I read a lot of articles about the kinetic chain and I thought I was using it properly in my service motion. However, when I took a look at the video clips I took for myself, I found I didn't use much hip and shoulder rotation at all. I tried to deliberately improve this rotation, and my serve is improving instantly. Just want to share this tip with you guys. When you serve, make sure you use this kinetic chain:
Legs --> knee --> Hip rotation --> shoulder rotation --> arm pronation --> relaxed wrist.
The following link is great:
http://www.usta.com/healthandfitness/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=59142&itype=6835&icategoryid=591
I took the comments from the above site:
Kinetic Chain
Technique and conditioning both come together when we talk about the kinetic chain. “Kinetic chain” is a term used to describe the linkage between body segments that allows power from one body part to another, and eventually to the racquet.
In tennis, the player is able to generate a great deal of force and power with the legs as they interact with the ground – this is the first and one of the most powerful links in the chain. The power developed by the legs can then be transferred to the trunk of the body where the core muscles of the abdomen and lower back can add to the power that is generated. This process continues and power is transferred to the upper body, the shoulder, elbow and wrist until it finally reaches the tennis racquet. In a player with good technique, power “flows” from the ground to the racquet.
The keys to this flow are proper timing of the tennis stroke and coordinated muscle action. The different links of the body are in essence “connected” by muscles. Strong muscles can provide a rigid link between segments. At the same time, weak or fatigued muscles can be seen as a broken link. When a link breaks, it generally is due to a lack of strength, fatigue, or a strength imbalance at a certain joint.
Legs --> knee --> Hip rotation --> shoulder rotation --> arm pronation --> relaxed wrist.
The following link is great:
http://www.usta.com/healthandfitness/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=59142&itype=6835&icategoryid=591
I took the comments from the above site:
Kinetic Chain
Technique and conditioning both come together when we talk about the kinetic chain. “Kinetic chain” is a term used to describe the linkage between body segments that allows power from one body part to another, and eventually to the racquet.
In tennis, the player is able to generate a great deal of force and power with the legs as they interact with the ground – this is the first and one of the most powerful links in the chain. The power developed by the legs can then be transferred to the trunk of the body where the core muscles of the abdomen and lower back can add to the power that is generated. This process continues and power is transferred to the upper body, the shoulder, elbow and wrist until it finally reaches the tennis racquet. In a player with good technique, power “flows” from the ground to the racquet.
The keys to this flow are proper timing of the tennis stroke and coordinated muscle action. The different links of the body are in essence “connected” by muscles. Strong muscles can provide a rigid link between segments. At the same time, weak or fatigued muscles can be seen as a broken link. When a link breaks, it generally is due to a lack of strength, fatigue, or a strength imbalance at a certain joint.
