Reverse slice serve?

[WisconsinPlayer]

So there is a lefty on our tennis team, and he hits his serve with a righty's spin.. as in it spins right to left. How is this even possible? I've asked him but he doesn't even know he has just always done it that way. I guess its a bit like a kick serve, but it doesn't really kick, it's still more of a slice serve.

As a righty, how could I hit this same serve to have a lefty's spin

 

[Filipinotennis]

The only thing I can think of is he's somehow hitting a twist serve, but without much kick. I'm a righty and typically use this as my second serve opposed to a regular kick serve since it can jam an opponent up pretty bad. How does his toss look? If its way behind his head then definitely a twist, but if not then I have no clue what your teammate is doing.

 

[GuyClinch]

Its possible. First switch to like a western forehand grip then swing the racquet so that it goes forward and to the left a bit - instead of finishing to the right.. When you make contact with the face angled that way - it will spin the other way. Normally you swing up and to the right - you are essentially throwing the racquet out towards the right net post - now you are essentially throwing the racquet a bit to the left..

 

[Enga]

I cant remember who, but there is a pro who demonstrated its use against David Ferrer I think, and he won the point. I think we were calling it a reverse spin serve around here. I used it in a doubles match once, resulting in a whiff at the ball. Its a fun tactic to confuse people once in a while, but once they see what youre doing, they may just roll their eyes and get used to it. Hard to hit it with power and precision due to the strange grip. Some people do it by default, thats probably becuse their technique is a bit wonky.

 

[Mike Bulgakov]

 

[Shroud]

I cant remember who, but there is a pro who demonstrated its use against David Ferrer I think, and he won the point. I think we were calling it a reverse spin serve around here. I used it in a doubles match once, resulting in a whiff at the ball. Its a fun tactic to confuse people once in a while, but once they see what youre doing, they may just roll their eyes and get used to it. Hard to hit it with power and precision due to the strange grip. Some people do it by default, thats probably becuse their technique is a bit wonky.

Ball comes off the wrong side of the racquet. Agree with guy clinch

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

huh.. seems difficult, does anyone have a video on how to learn it?

 

[Shroud]

huh.. seems difficult, does anyone have a video on how to learn it?

Waiters tray with sw or western grip. Hit way out in front. Or just read the Oserver thread

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I don't hit a serve that way but I do occasionally hit an OH like that: I switch from Continental to Eastern FH and pronate. Instead of tailing off to my left, it tails off to my right. It can really throw people off because they aren't expecting that ball trajectory based on my stance.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

The only thing I can think of is he's somehow hitting a twist serve, but without much kick. I'm a righty and typically use this as my second serve opposed to a regular kick serve since it can jam an opponent up pretty bad. How does his toss look? If its way behind his head then definitely a twist, but if not then I have no clue what your teammate is doing.

Not a twist serve at all. By definition, a twist serve is a type of kick serve. You might be hitting a reverse slice serve rather than some sort of kick serve.

So there is a lefty on our tennis team, and he hits his serve with a righty's spin.. as in it spins right to left. How is this even possible? I've asked him but he doesn't even know he has just always done it that way. I guess its a bit like a kick serve, but it doesn't really kick, it's still more of a slice serve.

As a righty, how could I hit this same serve to have a lefty's spin

Seems like a waste for a lefty to be hitting a right-handed spin. OTOH I have hit a few of them.

I have come across a few right-hander servers who, unintentionally, hit a mild lefty spin because the over-rotate the racket prior to contact -- too much pronation and/or ISR. However, by employing a SW or Western grip, it is possible for a righty to hit significant lefty spin. These are usually reverse slice serves, rather than reverse twist serves. The following serves are more of a reverse slice variety -- despite the titles

 

[weelie]

My reverse slice is nowhere near that extreme. But it does put some guys off and they hit the net with their return. I simply turn the racket at impact, or overpronate or whatever you might call it. Anyway in follow through (after contact), I have the edge of the racket leading again (it's the opposite edge from before impact). I basically only use this in ad court out to opponent's backhand. I think what puts opponents off is that I basically aim to the T but due to follow through, it actually goes wide. Plus there is some side spin on it.

 

[BlueB]

It's completely possible to serve a reverse slice spin, or a lefty kick, with normal conti grip. Just exaggerate ISR/pronation. You might even discover some extra power in the process!

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

 

[GuyClinch]

^^It's possible but easier with a forehand grip..

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

Not a twist serve at all. By definition, a twist serve is a type of kick serve. You might be hitting a reverse slice serve rather than some sort of kick serve.


Seems like a waste for a lefty to be hitting a right-handed spin. OTOH I have hit a few of them.

I have come across a few right-hander servers who, unintentionally, hit a mild lefty spin because the over-rotate the racket prior to contact -- too much pronation and/or ISR. However, by employing a SW or Western grip, it is possible for a righty to hit significant lefty spin. These are usually reverse slice serves, rather than reverse twist serves. The following serves are more of a reverse slice variety -- despite the titles

I definitely agree that hitting this serve a lot as a lefty is a waste. Hes not one of our stronger players but I was really interested in how he was doing this haha, thanks for the videos they help a little bit more. Whenever I tried to hit this serve, I would hit the ball like 15 feet high way to the right of the court, never even have made it close yet

 

[Enga]

I fear for my elbow and shoulder with this serve though. I've hurt myself a lot attempting silly stuff.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

will have to try this tomorrow

 

[LeeD]

AGAIN?
Yeah, great effective serve up to 3.5, then can only be used as a once a match TRICK serve, like underhand, like heavy backspin serves, or short wide slow slices.
Yes, some pros hit it, ONCE in a month of match play.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

It's completely possible to serve a reverse slice spin, or a lefty kick, with normal conti grip. Just exaggerate ISR/pronation. You might even discover some extra power in the process!

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

Not seen anyone ever hit a true lefty kick serve with the right arm. The reverse slice with a conti grip is always been relatively mild from what I've seen. More extreme FH grips usually needed to get the kind of lefty spins seen in post #10. Look like Rosol uses a mild SW (or extreme Eastern) for his reverse spin. Can't tell what grip Tursunov uses for his reverse. I suspect that, these serves can be tough on the shoulder and arm if used a lot -- esp with a conti grip and heavy reverse spins.

 

[heninfan99]

Waiters tray with sw or western grip. Hit way out in front. Or just read the Oserver thread

seems like a serve you'd have

 

[Booger]

I used to throw one in occasionally just for laughs, but it's not effective against any opponent with a pulse. Now, the open stance serve, on the other hand...

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

I used to throw one in occasionally just for laughs, but it's not effective against any opponent with a pulse. Now, the open stance serve, on the other hand...

How come? Id think that if you got enough spin on the ball it would be very effective against a player expecting righty spin

 

[LeeD]

Yeah, the open serve is devastating.
But, ya gotta learn to hit them all, in order to clown the opponent using the most varied weapons.
That old Monsiur Bahrami guy had the revere SLICE serve, and almost every other shot in the book.

 

[Booger]

How come? Id think that if you got enough spin on the ball it would be very effective against a player expecting righty spin

It's very easy to read when you see the grip and serve motion. I have also never seen anyone who could hit it with real pace and spin.

 

[LeeD]

Works great against player's unaware of the serve's action. But most player's pick up on it within TWO serves, so it's not nearly as effective.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

I used to throw one in occasionally just for laughs, but it's not effective against any opponent with a pulse...

OTOH it can be a very effective ploy against zombies and other undead creatures.

 

[BlueB]

^^It's possible but easier with a forehand grip..

Maybe, but read the last sentence of my post...

Also, the disguise is much better with conti.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

 

[BlueB]

Not seen anyone ever hit a true lefty kick serve with the right arm...
I suspect that, these serves can be tough on the shoulder and arm if used a lot -- esp with a conti grip and heavy reverse spins.

I'm horrible at bringing the photo setup and filming tennis, but I should try to get it sometimes...
I hit about 40-50% of serves from ad side that way, haven't dislocated the shoulder yet

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

 

[Shroud]

seems like a serve you'd have

Sure i can hit all kind of goofy serves...even without trying apparently

 

[Shroud]

OTOH it can be a very effective ploy against zombies and other undead creatures.

No way that would work! Seriously you need silver tennis balls. Next you will be saying you can absorb the Zombies...sheesh

 

[ByeByePoly]

So there is a lefty on our tennis team, and he hits his serve with a righty's spin.. as in it spins right to left. How is this even possible? I've asked him but he doesn't even know he has just always done it that way. I guess its a bit like a kick serve, but it doesn't really kick, it's still more of a slice serve.

As a righty, how could I hit this same serve to have a lefty's spin

That guy played #2 on my high school team. We called it weasel spin. Freak of nature. He played s&v behind it.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

will have to try this tomorrow

tried this.
while i did get a few in, it would be better time spent throwing practice reps on my existing flat/slice/kick...
mainly because the movement, toss, contact, etc.. are too radically different to bother practicing...
perhaps when i go on the exhibition tour with Bharami, i'll put some time in practicing it

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

tried this.
while i did get a few in, it would be better time spent throwing practice reps on my existing flat/slice/kick...
mainly because the movement, toss, contact, etc.. are too radically different to bother practicing...
perhaps when i go on the exhibition tour with Bharami, i'll put some time in practicing it

I got the same results ;p I need to practice my kick instead, which goes right into most peoples strike zone