rework on my serve (video included, please critique)

[tennisfan2k]

Serve has become a big liability to my game, per some friends' advice, I started to rework on my serve. As the first step, I try to limit the lower body movement as much as I can to get the upper body flow right. Here is a video of me practicing, please critique. Thanks.

http://youtu.be/6VWGF4HSB5c

 

[Nellie]

keep the tossing arm up longer and swing up at the ball (shoulders pointed up).

[If you want more detail, your left shoulder is dipping down at contact, so that you need to kick back your right leg for balance. This means you have a shorter contact point (=less power) and the energy from the leg kick is moving away from the ball (=less power).]

 

[tennisfan2k]

Thanks. Will try that.

keep the tossing arm up longer and swing up at the ball (shoulders pointed up).

[If you want more detail, your left shoulder is dipping down at contact, so that you need to kick back your right leg for balance. This means you have a shorter contact point (=less power) and the energy from the leg kick is moving away from the ball (=less power).]

 

[Topspin Shot]

You do realize that if you pulled that arm-swinging stunt in a real match, I would call you on time violations and/or drill you with a ball first chance I got? :twisted: Assuming you don't do that in matches, I think the biggest problem with your serve is that you're too sideways. A lot of coaches tell you to stay sideways, which is good up to a point, but you can't get any power without rotating your chest to face your target (flat) or nearly to face your target (topspin) as part of the kinetic chain. Start with that and see where it takes you.

 

[tennisfan2k]

Actually I don't, LOL
But yeah, I will not do that in real match. That's just to get a feel of the flow.

Sorry I don't quite understand what you said, you mean if I stay sideways I should rotate my chest to face the net or should I face the net all the time?

You do realize that if you pulled that arm-swinging stunt in a real match, I would call you on time violations and/or drill you with a ball first chance I got? :twisted: Assuming you don't do that in matches, I think the biggest problem with your serve is that you're too sideways. A lot of coaches tell you to stay sideways, which is good up to a point, but you can't get any power without rotating your chest to face your target (flat) or nearly to face your target (topspin) as part of the kinetic chain. Start with that and see where it takes you.

 

[newpball]

You do realize that if you pulled that arm-swinging stunt in a real match, I would call you on time violations and/or drill you with a ball first chance I got? :twisted:

Time violations?
You got to be kidding!

What he does is no longer than folks bouncing the ball three times on the floor.

 

[Topspin Shot]

Rotate to face the net as part of the motion. Don't start out with an open stance. And of course I'm kidding. Thus, the :twisted:. Although I didn't get to see a serve for the first 25 seconds of the clip, which would technically be a time violation.

 

[psv255]

The first problem is the toss. You're getting out of the way of your swing, which means you're tossing too much to your left. Most importantly for consistency is to maintain balance, and falling off to the left indicates you're off balance.

TL;DR toss a foot more to the right and a bit more in front than what you're doing right now.

Also, see how your shadow swing is all arm. Try to develop a more continuous motion by pulling your arm and racquet up to contact with the rotation of the shoulders/torso.

I think this video series will help you rebuild. http://www.theserveblueprint.com/fe/54032-video-1-master-the-toss

best of luck

 

[tennisfan2k]

Thanks for the clarification.

I know you were kidding, hehe. I would faint too if my opponent do that routine to me. Used to play a guy who toss every first serve 3 times, really annoying.

Rotate to face the net as part of the motion. Don't start out with an open stance. And of course I'm kidding. Thus, the :twisted:. Although I didn't get to see a serve for the first 25 seconds of the clip, which would technically be a time violation.

 

[tennisfan2k]

Good info, Thanks!

The first problem is the toss. You're getting out of the way of your swing, which means you're tossing too much to your left. Most importantly for consistency is to maintain balance, and falling off to the left indicates you're off balance.

TL;DR toss a foot more to the right and a bit more in front than what you're doing right now.

Also, see how your shadow swing is all arm. Try to develop a more continuous motion by pulling your arm and racquet up to contact with the rotation of the shoulders/torso.

I think this video series will help you rebuild. http://www.theserveblueprint.com/fe/54032-video-1-master-the-toss

best of luck

 

[WildVolley]

The idea to start getting some hip rotation into the serve, as mentioned above, is good.

The other thing is that while your windup practice is a little unrealistic in terms of timing, you tend to let the racket drop when warming up but then you shorten your swing and don't let the racket drop as much during the actual serve.

This may either be because you are chasing your toss to the left (for these easy serves try to not toss so far left) or you tense up when actually hitting so you don't let the racket drop, or potentially your serve toss is too low for your windup, such that you're panicking and shortening the swing so the ball doesn't drop out of the strike zone.

Good luck and keep documenting your progress for your own benefit.

 

[tennisfan2k]

Thanks. With/without ball is huge difference. I have problem with high toss, so I prefer to do a low toss. My thought is to start swinging the racket first then toss the ball to the swing path of the racket. Need to work on the toss.

The idea to start getting some hip rotation into the serve, as mentioned above, is good.

The other thing is that while your windup practice is a little unrealistic in terms of timing, you tend to let the racket drop when warming up but then you shorten your swing and don't let the racket drop as much during the actual serve.

This may either be because you are chasing your toss to the left (for these easy serves try to not toss so far left) or you tense up when actually hitting so you don't let the racket drop, or potentially your serve toss is too low for your windup, such that you're panicking and shortening the swing so the ball doesn't drop out of the strike zone.

Good luck and keep documenting your progress for your own benefit.

 

[LeeD]

You swing too slow, so no power.
But first, you need to swing upwards to hit the ball, not forwards horizontally like you do. You need to LOWER your right shoulder, so your right hand is lower than your head, to hit "up the mountain", so you finish your swing as you hit the ball, and not after hitting the ball.

 

[the cat petter]

Assuming you don't do that in matches, I think the biggest problem with your serve is that you're too sideways. A lot of coaches tell you to stay sideways, which is good up to a point, but you can't get any power without rotating your chest to face your target (flat) or nearly to face your target (topspin) as part of the kinetic chain. Start with that and see where it takes you.

Federer is pretty sideways. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXkAK_iFBuQ

 

[LeeD]

Notice his left foot doesn't change angles, is usually planted, but always faces off to his right around the service line/sideline intersect.
Yes, he get's no rotation into the serve.
He swings too slowly.
His swing is flawed, too horizontal.
But his prep position is OK. I actually turn much more sideways, almost like McEnroe, so my back faces my opponent on the prep position.

 

[boramiNYC]

minimizing lower body for practice purpose is a good idea but you need to minimize even more. try no jumping and point the left foot toward the right net post. try to minimize knee bend as well. if possible you should even try not lifting the left heel from the ground. a good technique should allow to serve surprisingly well this way.

 

[LeeD]

I never believed in the multiple step method for teaching, but that's me.
I figure, you gotta incorporate the whole shebang sooner than later, so practice the whole shebang.
Now lots of people are step by step learners, my g/f also. I can't stand how long this takes, and would lose patience and try another sport, if I was given only PARTS to practice.
Heck, I've given up and tried "other" sports all throughout my life!

 

[rufus_smith]

I'm still dizzy from watching that racquet go round and round!

 

[tennisfan2k]

Thanks! Will try that.

You swing too slow, so no power.
But first, you need to swing upwards to hit the ball, not forwards horizontally like you do. You need to LOWER your right shoulder, so your right hand is lower than your head, to hit "up the mountain", so you finish your swing as you hit the ball, and not after hitting the ball.

 

[tennisfan2k]

Thanks! hard to not move.

minimizing lower body for practice purpose is a good idea but you need to minimize even more. try no jumping and point the left foot toward the right net post. try to minimize knee bend as well. if possible you should even try not lifting the left heel from the ground. a good technique should allow to serve surprisingly well this way.

 

[tennisfan2k]

You can see how desperate I am right now, LOL

I hope when I get every piece right, I can put them all together.

I never believed in the multiple step method for teaching, but that's me.
I figure, you gotta incorporate the whole shebang sooner than later, so practice the whole shebang.
Now lots of people are step by step learners, my g/f also. I can't stand how long this takes, and would lose patience and try another sport, if I was given only PARTS to practice.
Heck, I've given up and tried "other" sports all throughout my life!