Roddick Serve motion

[Gazz]

anyone got any idea how it's best for me to learn Roddick's serve action? my serve seems to have collapsed at the moment, so i guess learning a different motion could be possible - and what better serve to copy?

i found this -

http://www.tennisplayer.net/public/tour_strokes/rick_macci_andy_roddick_serve_samplearticle.html

it was looking very useful until it told me i had to pay for the rest of the article...if anyone has the rest of the article, could you email it to me or post it on the forum? i mean - i don't mean to be tight, but i'm not paying $20.00 to read the rest of one article, which may or may not be useful...

also - is there anywhere where i can download some videos of the Roccick serve, possibly some slow motion clips?

 

[takeuchi]

Well, if you don't know how to swing properly i doubt changing to a roddick windup would help. I think if you don't know what you are doing it could make things worse.
Andy roddicks swing is similar to most other pros, its just his windup that makes it look different.

I'd consider the basics first if your serve is falling apart. Or better yet try to get video of yourself and post it here for criticism.

 

[Gazz]

i saw a coach once about my serve - he said it was similar to the Roddick action, then he tried to get me to do the full serve action...firstly, it didn't work for me, and secondly, if it's similar to the world's best server's action, then why not carry on using it?

what's happened is i have a similar action naturally (short abreviated action), then have tried to change to the full action and it didn't work - that's why i'm so confused...so i thought that if i based my serve on the Roddick action it could be for the best as it feels more natural to me than a full motion...

 

[mucat]

You don't have to imitate a pro player's serve. You said your serve is not working well right now. Break down your serve into small fundamental parts, like feet position, knee bend, shoulder rotation, swing path, toss, weight transfer, grip, wrist position etc. Analyze them and try to find out what's wrong.

You can post a little more description about your serve, I am sure the more experienced players here can help you.

 

[Gazz]

i tried the Roddick style serving at my local club yesterday...i won my first 11 points, didn't double fault once in 2 hours and held serve every time but one...so i like this serve...lol

the main problem with the abreviated action i had before was that my arm was travelling very close to my head and wasn't moving very far, so i couldn't make much power - and the full zction just felt un-natural and was very inconsistant...

i think Gael Monfils copied the Roddick action didn't he? his serve action seems to have changed a little over the past year though - but he obviously got it to work....

i think that this is how i'm most likely to serve well, it's just i'm not entirely sure as what the best way of learning it is...i mean, i can do the action, but there are going to be bits of it that i haven't even noticed which i'm not doing...

 

[tennisToad]

unless your arm is made of rubber, the roddick motion might not be as effective for you as it is with him..He is a freak thats why he hits 150+ and everyone else alot less..

Try as many styles as it takes till you find your rythm and style...A serve is like a golf swing. everyone has there own style.

 

[Gazz]

rubber arms? lol - i do apparently have hypermobility if that helps (better flexibility than most people) in my shoulders, clavicals, wrists, thumbs and knees i think - would this help? i can pull my shoulders further back than most people - i heard Sampras could make his elbows touch behind his back! i'm liking this action, so how's best to study it and make sure i'm doing it right?

 

[Rickson]

I'm using a shorter serve motion now because of the heavier racquet I'm using these days, but the motion is not nearly as short and violent as Roddick's. I believe Roddick's motion has a hitch in it and to avoid this hitch while still using a shorter windup, just bring the racquet straight up instead of winding up, but not violently the way Andy does. Just go up with a smoothe, fluid motion and you'll avoid that hitch that Andy has.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

check my
Serve Power and Placement
posting
in the Sticky at the top of the thread
you'll find there articles on Roddick's serve.

 

[POGO]

Gazz,

It is very difficult to analyze your serve by your descriptions. What you may think you are doing you may not be doing, and what you think you are not doing, you maybe doing. See what I'm getting at?

The best way for anyone to analyze your serve is to post a video of yourself.

 

[Gazz]

how do i post a video? the main problem i think i'm having is that everyone tries to make me serve different ways and i just end up getting confused...if the Roddick action is the right way great, but if not i really don't care how i serve as long as i can get a good reliable serve that i can hit hard, accurately and swith slice or kick...a big ask but that's what i want


i'll see what i can do - i have a video somewhere...