Effective 2nd serve---What is the most important element?

[jkhtennis]

There are a lot of things that can contribute to an effective second serve. Things such as
1. Keep your head still;
2. Relaxed arm;
3. Shoulder rotation;
4. toss the ball a little over your head for good kick;
......
What is the most important element?
I think it is a consistent toss. Without a good toss, even the best service motion won't get you a good serve. Thus if you are not happy with the toss, you should stop the swing, catch the ball and do it again. What do you guys think?

 

[Bungalo Bill]

I can agree with that.

But what happens if the toss is consistant but the head goes down too soon all the time? Does the serve go back to being inconsistant?

 

[jun]

I say 1,2,4

 

[IceBlue]

I think the most important element to an EFFECTIVE second serve is having a lot of spin to allow for safety and consistency, and at the same time, causing problems for the opposition! Regards. :lol:

 

[jun]

Just from the list, I would say consistent toss, relaxed arm and keeping your head up.

If you don't have consistent toss, it's hard to have a consistent motion, and rhythm. Even though you have extremely consistent toss, if you drop your head too soon, a lot of your serve is going to go into net. So you have to keep your head up.

You can do all of above, but if you aren't relaxed, you won't be able to put as much spin and give you good margin for error.

The list can get very very long.

So like BB implies, it's combination of many things. And that's probably why it's the toughest stroke in tennis. But remember, you have all the time in the world (well 25 sec) before your serve. So don't rush.

 

[TwistServe]

You're talking about consistent 2nd serve.. The other suggestions are good for consistent serves in general, but a consistent second serve requires good topspin and arch on the ball. You want it to go over the net by a few foot and still land in the service box...

I would consider the #1 goal to hit up and gettin the right 6-12, 7-11 brushing motion.

 

[JohnThomas1]

Good net clearance and consistency via spin. Lot's of technique in that lot. Consistent toss to the CORRECT spot, good shoulder coil and not dragging down, head or other.

 

[gmlasam]

You're talking about consistent 2nd serve.. The other suggestions are good for consistent serves in general, but a consistent second serve requires good topspin and arch on the ball. You want it to go over the net by a few foot and still land in the service box...

I would consider the #1 goal to hit up and gettin the right 6-12, 7-11 brushing motion.

How do you strike the ball with 7-11 motion?

 

[TwistServe]

You're talking about consistent 2nd serve.. The other suggestions are good for consistent serves in general, but a consistent second serve requires good topspin and arch on the ball. You want it to go over the net by a few foot and still land in the service box...

I would consider the #1 goal to hit up and gettin the right 6-12, 7-11 brushing motion.

How do you strike the ball with 7-11 motion?

I meant 7-1 :lol: ...

 

[Rickson]

How do you strike the ball with 7-11 motion?

With a really, really short stroke.

 

[andreh]

Does a consistant toss mean tossing to the same location all the time? I think some take it to mean that. In that case, "consistant" toss might not be what you want, but rather you'd want the toss to go where it should depending on what serve you're hitting. A kick requires a differnet toss from a slice etc etc...depsite what some people will tell you.

 

[Tim Tennis]

I have to agree with you and BB but, but does not a consistant toss depend on 1) keeping your head still. 2) a relaxed arm (left and right), and 3) Shoulder rotation. They are all inner related. Not even mention the use of the hips and and legs to adjust and load for the weight transfer and trunk rotation. Nothing is easy is it?

You got to love the game.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

I have to agree with you and BB but, but does not a consistant toss depend on 1) keeping your head still. 2) a relaxed arm (left and right), and 3) Shoulder rotation. They are all inner related. Not even mention the use of the hips and and legs to adjust and load for the weight transfer and trunk rotation. Nothing is easy is it?

You got to love the game.

I can toss the ball in the same place and not execute the rest of the serve. I can have an inconsistant toss and execute the rest of the motion.

My point above was exactly the statement you made "they are all interrelated! The serve is such a dynnamic motion that all of it can be cinsidered equal during there particular exection of the serve.