Please help with my serve v2.0

[rrhstennis]

Hey all, I posted some serves quite a time ago and I've been working on them most days since, and I think they've got better but they've got a long way to go.

These were my old ones:
Deuce court - http://youtube.com/watch?v=SrrHIJjkYHQ
Ad court - http://youtube.com/watch?v=8IEQ3uOW0Ps

These are my new ones:
Deuce court - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM2B4n6dlQ4
Ad court - http://youtube.com/watch?v=x8G8B_vxYjA

The order of the serves was : Flat, Slice, Topspin, Kicker in both videos. They were -
Video 1 - Flat - net
- Slice - good
- topspin - good
- kicker - wide
Video 2 - flat - back
- slice - net
- topspin - good
- kicker - waaay back

I know the new ones have a horrible camera angle and they're sideways but if you can get anything from them please do... I don't know why my dad is such a bad cameraman, but I wasn't about to ask him to do them over because he is very busy. If you can get anything, let me know. If not, don't worry about it, they're pretty bad videos.

The whole point is consistency... I don't have it. The slice serve is by far the most consistent, while the kicker and topspin lack in it. A bit ironic... I need 'pro' help, but I can't afford it and there's no pro for 40 miles. If you see a major flaw I can work on, let me know.

Thank you so much!

Edit: I guess it doesn't make much difference, but I just realized by the end of the videos the sound is about 3 seconds off the actual movements haha.

 

[krprunitennis2]

Are you using an eastern forehand grip on your serves?

 

[rrhstennis]

In the first 2 videos, yes. In the ones that are new today no I'm not. That was the major change between the two, but the form is still lacking. Consistency has improved with the grip change but it's still not there.

 

[crazysoccer00]

nice mullet, dude

 

[rrhstennis]

nice mullet, dude

Haha, thanks

If it would make me serve like Agassi then I'd be in business

 

[AJK1]

My best advice is to save up and get a coach, there are so many flaws there that you need to get them corrected ASAP. Otherwise you will only be an ordinary player at best.

 

[skuludo]

Video 3 and 4 fails to capture your serve entirly.

Tape it again.
Rear view and a side view, but it must capture your entire body including the contact point.

The key information you want lies in the missing frames your dad failed to record.
Think of a way to record yourself. (Books, stacks of old newspapers, phone books, garbage cans, tripod, etc. Somthing that will levitate the camera.) (Duct tape your camera to the fence)

 

[rrhstennis]

Video 3 and 4 fails to capture your serve entirly.

Tape it again.
Rear view and a side view, but it must capture your entire body including the contact point.

The key information you want lies in the missing frames your dad failed to record.
Think of a way to record yourself. (Books, stacks of old newspapers, phone books, garbage cans, tripod, etc. Somthing that will levitate the camera.) (Duct tape your camera to the fence)

Thanks for the ideas, I was lost as far as how to fix the problem. My serve might have plenty of flaws, but my dad is an even worse cameraman

As for a coach, it's not happening. There's nobody here, and I have no money anyway.

I'll try to get back to you guys later this week with a useable video, I didn't think you'd be able to get much from this. Thanks for the help though!

 

[skuludo]

I think you using using the hi tech tennis dudes video analysis is better than having a coach.

If you can get him to look at your serve then it should work out.

I guess he is trying to promote his site that is why he is willing to do some stuff for free.


Also it is a good idea to have picture files of your serves. (Frame by frame)
You will probly end up having 40 image files of your one service motion.

Next use the image files and compare it with a pros.

 

[NbladeTopspin]

-Your palm up
-Go on edge
-Pronate


If you do those, im guessing your serve will improve

 

[yemenmocha]

One or two private lessons with a good pro would probably help you out tremendously. Do one lesson then practice the new stroke for a few weeks and then follow it up with another. Worth every penny.

 

[zapvor]

how often do you play?

if you play like regularly with a partner, just ask him for help. i am sure he rather play with someone as good or better than him instead of trying to put up with your bad strokes.

from what i can see in the video, i think you need to switch grip closer to continental, and slow down a bit. but like others said we need to see the whole body to tell. also, i am not very good, so dont take my advice too much

 

[timbrennan]

Hi my name is Tim and I have been working with my coach, David, for a few weeks on some free tennis coaching videos. David's speciality is the service and he is a very well qualified teacher having coached six players at Davis cup and Fed cup level. We have been watching your service with interest.

Although the videos are a little wobbly, it is clear that your take back lacks a correct shoulder rotation. The way to get this is to turn the racket face outwards as it passes the second leg. This will give a smoother, fluent take back. The best way is to watch all our free demonstration videos. There's one that covers "shoulder action" but also follow the others if you would like to produce a high class service.

Also you are not setting yourself, you're just walking up and serving. You should take a moment to position your feet, face the net and take aim - this is also covered in the videos.

Please watch these videos and report back to us. We would like to know how you get on. If possible video yourself again following our instructions and post it up - we'll be happy to give feedback and more instruction.

Although serving is the hardest part of tennis to learn, it can be learnt by any motivated person with patience.

Good Luck

Tim Brennan & David Kemp
www.DavidKempTennisDKT.com