Short vs Long Service Motion

[BMC9670]

My 7 year old son is being taught a VERY abbreviated service motion in his group lessons (racket directly up between the shoulder blades without a "back swing"). After a trip to the US Open this year, he began, on his own, imitating the pros and using a full service motion. It works quite well - looks good and he can now serve from the baseline and get it in. But back in the lessons, they want him to use the short motion and he gets frustrated because he can't get it over the net.

My question is: Is this a teaching method, or a difference in the type of stroke being taught?

I see pros do both (Roddick vs. Federer). Is the shorter motion the "new" thing? Is one harder on the arm that the other?

Should I make him do what they do in lessons or let him do a full service motion?

 

[GuyClinch]

Honestly he should be able to do both. He probably has some technical flaws if he can't hit it over the net with the shorter motion.

The advantage of a shorter motion is that its easier to time. Basically you could think of serving as throwing a ball at another ball. With the abbreviated motion your starting with the ball (or racquet) cocked in a throwing position. So you can simply wait till the toss ball is in the right position and then throw.

With the full motion - its actually harder because if you toss too early you will feel 'rushed' to complete your backswing and then hit the ball. You still get to the same "throwing position" but you have to do the backswing first.

This is why pros like to start off with this abbreviated swing or even holding the racquet in the trophy position..

So yes its the same motion your just skipping the first step which is in fact not really needed.

Pete

 

[BMC9670]

... any thoughts on the strain on a developing arm/shoulder? Is one more safe at this age (7) than the other?

 

[alidisperanza]

Mind you, I don't know the athletic ability of your son nor the inclination he has towards tennis but...

Like Pete said, part of the reason this "half" serve is taught is becuase it allows the students to get a better feel for the ball while making less errors. Having the racquet behind your head or by one's back creates a natural pronation, a natural palm in--> palm out motion as if you were throwing a ball. Using a full service motion leaves a lot more room for error in the way the racquet is handled and the swing motion. Eventually once your son is able to feel comfortable with that rotation I'm sure his instructor will introduce him to a full motion.

 

[BMC9670]

Thanks. That helps. I had a feeling they are teaching a progression. I want to reinforce good teaching, but didn't want him to think he's doing something wrong.

Here is a video of his serving so you can get a better idea to what he's trying to do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJDxEoAuVEs

 

[SFrazeur]

I really think you need to talk to the instructor at hand, and ask him/her to explain the issue to you. However, it does sound as if their method is part of a larger learning progression.

My perspective is to work from contact point out; establish the contact point, and where the ball toss needs to be. From there establishing the racquet dropping behind the shoulder blade, etc. This is of course all with the proper body positioning.

To me how that racquet goes up, whether from a long racquet drop across the toes, or an abbreviated motion is not as inportant as starting with and honing the core fundamentals. Read: contact point, racuqet drop behind the shoulder blade, etc.

If anyone wants to give reason to focusing elsewhere I would be glad to hear them out.

-SF

 

[volusiano]

... any thoughts on the strain on a developing arm/shoulder? Is one more safe at this age (7) than the other?

I don't fully understand the reasoning, but I've heard here and there about a few female players switching to the abbreviated motion to address issues they have with their shoulder. Maria Sharapova is an example.

When I first started learning to serve myself, I actually went with the long motion because I was trying to copy the pros (like your son did). But after a few years, I've now progressed gradually to the abbreviated motion because I find it much more effective and easier for me personally.

Although the long motion is not "wrong" or anything, I can see why in a group lesson situation for beginner children, they wouldn't want him to stray from the short motion just for the sake of not confusing everybody else by making an exception for him and teaching him a different way. If it were a private lesson, I may question the instructor on why he/she is not flexible. But since it's a group lesson, I'd just go with the program.

 

[GuyClinch]

... any thoughts on the strain on a developing arm/shoulder? Is one more safe at this age (7) than the other?

The abbreviated motion doesn't put any special strain on the shoulder if that's what your worried about. The regular motion is also fine if your shoulder is healthy and its done right, IMHO.

Tennis is actually a fairly safe sport. The injuries I have seen in my friends all spring from chronic overuse..

 

[120mphBodyServe]

Take your son to another coach.
There is no right or wrong way to serve, just basic fundamentals to follow...
If your son's service motion works fine, he should stick with it...

 

[SFrazeur]

Take your son to another coach.
There is no right or wrong way to serve, just basic fundamentals to follow...
If your son's service motion works fine, he should stick with it...

More of what you may mean is that there is a large "range of correctness" when it comes to serving; and within said range there is no right or wrong.

-SF

 

[alidisperanza]

My perspective is to work from contact point out; establish the contact point, and where the ball toss needs to be. From there establishing the racquet dropping behind the shoulder blade, etc. This is of course all with the proper body positioning.

To me how that racquet goes up, whether from a long racquet drop across the toes, or an abbreviated motion is not as inportant as starting with and honing the core fundamentals. Read: contact point, racuqet drop behind the shoulder blade, etc.


-SF

Spot on

Take your son to another coach.
There is no right or wrong way to serve, just basic fundamentals to follow...
If your son's service motion works fine, he should stick with it...

Whoah...umm keep reading

More of what you may mean is that there is a large "range of correctness" when it comes to serving; and within said range there is no right or wrong.

-SF

Hm. I think this is a more accurate interpretation of the above.


Either way. Your son's service motion looks Great! Congratulate him on it as he's got great tempo and rhythm for a 7 year old. A few things I'd be careful with though.

1. It's hard to see in the video but it looks as if your son has a semi western or "frying-pan" grip in the video. Try to reinforce a continental grip. Many younger (and adult) students find it very easy to use the semi-western grip because the racquet face is already "prepared" for contact. If he is interested in progressing (which he looks like he has the potential to) a continental grip will open up a much wider range of serves.

2. A bit of a derivative of what I mentioned in 1, He has a very nice loop coming up on the ball but I noticed that the racquet is taking up a very "waiter" position as he brings it behind his head. (Imagine a waiter carrying a pizza or tray above his or her shoulder). Ideally the coach should urge him to bring the racquet back behind his head with his wrist facing in to his face/shoulder. Almost as if he were scratching his back with the strings. I know it can be a bit uncomfortable for a lot of students but it'll produce huge results if he can get this palm in, palm out motion in his serve.

Best of luck!