Spin rates for serve

julian

Hall of Fame
Ball spin in the tennis serve: spin rate and axis of rotation
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Access optionsDOI:10.1080/14763141.2012.671355
Shinji Sakuraia*, Machar Reidbc & Bruce Elliottb

pages 23-29


Publishing models and article dates explained
Received: 19 Sep 2011
Accepted: 27 Feb 2012
Published online: 30 Apr 2012
Article Views: 308
Article usage statistics combine cumulative total PDF downloads and full-text HTML views from publication date (but no earlier than 25 Jun 2011, launch date of this website) to 30 Oct 2013. Article views are only counted from this site. Although these data are updated every 24 hours, there may be a 48-hour delay before the most recent numbers are available...Alert meTOC email alertTOC RSS feedCitation email alertCitation RSS feed....Abstract
The purpose of this study was to describe three-dimensional ball kinematics including spin axis and spin rate for the flat, slice, and kick serves executed by elite male tennis players. Trajectories of three retro-reflective markers attached to the surface of the ball were measured using a Vicon MX motion analysis system. The local coordinate system of the ball enabled the ball's angular velocity vector to be determined. Mean ( ± SD) spin rates recorded were 127.4 ( ± 56.3), 232.1 ( ± 34.8), and 336.5 ( ± 51.5) rad/s for the flat, slice, and kick serves, respectively. The resultant horizontal velocities of the ball were 52.0 ( ± 2.9), 46.4 ( ± 3.4), and 40.8 ( ± 2.8) m/s, respectively, and a clear tradeoff existed between the development of ball spin rate and horizontal ball velocity, with resultant horizontal velocities of 52.0 ( ± 2.9), 46.4 ( ± 3.4), and 40.8 ( ± 2.8) m/s, respectively, being recorded. The spin axis and ball velocity vector were close to perpendicular regardless of serve type. Mean angles between the spin axis and the horizontal plane (elevation angles) were 65.6° ( ± 10.2°), 68.4° ( ± 6.9°), and 54.5° ( ± 8.4°) for the flat, slice, and kick serves, respectively.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
If it's OVAL, if it HISSES loudly, and if it bounces over your head when it's IN, it's a good serve.
 

RetroSpin

Hall of Fame
If it's OVAL, if it HISSES loudly, and if it bounces over your head when it's IN, it's a good serve.

Most of these people have no idea what you're talking about. There was a thread a few weeks ago where they disputed that a ball would flatten out in the air from spin.

If you've been on the receiving end of those, you won't doubt it.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
I don't doubt some players here have never experienced facing such a ball, but most have, if they have played with 5.0's or Div 1 players.
I can live with my first flat serve going in at 95. But I swing FASTER for my second serves, much faster.
 
It's funny how nobody so far has any idea what the heck Julian is posting, yet we're starting a discussion that may or may not have much of anything to do with the OP.
 
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psv255

Professional
Thanks for this, really interesting

Mean ( ± SD) spin rates recorded were 127.4 ( ± 56.3), 232.1 ( ± 34.8), and 336.5 ( ± 51.5) rad/s for the flat, slice, and kick serves, respectively.

So that would be around 1200, 2200, and 3200 RPM for the three serve types. Nadal's FH averages the same spin as a kicker. That's illegal...
 
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