ADD 10-20 MPH to your serve in 30 Seconds, NO joke

Mongolmike

Hall of Fame
Will and Fuzzy balls is good... but he talks way to much imo. Get to the point Will. And this video is the same thing. Too much talk, and not enough making the point.

And, my serve killer was #6, but they sent #10. Not really so helpful, but thanks for the link. Oh, and the other guy is still talking in the background, but not saying anything except the toss and spin are the keys.
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
Will and Fuzzy balls is good... but he talks way to much imo. Get to the point Will. And this video is the same thing. Too much talk, and not enough making the point.

And, my serve killer was #6, but they sent #10. Not really so helpful, but thanks for the link. Oh, and the other guy is still talking in the background, but not saying anything except the toss and spin are the keys.

yes, but he eventually starts to talk about Pat Rafter serve and tennis lessons. and lessons that Rafter gives Will. apparently this includes stretegies.
and guys that tried it and how it worked for them.
 

Mongolmike

Hall of Fame
Maybe so, but the theme of THIS video is identifying one of twelve serve killers by taking a questionaire. I took it, identified #6 as my bug-a-boo.... then they sent me #10 on rythmn. Fine, I watched it, then the other guy was talking with the white screen background, and he said the 2 main points are toss and spin. My toss is one of the strengths of my serve, and I hit with a lot of spin. Again, neither of those 2 points was serve killer #6. And white screen guy was STILL talking like an info-mercial.

I like Will and FYB and think he is trying to do well, but its not for me. And I did see the Pat Rafter video quite some time ago. He highlighted than maybe a year or so ago? If I recall, it was a 3 part video.
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
Maybe so, but the theme of THIS video is identifying one of twelve serve killers by taking a questionaire. I took it, identified #6 as my bug-a-boo.... then they sent me #10 on rythmn. Fine, I watched it, then the other guy was talking with the white screen background, and he said the 2 main points are toss and spin. My toss is one of the strengths of my serve, and I hit with a lot of spin. Again, neither of those 2 points was serve killer #6. And white screen guy was STILL talking like an info-mercial.

I like Will and FYB and think he is trying to do well, but its not for me. And I did see the Pat Rafter video quite some time ago. He highlighted than maybe a year or so ago? If I recall, it was a 3 part video.

buy his program and you will see and start winning more matches
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
Maybe so, but the theme of THIS video is identifying one of twelve serve killers by taking a questionaire. I took it, identified #6 as my bug-a-boo.... then they sent me #10 on rythmn. Fine, I watched it, then the other guy was talking with the white screen background, and he said the 2 main points are toss and spin. My toss is one of the strengths of my serve, and I hit with a lot of spin. Again, neither of those 2 points was serve killer #6. And white screen guy was STILL talking like an info-mercial.

I like Will and FYB and think he is trying to do well, but its not for me. And I did see the Pat Rafter video quite some time ago. He highlighted than maybe a year or so ago? If I recall, it was a 3 part video.


Same EXACT experience. 6 and sent 10. Though I dont think I have 6 as a problem. I should take some vids but shadow swinging its a drop for sure.

Funny thing is that Rafter was 10-15mph below others on the tour. If only he had FYB :)
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
Same EXACT experience. 6 and sent 10. Though I dont think I have 6 as a problem. I should take some vids but shadow swinging its a drop for sure.

Funny thing is that Rafter was 10-15mph below others on the tour. If only he had FYB :)

point he is making is you don't have to serve in high 90's like I do to serve like 4.5 player. you can serve at 80 mph and still hold serve 99 % of the time. Pat Rafter shows you how in that video. only thing is you have to pay for that one.
 

Devil_dog

Hall of Fame
Wanna know how to add speed to your serve? Lighten up your wallet first... Geezus. Felt like I was dragged to a time-share condo presentation. No thanks.

Want to really know how to improve your serve? Go visit a legit tennis pro and have him analyze your shot and give you some actual pointers.

I like FYB but this thing was comical at best.
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
point he is making is you don't have to serve in high 90's like I do to serve like 4.5 player. you can serve at 80 mph and still hold serve 99 % of the time. Pat Rafter shows you how in that video. only thing is you have to pay for that one.

Yeah it just funny they make a big deal about serve speed, and then dont.

They say Will talks too much in this thread, but Adam is the master.

Not sure the questionnaire is the best either. A couple of times the 4 answers really didnt apply.
 

tennisdad65

Hall of Fame
add 10-20 mph and lose 20-30% off your 1st serve percentage.. :)

I'd prefer to get an additional 5 mph + 10-15% more topspin in my serve any day.
 

MarinaHighTennis

Hall of Fame
point he is making is you don't have to serve in high 90's like I do to serve like 4.5 player. you can serve at 80 mph and still hold serve 99 % of the time. Pat Rafter shows you how in that video. only thing is you have to pay for that one.
i got this for my brother and i dont think its helpful at all
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
Same EXACT experience. 6 and sent 10. Though I dont think I have 6 as a problem. I should take some vids but shadow swinging its a drop for sure.

#6 is in complete racket drop.

I found a vid and took a frame. Does this look like an incomplete racket drop?

2a7egdk.png
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
It looks okay, as long as you're approaching the ball from the hitting side of your body. Do you have the whole video?

Thanks. I thought I didnt have the problem that FYB was saying I had.

Yes I have the whole vid. But its not the best quality.

I was hoping to save Chas the time to lecture me :) 2nd, I dont know how to actually post it. Don't have youtube accounts or vimeo, etc. And its pretty useless as its upside down. I would need to figure out how to flip it like I can do with picts.

Oh, you can see the ball in the pict so I think I am approaching from the hitting side of the body.
 
Thanks. I thought I didnt have the problem that FYB was saying I had.

Yes I have the whole vid. But its not the best quality.

I was hoping to save Chas the time to lecture me :) 2nd, I dont know how to actually post it. Don't have youtube accounts or vimeo, etc. And its pretty useless as its upside down. I would need to figure out how to flip it like I can do with picts.

Oh, you can see the ball in the pict so I think I am approaching from the hitting side of the body.

You'd have to make a Youtube account and then use something like Microsoft Video Editor to flip it. I see the racket is in a good enough position in this one picture, but I can't really tell how you're approaching it. It's what John McCraw talks about in this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuIgTyh4aDs
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
You'd have to make a Youtube account and then use something like Microsoft Video Editor to flip it. I see the racket is in a good enough position in this one picture, but I can't really tell how you're approaching it. It's what John McCraw talks about in this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuIgTyh4aDs

Thanks topspin.

I remember seeing that vid and thinking I was doing the preferred swing path.

I think this pict shows it. They are back to back frames. Camera is on the net post and I am in the AD court serving.

2dh8cj7.png
 
Thanks topspin.

I remember seeing that vid and thinking I was doing the preferred swing path.

I think this pict shows it. They are back to back frames. Camera is on the net post and I am in the AD court serving.

2dh8cj7.png

Okay, the swing path is probably good. Is the second frame your trophy position? Everything but your racket looks like a trophy pose.
 
The GIF is better. Racket drop looks good, but the segment timing is off. Most people have the problem where their arm is ahead of their body. So they drop the racket too soon like Rick Macci talks about. You though have your body too far ahead of your arm. You open up too soon and catch the ball behind your body and out to the right. Do you throw this way, or is it only on your serve?
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
The GIF is better. Racket drop looks good, but the segment timing is off. Most people have the problem where their arm is ahead of their body. So they drop the racket too soon like Rick Macci talks about. You though have your body too far ahead of your arm. You open up too soon and catch the ball behind your body and out to the right. Do you throw this way, or is it only on your serve?

Been a while since I threw or served for that matter.

Not sure.

It does look like you are right. I am guessing its my knees. I tore my meniscus on my left knee a few years back and that extra weight doesnt help, so I bet I am leaving the knee bend sooner than I used to and that is messing up everything.

Thanks for taking the time to point it out
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Boy, that looks like Shroud's serve.
Biggest thing I noticed was the big right foot step out to the side, so your feet are open as you wind into the swing.
The loopy loose grip swing is remenicscent of PanchoGonzales.
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
Boy, that looks like Shroud's serve.
Biggest thing I noticed was the big right foot step out to the side, so your feet are open as you wind into the swing.
The loopy loose grip swing is remenicscent of PanchoGonzales.


Come on D.

Why you go to be so mean to poor poor Pancho??

So how do I fix this?

I wonder if FYB has something to fix this in their serve killer thing?

And I recall serving more like becker in my youth but its sooooo hard on the knees. Thats why I think I do that step out.

Is the answer to just train the crap out of my knees?

Oh, and some of that goofy stuff at the beginning of the swing isnt real. I think some duplicate images made it into the gif.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Sorry, I thought I was being complimentary. Ming, the one you played, also has the continuous loop. I watched him crush the little girls using a half speed second serve in multiple tiebreakers.
Remember, we did face each other's serves. In doubles, your volleys were winning the points, the serve a solid top/slice.
Like Kiteboard, both you guys sorta refuse to hit the serve flat, and to hit a top/slice serve fast, it takes major effort.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Too much talk..
And the first two guys shown are 3.0 players, at best. With 3.0 serves. ANYONE can improve those serves "10-20" mph, even themselves with some practice.
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
Maybe serving platform can help you stay more sideways without hurting your knee?

Really. I tried about a year ago to go back to the platform, and it was super hard on the knees. You are young and in shape and cant probably understand bending and not being able to push up without hurting joints.

Now that I know its an issue I can work on it. My 2 cents is that knee bend is a bit overated and I can probably start slow as I get in better shape.

Thanks for helping.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
So, he's saying lack of knee bend your problem? If that is his cure, hogwash.
You bend your knees plenty.
And yes, platform is much harder on knees because of the twisting with a wide stance. Narrow pinpoint, you can twist and turn, and the feet easily follow, since you're on the balls of your feet.
That's why platform is more STABLE, and less twisting allowed.
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
Sorry, I thought I was being complimentary. Ming, the one you played, also has the continuous loop. I watched him crush the little girls using a half speed second serve in multiple tiebreakers.
Remember, we did face each other's serves. In doubles, your volleys were winning the points, the serve a solid top/slice.
Like Kiteboard, both you guys sorta refuse to hit the serve flat, and to hit a top/slice serve fast, it takes major effort.

You were complementary to me. But poor pancho is rolling over....

Yeah I like the flat serve and will use it more as my elbow gets better. Which by the way seems to be happening though slowly. I am thinking that perhaps what TSShot pointed out has something to do with GE.

Too much talk..
And the first two guys shown are 3.0 players, at best. With 3.0 serves. ANYONE can improve those serves "10-20" mph, even themselves with some practice.

Yeah. I give them credit for trying but yeah too infomercially. Will is better than that IMHO. Though I bet its a good program for those 3.0s.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
and the options don't allow for multiples...
When I serve beyond my comfort zone, I hit both long AND short, left and right, but he allows only ONE option. And only one other option, mishit.
I don't often mishit, but do hit long, short, left, and right when I'm pushing my serve speed limits. He doesn't account for the most obvious.
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
So, he's saying lack of knee bend your problem? If that is his cure, hogwash.
You bend your knees plenty.
And yes, platform is much harder on knees because of the twisting with a wide stance. Narrow pinpoint, you can twist and turn, and the feet easily follow, since you're on the balls of your feet.
That's why platform is more STABLE, and less twisting allowed.

Trying to follow. are you drawing a distinction between platform and pinpoint?

Ideally what I thought I was doing was more like edbergs serve, but I think I go out wide so I dont hit me other foot :)
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
and the options don't allow for multiples...
When I serve beyond my comfort zone, I hit both long AND short, left and right, but he allows only ONE option. And only one other option, mishit.
I don't often mishit, but do hit long, short, left, and right when I'm pushing my serve speed limits. He doesn't account for the most obvious.

Exactly. I think I got a wrong diagnosis because there werent the right options to choose from!
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Platform is Federer/Sampras, the back foot does not move, stays about 16" apart from front foot.
You do pinpoint, the right foot moving forwards and to the side of your left foot. Like TonyRoche, if I remember correctly. Opening your stance does wind up the kinetic chain, but I don't think it's the key to power, because twisting is only ONE component of a big serve, and no more important than ab crunch, forward torso movement, slowing of the rackethand just before impact, or speed of swing and length of swing.
 
So, he's saying lack of knee bend your problem? If that is his cure, hogwash.
You bend your knees plenty.
And yes, platform is much harder on knees because of the twisting with a wide stance. Narrow pinpoint, you can twist and turn, and the feet easily follow, since you're on the balls of your feet.
That's why platform is more STABLE, and less twisting allowed.

I'm saying the opposite. I was thinking narrow platform like Monfils, so he doesn't have to press down as much. His issue is opening too soon and contacting the ball behind his body. Shroud, have you seen Brent Abel's motion? If you want to stay pinpoint, it might be worth copying a couple elements off him.
 
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Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
I'm saying the opposite. I was thinking narrow platform like Monfils, so he doesn't have to press down as much. His issue is opening too soon and contacting the ball behind his body. Shroud, have you seen Brent Abel's motion? If you want to stay pinpoint, it might be worth copying a couple elements off him.

I'll take a look at that and see what I can work out.

Thanks.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Total of TWO guys on the ATP tour who use Roddick's narrow stance, him and Monfils.
Try it. I find balance an issue, especially on windy days and using different serves. Hard to replicate exact ready position for me. A wider starting stance, I can see the width and the angle of the feet, so the starting stance is easier to duplicate over and over.
Roddick has the livest arm on tour.
Monfils is 6'4", possibly the best athlete, with a good, but not special serve.
 
Total of TWO guys on the ATP tour who use Roddick's narrow stance, him and Monfils.
Try it. I find balance an issue, especially on windy days and using different serves. Hard to replicate exact ready position for me. A wider starting stance, I can see the width and the angle of the feet, so the starting stance is easier to duplicate over and over.
Roddick has the livest arm on tour.
Monfils is 6'4", possibly the best athlete, with a good, but not special serve.

It was just an idea. Regular platform is out because of his knee, and he's opening up too much when he moves his back foot up. Probably it's best for him to use Brent's pinpoint as a model.
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
so if I add 20 mph to my serve with the fix, then I would be serving 100-110 mph consistently. Not sure if this is realistic thinking ?
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
I suspect, but don't know for sure, that your mind doesn't allow your body to let your feet step on your other foot.
Pinpoint, while we all step different directions and distance, the idea is to keep the stance of the lower body closed, so the torso doesn't open too early. I think!.
I've even been goofing around and trying hitting flat first serves from a fully closed position, so the toss is farther back, and it hit's almost the same speeds with the same bounce as my normal first flat serves.
But physiologically, we are all different, and maybe this open stance hitting of serves works for some people some of the time. It just looks plain wrong.
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
I suspect, but don't know for sure, that your mind doesn't allow your body to let your feet step on your other foot.
Pinpoint, while we all step different directions and distance, the idea is to keep the stance of the lower body closed, so the torso doesn't open too early. I think!.
I've even been goofing around and trying hitting flat first serves from a fully closed position, so the toss is farther back, and it hit's almost the same speeds with the same bounce as my normal first flat serves.
But physiologically, we are all different, and maybe this open stance hitting of serves works for some people some of the time. It just looks plain wrong.


With an open stance maybe I can say I have a modern serve:)

Also I dont remember that vid I shot. I am fairly certain that I could foot fault sometimes and I remember trying to fix things. I have a few vids of my feet and the service line. This serve might have been shot the same time or around the same time when the focus was on not foot faulting.

Anyhow I need to get better and then really start focusing on the serve. Thats why I got excited by the thread.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
We don't care about footfaults.
The guy who beat me breadsticks, Roger, the "teacher", footfaults easily 14", but I don't care. Everyone on the courts KNOWS he footfaults, and his wins just get tarnished that much more.
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
We don't care about footfaults.
The guy who beat me breadsticks, Roger, the "teacher", footfaults easily 14", but I don't care. Everyone on the courts KNOWS he footfaults, and his wins just get tarnished that much more.

lol!! Thinking back, when I was in HS, I had a "running serve". Like a volleyball serve where you would throw the ball up and run a few steps to hit it. 1st thing the coach changed :)

I did try a similar but legal serve a while back like that guy who hits with the 2 handled racket and has the volleyball serve. I hit that pretty well but it was tough on the knees too.

here. Not sure why he has to switch hands with the racket though:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09ITJBZb2Yk

All points lead to stronger knees...
 
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