Need help on serving to a specific spot

[Jim Clark]

Need some advice on how to 'aim' a serve at a specific location. Should my feet 'point' in the direction I want to go? Should I aim at an object behind the spot I want to hit? How do you hit the ball to a specific spot while keeping an eye on the ball until it is struck?

 

[papa]

You know you've got one of the best college tennis programs in the United States right there. Had a son who was a Clemson Tiger - great sports programs in just about everything.

Go and hand around the courts (must be 30+) and I'm quite sure you'll pick up quite a bit in a short period of time - just watch them practice although the matches are great entertainment.

 

[papa]

meant to say "hang around......" -- sorry. At my age, it isn't difficult for my fingers to get ahead of my brain.

 

[Jim Clark]

Thanks Papa, you're right, there is a fantastic program right here, and I do watch the team a great deal. However, I need specifics on placing a serve in a particular spot---can you help?

 

[kevhen]

Before the ball toss, I will take a look at the court and try to focus on where I want to hit the ball to. But once the ball goes up, I focus on the ball only. I think placement comes from focusing on a spot and then lots of practice aiming for it, until your precision gets sharper and sharper. Good luck and keep practicing, I know I will.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

kevhen said:

>Before the ball toss, I will take a look at the court and try to focus on where I want to hit the ball to.

That too, but the most important things IMO are:

- your body should rock forward and up in the desired direction's vertical plane and fall towards the target area
- your straight arm should attack the ball going again towards the same direction

 

[jeebeesus]

Point your index knuckle at the target area in the follow thru...

 

[gregraven]

Marius_Hancu is correct in saying that your arm should go in the direction you want the ball to go. You actually want the head of the racquet to go in the desired direction, but it's tough to do this without having the arm going in that direction, too.