mxmx serve

[Trippisthebest]

I was surprised at how few pics I could find of male players taken from directly in front or behind at ball impact




I love how you say this "How few pics i could find DIRECTLY in front of male pro players." I highly doubt a photographer is going to take pics from directly in front of a pro player!

[mxmx]

Originally Posted by LeeD

Some coaches have been advocating the application of a ready position at the end of the service motion, since modern tennis allows the returner to get the ball back much faster than the old daze.
You end your motion in a relaxed, non ready position with arm dangling by your sides and feet together.
Swing faster.

I think in match situation i recover to a better ready position.
Funny....It is only with the slice out wide that my racket goes around my body a little more.

mikereller: I'd like to see a little more body turn. I'm not saying start out like Johnny Mac with your back to your opponent but just a little more body turn might gain you a few MPHs.

and

Leed:
Post #4.
It's not your stance with your feet, it's your body and shoulder alignment that takes away potential trunk power twisting into the serves.

Well...for one thing, the more extreme stance didn't do it for me...so that won't work. I will need to work more on the shoulders as you say.

As for eventually ending around my body without hitting myself, I will have to work that out. Maybe I have to pronate less for this to be possible.
(there is a lot of momentum on my pronation which throws the racket out sideways away from the body, instead of around it)

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by mxmx

I think in match situation i recover to a better ready position.
Funny....It is only with the slice out wide that my racket goes around my body a little more.


and

Well...for one thing, the more extreme stance didn't do it for me...so that won't work. I will need to work more on the shoulders as you say.

As for eventually ending around my body without hitting myself, I will have to work that out. Maybe I have to pronate less for this to be possible.
(there is a lot of momentum on my pronation which throws the racket out sideways away from the body, instead of around it)

You can try keeping your stance the same but turning your body a little more so that you uncoil into the serve.

[LeeD]

Exactly what I mentioned.
Keep your feet stance, turn your shoulders closed a little more.
Currently, you are almost twisting forwards to FACE your target, so you don't get the rotation into the swing.

[NLBwell]

For a good video on body rotation on the serve:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLf_MJXzBVg

As far as using your legs serving, a big jump isn't necessary. Here is a vid of me serving - both my legs are pretty weak from injury.
http://youtu.be/3fgCvFjxVLM
If you can find a good video of Michael Stich's serve, it is pretty similar in the small knee bend. The back leg comes through with the hip rotation. An old-school style.
There's some McEnroe-ish serves just past 5:00. Maybe give that a try, at least for getting some practice getting some hip rotation. Lots of good video with his serve on youtube.

[mxmx]

Originally Posted by NLBwell

For a good video on body rotation on the serve:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLf_MJXzBVg

As far as using your legs serving, a big jump isn't necessary. Here is a vid of me serving - both my legs are pretty weak from injury.
http://youtu.be/3fgCvFjxVLM
If you can find a good video of Michael Stich's serve, it is pretty similar in the small knee bend. The back leg comes through with the hip rotation. An old-school style.
There's some McEnroe-ish serves just past 5:00. Maybe give that a try, at least for getting some practice getting some hip rotation. Lots of good video with his serve on youtube.

I generally like your serve. You seem like a tough player. You probably beat many younger kids?

As for jump on the serve. When you're tall, jump is less needed.

[NLBwell]

Yes, jumping does have advantages on the serve in terms of the angles you get into the court. I'm not necessarily against it except that it can make the serve motion inconsistent and ends up being a net negative. In terms of ball speed, however, its contribution is small. Think of how long it would take you to hop to the other side of the court with that motion.
No question that Brian Battistone's jump helps his serve. It is really impressive to see in person.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQYOW1DlydU

[mxmx]

Originally Posted by NLBwell

Yes, jumping does have advantages on the serve in terms of the angles you get into the court. I'm not necessarily against it except that it can make the serve motion inconsistent and ends up being a net negative. In terms of ball speed, however, its contribution is small. Think of how long it would take you to hop to the other side of the court with that motion.
No question that Brian Battistone's jump helps his serve. It is really impressive to see in person.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQYOW1DlydU

what on earth?

Is that racket even legal? Seems like a very very tiring serve....I don't like it.