Serve: how do I control my ball toss?

FrisbeeFool · 07-12-2012, 02:12 AM

Sometimes my service toss has a lot of spin on it. Somtimes, I release it with way to much force, on accident, and it goes ways to high. I've been trying to really keep my front arm raised up because I was told that's good form. But when I focus on really getting that arm up, It seems to throw off my toss. I also have trouble getting it out front for flat serves. It always seem to come back behind be.

What can I do to get a consistent, controllable service toss??

Thud and blunder · 07-12-2012, 02:30 AM

Sounds like your wrist is moving too much, leading to unpredictable height and weird spins.

Try this: lock your wrist, lock your elbow, toss with your shoulder. ie visualise using your shoulder as the fulcrum. When you have the feeling of this, then you can progress to tossing with your body, ie your body moving into the trophy position lifts your shoulder. Charliefederer posted some good visuals on this recently.

In D Zone · 07-12-2012, 06:59 AM

Agreed with TUD's point.

I had similar issue with controlling the ball toss, I then followed Hewitt's motion and it helped! It's a ritual that you need to keep practicing until it becomes automatic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3hbByd-8u8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkeuSMMPUTI

Hope this help!

mightyrick · 07-12-2012, 07:05 AM

This always has been an issue for me. I'm not recommending this to anyone, but I actually hit the ball on the way up or right at the apex -- like Dolgopolov.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0AXyjMVkKY

I'm not sure how fundamentally acceptable such a serve toss and motion are, but it helps me greatly with timing. I makes it very easy for my racquet arm to stay in motion -- so my motion is much more compact and fluid. It also helps in wind... because the ball is in the air for less time... so it is affected less.

usta2050 · 07-12-2012, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrisbeeFool

Sometimes my service toss has a lot of spin on it. Somtimes, I release it with way to much force, on accident, and it goes ways to high. I've been trying to really keep my front arm raised up because I was told that's good form. But when I focus on really getting that arm up, It seems to throw off my toss. I also have trouble getting it out front for flat serves. It always seem to come back behind be.

What can I do to get a consistent, controllable service toss??

I recommend you do some shoulder and arm exercises for your tossing arm. and just practice tossing to a spot. there are tons of videos on youtube about tossing and the basics are similar. but u will find it hard to replicate them if ur tossing shoulder/arms are weaker than the right and if your left hand's motor skills need more polish. one way u can enhance your left hand's motor skills is to use it more often for everything.

LeeD · 07-12-2012, 09:40 AM

How can you control how hard to shove the forkfull of food into your mouth?
How can you control how hard to scratch that itch of yours?
How can you control how hard to push on that toilet paper?

Limpinhitter · 07-12-2012, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrisbeeFool

Sometimes my service toss has a lot of spin on it. Somtimes, I release it with way to much force, on accident, and it goes ways to high. I've been trying to really keep my front arm raised up because I was told that's good form. But when I focus on really getting that arm up, It seems to throw off my toss. I also have trouble getting it out front for flat serves. It always seem to come back behind be.

What can I do to get a consistent, controllable service toss??

Try these devices:

- Bring the ball down to a fixed point ie: your front leg, come to a full stop, then accelerate gradually upward
- Push the ball in to a box in the air, don't throw the ball
- Toss from the shoulder with a straight arm, no elbow or wrist action
- Hold the ball in your fingertips, not your palm
- On the way up, hold the ball like a glass of water, or ice cream cone, with your palm to side, not with your palm up

Hope that helps.

sansaephanh · 07-12-2012, 10:16 AM

three finger toss cured all my woes. I hold it like a cup with three fingers and release into the court at the top of my head. Having the ball roll off fingers under it is too unpredictable and can cause all the problems you're facing.

I want you to put your arm your side and simply lift it so you are pointing forward. Try it with both with your palm facing up and your palm facing to the side. Which one feels more natural?

Its gonna be the palm facing inward. Its more natural and relax and it will give you all the control you need and near zero spin on your toss.

Three fingers. Hold it like a cup. Release near the top of your head. From there you can tweak your release points to fit your different serves.

OH and I highly recommend FuzzyYellowBalls' "Down together, Up together" motion to really get you set up in time for your own toss.

LeeD · 07-12-2012, 11:02 AM

Ain't HOW you toss, it's how many you have tossed so you know where to PLACE your toss.

usta2050 · 07-12-2012, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeD

How can you control how hard to shove the forkfull of food into your mouth?
How can you control how hard to scratch that itch of yours?
How can you control how hard to push on that toilet paper?

true, if u can scratch and wipe u behind with ur tossing hand equally well, u will toss better.

LeeD · 07-12-2012, 11:30 AM

Toss, feeding yourself, placing the cup to your mouth, toilet paper, shaving, all teach you how to control that errant hand so you can place your toss.

FrisbeeFool · 07-12-2012, 12:47 PM

Thanks guys. Good tips

charliefedererer · 07-13-2012, 06:45 AM

You might want to check out my comments on the ball toss in post #4 in the following thread: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=423960

07-12-2012, 02:12 AM	#1
FrisbeeFool Rookie Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 377	Serve: how do I control my ball toss? Sometimes my service toss has a lot of spin on it. Somtimes, I release it with way to much force, on accident, and it goes ways to high. I've been trying to really keep my front arm raised up because I was told that's good form. But when I focus on really getting that arm up, It seems to throw off my toss. I also have trouble getting it out front for flat serves. It always seem to come back behind be. What can I do to get a consistent, controllable service toss??

07-12-2012, 02:30 AM	#2
Thud and blunder Semi-Pro Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 665	Sounds like your wrist is moving too much, leading to unpredictable height and weird spins. Try this: lock your wrist, lock your elbow, toss with your shoulder. ie visualise using your shoulder as the fulcrum. When you have the feeling of this, then you can progress to tossing with your body, ie your body moving into the trophy position lifts your shoulder. Charliefederer posted some good visuals on this recently. __________________ Come to the 'net, take what you get.

07-12-2012, 06:59 AM	#3
In D Zone Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,726	Agreed with TUD's point. I had similar issue with controlling the ball toss, I then followed Hewitt's motion and it helped! It's a ritual that you need to keep practicing until it becomes automatic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3hbByd-8u8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkeuSMMPUTI Hope this help! __________________ In D ZonE >>> WorD uP! <<< RQIS 1 Tour 95 and XL ; Solinco TB

07-12-2012, 10:16 AM	#8
sansaephanh Professional Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oakland Posts: 1,120	three finger toss cured all my woes. I hold it like a cup with three fingers and release into the court at the top of my head. Having the ball roll off fingers under it is too unpredictable and can cause all the problems you're facing. I want you to put your arm your side and simply lift it so you are pointing forward. Try it with both with your palm facing up and your palm facing to the side. Which one feels more natural? Its gonna be the palm facing inward. Its more natural and relax and it will give you all the control you need and near zero spin on your toss. Three fingers. Hold it like a cup. Release near the top of your head. From there you can tweak your release points to fit your different serves. OH and I highly recommend FuzzyYellowBalls' "Down together, Up together" motion to really get you set up in time for your own toss. __________________ Newest entry into the Racketholic Anonymous. July 11th, 2012 :) Classified: We can't list the names of all the rackets we own in our signature. Lol

07-13-2012, 06:45 AM	#13
charliefedererer Legend Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 5,504	You might want to check out my comments on the ball toss in post #4 in the following thread: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=423960 Last edited by charliefedererer : 10-10-2012 at 11:04 PM.