Second serve question

[drummerboy]

Hi

I am really having problems with my serve. My first serve is solid but the percentage is not so ok. But my 2nd serve sux. I hit very lightly with no pace and scare of double fault. What is the force to go on the second serve. Maybe 80% of the first. I want to develop reliable and solid 2nd serve and I need some tips to do it.

Thanks.

 

[Thanatos]

Hi

I am really having problems with my serve. My first serve is solid but the percentage is not so ok. But my 2nd serve sux. I hit very lightly with no pace and scare of double fault. What is the force to go on the second serve. Maybe 80% of the first. I want to develop reliable and solid 2nd serve and I need some tips to do it.

Thanks.

On your 2nd serve, your racket head speed should be the same as your 1st serve. The only difference is that you place more spin ball to help bring it down into the service box. If you are not familar with the kick\topspin serve, I would suggest researching it. The kick\topsin serve will give you higher net clearance and when done correctly will add pace to the ball.

Dinking will work, but will not get you into the next level of tennis.

 

[krnboijunsung]

Hi

I am really having problems with my serve. My first serve is solid but the percentage is not so ok. But my 2nd serve sux. I hit very lightly with no pace and scare of double fault. What is the force to go on the second serve. Maybe 80% of the first. I want to develop reliable and solid 2nd serve and I need some tips to do it.

Thanks.

What you need to do is, make your first and second serve similiar. What is the use of having a fast first serve with a low percentage and never goes in? A player is as good as his second serve, and in your case this is very true, because if your first serve goes in at a low percentage, you are most likely relying on your second serve the whole game.

Work on one serve. At this point you shouldn't make a huge difference of speed of the ball, and work on getting a serve that has a good percentage, yet decent speed. The only thing that may vary between first and second right now is the type of serve. Going for flat first, or going for flat second with topspin serve going first. Whatever suits you, but don't worry about getting a monster first serve right now when you can't get it in.

 

[donnyz89]

Hi

I am really having problems with my serve. My first serve is solid but the percentage is not so ok. But my 2nd serve sux. I hit very lightly with no pace and scare of double fault. What is the force to go on the second serve. Maybe 80% of the first. I want to develop reliable and solid 2nd serve and I need some tips to do it.

Thanks.

the best way to improve your second serve is NOT HIT MANY OF THEM. Work on your first serve, get more of them in so you dont have to hit second serves. take some pace off your first serve. it not only puts pressure on your opponent even if its not a 100 mph bomb, it also reduces the chances of you double faulting. thats the best way to not double faulting.

as for actually HITTING the second serve, learn the kicker or at least a spin serve that u can spin in. swing shouldnt be much slower, if u do slow down, it could actually be worse. learn the kicker, have confidence in it and again, work on hitting less second serves by improving your 1st serve percentage.

 

[tom-selleck]

donny, i disagree, even if i don't necessarily follow this advice.

i don't your second serve should be too much different than first serve... for second serve, i just relax a bit, and try to add some spin with relaxed wrist snap...

but good advice i got was that there is point using a powerful first serve if you aren't getting 60% in.... and further, at higher levels where i've been playing recently, huge serves right at your opponent eventually get returned consistently, so work on moving the ball around.

donny, i thought you took a lesson and were feeling good about your kick serve progress............ don't get wrong - i know all about break-thru's and then fall-backs.

 

[tom-selleck]

donny, i disagree, even if i don't necessarily follow this advice..

sorry donny, i didn't read your post carefully enough... we are in agreement on getting more first serves in.

 

[donnyz89]

its ok tom... so are we on the same page?

my point is to instead of focus so much on second serve, try to get your first serve percentage up. whether its taking some pace off the ball, or anything just to get in a rhythem, especially in a match. get some confidence up, then try to blast the first serve and have the confidence to hit a second serve. because if u are constantly hitting second serves, its gonna put you on the defensive.