Contact Point of Kick Serve

[swwong]

I am aware that the swing path needs to be more vertical so that all the strings are used to provide spin on the serve.

However I am confused with the position my wrist needs to be on contact.

Do I need to lay back my wrist so that my racket face is open to produce the spin?
Also my coach have said the palm needs to be more closed to allow me to generate the spin.

* I am using a continental grip but preferably I don't want to change it to an Eastern BH grip for the kick serve.

Thanks

 

[Essential Tennis]

Do I need to lay back my wrist so that my racket face is open to produce the spin?

You're correct in stating that its a vertical swing path that's going to produce top spin. If you are in fact swinging upwards well towards the ball, and open string face is going to send the ball long, just like one would on a ground stroke swing trying to produce topspin. The face needs to stay closed as your coach suggested.

Using an eastern backhand grip would close the face more at contact, allowing you to accelerate upwards more to create more spin. That is why it was suggested to you. When I hit a topspin serve (or slice, or flat) I remain in a continental grip, so its not necessary to change it.

 

[eagle]

swwong,

Go to fuzzyyellowballs.com and check out their video on kick serve.

A picture/video is worth a thousand words.

Thanks,
eagle

 

[swwong]

You're correct in stating that its a vertical swing path that's going to produce top spin. If you are in fact swinging upwards well towards the ball, and open string face is going to send the ball long, just like one would on a ground stroke swing trying to produce topspin. The face needs to stay closed as your coach suggested.

Using an eastern backhand grip would close the face more at contact, allowing you to accelerate upwards more to create more spin. That is why it was suggested to you. When I hit a topspin serve (or slice, or flat) I remain in a continental grip, so its not necessary to change it.

Sorry to ask again....

I have already watched the videos on FYB and I am still confused about the "face being stayed closed" when doing a kick serve.

 

[Essential Tennis]

I am still confused about the "face being stayed closed" when doing a kick serve.

How come?