I have this kid that when he serves he can't seem to swing until the ball has dropped too far. Over and over he waits too long and can never hit the ball with his arm extended. He hits the ball, but with a bent elbow. I have had him hit the butt of my racquet, I have demonstrated, but he can't seem to do it. Any suggestions?
Not sure what this is depicting.Continental grip.
watungga
Professional
Sorry, I just assumed that kid to be learning basic serves. As such, he got no timing at all. He tossed it above his head and he could not reach it properly.
So, my drawing emphasized that the ball should be tossed on his side. Hit it when it reaches the apex - on his side as well.
Get his timing be a 2nd nature to him, then he can start your own method.
So, my drawing emphasized that the ball should be tossed on his side. Hit it when it reaches the apex - on his side as well.
Get his timing be a 2nd nature to him, then he can start your own method.
D
Deleted member 23235
Guest
hold a ball over his head, and let him swing at that at full extension... or swing at a leaf on a tree at the right height... repeat 100x,... then practice tossing *into* that swing,... even if he misses.
side note... i thought this thread was about a kid you had, that you didn't know about..., "um, honey, i have something to tell you...."
Traffic
Hall of Fame
I know that in one of the clubs I had my kids in, they practiced ball toss and serving up against a curtain. They were then told to hold the ball in place against the curtain where they made contact. This would help illustrate whether they were getting full extension or not.
Bagumbawalla
Talk Tennis Guru
Find a tall fence- position him so he has to hit up at about a 45 degree angle to clear it. Give him a bucket ofballs and have him strive for distance.
D
Deleted member 23235
Guest
good one, i use that all that time
That is a good suggestion. Thank you.
I like that too. I will try it.
I like the first part alot. I didn't follow your side note though.
D
Deleted member 23235
Guest
your title... "i have another kid..."
"...from an old gfriend, that just showed up at my doorstep"
Oh goodness, I hope not.
I've used various techniques with kids that have trouble with this, but one that seems to work pretty good for about half the kids is for them to say "toss and hit" in a rhythm that matches up with the toss. That rhythm is different for different kids, but if you can help them say it in the right cadence for them it should help.
The other thing I usually do is start them hitting serves with only arm rotation. So they start with the arm stretched out over their head and toss the ball and then turn their arm to hit it. It's a bit challenging for most at first, but if they stick with it for a bit it becomes fairly easy in a relatively short amount of time. I start adding in elements of the swing after they can successfully hit the ball with the arm rotation.
The other thing I usually do is start them hitting serves with only arm rotation. So they start with the arm stretched out over their head and toss the ball and then turn their arm to hit it. It's a bit challenging for most at first, but if they stick with it for a bit it becomes fairly easy in a relatively short amount of time. I start adding in elements of the swing after they can successfully hit the ball with the arm rotation.
Good suggestion....thank you.
I really like the second suggestion. I am going to try that one tomorrow. Thanks.
Chas Tennis
G.O.A.T.
Bent elbow at impact? Waiter's tray type technique? How are you seeing what is gone on?
What do you see in high speed videos regarding the final movement of the racket toward the ball and the arm and racket angles? 240 fps is an adequate frame rate for tennis strokes. Video in direct sunlight so that the camera's automatic exposure control will select its fastest shutter speed and motion blur will be minimized.
You can see this racket position by eye as the receiver of the serve - racket faces sky.
http://www.hi-techtennis.com/serve/big_l_student.php
Last edited:
Hey Chas, Yeah, I think what you are mentioning here is a little too advanced for beginners. Leading with the edge takes great timing and athleticism.
Chas Tennis
G.O.A.T.
But the only serving techniques that are described are the Waiter's Tray and the high level serving technique.
What other serving techniques are described?
