My Serves (Please Critique!!!!)

[BirdWalkR]

So just a quick vid of my serves (not my best serving day) I'm varying between my flat serve (1st) and my topspin serves (2nd). I've been tweaking my serves quite a bit and any criticism is greatly appreciated!!
http://s999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/BirdWalk-R/?action=view&current=DSCN05811.mp4
Ok so if you can't tell which serves are which
00:01-00:36 (2nd Spin serves)
00:37-00:58 (1st attempted flat serves {maybe slice?})
And then after that i pretty much go back an forth between each handful of balls. And i know the quality isnt the best but its all i could upload on my slow internet speed :|

 

[charliefedererer]

Your tossing motion starts like the windup for a baseball pitcher.

Consider simplifying your toss so that you "toss like the pros" by just bringing your tossing arm up once, rather than the two times you are now doing:
Federer Murray Hass & more ball toss common threads: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIF-UaRUd6k&playnext=1&list=PLC4B1814186A2E18C

Consider bringing your tossing arm up and up and up after release of the ball, then holding it up there to maintain a steeper shoulder angle, and to help you get into more of a "bow shape" (photos one-eight):

How this stronger trophy position will help you with more power is emphasized in the following video:
Nick Bollettieri-Sonic Serve.wmv http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajoZ0f7hw-A

Good luck!

 

[BirdWalkR]

Your tossing motion starts like the windup for a baseball pitcher.

Consider simplifying your toss so that you "toss like the pros" by just bringing your tossing arm up once, rather than the two times you are now doing:
Federer Murray Hass & more ball toss common threads: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIF-UaRUd6k&playnext=1&list=PLC4B1814186A2E18C

Consider bringing your tossing arm up and up and up after release of the ball, then holding it up there to maintain a steeper shoulder angle, and to help you get into more of a "bow shape" (photos one-eight):

How this stronger trophy position will help you with more power is emphasized in the following video:
Nick Bollettieri-Sonic Serve.wmv http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajoZ0f7hw-A

Good luck!

Wow thanks!! I never even realized this could be an issue with the serve but i really appreciate it! I'm going to try an get out an tweak my ball toss like you said an hopefully i'll get an increase in power an consistency

 

[Kam2010]

Im sorry but I couldn't stop laughing at your service motion.

For making me laugh I would suggest the following
First of all stand with your left foot facing a 45 degree angle and not horizontal to the baseline that way your body is inbetween and then you can use your weight when serving to get more power on your serves.

If you look carefully and watch your left leg after the serve your going to end up injuring yourself there.

 

[onehandbh]

BirdWalkR,

It looks like your are trying to hit some of the technical "checkpoints" on the
serve and are lacking the actual kinetic chain and natural throwing motion
of the serve. Instead of trying to fix technical things here and there, I would
instead focus on developing a natural throwing motion first.

You can practice this by throwing a football or softball. Do you have trouble
with this? Try throwing it at a 45 degree angle up into the air. Once you
have this down, do the same thing except this time hold your racquet.
Don't let go of it when you go through the throwing motion, though.

 

[BirdWalkR]

Im sorry but I couldn't stop laughing at your service motion.

For making me laugh I would suggest the following
First of all stand with your left foot facing a 45 degree angle and not horizontal to the baseline that way your body is inbetween and then you can use your weight when serving to get more power on your serves.

If you look carefully and watch your left leg after the serve your going to end up injuring yourself there.

Doesnt Federer and didnt Sampras stand with their left foot horizontal to the baseline though? I'll def try rearranging my foot positioning i've never had any formal training so my motion as of now is self taught lol

 

[BirdWalkR]

BirdWalkR,

It looks like your are trying to hit some of the technical "checkpoints" on the
serve and are lacking the actual kinetic chain and natural throwing motion
of the serve. Instead of trying to fix technical things here and there, I would
instead focus on developing a natural throwing motion first.

You can practice this by throwing a football or softball. Do you have trouble
with this? Try throwing it at a 45 degree angle up into the air. Once you
have this down, do the same thing except this time hold your racquet.
Don't let go of it when you go through the throwing motion, though.

I actually have no trouble throwing a football. I'm guessing its prob because i built my serve from scratch and have never had any real coaching so i'll def try an work on more fluidity

 

[mightyrick]

OP, others here might laugh at that prep, but I actually like it. It keeps your posture straight and your stance high. After that, your motion has issues, though... ;-)

First, you are lifting your right leg at contact -- a'la Taylor Dent. It isn't horrible, but you aren't Taylor Dent... and unless you weigh 230 pounds... with a 9 foot wingspan... this isn't going to help you. Keep both feet down and push off of both feet.

Second, you are not tossing into the court. Nor are you hitting into the court. You have your left foot parallel to the baseline. You might try pointing your left foot at the right netpost -- 45 degrees. Then, toss about 18 inches or more into the court, swing hard, and follow into the court.

I really like your top/slice. You get on top of the ball -- almost naturally. If you get some more pace and put some body into that serve... I think that you'll get some wicked results.

 

[BirdWalkR]

OP, others here might laugh at that prep, but I actually like it. It keeps your posture straight and your stance high. After that, your motion has issues, though... ;-)

First, you are lifting your right leg at contact -- a'la Taylor Dent. It isn't horrible, but you aren't Taylor Dent... and unless you weigh 230 pounds... with a 9 foot wingspan... this isn't going to help you. Keep both feet down and push off of both feet.

Second, you are not tossing into the court. Nor are you hitting into the court. You have your left foot parallel to the baseline. You might try pointing your left foot at the right netpost -- 45 degrees. Then, toss about 18 inches or more into the court, swing hard, and follow into the court.

I really like your top/slice. You get on top of the ball -- almost naturally. If you get some more pace and put some body into that serve... I think that you'll get some wicked results.

Wow thanks for such insightful advice these faults to me never looked wrong but obviously i've got alot of work to do on my serve oh an one question i always slide my right foot in behind my left foot then push off to contact? Is this recommended or no? Jw cause i find it a little tricky to balance this way

 

[mightyrick]

oh an one question i always slide my right foot in behind my left foot then push off to contact? Is this recommended or no? Jw cause i find it a little tricky to balance this way

That's a pinpoint stance slide and technically it is fine. Many people (including pros) use it. It really is a matter of preference. The whole body is much more involved in a pinpoint stance. Many get that nice bow-and-arrow shape in their windup.

I'm a stockier guy, so I prefer a platform stance (no foot slide). The wider stance helps me stay stable. But you really need a strong core and shoulders to create pace.

If you are having balance issues, you might try a platform stance. It really depends on what feels good for you.