are not developed enough.

[MasterTS]

They aren't jumping... they are pushing off the legs to transfer energy into the swinging motion. You have to time the leg trust with the hip/shoulder/arm/wrist motion in sequence.. So simply jumping won't help.

[raiden031]

Let me rephrase the question, should both feet be in the air during some part of the serve, whether it be due to a push/thrust or a jump?

[MasterTS]

Originally Posted by raiden031

Let me rephrase the question, should both feet be in the air during some part of the serve, whether it be due to a push/thrust or a jump?

Yes btoh feet should.

[Bagumbawalla]

In general, the faster/harder servers get both feet off the ground as they hit and follow through. Is it necessary to do that to be a good server. No, there are very good servers who keep both (or one) foot planed (they may not ever reach the 140 mph velocity of the others.

[jackson vile]

If you want to mess your serve up really fast start jumping

They bend the knees and is more of a lean back and this is part of the bow and shoulder rotation, I highly recomend people to just let it happen naturally as you can learn an incorrect pattern very very quickly.

That is not an important part to a serve anyways your toss, racket drop, and shoulder rotation gives you all the power.

[jackson vile]

Originally Posted by Bagumbawalla

In general, the faster/harder servers get both feet off the ground as they hit and follow through. Is it necessary to do that to be a good server. No, there are very good servers who keep both (or one) foot planed (they may not ever reach the 140 mph velocity of the others.

The feet off the ground is just a result of the hitting action as the racket is pulled through the shot from what I understand, so the uper body bends forward and the lower body is thus moved upwards, combined with the original force that went upwards in the racket swinging up?

[Bungalo Bill]

Originally Posted by jackson vile

The feet off the ground is just a result of the hitting action as the racket is pulled through the shot from what I understand, so the uper body bends forward and the lower body is thus moved upwards, combined with the original force that went upwards in the racket swinging up?

It is not only an upward effort going to the ball but also a push from the toes to assist in the upward effort.

[jackson vile]

Originally Posted by Bungalo Bill

It is not only an upward effort going to the ball but also a push from the toes to assist in the upward effort.

I have seen some that will use the coil/bow to push all the energy forward into the shot and some extreme on the upwards.

I don't think the toes has anything to do with anything as the force the toes exert is nothing compared to the quads or posterier cahin

[Bungalo Bill]

Originally Posted by jackson vile

I have seen some that will use the coil/bow to push all the energy forward into the shot and some extreme on the upwards.

I don't think the toes has anything to do with anything as the force the toes exert is nothing compared to the quads or posterier cahin

LOL, well this is totaly wrong again! Pushing off from your toes is what contributes to getting a player off the ground! It is the final link in the push-off after the legs provide thrust.

If you are not pushing off from your toes, you are not gaining everything you can out of the serve! Knees extend, toes spring you off the ground. Keep learning! lol

Study, study, study, review, review, review, slo-mo, slo-mo, someday you will get it.


Legs, then toes, legs then toes, legs then toes, legs then toes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGAur...elated&search=

When you slow this baby way down you can see the toes DO INDEED CONTRIBUTE TO THE PUSH-OFF!!!! This is important, this is important, this is important...

Here is more to put you to shame!!!!! Toes, toes, toes!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-vgu...elated&search=

Another important element is the non-dominant arm folding in to break the shoulder and allow the hitting shoulder and arm to flow through in acceleration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnfAx...elated&search=

[Pistol_Pete]

Originally Posted by jackson vile

The feet off the ground is just a result of the hitting action as the racket is pulled through the shot from what I understand, so the uper body bends forward and the lower body is thus moved upwards, combined with the original force that went upwards in the racket swinging up?

http://www.tennisone.com/newsletter/...ewsletter.html

Read the article. Watch the clips.
They're in the air before they even start this motion you describe.

BAM!

[Bagumbawalla]

I beleive that there are, basically, two benefits to getting ones feet off the ground, and this applies only to advanced players. The writer up above, who said you can mess up your serve is correct. Serving, well, is difficult enough. Throwing all your weight up and into the court is for the highly co-ordinated.

Anyway, the two benefits are 1, it gives you a higher vantage point from which to hit the ball down into the service court (enabeling one to hit harder and keep the ball in.

The other benefit 2, is basically the same, it brings you slightly closer to the net without stepping onto the court and foot-faulting-- also giving you an improved angle to keep a faster/flatter ball in the service court.

Most likely a taller person 6'4" and up could find a similar angle with planted feet or by simply stepping foreward into the court after contact.

[AngeloDS]

It's necessary. Though if want it to be technically correct but also if you want to get more: spin, power, better angles and other various aspects it's a good idea to learn how to push off.

It's not needed as a lot of people cannot get the timing down. So staying on the ground works well for most. You can still have a serve in the 70s on the ground as long as you have a good wrist snap.

[jackson vile]

Originally Posted by AngeloDS

It's necessary. Though if want it to be technically correct but also if you want to get more: spin, power, better angles and other various aspects it's a good idea to learn how to push off.

It's not needed as a lot of people cannot get the timing down. So staying on the ground works well for most. You can still have a serve in the 70s on the ground as long as you have a good wrist snap.

Great point, this is the part that can end up destroying peoples serves as it becomes too complex with many areas that can cause error.

I think you can get eve faster than 70mph

We see a trend in serves where people are bowing less and bending less as well as shortening the length/distance of the racket take back

This could be do to the rackets that are available, ect?

Good points

[Bungalo Bill]

Originally Posted by jackson vile

We see a trend in serves where people are bowing less and bending less as well as shortening the length/distance of the racket take back

This could be do to the rackets that are available, ect?

Good points

So I am right? LOL!!! This is great. IT IS BECAUSE OF POOR TECHNIQUE! Poor technique also exsisted when the racquets were WOOD!

Still waiting for you to prove that the toe push off is not part of the kinetic chain!

[jackson vile]

Originally Posted by Bungalo Bill

LOL!!! This is great. IT IS BECAUSE OF POOR TECHNIQUE! Poor technique also exsisted when the racquets were WOOD!

Still waiting for you to prove that the toe push off is not part of the kinetic chain!

We see pro's doing this on purpose IE Justine recently made the switch, it reduces errors, So that they can focuse on making points with ground strokes IMO is only going around the problem and not addressing it.

[jackson vile]

Originally Posted by Bungalo Bill

So I am right? LOL!!! This is great. IT IS BECAUSE OF POOR TECHNIQUE! Poor technique also exsisted when the racquets were WOOD!

Still waiting for you to prove that the toe push off is not part of the kinetic chain!

You do not even know what a stretch shortening cycle is, or it's importance to a topnotch serve.

You can't debate a moron like you, cause you use moron logic LOL, further more you are the one that made the assertion that the TOES produce force in the serving motion.

There for the burdon of proof is on you, that is how it works in the real wold.

As for my points, pick up human bio-mechanics book, or better yet go to school and stop making youself look stooooopid LOL

[Bungalo Bill]

Originally Posted by jackson vile

You can't debate a moron like you, cause you use moron logic LOL, further more you are the one that made the assertion that the TOES produce force in the serving motion.

LOL, well, once again, I have to show you what was said.

[i]"Originally Posted by jackson vile
The feet off the ground is just a result of the hitting action as the racket is pulled through the shot from what I understand, so the uper body bends forward and the lower body is thus moved upwards, combined with the original force that went upwards in the racket swinging up?

Bungalo Bill: It is not only an upward effort going to the ball but also a push from the toes to assist in the upward effort.

There for the burdon of proof is on you, that is how it works in the real wold.

LOL, figures, you have nothing. Already showed my evidence Einstein.

As for my points, pick up human bio-mechanics book, or better yet go to school and stop making youself look stooooopid LOL

Already have Einstein. the serve motion is not a pure jump. The server rolls onto the toes and the toes add lift-off or spring. It is painfully obvious that the toes, calves, thighs, hips, stomach, shoulders, arms, etc...are all part of the kinetic chain in a good pwerful serve.

Keep learning.

[AngeloDS]

I think a good serve for new players to the 3.5 level is on the ground with a medium swing speed, loose/relaxed & fluid and loopy serve. You can get that consistent and it's relatively easy to place it where you want (as you aren't swingly wildly). It's better than pushing the ball in -- which is what I see with a lot of players.

4.0 I'd suggest starting to get off the ground. But it's difficult as you need to make sure you strengthen your shoulders and body. I've seen too many people throw out their shoulders/arms trying to serve that way (pushing off the ground).

[Pistol_Pete]

OK OK.

JV,
Are you only picking up these biomechanic books or are you actually reading them? If you are reading them, then it is a sad day for the field of human kinetics when you graduate. You are only book smart without any street sense. Yes, you can use those terms in your argument but your application of it is all wrong. You could only be right if you are referencing a flat footed serve that beginners tend to do. Maybe you serve that way. I don't know.


BB,

I agree. I don't see people leaving the ground on their heels or the balls of their feet. The last thing touching the ground ARE your toes. Maybe JV serves with his tibialis anterior, extensor hallicus longus and the peroneus tertius muscles flexed causing his feet and toes to point upward?