There has been much talked about the racquet drop, ie how to achieve a good racquet drop. But I haven't seen much said about WHEN the drop occurs. I've watched countless pro serve slomo videos and I finally noticed that the drop occurs while they are still SIDEWAYS and then as they rotate towards the target is when they extend the arm up to hit the ball. The difference in timing is just a split second but may make a huge difference in how good and consistent the serve is. I think my racquet drop has been occurring at the same time as the rotation phase, which may be causing my balls to go long. Serve experts please chime in.
Serve racquet drop question for the serve doctors
- Thread starter Finster
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Chas Tennis
G.O.A.T.
WARNING - How your spine is used during the serve can risk injury. Many backs are not capable of much Thoracic Extension. ?
If You Can't Extend From Your Thoracic Spine, You're Squandering Power and Inviting Injury | Article | Racquetfit
RacquetFit instructor Jeff Salzenstein discusses the importance of spine mobility for durability in tennis and how you can assess your thoracic extension using the RacquetFit screen.www.racquetfit.com
The extension of the thoracic spine is brief and when it occurs can be seen in videos of high level servers.
Thoracic Extension is mid-back, different than the lower back.
There have been posts on Thoracic Extension. TE is probably used in a similar way for the baseball pitch.
The racket drop occurs at about the same time as Thoracic Extension.
See the videos in the above thread that show the timing of Thoracic Extension, leg thrust, racket drop, Thoracic Flexion and impact. I gave an explanation of what I think the effect of TE is on the stretch of the ISR muscles. The detailed timing is shown below.
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Dragy
G.O.A.T.
To add to what you say, look at the relation between leg drive, getting airborne, and timing of torso forward rotation 
There’s a tendency to rotate too much too early, which spoils the serve sequence.
I’d say deepest racquet drop should be perfectly matched with end of leg drive. And if rotation is too early, then yes, you see what you described. Meanwhile pros are more sideways at the instance of the end of leg drive, same instance as bottom of racquet drop
There’s a tendency to rotate too much too early, which spoils the serve sequence.
I’d say deepest racquet drop should be perfectly matched with end of leg drive. And if rotation is too early, then yes, you see what you described. Meanwhile pros are more sideways at the instance of the end of leg drive, same instance as bottom of racquet drop
Kawasaki Kanagawa
Professional
This.
5263
G.O.A.T.
so well said... I'm impressed...To add to what you say, look at the relation between leg drive, getting airborne, and timing of torso forward rotation
There’s a tendency to rotate too much too early, which spoils the serve sequence.
I’d say deepest racquet drop should be perfectly matched with end of leg drive. And if rotation is too early, then yes, you see what you described. Meanwhile pros are more sideways at the instance of the end of leg drive, same instance as bottom of racquet drop
TennisDawg
Hall of Fame
Stay sideways and start the drop as the head of racquet is by your head. Go into full acceleration as the drop begans. Keep your elbow stationary as the racquet drops. As you swing up elbow leads into contact your body at that point should open up some. All has to happen very fast
Chas Tennis
G.O.A.T.
What effect does Internal Shoulder Rotation (ISR) have on the elbow for a high level serving technique? When does it occur relative to staying sideways?
TennisDawg
Hall of Fame
Digital Atheist
Hall of Fame
As per your other thread and based on the above hypothesis - a part of which is possibly not completely accurate - without video there is no way to really know. We would be engaging in nothing more than pure speculation, and serve experts work best when there is a visual representation of the serve so a more accurate analysis can be performed!
Oh, wait ............................... you DO have video.
Oh well, enough said.
Better_Call_Raul
Legend
This is a great drill. The student had a hitch and Serve Doc used the fence drill to get a more fluid motion. Excellent.
A proper steep racquet drop, aka "cocking position", is achieved by having a relaxed arm and employing external shoulder rotation (ESR).
The student does seem to get a steep racquet drop, even with the hitch. See before/after pic below.
Is there a significant difference in the racquet drop? To my eye the drop looks similar. But camera angles can be confusing.
To my eye, the hitch does not prevent the player from externally rotating the shoulderand achieving a drop. Agree?
Discuss.
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