How to increase my serve from 110 to 125 in 4 months

[DrewRafter8]

You know, I was watching videos of Sampras playing just the other day. I still find it remarkable that it's not the speed, but the spin. Just like when Isner serves. He can bring the heat, but if you watch the video of him on page 2 of ESPN, you'll see that his kick is what really is deadly. He'll use the kick out wide and down the line. Then he'll throw in the heat right into the body.

I'm 6'5" and can bring some heat, but still think my kick is more affective because it kicks up so high. I also have solid form on my serve and find that they only way for me to add MPH to the serve is to work on staying relaxed in my shoulder so that I can really "whip" it. Working out does help to. Perfect Push up could do the trick.

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Things that help me greatly are the core stuff, leg stuff especially quads, shoulder stabilizations, and tricep stuff.

For the serve of course.

And make sure you work in your cuff exercises with the resistance bands.

The split squats and such are huge because it allows you to keep that even balance and feel stable when you push your hips far out into the court over the baseline, and once you get that big hip snap working, it is so much easier to bring the ball down into the box with authority.

J

Agreed. The knee bend (ground loading) and 'hip push' are two things most folks with less weighty serves never seem to master. I can still crank 'em out in the 115-118 range pretty regularly, and occasionally 'catch one' in the low 120's at the ripe old age of 46. Even more importantly I can get some nasty spin and bite on the ball. I'd also advise you to loosen your grip and hold the frame with your bottom two fingers off the grip. CC

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

I would think being able to hit 110-115, well placed, would be a more meaningful goal.-Robert

This is right on the money. Hitting targets with varied pace, spin, and 'break' on the ball is more important than 'raw' pace. CC

 

[paulmaben]

Craig,

How fast were you hitting them in your prime?

BTW. I'm not a speed junky. I mix up the serve well with a kick out wide to the coffin corner on the ad side, a slice wide on the deuce, and try to drive it into the body.

 

[5263]

Paul, are you able to keep your racket drop longer, by delaying the elbow extension, well into your leg drive up to the ball?

 

[NoBadMojo]

I was last clocked in the 140's. I'm going to get clocked again when I can use my own racquet and my shoulder gets better. Those WalMart racquets just dont serve very well and those Tretorn pressureless balls were costing me a good 12mph too.

 

[chipsbuzz]

grunt at the point of contact if you don't already... it helps your body relax and collapse into the shot.

I'm pretty sure this information's correct, but people can argue if not.

 

[Rafael_Nadal_6257]

I was last clocked in the 140's. I'm going to get clocked again when I can use my own racquet and my shoulder gets better. Those WalMart racquets just dont serve very well and those Tretorn pressureless balls were costing me a good 12mph too.

The 140's?! Is it an official speed and would like to see some footage...

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Craig,

How fast were you hitting them in your prime?

BTW. I'm not a speed junky. I mix up the serve well with a kick out wide to the coffin corner on the ad side, a slice wide on the deuce, and try to drive it into the body.

I really have no idea how fast I could serve when I was young. I never had access to a gun back then. I'm sure it was probably a bit faster, but in all fairness the modern frames, strings, and balls probably do ADD some speed nowadays.

I think placement always trumps pace, btw. But it is FUN, nay CATHARTIC to really bust one now and again.........

CC

 

[Japanese Maple]

Agreed. The knee bend (ground loading) and 'hip push' are two things most folks with less weighty serves never seem to master. I can still crank 'em out in the 115-118 range pretty regularly, and occasionally 'catch one' in the low 120's at the ripe old age of 46. Even more importantly I can get some nasty spin and bite on the ball. I'd also advise you to loosen your grip and hold the frame with your bottom two fingers off the grip. CC

Craig-could you explain what you mean by the "hip push" and at what point in the serve this is implemented?

 

[Japanese Maple]

This is right on the money. Hitting targets with varied pace, spin, and 'break' on the ball is more important than 'raw' pace. CC

Craig-assuming you are a righty, what serves do you like to hit on first and second serves and where. Do you constantly vary your spins and placements -what serves are most effective for you and how do you mix them up to hold serve. Thanks for your input!

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Craig-could you explain what you mean by the "hip push" and at what point in the serve this is implemented?

Well, well, well, my old buddy is back.

I am surprised with your indepth knowledge that you dont know what a hip push is?

Have you ever heard of a hip stretch? Have your ever seen the Sonic Serve video?

You know, when you toss the ball, your push or stretch your front hip out towards the court for increased upward and outward motion?

 

[Bungalo Bill]

I was last clocked in the 140's. I'm going to get clocked again when I can use my own racquet and my shoulder gets better. Those WalMart racquets just dont serve very well and those Tretorn pressureless balls were costing me a good 12mph too.

LOL, and you have a bridge to sell?

 

[J011yroger]

LOL, and you have a bridge to sell?

Oh yes, its'a verry nice! (Mony Python french taunter voice)

J

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Craig-assuming you are a righty, what serves do you like to hit on first and second serves and where. Do you constantly vary your spins and placements -what serves are most effective for you and how do you mix them up to hold serve. Thanks for your input!

I've worked over the years to learn to hit flat, slice, and kick to a handful of key spots in the box. I try to mix and match as the situation dictates. For example, if I pick up that someone has particular trouble with a specific placement/spin combination, I try to be sure they get plenty of practice with that one. :twisted: It's also about the 'hold game', ie how you back up the serve by mixing in s/v, placement of the second ball, etc. CC

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

You know, when you toss the ball, your push or stretch your front hip out towards the court for increased upward and outward motion?

What he said! CC

 

[J011yroger]

I've worked over the years to learn to hit flat, slice, and kick to a handful of key spots in the box. I try to mix and match as the situation dictates. For example, if I pick up that someone has particular trouble with a specific placement/spin combination, I try to be sure they get plenty of practice with that one. :twisted: It's also about the 'hold game', ie how you back up the serve by mixing in s/v, placement of the second ball, etc. CC

Hmmm, that sounds like a better plan than bombing it in and picking up the pieces.

I might have to work on that when I start playing on the senior circiut!

J

 

[Fedace]

I have been working out my Legs and Upper body strength for last 3 weeks now, mainly with machines. In yesterday's match, i could visibly see that my shots had more power and spin. My topspin and my serves were moving in the air much more and zipping thru.

 

[J011yroger]

^^^ Funny, I don't think being on a tennis specific training program has really increased my power/spin from a brute force standard, but it has allowed me to be more consistient, get to more balls on time and in better position to make a quality shot, as well as allowing me to hit higher quality shots from disadvantaged positions.

I have also noticed that it is getting harder to get a ball passed me (unless of course I am at net, at which time a baby in a diaper could pass me).

J

 

[Fedace]

^^^Yes i could see my topspin and slice shots moving thru the air and even in a screwing action at times in the air. you know sold of like Rafa's shots does.

 

[Japanese Maple]

Well, well, well, my old buddy is back.

I am surprised with your indepth knowledge that you dont know what a hip push is?

Have you ever heard of a hip stretch? Have your ever seen the Sonic Serve video?

You know, when you toss the ball, your push or stretch your front hip out towards the court for increased upward and outward motion?

Welcome back Bungalo Bill, I thought you were retired! I know what a "hip stretch" is but never really heard the term "hip push"-thats why I was asking for clarification. Now that I am a member of the outstanding tennis instruction site "Tennis Player".net, I don't need to purchase any videos or even take tennis lessons for instruction-hittings lessons yes for conditioning and drilling. My only regret is this site didn't come along twenty years ago, it would have saved me alot of $ and frustration! For some reason in their site, John Yandell and other authors don't really stress the "hip stretch"-if they do I have missed it.

 

[JohnYandell]

Well I have a little different view on that. I believe it exists--if you want to focus on it. BUT I think it is in large part just a consequence of a full deep knee bend. If you are a Tennisplayer subscriber check out the Sampras articles on the use of the legs.

My observation is that when players try to consciously create this, they end up bending or leaning backwards at the waist. This is an artificial element and a negative.

 

[BeHappy]

Well I have a little different view on that. I believe it exists--if you want to focus on it. BUT I think it is in large part just a consequence of a full deep knee bend. If you are a Tennisplayer subscriber check out the Sampras articles on the use of the legs.

My observation is that when players try to consciously create this, they end up bending or leaning backwards at the waist. This is an artificial element and a negative.

Yes.

Bend knees, weight over front foot.

I think Dougherty confused cause and effect, or else it's just a bad coaching cue.

I've no doubt he means well though.

 

[Ambivalent]

I've tried those speedchains. My serve as well as groundstrokes got better, but i dont know if that's because of practice or not.

Either way, just work on strengthning your explosion into the serve.

An extra 10-15 mph wont be as important as placement. a 110 mph serve with good placement beats a 125 that doesn't go where you want it to.

 

[Japanese Maple]

Agreed. The knee bend (ground loading) and 'hip push' are two things most folks with less weighty serves never seem to master. I can still crank 'em out in the 115-118 range pretty regularly, and occasionally 'catch one' in the low 120's at the ripe old age of 46. Even more importantly I can get some nasty spin and bite on the ball. I'd also advise you to loosen your grip and hold the frame with your bottom two fingers off the grip. CC

Craig-having worked on improving my serve for over twenty years, gripping the racquet with the last two fingers off the handle has helped me the most. In a Tennis magazine article last year Rick Macci talked about creating "liquid power" and suggested that you swing the racquet with just your thumb and forefinger holding the racquet. This creates the feel and looseness needed to really snap the racquet and get maximum racquet speed. Now , I try to grip the racquet with as few fingers possible without it flying out of my hand and my serve has improved greatly. I believe you can have an excellent club level serve if you stayed stationary and only whipped your arm with a loose, loose, grip. If you have a tight grip or grip the handle with all your fingers on the racquet it is nearly impossible to have a good serve because of a tight , rigid wrist. Unfortunately, when I first started playing tennis I did not take any lessons and this tight grip had hauted me for years.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Welcome back Bungalo Bill, I thought you were retired!

Not me. When I played tennis I had a hard time affording lessons as my father was a military man (a Marine). So, it is my pleasure to help the masses for free. Well at least I try.

I know what a "hip stretch" is but never really heard the term "hip push"-thats why I was asking for clarification.

That is fair enough. So I guess welcome back.

Now that I am a member of the outstanding tennis instruction site "Tennis Player".net, I don't need to purchase any videos or even take tennis lessons for instruction-hittings lessons yes for conditioning and drilling. My only regret is this site didn't come along twenty years ago, it would have saved me alot of $ and frustration! For some reason in their site, John Yandell and other authors don't really stress the "hip stretch"-if they do I have missed it.

Yes, it is a great site. I belong to it too. I did have a bulletin board as well but I am sure John took it down when I moved to Idaho. I hear you about the 20 years ago.

And yes, John does not stress the hip stretch, although I am a fan of it. I dont stress it probably as much as Dougherty but I do see value in it and have incorporated it in my serve. The trouble was, I thought about it too much at first and it shortened my swing. I was thinking of my hips instead of my acceleration with it and from it. If that makes sense.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Yes.

Bend knees, weight over front foot.

I think Dougherty confused cause and effect, or else it's just a bad coaching cue.

I've no doubt he means well though.

Like as if you have done more research and worked with the players he has worked with. LOL! Come on, BeHappy! You or I are nowhere near his caliber!!!!! Who are you kidding! Whathave you produced above what he has produced besides nothing. Get real.

 

[BeHappy]

Like as if you have done more research and worked with the players he has worked with. LOL! Come on, BeHappy! You or I are nowhere near his caliber!!!!! Who are you kidding! Whathave you produced above what he has produced besides nothing. Get real.

What has he produced?, there was nothing original in his sonic serve video whatsoever.His calling it hip stretch shows he didn't understand his sources at all.

BTW, John Yandell would agree with what the instruction I gave, although he probably wouldn't agree with my appraisel of dougherty.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

What has he produced?, there was nothing original in his sonic serve video whatsoever.His calling it hip stretch shows he didn't understand his sources at all.

BTW, John Yandell would agree with what the instruction I gave, although he probably wouldn't agree with my appraisel of dougherty.

Well that makes two of us that dont agree with your appraisal.

Lets see what you have done in tennis compared to Dougherty

1. He has worked at Nick's academy - you haven't

2. He has worked with many pro tennis players - you haven't

3. He is the one behind the videos Sonic Serve and Bollistic Backhand and perhaps the Forehand video - you haven't

4. He created the AP belt which you insulted him on and disgraced him on which you have never used. Then when I said I have one, used one, and spoke highly of it, you denied that - you haven't created anything, nor tried anything.

5. Have you ever sought your professional teaching credentials? Have you ever applied at a top rated tennis facility? Have you ever got a job there?

Should we go on?

 

[BeHappy]

Well that makes two of us that dont agree with your appraisal.

And that makes two poeple who don't agree with 'hip strecth'.

Lets see what you have done in tennis compared to Dougherty

1. He has worked at Nick's academy - you haven't

so?

2. He has worked with many pro tennis players - you haven't

Which professional players has he coached?

3. He is the one behind the videos Sonic Serve and Bollistic Backhand and perhaps the Forehand video - you haven't

Nothing original in them, so who cares, how is that anything different than our posts in which we paraphrase what we have learned from others?
Certainly nothing to be proud of.

4. He created the AP belt which you insulted him on and disgraced him on which you have never used. Then when I said I have one, used one, and spoke highly of it, you denied that - you haven't created anything, nor tried anything.

It's a gimmick.

5. Have you ever sought your professional teaching credentials? Have you ever applied at a top rated tennis facility? Have you ever got a job there?

I'll say I'm accredited.

That's all I'll say, I have a wife and kids and I don't want to accidently give my Identity away and potentially endanger them.

Should we go on?

for your sake I hope not.

 

[bumblebee]

string ur racket w/natural gut at 40lbs XD

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Hmmm, that sounds like a better plan than bombing it in and picking up the pieces.

I might have to work on that when I start playing on the senior circiut!

J

It works better than say having your arm fly off because it's so tired. CC

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Craig-having worked on improving my serve for over twenty years, gripping the racquet with the last two fingers off the handle has helped me the most. In a Tennis magazine article last year Rick Macci talked about creating "liquid power" and suggested that you swing the racquet with just your thumb and forefinger holding the racquet. This creates the feel and looseness needed to really snap the racquet and get maximum racquet speed. Now , I try to grip the racquet with as few fingers possible without it flying out of my hand and my serve has improved greatly. I believe you can have an excellent club level serve if you stayed stationary and only whipped your arm with a loose, loose, grip. If you have a tight grip or grip the handle with all your fingers on the racquet it is nearly impossible to have a good serve because of a tight , rigid wrist. Unfortunately, when I first started playing tennis I did not take any lessons and this tight grip had hauted me for years.

Interesting. I've been so blessed to have top quality instruction throughout my adult life. I've also spent a good deal of time reading, watching high level tennis in person, and perusing this site and others, including a sub to tennisplayer.net. I've also hit w/ literally dozens of top flight players. It's fun to share what you know, so thanks for the kudos. CC

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Well I have a little different view on that. I believe it exists--if you want to focus on it. BUT I think it is in large part just a consequence of a full deep knee bend. If you are a Tennisplayer subscriber check out the Sampras articles on the use of the legs.

My observation is that when players try to consciously create this, they end up bending or leaning backwards at the waist. This is an artificial element and a negative.

I was trying to communicate that idea in my original post by referring first to the 'ground push/knee bend' as the source for the hip push. I know how it FEELS and sometimes kinesthetic learners will benefit from a description of the 'stretching' you feel across the forward (court facing) hip.

BTW, I really enjoy TennisPlayer.net.

Best,

CC