How often do you make a bad toss during a match?

[s40love]

I am working on my serve with a pro, and the first thing he said to me is you go after any ball you toss. You should not do this. If you make a bad toss, you should toss again.

He recommended changing my serve from pinpoint to platform, because I was chasing my toss all over the place, and for a more stable, fluid and controlled serve.

I am really liking the platform serve, but I was wondering if I will ever have a consistent toss. He said in a whole match he makes one bad toss. Is that even possible to have such a consistent toss, that you don't have to toss again and again?

 

[heninfan99]

I do one practice toss at the start of each service game. It's a nice, legal trick to help.
I remember Rafter saying "Sorry, mate" quite a bit after catching bad tosses so it affects everyone.

 

[chic]

If little wind and I've been practicing or focusing my serve recently I'm usually free of bad tosses, but have 3-4 tosses I kinda forced in/chased a little per doubles match. (Ie I realised it was a bit off and ripped the topspin last min to get it where I wanted.)

On windy days I'll probably retoss 2-3 ballls throughout the match. More of it's more gusty and less constant wind.

 

[Dartagnan64]

I chase everything. Played too many alternative racquet sports growing up where you don’t get to re-toss. So I’d say I chase a bad toss about 4 times a match.

 

[EddieBrock]

Most people that I play with only have 1 or 2 bad tosses for the whole match. On the other hand my toss has been my weakness for years and I'm still working on it so I have a few more. I agree that catching it is a good idea. It really reinforces bad technique if you're hitting the bad tosses.

 

[Shroud]

Every game I have multiple bad tosses....

 

[Cashman]

Unless there's wind, maybe once or twice a match.

I had a pretty bad toss growing up, and the main reason was that I used to vary my toss position slightly based on the type of serve I was hitting. Aside from telegraphing my serves, it made it hard to get into a groove.

 

[Topspin Shot]

Yes, it is possible to get the point that you almost never have a bad toss. Then again, some pros (Rafter) always struggled with it.

 

[Wurm]

I've been known to get through 3 hours of tennis on a calm day without a single bad toss but if my routine gets slightly off, which it can do if I start feeling the need to go for as big a first serve as possible, I can well expect to do a bad toss per service game. Average is probably a couple of times a set, though.

Hitting bad second serve tosses that go too forward and/or into the slice serve zone is my worst serving habit.

 

[onehandbh]

Every game I have multiple bad tosses....

So do I. Unfortunately, I don't catch any of them and swing at every toss.

 

[Mongolmike]

I must be a weird bird because I rarely have a bad toss. I can go weeks without a bad toss (speaking only of indoor play or decent weather outdoors).

And most of the times I do let a toss drop it's because it was too low. I can switch back and forth between my regular flat-ish 1st serve and my kicker type 2nd serve with no issue. I also hold two balls in my toss hand on my first serve, so maybe there is some inherent advantage to that?

The only time I will toss multiple times is due to the sun position. If the sun is directly in line with my desired ball contact, then I might have to toss a few times while re-orienting my stance, or opting for a different type of serve- trying to hit a serve that doesn't leave me temporarily blind as I look into the court!

 

[Goof]

All of my tosses (and serves) are bad.

 

[Shroud]

So do I. Unfortunately, I don't catch any of them and swing at every toss.

me too. Though last time out I caught 2 of them. I think I just get excited and sadly my tosses need to be in different places for the different serves. Need to follow John Yandell's advice and use the same toss, just contacting at different times for different serves.

 

[FatHead250]

About 20-30% of the time. Same mistake - letting the ball go too late. Gets worse wit hsweaty palms. People i play with never have bad tosses

 

[navigator]

I'll have a few questionable tosses here and there but I always hit them. The only time I don't hit a toss is if I notice that my opponent isn't ready.

That's actually a rule change that I'd like: If the ball leaves your hand, it's a serve; if you don't hit it, it's a fault. (Unless your opponent isn't ready.)

 

[Firepandas]

I would say only 2-3 times per match. I have a relatively lower toss and quicker service motion, so when I bail on a serve, it usually is due to how it feels coming out of my hand. Similar to when you hit a ball and you know from the second it leaves your racquet that it was a bad shot.

I usually just say sorry quickly and get back to it. There is also the rare occasion where I toss, but something catches my eye and I stop my serve.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

That's actually a rule change that I'd like: If the ball leaves your hand, it's a serve; if you don't hit it, it's a fault. (Unless your opponent isn't ready.)

I can only think of one opponent where that would have made a significant difference [he was a serial tosser].

But yes, it would force people to get more serious about an overlooked/under-appreciated aspect of the serve.

 

[AlexSV]

I have one game a match where I become a serial tosser. Otherwise, I might catch a bad toss once very other game.

I don't care and catch a bad toss. I always check to make sure the other person is back in position and ready to start. Every coach has provided the same advice: catch a bad toss, slow down and take your time when preparing to serve.

 

[TennisCJC]

I usually make 3 or 4 bad tosses per set. I catch a lot of them.

 

[nicklane1]

Venus probably averages 1 per game.

 

[Kevo]

Lately I've been averaging maybe about 2-3 per set. Problem is they usually come later after my mind starts to wander and it's really annoying. Anytime I really flub a serve I know immediately that I was rushing or vegging out or something.

The other side of the coin is having perfect tosses. I tend to throw my best tosses and hit my best serves after my doubles partner has flubbed a few volleys and I really need to dig out us out of a hole. It seems like at least once a week I find myself down 0-40 and have to come back. I find myself wondering later how I can trick my brain into playing like I'm digging out of a hole for an entire match. I haven't cracked that puzzle yet.

 

[blablavla]

I am working on my serve with a pro, and the first thing he said to me is you go after any ball you toss. You should not do this. If you make a bad toss, you should toss again.

He recommended changing my serve from pinpoint to platform, because I was chasing my toss all over the place, and for a more stable, fluid and controlled serve.

I am really liking the platform serve, but I was wondering if I will ever have a consistent toss. He said in a whole match he makes one bad toss. Is that even possible to have such a consistent toss, that you don't have to toss again and again?

In the recent few years I mostly have similar challenge, too many bad tosses.

Both points of view have pros and cons.
You need to figure out what is best for you in a particular moment of time.

Hitting every toss might be bad for your technique or might force you to toss more accurately.
Skipping every bad toss might help your technique, but knowing that you can re-toss might not help you to improve the consistency of your toss, which ultimately will have a toll on your technique


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[weelie]

Difficult to say. I do hit a bad toss a few times a set. I have joked many many times on court that I want a smart sensor to my racket that stops me from doing that. So I guess I have a tendency of saying it out loud, every time I do hit a bad toss... don't know if that helps me any.

I practiced platform stance for a couple of sessions recently, as I have a tendency to step past the front foot. Reverted back, but now I think my move to pinpoint is more distinct. So not hopping where ever the ball might be.

 

[sanister]

The worst part about it all; I feel bad catching the ball after having already thrown a few bad ball tosses, I then actually go through with the serve with terrible toss knowing it is going to be a gift for my opponent.

 

[mxmx]

I have learned to use a bad toss as part of my variation. I normally contact the ball a bit differently eg. slice or more kick when I see it's not a great toss.

(My serve)

 

[blablavla]

The worst part about it all; I feel bad catching the ball after having already thrown a few bad ball tosses, I then actually go through with the serve with terrible toss knowing it is going to be a gift for my opponent.

Same here

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[mxmx]

The worst part about it all; I feel bad catching the ball after having already thrown a few bad ball tosses, I then actually go through with the serve with terrible toss knowing it is going to be a gift for my opponent.

Best advise I can give is to:

1) keep the arm holding the ball straight with the ball in the top inside part of your palm, where the fingers start.
2) and exaggerating the opening up fingers at highest point of toss up
3) never let your fingers grip or hook the ball at the highest point.

 

[Easy Rider]

I have a few during a match ... Catch’em all.
I toss at the same place for every type of serve, so I have to toss it correctly

 

[GeoffHYL]

Most of the time zero. Played 3 hours of doubles last night, didn't have any tosses I couldn't hit. One or two tosses were a bit low and resulted in faults.

 

[shazbot]

I have gone MONTHS without having to catch a bad toss.

It is very rare for me to have a toss that I cannot hit. I can probably count on one hand the amount I have per year.

It has never been an issue for me.