Success With Sampras Motion

[FedererUberAlles]

Lately, I've been trying several different service motions. I've used pro's motions, motions that I found comfortable, and the motion of my coach. Anyone who has gone through this hell must know how frustrating things can be. After trying many, many service motions, I finally decided to give Sampras's motion a shot. Now, this fabled motion is condemned by many around these parts, as it is said that Sampras had certain idiosyncracies which prevented those interested in mimicing his serve from doing so. Well, of course, one must make something fit their needs, as we are not Pete.

The success I've had with this motion has been great. I changed it to suit me, and I can see why classical motions are so great. Placement is great, spin/Speed is great, and the motion allows for great disguise if I ever decide to pursue that. Anyone else have any success? Also note that I am using the Prostaff Classic. (fanboy )

 

[Marius_Hancu]

hm, haven't seen THAT much criticism of Sampras' motion, it's considered a classic around here, also in the Sticky

great for you.

 

[ta11geese3]

I'm currently modeling my motion after his too. It's actually helped a lot. It's smooth and efficient, and the lagged arm actually helps my toss. I used to have an incredibly wild toss because, well, my serving arm was just doing too much stuff and threw off my tossing arm. This way, my body is relatively quiet.

 

[MTXR]

I have had a sampras like motion for awhile now. I find it very good, but the only thing that kills me is the ball toss... I still need to work on my ball toss, if my toss goes bad, than everything is shhot, but when my toss is good, i can smack aces...

 

[qwertypower]

I'd like to see one of your sampras-like serves. I'd like to see anyone who says they have serves that look like pros. Not to be rude, but I bet you only think you look like sampras or federer or roddick.

 

[FedererUberAlles]

I don't think I do. Reread my post. If I thought I did, I would say so. I'm not Pete.

 

[joesixtoe]

i use a roddick like serve, it gives me the most balance and speed,, i don't really want this type of serve cuz i get tired quickly using it interms of my legs and whole body lol. but so far it gives my opponents the most probs

 

[ta11geese3]

Nah, mine doesn't look like his sampras' either. I only said I modeled it after his.

 

[qwertypower]

Well...rereading my post...and the thread post...I realized that was a bit off...However, I still doubt your serves look remotely like the sampras serve. I mean this as in the basic form. Roddick's is even harder to mimik. Please prove me wrong.

 

[FedererUberAlles]

Where the hell am I claiming I look like Sampras?

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Where the hell am I claiming I look like Sampras?

I personally wouldn't mind it at all even if you claimed that. Form isn't everything. Results count

 

[snowpuppy]

Well...rereading my post...and the thread post...I realized that was a bit off...However, I still doubt your serves look remotely like the sampras serve. I mean this as in the basic form. Roddick's is even harder to mimik. Please prove me wrong.

Haha, too true. Just look at Monfils. Almost got the motion, but lack the speed.

 

[iksmols]

From watching how Fed`s service motion evolved it looks like he modeled his on Pete`s as well but in later stages he eliminated "toe up"during the backward movement improving his rythm.

 

[iksmols]

What do You guys think about the improvements in Hewitt`s service motion.It seems like he spends a lot of time on this part of his game.

 

[FiveO]

I've seen the warnings of copying the Sampras motion in total. His extreme coil away combined with his deeper than most knee bend would challenge the balance limits of most athletes. This is why given the choice many have advocated emulating your namesake, Federer, over the Sampras motion. Pete obviously hits all the commonalities of a great serve, having possessed what I feel is the greatest serve of all time to date. But the classic motion is not idiosynchratic, what is unique to him is his tremendous coil combined with that very deep knee bend.

You may have confused that with an argument against the more classic full motion. I don't remember ever reading that here. There are proponents of the abbreviated motions, a la Roddick, but I feel it was always presented as a viable option, never an either or proposition.

However, having made modifications to the Sampras' serve to suit you, sounds like you have inately recognized the challenges the actual Sampras motion would pose for most.

Glad you're having success with the classic motion.