Any tips for my serve?

[Mr. Hokey]

It's been a while since I've recorded myself hit serves, and after trying a plethora of different service motions, I've settled with my original version modeled after the classic federer/sampras motion. I still see a ton of flaws with, poor shoulder rotation and extension stands out, but I was hoping that anyone could point out other issues. There was no particular theme with my serves, I was just trying them all: kicks, slices, flat. I even nailed my tripod pretty hard towards the end of my first vid XD. I also shanked a ton of serves which I attribute to my poor ball toss and the sun (what? that's a genuine excuse!). I'll get a closer up video of my motion for more critiques, but for now, have at thee!

Video 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nYwtucggGc

Video 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K83N9JhlQ4w

*Update* here's a video from a different, closer angle.
Video 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYesm1wrp5w

And my very first video of my serves(back when I was still using PS90s)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_7yS0JUnZ0

 

[Mr. Hokey]

Any suggestions at all?

 

[Grizvok]

I'll take a look and post my opinions in a few minutes.

 

[Grizvok]

Well, I didn't see what you were mentioning at all. I saw what I thought looked like the beginnings of a VERY GOOD service motion. Your motion isn't at all like Federer's or Sampras' but more of a Murray motion in how quickly in the stroke you get the lower back arch.

I think you need more strength and more flexibility. Your stroke is good but you seem unable to generate severe amounts of pace. I didn't see any particularly hard struck flat first serve during the video.

By being stronger and more flexible you will be able to get more lower back arch and knee bend and your coiling of power (kinetic chain from the legs to the hips to the shoulders to the arms to the racquet) will be increased as well but through all strokes. Your racquet head acceleration will be noticeably better as well.

 

[Mr. Hokey]

Hmm, I always tried to model my serve after those two though lol. I even had the sampras racquet pump way back when. I think a series of shoulder/elbow injuries made it end up like it is now though.

I totally agree on the strength and flexibility part. I've been doing a lot of core and shoulder work outs along with tons of leg stretching lately(last two or three weeks), trying to get into better shape. I'm a bit pudgy as you can see.

I also never really had a flat first serve, I always relied on my heavy kick serves to get me by. However, since I started playing recreational tennis at my college, the people I've been hitting with and playing matches against eat my serve up. I guess highschool players just don't cut it where I'm from. So my friend has been helping me develop a flat serve to get more cheap points; still, my power is definitely lacking and I'm sure better fitness could help.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Grizvok]

Two more technical things I just noticed.

Firstly, my friend has a very similar motion and he had much more effect with his serve by moving into the court during the motion. I think this is one thing you could definitely focus on improving more. Make your serve move you a foot or two inside the baseline so you can be aggressive from the get go.

Secondly, I'd really like to see you on the balls of your feet more.

 

[Grizvok]

Your shoulder cartwheeling could also use some more attention. Watch Pete and Roger serve; their chests are pointed behind them because they have coiled their upper body's so much.

 

[Mr. Hokey]

I saw that in the first and second vids. I wasn't getting good shoulder rotation/coiling, I was just dropping my shoulder.

 

[Grizvok]

I saw that in the first and second vids. I wasn't getting good shoulder rotation/coiling, I was just dropping my shoulder.

Exactly. I see you sort of just leaning back without actually performing any coiling motion in the upper body. The next time you go out and hit some serves really focus on pointing that chest backwards. It will confound your timing for a few serves but you'll get a hang of it. I can almost guarantee a few extra MPH's when you add in a COMPLETE and effective shoulder cartwheel.

 

[Mr. Hokey]

Thanks a ton, I'll make sure to do so.

Hopefully, I'll pop a string soon so I can get rid of the factory strings my Warriors had on them already and get some polies on them. It should help my kicks with a bit more spin and safety, something that's been lacking lately. I was just opposed to wasting the strings that were in the racquets because I'm short on cash XD

 

[Grizvok]

Thanks a ton, I'll make sure to do so.

Hopefully, I'll pop a string soon so I can get rid of the factory strings my Warriors had on them already and get some polies on them. It should help my kicks with a bit more spin and safety, something that's been lacking lately. I was just opposed to wasting the strings that were in the racquets because I'm short on cash XD

I'm in the same boat. The current string job in my i.Prestiges are dumb and incredibly ineffective. They are strung at around 60 lbs which is often just too high for a Mid sized frame especially for a tall and lankier guy like myself. The main is a poly (pro hurricane) dumbly strung at 60 lbs which is way too high for it normally and the crosses are Babolat Conquest. Probably the worst strings I've ever used... I'm thinking of getting my first ever gut stringjob or I may purchase a reel of Big Banger Original.

 

[Mr. Hokey]

I see. I had a similar problem earlier this year before I got my Warriors. I got my Tour 90s strung up with hybrids, polies at 56 or so. It was awful. The racquet felt like a wooden board. I absolutely refuse to have a mid size strung above their mid tension now, especially with polies.

 

[5point5]

Videos are private.