I need to re-learn my serve, help and advice please

[ls206]

Hi,
I would like to ask for your help and advice on hitting serves. If you can post some good videos that you know of or offer some knowledge, it would be greatly appreciated.
I'm no new-comer to tennis, however I've had a long break from the game. I can play all my shots (with the expected inconsistency) apart from my serve.
I find I can' put any power into it, and what's more, my swing is terrible, so much so that I've managed to injure my shoulder.
I have a feeling I am "sticking" my elbow out...
I've completely lost my technique...

Sorry, I can't provide any pictures or clips of my serve.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

FuzzyYellowBalls is a great resource for this. For some reason their videos are down temporarily but can still currently be found on YouTube (search on FYB2007 and serve). Will 'FYB' Hamilton has also provided his videos on another site for easy downloading -- anyone recall what site that is?


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[ls206]

Thanks for that, I'm sure they will be helpful, time to look strange and practice my swing in the garden!
I will still check this thread if anyone has any other videos/tips to share
thanks again

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Can you see your reflection in any large windows or glass doors when practicing strokes in your garden? This can provide excellent, immediate feedback on your swings.


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[wihamilton]

Thx SA... you can snag them on Blip.tv. Search "fyb" and they'll come up. I hate technical difficulties!!!

 

[ls206]

Great thanks for the tips

Thx SA... you can snag them on Blip.tv. Search "fyb" and they'll come up. I hate technical difficulties!!!

Thank you for the videos. I know it's hard to coach without a "student" actually infront of you, but your vids are well done.

 

[SeekHeart]

While we are on the relearn serve topic, is it weird that I can hit a kick or slice but not a flat?

 

[fuzz nation]

If you actually hurt yourself, you've got a serious gremlin in the works. I do some teaching/coaching and it seems to me that there are perhaps twice as many things to synchronize with a serve in comparison with a forehand or backhand stroke. Get a trained eye on you for a lesson, even if it's a quick one. You may only need one or two cues to get your swingpath and/or tempo back toward working order, but anyone who knows what they're doing ought to be able to squash anything that's putting you at risk for an injury.

As a wise man once said, "If you're unhappy to find yourself standing in a hole, the first thing you should do is stop digging!"

 

[ls206]

Yup, I thought of lessons but at the moment I can't afford it

I think I've found the flaw though.
I was tossing the ball way too early, this meant I rushed the rest of the stroke and this caused mistakes and awkward (injury causing) swings.

 

[Moz]

How hard do you grip the racquet? A too tight grip throughout the swing will often inhibit power. A well-regarded coach recently had me only holding the racquet between index finger and thumb until just before the point of contact. Try it and then experiment different tightnesses vs racquet head speed.