Service toss
- Thread starter apdplus
- Start date
Falloutjr
Banned
High tosses are generally not encouraged. Throw it at the lowest height that you're comfortable hitting it at.
1stVolley
Professional
A good rule of thumb: toss the ball one racquet width higher than your contact point.
You want enough height on the ball to allow you to go through your service motion smoothly, without hurrying. Otherwise, you'll add tension to your arm and lose power and control. Also, a toss that's too low will tend to go into the net.
You want enough height on the ball to allow you to go through your service motion smoothly, without hurrying. Otherwise, you'll add tension to your arm and lose power and control. Also, a toss that's too low will tend to go into the net.
supineAnimation
Hall of Fame
I don't think it's a binary thing. There are players with great serves that toss the ball quite high, whether because they need that extra time to complete their motion up to and including the trophy pose, or just personal preference, and it's really a question of whether it works for you or not. But I don't think your height has anything to do with this consideration. It is often a problematic trait when playing in windy conditions.
Falloutjr
Banned
Yes, high tosses are bad in wind. High tosses can also throw off your timing, and it's harder to get a quality toss because any variation in the toss, such as how much spin is imparted on the ball by your hand will be intensified. This also can reduce power because your racquet loses it's kinetic energy as you wait for the ball to come down, and you must re-accelerate your racquet. This can cause rhythm problems. Not to mention that the higher the ball toss, the more you will be forced to look into the sun (if you're playing outdoors).
naylor
Semi-Pro
As supine put it, it depends on your motion rhythm, but high tosses get tricky in windy conditions.
Another thing to bear in mind is that, when you're not too tall, if you want to serve hard you also need to put some side/top spin on the ball to make it drop inside the box, so you have to hit upwards and with good rackethead speed at the ball. If you hit a high toss, as well as your rackethead speed at contact point the ball is dropping faster that with a lower toss, which requires good timing. If on top of that you add windy conditions, as well as great timing you need to be a server with good variety, either to adjust your body positioning under the ball to execute the serve you intended, or to change your serve mid-swing by reference to the actual contact point.
Another thing to bear in mind is that, when you're not too tall, if you want to serve hard you also need to put some side/top spin on the ball to make it drop inside the box, so you have to hit upwards and with good rackethead speed at the ball. If you hit a high toss, as well as your rackethead speed at contact point the ball is dropping faster that with a lower toss, which requires good timing. If on top of that you add windy conditions, as well as great timing you need to be a server with good variety, either to adjust your body positioning under the ball to execute the serve you intended, or to change your serve mid-swing by reference to the actual contact point.
GetBetterer
Hall of Fame
Toss it so that when you hit it, it has fallen about 7 centimeters (not sure in inches) then hit it.
That's my general rule, no matter what your height.
Although a higher toss may be helpful. A lot of short Pro Tour players do toss it high.
That's my general rule, no matter what your height.
Although a higher toss may be helpful. A lot of short Pro Tour players do toss it high.
charliefedererer
Legend
An analysis of pros showed that the average toss drops about one foot before striking the ball. Sampras was at higher end of the spectrum with a ball drop of about 18 inches.
So make sure you have an adaquate ball drop built into your serving toss motion, without being excessive.
Be sure to continue elevating the tossing arm after the toss, and leaving that arm extended until just as you start to swing:
Tennis Serve Tossing Motion Tempohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeZp90h-Ar8&feature=channel
Tennis Serve Toss - How to Hold the Ball http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8kynEzufNE
Federer Murray Hass & more ball toss common threads http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIF-UaRUd6k
So make sure you have an adaquate ball drop built into your serving toss motion, without being excessive.
Be sure to continue elevating the tossing arm after the toss, and leaving that arm extended until just as you start to swing:
Tennis Serve Tossing Motion Tempohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeZp90h-Ar8&feature=channel
Tennis Serve Toss - How to Hold the Ball http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8kynEzufNE
Federer Murray Hass & more ball toss common threads http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIF-UaRUd6k
Jaewonnie
Professional
You can toss as high as you want AS LONG AS:
1) ur toss does not end up in a different place all the time
2) you do not have to adjust ur body to the toss
3) you can hit the ball consistently
4) you can get the timing right
Your height doesnt neccesarily matter too much. I encourage you to toss at a point where you can toss it at the same place each time. High tosses can mess up tossing consistency. Just toss where it feels comfortable, and fluid (in relation to ur serve motion).
1) ur toss does not end up in a different place all the time
2) you do not have to adjust ur body to the toss
3) you can hit the ball consistently
4) you can get the timing right
Your height doesnt neccesarily matter too much. I encourage you to toss at a point where you can toss it at the same place each time. High tosses can mess up tossing consistency. Just toss where it feels comfortable, and fluid (in relation to ur serve motion).
Falloutjr
Banned
Female pros often have much more erratic serves as well, as well as less acceleration capability. The higher the ball toss is, the more your momentum is broken. You have to wait on it to come down rather than just keep moving.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
The toss should be as high or higher than your full reach with your arm and racket. For players who bend their knees after the release of the ball, the toss tends to be higher. Players who start their knee bend before ball release (as the tossing arm is rising), will tend to have a toss that is a bit lower = just high enough.
If your motion stops completely at your trophy position or racket drop (scratch) position, it is possible that either your motion is rushed or your toss is too high. Steffi Graf is an an example of a player whose toss was soooo high that her motion stopped momentarily at her trophy position.
If your motion stops completely at your trophy position or racket drop (scratch) position, it is possible that either your motion is rushed or your toss is too high. Steffi Graf is an an example of a player whose toss was soooo high that her motion stopped momentarily at her trophy position.
Similar threads
