Keys to a good first serve

[Headshotterer]

I came up with a list would anyone care to add or criticize anything?

Swing
-racket head drop
-pronation
-wrist snap
-stay loose
-follow thru curl slice of pizza
-Serve "up the mountain"

tossing arm
-controlled ball toss
-keep tossing arm up
-toss forward

Body................................................/....Arm
-Shift weight forward/archers bow....../)....Body
-lots of body rotation
-leg push up

 

[Nostradamus]

Copy Pete Sampras, textbook

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Serve-like-Pete-Sampras/?ALLSTEPS

 

[sansaephanh]

One thing you have to get in there. Hit the goddam sweet spot. You have no idea how easy it makes things. Some people seem to forget about it because its so ridiculously obvious.

Sometimes just slowing down and getting that sweetspot will do a great deal of work for you.

 

[Headshotterer]

ya sometimes i toss too high mistime and completely miss it and look like a fool

 

[martini1]

This is just a list of getting a good serve, not just a good FIRST serve.

I came up with a list would anyone care to add or criticize anything?

Swing
-racket head drop
-pronation
-wrist snap
-stay loose

tossing arm
-controlled ball toss
-keep tossing arm up
-toss forward

Body................................................/....Arm
-Shift weight forward/archers bow....../)....Body
-lots of body rotation
-leg push up

 

[charliefedererer]

Perform a squat while your rossing arm is straight up.

pics 4-8 into squat.
pics 9-11 out of squat.

 

[Moz]

Upward (not forward) swing path.

I would remove leg push up as that's not really what's happening in terms of server's intention.

 

[Limpinhitter]

I came up with a list would anyone care to add or criticize anything?

Swing
-racket head drop
-pronation
-wrist snap
-stay loose

tossing arm
-controlled ball toss
-keep tossing arm up
-toss forward

Body................................................/....Arm
-Shift weight forward/archers bow....../)....Body
-lots of body rotation
-leg push up

Way too complicated. Push the ball into a box in the air and throw your racquet up at the ball like a pitcher pitching a baseball.

 

[charliefedererer]

Limpin,

What percent of the tennis playing crowd do you think knows how to pitch a baseball?

(I will grant you that the Serve Doctor in his hitting "Up the Mountain" video says that serving is "learning how to pitch in an upward direction". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlPVdppfYGs )

 

[Limpinhitter]

Limpin,

What percent of the tennis playing crowd do you think knows how to pitch a baseball?

(I will grant you that the Serve Doctor in his hitting "Up the Mountain" video says that serving is "learning how to pitch in an upward direction". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlPVdppfYGs )

Everyone who has a competent service motion can pitch a baseball. They are the same motion.

 

[LeeD]

Learn to throw a ball really really far...
My best toss in '96, 310' in the air. Baseball.
My best football throw in high school, 73 yards. I was 5'6" and 111 lbs as a junior.

 

[charliefedererer]

Everyone who has a competent service motion can pitch a baseball. They are the same motion.

I guess I was asking the reverse question: of those that have a hard time serving, how many can already pitch a baseball really well?

And how manypitchers know that the serve is in an upward direction, not an outward direction like pitching a ball to a catcher?

(Time was nearly every kid grew up knowing how to throw a ball. It seems more likely they can operate a video game now.

Worldwide, throwing sports are much less common than in the US.)

 

[Limpinhitter]

Learn to throw a ball really really far...
My best toss in '96, 310' in the air. Baseball.
My best football throw in high school, 73 yards. I was 5'6" and 111 lbs as a junior.

So, when you were in high school, you could throw a football further than John Elway or Dan Marino ever could? Interesting!

 

[Limpinhitter]

I guess I was asking the reverse question: of those that have a hard time serving, how many can already pitch a baseball really well?

And how manypitchers know that the serve is in an upward direction, not an outward direction like pitching a ball to a catcher?

(Time was nearly every kid grew up knowing how to throw a ball. It seems more likely they can operate a video game now.

Worldwide, throwing sports are much less common than in the US.)

It depends on why they are having a hard time serving. From my view, it seems that very few tennis players today ever learned to throw a ball. And their service motions reflect that. That's the #1 problem I see. The second biggest issue is bad tossing mechanics. Some throw the ball rather than push it and end up having to hit the equivalent of an overhead smash on every serve. As for pitchers, their target is down, so they don't release the ball while their chests are facing upward. But the upper body rotation is still there.

 

[Kevo]

The 3 most important things,

1. Toss
2. Toss
3. Toss

Oh yeah,

4. Toss
5. Toss

 

[LeeD]

Limpin, you really should limit your remarks to tennis only.
JaMarcusRussell throws 100 yards, as did JayCutler.
DanMarino, JohnElway, and BretFavre throw 80 yards with one step.
A javelin thrower runs 8 steps, then pivots and sidehops 3, then tosses.
Different throwing motions, EH???
You really gotta think this one through. You did not.
RobertoClemente threw right around 370' in the air, but his throw is not a long distance arc, but a throw from the outfield to the plate. If he threw at a 40 degree angle, he would probably reach over 425' in the air.
Notice a homerun in baseball is normally hit higher than 45 degrees off the bat, and has BACKSPIN.

 

[Limpinhitter]

Limpin, you really should limit your remarks to tennis only.
JaMarcusRussell throws 100 yards, as did JayCutler.
DanMarino, JohnElway, and BretFavre throw 80 yards with one step.
A javelin thrower runs 8 steps, then pivots and sidehops 3, then tosses.
Different throwing motions, EH???
You really gotta think this one through. You did not.
RobertoClemente threw right around 370' in the air, but his throw is not a long distance arc, but a throw from the outfield to the plate. If he threw at a 40 degree angle, he would probably reach over 425' in the air.
Notice a homerun in baseball is normally hit higher than 45 degrees off the bat, and has BACKSPIN.

Lee, you're smokin dope. First, you know nothing about me. Nothing! Second, I know B.S. when I see it, and I'm calling B.S. Do you remember the NFL Quarterback Challenge held every year from about 1990 until a few years ago? In the early 90's, Marino threw the football 69 yards and Elway threw it 73 yards. You could not throw a football 73 yards if your life depended on it, ever. No way, no how.

PS: FYI, Here's Ben Rothlisberger (6'5" 245lbs., multiple Superbowl champion NFL quarterback with a hand bigger than your chest), at the 2005 NFL Quarterback Challenge throwing the ball 66 yards:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=0zGucCrzIzs#t=156s

PPS: Maybe you should limit your remarks to windsurfing!

 

[Raul_SJ]

I want to break 100 mph on the first serve. It's around 85 mph right now... And the coach says my serving form is correct.

I haven't ever really practiced throwing a football. But if I were to practice and improve my football throwing distance, would that directly translate to more serving power?

 

[boramiNYC]

I want to break 100 mph on the first serve. It's around 85 mph right now... And the coach says my serving form is correct.

I haven't ever really practiced throwing a football. But if I were to practice and improve my football throwing distance, would that directly translate to more serving power?

trying to throw harder and farther than you usually can is not a good idea. fast track for shoulder injury. instead try to make your form even more correct. that will give you power without hurting yourself. could be a slow process but that's the safe way.

 

[Limpinhitter]

I want to break 100 mph on the first serve. It's around 85 mph right now... And the coach says my serving form is correct.

I haven't ever really practiced throwing a football. But if I were to practice and improve my football throwing distance, would that directly translate to more serving power?

I know a tennis coach who keeps a weighted football in his ball cart to throw with his students to develop a good serving motion. It's too heavy to throw hard without hurting yourself. The key is not trying to throw as hard or as far as you can, but, to throw as far as you can effortlessly. It takes good mechanics (the actual throwing motion, use of legs, upper body rotation, etc.), and timing to maximize your throwing distance without using strength to do it. That's a great way to improve your serving mechanics and timing.

 

[charliefedererer]

I know a tennis coach who keeps a weighted football in his ball cart to throw with his students to develop a good serving motion. It's too heavy to throw hard without hurting yourself. The key is not trying to throw as hard or as far as you can, but, to throw as far as you can effortlessly. It takes good mechanics (the actual throwing motion, use of legs, upper body rotation, etc.), and timing to maximize your throwing distance without using strength to do it. That's a great way to improve your serving mechanics and timing.

At the other extreme in weight, I had my kids throwing a small nerf football when they were 3. It actually takes some techique to throw a football that light and not have it tumble. (The other advantage of a nerf football is there is no fear of the ball - it doesn't hurt if you muff a catch.)

 

[Limpinhitter]

At the other extreme in weight, I had my kids throwing a small nerf football when they were 3. It actually takes some techique to throw a football that light and not have it tumble. (The other advantage of a nerf football is there is no fear of the ball - it doesn't hurt if you muff a catch.)

Makes sense. I also think throwing the weighted football is good therapy as part of a program for rotator cuff rehab.

 

[syke]

Having a good second serve? That way you don't get pressurised on your first serve.

 

[Mick3391]

I came up with a list would anyone care to add or criticize anything?

Swing
-racket head drop
-pronation
-wrist snap
-stay loose
-follow thru curl slice of pizza

tossing arm
-controlled ball toss
-keep tossing arm up
-toss forward

Body................................................/....Arm
-Shift weight forward/archers bow....../)....Body
-lots of body rotation
-leg push up

Depends totally on the person, not sure if there is a "Textbook" serve. I just taught my son my serve. It's quasi-Mcenroe, it looks like almost the entire back is visual to the opponent, with a Eastern Grip we throw the ball up parallel to the basline, then hit out, doing this produces a tons of side spin, then after awhile spin AND power, it's just how I was taught.

It's strange, when I was a kid, I was taught to throw the ball up, and just as it decends jump and come through and over it. I have a great serve, but everyone is different. I almost fell out of my chair the first time I saw Nadals serve, it seems so elementary, but clearly works for him!

PS: I'm a player, not a teacher, I never realized there are so many steps to a good serve, I had to stop and think "How do I serve", and I learned alot, for example when the ball goes into the air my arm makes a "Bicep pose", the feet turn and the energy comes up to the shoulders which rotate, then lastly the arm extends out of the bicep post to one pop. I would HATE to be a teacher!

 

[LeeD]

Limpin, once again, your brain has failed you!
In QB challenges, the BACK FOOT HAS TO BE PLANTED! A thrower loses up to 30 yards by a static pose. Why do you think an outfielder throws farther than a pitcher, and a javelin thrower runs 8-11 steps before sidehopping?
Use your brains, not your emotions.
Did I ever say I was a QB or threw like one? MikeHolmgren was our varsity QB my junior year. I tossed QB style about 20 yards farther than he could. He was 6'4" and 230lbs. You know him, he was GreenBay's head coach, and also Seattle's. GilHaskell, one of his coaches, was our left guard. VicRowen, the alternate tight end then, is another one of his coaches he brings to every team he went to as a coach.
TRY IT, if you don't believe me. Plant your backfoot and throw. Now run fast 5 steps, pivot and throw. You'll be amazed at the difference.
I grew up throwing rocks at OceanBeachSanFrancisco.

 

[Limpinhitter]

Limpin, once again, your brain has failed you!
In QB challenges, the BACK FOOT HAS TO BE PLANTED! A thrower loses up to 30 yards by a static pose. Why do you think an outfielder throws farther than a pitcher, and a javelin thrower runs 8-11 steps before sidehopping?
Use your brains, not your emotions.
Did I ever say I was a QB or threw like one? MikeHolmgren was our varsity QB my junior year. I tossed QB style about 20 yards farther than he could. He was 6'4" and 230lbs. You know him, he was GreenBay's head coach, and also Seattle's. GilHaskell, one of his coaches, was our left guard. VicRowen, the alternate tight end then, is another one of his coaches he brings to every team he went to as a coach.
TRY IT, if you don't believe me. Plant your backfoot and throw. Now run fast 5 steps, pivot and throw. You'll be amazed at the difference.
I grew up throwing rocks at OceanBeachSanFrancisco.

More B.S., Lee. You're making it up as you go along. First, you said you could throw a football 73 yards in high school. When I called B.S. and told you that at the NFL Quarterback Challenge Dan Marino threw the football 69 yards, and John Elway threw it 73 yards. You then claimed they could throw 80 yards and that Jay Culter could throw a football 100 yards. Now you explain this discrepancy by claiming that at that the NFL Quarterback Challenge contestants were required to keep their back foot planted. Obviously, you have no idea what you're talking about, and you didn't watch the video I posted for you before you wrote this latest gem.

Once again, for everyone to see, here's Ben Rothlisberger (6'5" 245lbs., multi-superbowl champion, with a hand bigger than your chest), at the 2005 NFL Quarterback Challenge, TAKING A RUNNING START AND SWINGING HIS BACK FOOT FORWARD, NOT KEEPING IT PLANTED, throwing the ball 66 yards:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=0zGucCrzIzs#t=156s

One more time, Lee, maybe you should limit your remarks to windsurfing!

 

[LeeD]

Old Ben has been injured plenty of times. It's a matter of fact that JaMarcusRussell could throw 100 yards, one step.
I can still throw a football FIRST TRY, not warmup, around 48 yards. I'm 63, have had TWO broken collarbones on my left side (two also on the right), countless separates and one dislocate of the left shoulder, and haven't been able to run since 2007.
Do the math. Supposing I lost 30% of my physical skills by turning 63, you can compilate that back to easy 70 yards, which I actually threw in 9th grade in front of my house....each house is 25' exactly, I'd regularly throw 8+ houses into the intersection, my address was 2267 45th ave., you can go to google earth and count the 8 houses to the intersection.
For the record, just last year, I took a 2 set old tennis ball, stood AT the baseline in service position, threw the ball as far as I could, at around 40 degree up and out angles, and the ball landed beyond the baseline of the adjoining court, one bounce to the backfence of that court. I tried 3 more times to clear the court, but couldn't. This in 62 degree foggy morning, SanPabloCourts in Berkeley.
Maybe YOU can't throw anything anywhere, but I've never met anyone who could throw a football or baseball much farther than I could, and I was usually 50 lbs lighter, and at least 4" shorter then them.
If you want, I can go to SanPabloCourts on Friday and do the throw test again. Mornings there have almost no wind, is usually foggy, and under 60 degrees.

 

[syke]

More B.S., Lee. You're making it up as you go along. First, you said you could throw a football 73 yards in high school. When I called B.S. and told you that at the NFL Quarterback Challenge Dan Marino threw the football 69 yards, and John Elway threw it 73 yards. You then claimed they could throw 80 yards and that Jay Culter could throw a football 100 yards. Now you explain this discrepancy by claiming that at that the NFL Quarterback Challenge contestants were required to keep their back foot planted. Obviously, you have no idea what you're talking about, and you didn't watch the video I posted for you before you wrote this latest gem.

Once again, for everyone to see, here's Ben Rothlisberger (6'5" 245lbs., multi-superbowl champion, with a hand bigger than your chest), at the 2005 NFL Quarterback Challenge, TAKING A RUNNING START AND SWINGING HIS BACK FOOT FORWARD, NOT KEEPING IT PLANTED, throwing the ball 66 yards:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=0zGucCrzIzs#t=156s

One more time, Lee, maybe you should limit your remarks to windsurfing!

Maybe Lee is Montana in real life...

 

[LeeD]

Joe had a weak arm. Everyone knows this. His max throw is maybe 55 yards. C'mon, I can almost (ALMOST) punt that far.
NO QB worth his pro career would jeapardize it by throwing as far as he could for a stupid long throw comp, because it tips off the other teams on your armstrength, but more important, your weaknesses when you're playing out the season. It's not punt, pass, and kick, it's the PROFESSIONAL football league.

 

[Limpinhitter]

Maybe Lee is Montana in real life...

Maybe Lee should stop smoking crack before he eats those psilocybin mushrooms.

PS: Still love you Lee, even when you're full of it. Keeps me on my toes.

 

[LeeD]

I'll go hit some balls on Friday, will pick some 5 set old DunlopHDHardCourts from my bag, and throw some from baseline to as far as I can, then report back to you. The RoseGarden courts has one court set directly ACROSS the other two, so I should be able to toss the ball clear completeley over the second court's 20' side fence.
No wind there, it's set in a canyon with high trees all around.

 

[Limpinhitter]

I'll go hit some balls on Friday, will pick some 5 set old DunlopHDHardCourts from my bag, and throw some from baseline to as far as I can, then report back to you. The RoseGarden courts has one court set directly ACROSS the other two, so I should be able to toss the ball clear completeley over the second court's 20' side fence.
No wind there, it's set in a canyon with high trees all around.

Are we talking tennis courts or pickle ball courts?

 

[LeeD]

Oh, it's pretty well known that DreeBrees, of the Saints, has a much much stronger throwing arm than Ben.
Ben was goofing around, not taking the long toss seriously, as you can see in the vid.
Ever see an Olympic competitor with his demeanor just before his event?
Drew is listed at "6'". In reality, he's the same height as his team's CB's.

 

[Limpinhitter]

Oh, it's pretty well known that DreeBrees, of the Saints, has a much much stronger throwing arm than Ben.
Ben was goofing around, not taking the long toss seriously, as you can see in the vid.
Ever see an Olympic competitor with his demeanor just before his event?
Drew is listed at "6'". In reality, he's the same height as his team's CB's.

Let it go, Lee. That hold you're digging is over your head already.

 

[Cervantes]

How about approach the ball with the forward edge of the racquet, lead with the elbow, and instead of snapping the wrist, snap the fore arm...

 

[LeeD]

As usual, you're closed minded, Limpin, and think only your experience in the world is the truth.
In fact there are plenty of examples that differ from your experience, as it does mine.
Happens I had the strongest arm of anyone in junior high thru high school. So what? I happen to dream about racing motorcycles those days, and had to wait till junior year in high school to do it.
Why don't you get off your high horse, go to a tennis court, and throw a tennis ball as far as you can? Then report back.
I'll do the same, on Friday, and we'll compare examples.
Can't lie about that, and no high horses. I trust you to give accurate reports.

 

[Mikael]

I don't think anyone mentioned these but once you've got the technical aspect down, rhythm and confidence are the two key ingredients IMO for a good first serve.

 

[Limpinhitter]

As usual, you're closed minded, Limpin, and think only your experience in the world is the truth.
In fact there are plenty of examples that differ from your experience, as it does mine.
Happens I had the strongest arm of anyone in junior high thru high school. So what? I happen to dream about racing motorcycles those days, and had to wait till junior year in high school to do it.
Why don't you get off your high horse, go to a tennis court, and throw a tennis ball as far as you can? Then report back.
I'll do the same, on Friday, and we'll compare examples.
Can't lie about that, and no high horses. I trust you to give accurate reports.

Once again, you are right Sensei.

 

[LeeD]

Of course I'm right, I speak from experience, not theory.
Why should I lie on the internet? I don't know any of you, you don't know me, and we'll probably never meet.
I know Kiteboard, but we don't play, because he's a strong 4.5-weak 5.0, and I'm a weak 4.0 singles player.
I"ve tried to contact DarrinBaker, OrangeP, JDubbs, and a few other's in the SanFrancisco area, but no luck yet.
Some people can make money. Some people can play music. So what? I just happen to have practiced throwing objects all my youth.