My Serve

[Topspin Shot]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPrpr...ature=youtu.be
I think I need better leg drive, but still, I had it clocked at 119 mph. Anyway, just putting it out there.

[TomT]

Originally Posted by Topspin Shot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPrpr...ature=youtu.be
I think I need better leg drive, but still, I had it clocked at 119 mph. Anyway, just putting it out there.

I think we need more video(s). But what you posted looks promising.

[beernutz]

Originally Posted by Topspin Shot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPrpr...ature=youtu.be
I think I need better leg drive, but still, I had it clocked at 119 mph. Anyway, just putting it out there.

One word: tripod. That shaky camera gives me a headache.

[TomT]

Originally Posted by beernutz

One word: tripod. That shaky camera gives me a headache.

Thank you.

[boramiNYC]

pretty good serve. good rhythm. some critiques if u don't mind. there's a bit of rushing to hit the ball. practicing higher ball toss more above your head with the tossing arm extended straight up might help. once you feel the improvement you can lower the toss to your favorite spot. it seems your tossing arm is slanted forward at trophy.

[Topspin Shot]

Yeah, this video kind of makes clear that my tossing arm doesn't quite get to vertical. I think it has something to do with my leg drive. Anyway, thanks for the tip.

[LeeD]

Hard to understand why you'd take the vid from so far away.
Why not from BEHIND you, about head high, so we can see you AND the ball's flight path?

[Govnor]

Horrible vid, but that aside, you suffer from my problem. You rush through the service motion. Your should aim to toss the ball higher and hold that arm up for half a sec longer. You will then have the appropriate time to "load up" your legs and swing, to get the maximum out of it.

[LeeD]

As opposed to Goran, Roscoe, and a few other's....

[Govnor]

Being 6'5, with long arms gives you a little more room for error on the toss. Being a professional that can practice the form you like millions of times helps too. I wonder if Topspin will be going pro soon.

[Topspin Shot]

Going pro? No, just trying to play at the college level. I started too late to go pro, but I still love the game. By the way LeeD, I think you'll be able to see the ball's flight path if you up the video quality from 360p to 1080p. If you can't, then it was a flat serve that landed close to the T.

[Topspin Shot]

Well, I got a better video. The iPhone radar app clocked this one at 124 mph; I don't know how accurate this app is, but I'd like to think it's perfect. I think I got better leg drive, but my tossing arm is still stubbornly less than vertical. I wonder if this is a byproduct of my Tanner-like motion, or if it's actually a flaw. Anyway, here's the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyIMBkHHfkk

[WildVolley]

Originally Posted by Topspin Shot

Well, I got a better video. The iPhone radar app clocked this one at 124 mph; I don't know how accurate this app is, but I'd like to think it's perfect. I think I got better leg drive, but my tossing arm is still stubbornly less than vertical. I wonder if this is a byproduct of my Tanner-like motion, or if it's actually a flaw. Anyway, here's the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyIMBkHHfkk

Didn't look 124mph, but then it is hard to judge from video alone as it often looks slower on video.

The tossing arm doesn't have to go all the way vertical. That's more of a style issue rather than being a form failure. And don't listen to the people talking about tossing higher and pausing. The toss/timing issue is a personal thing and not really related to power. The current world record holder for serve speed (Sam Groth) has a low toss and his arm doesn't go fully vertical and he has had a serve measured at over 160mph.

[Topspin Shot]

Thanks, WV. I looked at Groth's motion and Tanner's, and they don't get the arm vertical either. Maybe I don't need it?

[WildVolley]

Originally Posted by Topspin Shot

Thanks, WV. I looked at Groth's motion and Tanner's, and they don't get the arm vertical either. Maybe I don't need it?

You don't need it. The power is going to come from having quicker more relaxed movement and a good kinetic chain. For example, Groth is a big guy who gets a huge amount of hip rotation into his serve, so he's using his strength and body weight to his advantage.

I'm less knowledgeable about Tanner's serve, though I've seen some old videos. I believe your motion is slower than his. He almost hit the ball on the way up.

Some advice for video of your serve. If you can, place the camera on a tripod behind you, or have someone hold it so that you can see your movement from closer. Also, shoot the serve from the side so that you can see how you move into the court.

I have a quick motion, too. So perhaps that's why I like your basic serve motion. Keep smashing them and keep your shoulder healthy.

[Topspin Shot]

All right, I guess I'll give up on the tossing arm thing. As for my movement into the court, I can kind of see it on the video, and it's lacking, at least compared to Groth and the like. I'm landing on the baseline while those guys are landing a good foot or two inside the baseline. That's where the leg drive comes in, and I guess I'll have to work on it.

[corbind]

I like your serve

[boramiNYC]

I like modeling my serve to Almagro and Sampras who have close to vertical tossing arm at trophy in longitudinal view, but you are right it may not be too critical. Raonic doesn't reach vertical and Djokovic goes past vertical. Good serve. Keep it up.

[Topspin Shot]

I looked at Milos Raonic's serve. If he doesn't do it, then I guess I don't need to either. I still have to get my legs, especially my left one, up in the air and into the court. I think the leg drive is the last step for my serve.

[Mike2228]

Can we get some better footage?