Service game: how can a weekend warrior improve it?

[WildVolley]

Figuring out what you should work on is going to be very important for a weekend warrior. I'd advise getting video tape of your serve that you can then watch in slow motion. Ideally from both behind at a reasonable height and from the side.

Take notes of what you are doing differently from a pro model and then start making changes right away. Repetition is good, but if you have a major form problem, you might just be developing ingrained bad habits.

[julian]

Originally Posted by WildVolley

Figuring out what you should work on is going to be very important for a weekend warrior. I'd advise getting video tape of your serve that you can then watch in slow motion. Ideally from both behind at a reasonable height and from the side.

Take notes of what you are doing differently from a pro model and then start making changes right away. Repetition is good, but if you have a major form problem, you might just be developing ingrained bad habits.

Please see PAT THE DOG THREAD

[Avles]

If you don't have access to a court for serve practice, try practicing your toss. It's amazing how much better the serve works when the ball is where it's supposed to be.

[Greg G]

^ that's a golden tip right there. All my serve issues improved 100% when I started paying attention to the toss. Amazing how contorted we can get trying to make up for a bad toss.

[Relinquis]

don't practice toss indoors*, unless you get on your knees...


* ceilings too low.

[Metalica]

Originally Posted by LeeD

Your serve won't get better without some sort of swing practice.
Shadow swing, LISTEN to the sound of the racket going thru the air. The highest pitch is your fastest swing.
Embrace the idea you cannot hit a flat serve IN if you don't practice, so hit a topspin serve with some speed instead. The topspin curves the ball IN, and you slowly add more ball speed and take away the spin.
Have a set pattern when you serve. Slow down, STOP, gather some energy, THEN go thru the same service motion every single time.

Agreed. I shadow swing infront of a mirror all the time and it really helped my game, not just for the serve but for every shots. No point to hitting a 100 practice serve if you're hitting a 100 incorrect serves. Everybody learn differently though. I just happen to be a drawer and have good eye for detail.

[SnoxicTennoxic]

Originally Posted by WildVolley

Figuring out what you should work on is going to be very important for a weekend warrior. I'd advise getting video tape of your serve that you can then watch in slow motion. Ideally from both behind at a reasonable height and from the side.

Take notes of what you are doing differently from a pro model and then start making changes right away. Repetition is good, but if you have a major form problem, you might just be developing ingrained bad habits.

+1

- Get video. Check what you do wrong. Pick out a part that you'd like to improve and track your progress.

- Commit to improving the serve. For me that meant that during practice sets too. It can be hard because it will likely get worse before it gets better. Don't mind loosing a few extra games, concentrate on doing a good swing which will make you better in the long run.