Placement of the Service Toss

[JRstriker12]

I was watching the Tennis Channel Academy episode with Talor Dent the other day.

His one tip for placement of the service toss is to throw it up so it would hit you in the forehead if you let it drop. He said that placement would really let you brush up on the ball in your serve.

Thought that was sort if interesting. Dent is no slouch on the serve. But I usually see it recommended that players toss the ball a bit into the court.

Just wondering, anyone one use this sort of toss? How does it work for you?

I hit mostly top-spin / kick serves so my toss tends to be slightly up and behind. My toss for my low percentage flat serve is more into the court.

 

[Power Player]

That toss is better for a second serve like he insinuated. You toss more into the court for a flat first.

 

[JRstriker12]

That toss is better for a second serve like he insinuated. You toss more into the court for a flat first.

Hmmm... I'll have to go back and watch it again. Didn't realize he was mainly talking 2nd serve.

 

[Power Player]

Well he said "brush up on the ball" and that indicates a topspin serve to me.

 

[Sup2Dresq]

Just being a devils advocate.

If a pro throws it in the court.. and also jumps into the court.. doesn't swing.. does it not hit his/her forehead?

In comparison, most recreational players don't jump into the court like a pro.. so if you don't move.. it should hit you in the forehead as well.

Also.. if a tree falls in the forest.. oh wait.. that's another discussion.

 

[JRstriker12]

Just being a devils advocate.

If a pro throws it in the court.. and also jumps into the court.. doesn't swing.. does it not hit his/her forehead?

In comparison, most recreational players don't jump into the court like a pro.. so if you don't move.. it should hit you in the forehead as well.

Also.. if a tree falls in the forest.. oh wait.. that's another discussion.

Maybe the demonstration was misleading but he basically tossed, stood in one spot and let it hit his head. The next part of the serve lesson included some info the leg drive and landing in the court on the left foot.

I guess for most of us non-jumping rec players, it would work.

 

[JRstriker12]

Well he said "brush up on the ball" and that indicates a topspin serve to me.

I agree. Not saying I disagree that he was talking second serves, just saying I need to re-watch that part. IIRC he was saying to hit your second serve most of the time anyway.

 

[Sup2Dresq]

I agree. Not saying I disagree that he was talking second serves, just saying I need to re-watch that part. IIRC he was saying to hit your second serve most of the time anyway.

I've played and hit with you wookie. Do you have a first serve now? I only remember second serves and the wookie bark you make when you ran to the net.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Hmmm... I'll have to go back and watch it again. Didn't realize he was mainly talking 2nd serve.

You can even toss the 2nd serve a bit into the court as long as you lean or jump up/forward on the upward swing. Here is a general guideline for tosses (from the old Operation Doubles site).

 

[JRstriker12]

I've played and hit with you wookie. Do you have a first serve now? I only remember second serves and the wookie bark you make when you ran to the net.

Spin serves 1st and 2nd and an occasional flat serve if I'm at 40-0 or 40-15. I gets my share of points and don't DF often. I'm not JRK

 

[JRstriker12]

You can even toss the 2nd serve a bit into the court as long as you lean or jump up/forward on the upward swing. Here is a general guideline for tosses (from the old Operation Doubles site).

Good chart. My usual toss is in the top-spin, twist area.

 

[Raul_SJ]

Good chart. My usual toss is in the top-spin, twist area.

That chart doesn't make sense to me.

The flat serve should be at 1 o'clock. And the topspin more at 12 o'clock.

 

[JRstriker12]

That chart doesn't make sense to me.

The flat serve should be at 1 o'clock. And the topspin more at 12 o'clock.

The chart is looking directly down at the player - note the angle of the arm to the body.

Flat is at 1 o'clock and into the court, topspin at 12 and topspin, slice more towards 11.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

That chart doesn't make sense to me.

The flat serve should be at 1 o'clock. And the topspin more at 12 o'clock.

These should be viewed as relative placements (as indicated in the graphic), not absolute placements. Also remember that the head and body are not usually in the same location when the ball is struck as when the ball is released by the tossing hand. The head and body will usually lean or move forward during this time. Also, the head moves off to the left on the upward swing so that the right shoulder can take its place -- to facilitate the shoulder-over-shoulder cartwheel action.

 

[LeeD]

Dent is right on.
A topspin serve, whether first or second, should land somewhere atop your head once your body achieves hitting position.
A flat serve also, surprisingly, IF you use a high hand, high elbow finish like most pros....and a backhand side of continental grip.