Is the ball toss more consistent using platform stance?

[Slicerman]

This is probably a question more appropriate for people who have used or tried both styles of serve stances (pinpoint & platform)

I've been using the pinpoint stance for the last few years. I originally used a platform stance but I somehow developed the tendency to move to the pinpoint over time, which I don't know if its from an urge to get more leg drive or some kinda clutch to "chase" an erratic ball toss.

However, I don't know if its an issue with my stance, balance, or trying to use a new ball toss location, but I've been having more difficulty getting a consistent ball toss.

My main question is.. do you think ball toss is more consistent using platform stance?

I suspect that the extra movement with pinpoint might be physically or possibly mentally throwing me off.

I might be considering changing to a narrow platform stance and make my movements as abbreviated as possible to simply the rhythm.

 

[Happi]

This is probably a question more appropriate for people who have used or tried both styles of serve stances (pinpoint & platform)

I've been using the pinpoint stance for the last few years. I originally used a platform stance but I somehow developed the tendency to move to the pinpoint over time, which I don't know if its from an urge to get more leg drive or some kinda clutch to "chase" an erratic ball toss.

However, I don't know if its an issue with my stance, balance, or trying to use a new ball toss location, but I've been having more difficulty getting a consistent ball toss.

My main question is.. do you think ball toss is more consistent using platform stance?

I suspect that the extra movement with pinpoint might be physically or possibly mentally throwing me off.

I might be considering changing to a narrow platform stance and make my movements as abbreviated as possible to simply the rhythm.

I also see a lot of bad ball tosses with platform stance. I understand your reasoning with more moving parts, but I think you have to look elsewhere to get a better toss.

 

[Cerdany]

No.

 

[socallefty]

No. You toss first before you start moving your feet. Make sure you hold the ball loosely in your finger tips (I like palm facing me), don‘t flick your wrist, stay relaxed, keep toss hand in front of your face and up longer.

 

[mad dog1]

No.

 

[tendency]

This is probably a question more appropriate for people who have used or tried both styles of serve stances (pinpoint & platform)

I've been using the pinpoint stance for the last few years. I originally used a platform stance but I somehow developed the tendency to move to the pinpoint over time, which I don't know if its from an urge to get more leg drive or some kinda clutch to "chase" an erratic ball toss.

However, I don't know if its an issue with my stance, balance, or trying to use a new ball toss location, but I've been having more difficulty getting a consistent ball toss.

My main question is.. do you think ball toss is more consistent using platform stance?

I suspect that the extra movement with pinpoint might be physically or possibly mentally throwing me off.

I might be considering changing to a narrow platform stance and make my movements as abbreviated as possible to simply the rhythm.

Learn to juggle well, that'll really help your ball toss if you're struggling with it (and improve hand/eye coord).

 

[PKorda]

Learn to juggle well, that'll really help your ball toss if you're struggling with it (and improve hand/eye coord).

I can juggle better than 99.9% of people and have always struggled with my ball toss,

How do you think it would help?

 

[Cerdany]

The three things that fixed my toss:
- Straight arm - seems obvious but lots of players don't do it.
- Hold the ball like Federer - hold the ball with whole fingers not fingertips. Thumb at the top.
- Look up to the spot where you want to place the ball before you toss - this makes a big difference.

 

[Fintft]

The three things that fixed my toss:
- Straight arm - seems obvious but lots of players don't do it.
- Hold the ball like Federer - hold the ball with whole fingers not fingertips. Thumb at the top.
- Look up to the spot where you want to place the ball before you toss - this makes a big difference.

Weight on front foot
Slow motion

 

[tendency]

The three things that fixed my toss:
- Straight arm - seems obvious but lots of players don't do it.
- Hold the ball like Federer - hold the ball with whole fingers not fingertips. Thumb at the top.
- Look up to the spot where you want to place the ball before you toss - this makes a big difference.

It also helps to have a lag serve so you can shift your focus to the toss. Also, think of keeping arm up as if it's following the ball into the air.

 

[Cerdany]

Weight on front foot
Slow motion

Weight on front foot for pinpoint. Back foot for platform.

 

[Fintft]

Weight on front foot for pinpoint. Back foot for platform.

Pinpoint

 

[nyta2]

This is probably a question more appropriate for people who have used or tried both styles of serve stances (pinpoint & platform)

I've been using the pinpoint stance for the last few years. I originally used a platform stance but I somehow developed the tendency to move to the pinpoint over time, which I don't know if its from an urge to get more leg drive or some kinda clutch to "chase" an erratic ball toss.

However, I don't know if its an issue with my stance, balance, or trying to use a new ball toss location, but I've been having more difficulty getting a consistent ball toss.

My main question is.. do you think ball toss is more consistent using platform stance?

I suspect that the extra movement with pinpoint might be physically or possibly mentally throwing me off.

I might be considering changing to a narrow platform stance and make my movements as abbreviated as possible to simply the rhythm.

yes and no... i'll share my jouney:
i gravitated pinpoint because i always chased a bad toss... did this for decades, often way too far out in front.
when i switched to platform, it felt "harder" to toss consistently, but what i realized is that platform highlighted when i had a bad toss (which was all the time)... because i got instant feedback any time i wanted to move my feet, it was a bad toss.

regarding, what caused me to have a bad toss in general:
* i grew up learning, "up together, down together", which makes it hard (for me) to load (turn my shoulder) and toss at the same time (ie, the 2 movements conflict with one another - eg. turning my shoulder would jerk my tossing arm away from where i wanted to toss)
* later realized and tried, the j-toss, which does allow you to turn your shoulder, as your tossing arm continues in a circular way to (hopefully) the right location)... i ultimately found this style of serving to have too many variables.
* now-a-days, i prefer the staggered approach... toss, and lag the hitting arm, where i only start turning my shoulder (and loading other power sources), AFTER i've released... the benefit being, that i can keep my tossing arm motion simplified... i don't know why, but when doing the toss&lag, i always envision something like this:

(eg. toss & shoot)

 

[nyta2]

Learn to juggle well, that'll really help your ball toss if you're struggling with it (and improve hand/eye coord).

i can juggle (3 balls anyway), but i think that further promotes short arming your toss (which every beginner does anyway, to keep the ball relatively close to them), as opposed to extending the tossing arm to vertical/past vertical, which is an important part of how to toss-for-serving well.

 

[Cerdany]

i can juggle (3 balls anyway), but i think that further promotes short arming your toss (which every beginner does anyway, to keep the ball relatively close to them), as opposed to extending the tossing arm to vertical/past vertical, which is an important part of how to toss-for-serving well.

People that make the analogy between service toss and juggling are clueless.

 

[Happi]

People that make the analogy between service toss and juggling are clueless.

Its all about ball feel and coordination, just like jumping rope is good for footwork.

 

[tendency]

i can juggle (3 balls anyway), but i think that further promotes short arming your toss (which every beginner does anyway, to keep the ball relatively close to them), as opposed to extending the tossing arm to vertical/past vertical, which is an important part of how to toss-for-serving well.

Disagree. Many people struggle with off-hand coordination (doing anything really..) but certainly when it comes to tossing a ball. Juggling can be very useful for improving the off-hand coordination and feel for the ball on the toss. It certainly helped me (learning to juggle) and several other people I grew up playing with. It was fairly common advice back in the day.

 

[nyta2]

Disagree. Many people struggle with off-hand coordination (doing anything really..) but certainly when it comes to tossing a ball. Juggling can be very useful for improving the off-hand coordination and feel for the ball on the toss. It certainly helped me (learning to juggle) and several other people I grew up playing with. It was fairly common advice back in the day.

i agree that any coordination drill you do, can add to your overall vocabulary of athletic movement...
however, i've met many folks with much better serves than me, that can't juggle (but toss the ball to where they want, just fine)
and i've met many folks that can juggle, but struggle with the toss (in the context loading during a serve)
i'm probably in the minority of folks that can do both ok...

but for this convo. i agree to disagree

 

[socallefty]

I wonder if there is a connection between sense of balance/coordination from the vestibular system and inconsistency of toss. People without good balance (who cannot skate, rollerblade etc.) might want to stand more upright when they toss and see if it helps.

 

[Slicerman]

Thanks for the input, everyone

Personally, I've been struggling this whole year with my serve. Making tweaks here and there on a regular basis, but it always feels like if I add or fix something, another thing ends up breaking.. like some weird game of whack-a-mole.

I think I'm gonna just focus on perfecting my racquet arm motion for a while before I involve the feet too much, aka "the walking serve".

It's interesting, a couple of days ago I was practicing my serve, I did a bunch of shadow swings (without leaving the ground) which are basically technically-sound. Then I did a very simple and low ball toss, contacting the ball right at the apex, and the serves were stronger than my normal jumping serve, also with very minimal effort. I think I might try this for a while until I have the racquet arm muscle memory down. Then later down the road, I can do more with the feet and legs without being too worrying about my upper body form.