The #1 toss killer?

[Fintft]

What do you guys think that has most negative impact on the toss?

My own main impediment seemed to have been a tense...raquet arm and that's after looking at a couple of things, some also discussed here:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=492527

 

[r2473]

Bent arm...

 

[LeeD]

The ONLY thing that counts is WHICH of those your bad toss uses.
Every single one can cause bad tosses, and quite a few more.
And starting with weight on the front foot does NOT cause a bad toss. Lots of pros weight their front foot, rock back, toss, as they weight the front foot again.

 

[jersey34tennis]

seems like a ton of new students lean back really early when tossing leading their tosses to go behind their heads

 

[Fintft]

The ONLY thing that counts is WHICH of those your bad toss uses.
Every single one can cause bad tosses, and quite a few more.
And starting with weight on the front foot does NOT cause a bad toss. Lots of pros weight their front foot, rock back, toss, as they weight the front foot again.

I meant having the weight on the front foot when tossing(or not rocking at all); the rocking motion you mentioned it's actualy a good thing, imho.

 

[Fintft]

Bent arm...

That's what I was getting at with option #2

 

[LeeD]

Even on platform serves, the moment the toss arm reaches shoulder heights, the weight is on the front foot.

 

[boramiNYC]

Not clearly knowing where to toss.

 

[r2473]

Not clearly knowing where to toss.

Parent's bathroom is a good choice

 

[boramiNYC]

Had to look up what you meant there. Sure you would like that?

 

[user92626]

Parent's bathroom is a good choice

Love your humor but this one clearly is a miss. :shock:

 

[mrmo1115]

How you hold the ball pre-toss is a huge one IMO

 

[Fintft]

Even on platform serves, the moment the toss arm reaches shoulder heights, the weight is on the front foot.

Yes, but probably not when starting the toss...

 

[Fintft]

How you hold the ball pre-toss is a huge one IMO

3 Fingers? Leading with the inside of your (extended) elbow?

 

[LeeD]

Nothing wrong with loading the front foot even at the start of your toss, if that is your preference. There IS some weight there anyways, at all times of the toss motion.
OP is asking whether there is any advantage of holding the ball at the handle, at the throat, or at the sweetspot on prep position.
And answer can only be, personal preference.

 

[mightyrick]

Wind.

10weatherfactors

 

[Topspin Shot]

Wind.

10weatherfactors

Lol. Yes, wind can do that.

 

[mrmo1115]

3 Fingers? Leading with the inside of your (extended) elbow?

I actually use all 5 fingers...only using the finger tips

 

[ATP100]

Easy Answer: Catching toss when practicing.

 

[CoachingMastery]

There are a dozen ways that good players toss. The real answer for most is as Lee mentioned: know WHERE the ball needs to end up.

Many players are so focused on the toss technique, they have no idea where the ball needs to be for each serve.

Obviously, consistency in any toss method is built through consistent practice and execution. And, like any consistent movement, the less moving parts, the more the repetitive aspect can be achieved. Thus, when a player flips the wrist, bends and unbends the elbow, uses fingers in a way that changes the release pattern, these will create inconsistency in any toss.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

What about this?

People treat the ball toss as an actual toss. As in, they chuck it up.

The ball toss is more of a "release" (at least for me). Raise your non-racquet hand up, and then just release the ball into the air.

 

[Fintft]

What about this?

People treat the ball toss as an actual toss. As in, they chuck it up.

The ball toss is more of a "release" (at least for me). Raise your non-racquet hand up, and then just release the ball into the air.

True it is a release and it also seems to help if you end up with a locked up/bend wrist.

 

[Fintft]

There are a dozen ways that good players toss. The real answer for most is as Lee mentioned: know WHERE the ball needs to end up.

Many players are so focused on the toss technique, they have no idea where the ball needs to be for each serve.

Obviously, consistency in any toss method is built through consistent practice and execution. And, like any consistent movement, the less moving parts, the more the repetitive aspect can be achieved. Thus, when a player flips the wrist, bends and unbends the elbow, uses fingers in a way that changes the release pattern, these will create inconsistency in any toss.

This is a major one, knowing where the ball needs to end up: for myself usually it's in front and to the right (for a flat serve), but at times I also live with a toss that ends straight above me or a tad to the left for some spin variation (and not to subject the receiver to an extra toss).

The height is the other component(personally I seem to prefer a bit of a higher toss).

 

[rosewall4ever]

1# holding the ball in the palm of ones hand 2# rhythm

 

[yellowoctopus]

"Between my ears", so they say.

 

[Fintft]

"Between my ears", so they say.

Yeah, it's amazing how much is between your ears lol: i.e. I was up like 5-1 (in a first to 8 set match) last night and I started to be tense and ended up with some erratic tosses, lost the serve for the first time, etc.

 

[Stanimal]

No matter how nervous you are don't grip the ball harder