Argh! Shank!

[ChopShot]

So, I've finally, after months of diligent practice, developed a kick serve with quite decent (6 foot) kick. There's just one problem. It's ludicrously slow. Against inexperienced players, it's no problem, but against 4.0+ players, it's just asking to be slammed for a return winner, every single time. The problem is, when I try to swing any faster, for more pace and (ideally) spin, I shank it. Big time. I was wondering if people have experience with this and could help me?

 

[LeeD]

Say your normal fastest first flat serve is around 115.
So your topspin first serves, the ones needed to go in, around 85mph.
So a safe second serve, topspin, around 70 mph.
Meaning a high kicking twist closer to SIXTY mph.
That's reality. You can increase the speed of the twist, but at the expense of action and bounce height.
They say, mix up your serves. Keep the opponent out of his comfort zone.

 

[dlk]

I never found kick serves to be a problem to return, unless performed by 4.5 or higher. I stick w/low side & top spins to make more difficult to return.

 

[LeeD]

As said, most 4.5 twists are OK.
But some 5.5 twists are up over my head, ball oval and hissing, placed within a foot of where the server wants it, and backed up with a huge forehand or top level deep volley.
It's not the serve alone that creates the illusion of uncertainty. It's the whole backup to the serve, knowing an average return will get pounded or placed right into an open corner, that bothers me.

 

[Ptrac]

well without seeing you serve I can only suggest to keep your head up for as long as possible. Dropping your head too soon can lead to shanks and serves landing in the net. Also make sure your body is turned sideways for as long as possible. Often times people will open up their chest (facing the net instead of the side fence) to early and will lose action on the ball... this is especially important for kick serves. Good luck and just keep practicing. For kick serves, I rank placement/consistency first, action second.

 

[xFullCourtTenniSx]

Keep practicing and try to achieve a solid combination of court penetration as well as kick. If you don't have penetration with that kick, there's nothing really forcing the opponent to take it early because it won't go too far before it comes back down.

 

[ttbrowne]

If you really have it down...try to place your kick a little better. Kick serves can be easy to those types of players if they're pretty much in the same place all the time.

Start practicing on placing your kick...up the T, right at the reciever, and out wide.

Keep at it. Wish I had what you've got!

 

[Funbun]

I'm going to try Ptrac's advice tomorrow during practice. I have this problem with my kick serves too. I feel like I'm unintentionally chopping up on the ball on shanks on kick serves.

 

[Ultra2HolyGrail]

So, I've finally, after months of diligent practice, developed a kick serve with quite decent (6 foot) kick. There's just one problem. It's ludicrously slow. Against inexperienced players, it's no problem, but against 4.0+ players, it's just asking to be slammed for a return winner, every single time. The problem is, when I try to swing any faster, for more pace and (ideally) spin, I shank it. Big time. I was wondering if people have experience with this and could help me?

I've hit some shanks and am still conscious of hitting one but i learned not to try to go for too much or too extreme. It's just not worth it. Having a second serve with good pace - spin - and consistentcy is more important.

 

[Blake0]

Sounds like you're just brushing up the back of the ball. You could sacrifice a bit of the twist and hit through the ball more still going through the kick serve motion to add some more penetration to it. Not saying hit through the ball completely, but hit through the ball enough so that you get as much pace/kick you want that still goes in most of the time.

 

[vincent_tennis]

+ a bit more weight transfer or u could toss the ball not as far back

 

[tikkimonkey]

I think you're trying to spin it too much. Maybe you could try tossing the ball a bit further in front and jumping into a bit more.

 

[ChopShot]

I think when I say kick, people are confusing it with the American Twist serve. I mean kick in the european, topspin second serve sense. But yeah, I think the advice with the head up might be key, thanks for it all.

 

[LeeD]

For me, my twists kick up around just under 6' at the baseline.
My kicks bounce about chin high, or just over 5' at the baseline.
My topspin second serves usually bounce only top of shoulder heights.
My topspin first serves usually slightly lower, with much more pace.
Flats around mid chest to mid stomach, depending on court surface and temps.