The Serve Master is totally worth it.

[MoxMonkey]

The servemaster was by far the best overpriced training aid I ever bought for any sport. At $60 for something that looks like find at an all night bookstore, I must say I was skeptical. After a couple minutes of use I picked up a racquet and my shoulder rotated with much much more torque than before, it faded as I kept swinging, but it more or less 'unlocked' the shoulder rotation. I could feel what everyone was telling me. My arm really corkscrewed (in a good way)

The lights came on, and it was a eureka moment.

That almost certainly was a giant leap in getting towards an advanced serve. I have a solid foundation for the throwing motion, but I was trying to 'steer and muscle' the racquethead. I couldn't tell I was doing that, but I knew something wasn't right. That goofy contraption instantly gave me a taste of the the whip that comes from a fluid shoulder rotation, because it's design doesn't allow it to be steered and muscled through, I think it helps with the whole body rhythm as well.

Just my opinion from using this for a month or so. If anyone else has their opinions experience with this id like to hear it.

 

[chic]

I think that on a budget one can get the same thing with a long sock and something of sufficient weight.

But it's nice to have something a little more aesthetic and dedicated to the job, and for that $60 really isn't that much money.

I find doing the sock drill a couple times a year helps upkeep my serve, so a dedicated tool would be over the top for me. But I imagine for someone looking to actively improve their serve it's a great tool.

Arguably it is probably a good warm up option, since mini tennis and such don't really get the upper body chain ready for serving. I do this with a theraband though because I need to rehab my left shoulder. If I wasn't doing rehab having it to warm up would be worth $60 even if I saw no improvement otherwise.

 

[GuyClinch]

Have you done any of the drill series that come with it? Or are linked to it? I have been tempted to get one for a long while now..

 

[J011yroger]

Ok,

Bought one.

Pray for Jolly.

J

 

[encylopedia]

I think that on a budget one can get the same thing with a long sock and something of sufficient weight.

But it's nice to have something a little more aesthetic and dedicated to the job, and for that $60 really isn't that much money.

I find doing the sock drill a couple times a year helps upkeep my serve, so a dedicated tool would be over the top for me. But I imagine for someone looking to actively improve their serve it's a great tool.

Arguably it is probably a good warm up option, since mini tennis and such don't really get the upper body chain ready for serving. I do this with a theraband though because I need to rehab my left shoulder. If I wasn't doing rehab having it to warm up would be worth $60 even if I saw no improvement otherwise.

LOL. Yes.....so had to look up "swingmaster".

So yes....very old idea, you can do the same thing with a sock with one or two balls in it - Vic Braden used to do that a lot. Some people would do it with racquet case still on (especially in the days when the case just went on the head of the racquet), or you can take a long beach towel and put a knot in one end, or you can take a racquet and stick a ball in the shaft....sure there's many other tricks as well.

 

[LeeD]

Anything to fully hinge your wrist so the racket head is moving much faster than your hand.

 

[Slowtwitcher]

I bought a very similar product on XXXtoys.ru and it only cost me $10. Works great.

 

[Bagumbawalla]

Cut a couple slits in an old tennis ball and
attach a string.
Tie string to "top" of racket. Leave about 5 or 6 inches of slack.
Now practice that smooth serving motion.

Works better than a sock.

 

[J011yroger]

I bought a very similar product on XXXtoys.ru and it only cost me $10. Works great.

I hope the balls were smaller...

J

 

[MoxMonkey]

Have you done any of the drill series that come with it? Or are linked to it? I have been tempted to get one for a long while now..

I found this video explained it quite well

 

[Slowtwitcher]

I found this video explained it quite well

I'd like to see her serve

 

[bitcoinoperated]

A lot of pros pause in trophy, what will happen with this thing if you do that?

 

[J011yroger]

A lot of pros pause in trophy, what will happen with this thing if you do that?

You get the bonk.

J

 

[TypeRx]

Damn you -- bought a "mastery" set because I need the 3-ball version and a beginner friend could benefit from the 2-ball version. Hope I actually end up using it and it helps! I guess I'll sell the 1-ball version once I receive.

 

[Curious]

I’m already doing what it’s supposed to make me do. I’ll take a break from wasting money on tennis things. Let me first get rid of this topspin pro sh1t that I bought a week ago!

 

[TypeRx]

The good news about these tennis contraptions is you can probably resell for just about what you paid for it. At the beginning of the pandemic I bought one of those Billie Jean Eye Coach things. I got a great deal on it and funny enough the price on them went up...I could sell locally for more than I bought it now.

I find most of these things are good for a short period of time.

 

[user92626]

This one is on the bay for only $11

You will learn fast from not messing up the swing.

 

[MoxMonkey]

Lololol +1000%

That'll learn you. . .

 

[TypeRx]

Ordered yesterday morning and already arrived today...from across the country. Pretty crazy. Anyways, yeah, it is very expensive for what it is but if $60 really can help further improve my serve...it is money well spent. We will see. If nothing else it is something to mess around with. "3 ball whip" FTW.

 

[graycrait]

I hate these kinds of threads

Last year I got an Eye Coach and Topspin Pro, this year looks like a Serve Master I'll try just about anything that makes even a modicum of sense. My two mentioned floor standing gadgets from last year are being used by a friend who has been through a long shoulder surgery recovery and before that they were being used by another friend recovering from ACL surgery.

I have two other friends who I want to have swing this Serve Master gadget.

 

[J011yroger]

This one is on the bay for only $11

You will learn fast from not messing up the swing.

Have at thee!

J

 

[dimkin]

This one is on the bay for only $11

You will learn fast from not messing up the swing.

Now we talking REAL TOOLS!

 

[MoxMonkey]

I hate these kinds of threads

Last year I got an Eye Coach and Topspin Pro, this year looks like a Serve Master I'll try just about anything that makes even a modicum of sense. My two mentioned floor standing gadgets from last year are being used by a friend who has been through a long shoulder surgery recovery and before that they were being used by another friend recovering from ACL surgery.

I have two other friends who I want to have swing this Serve Master gadget.

What did you think of the eye coach?

 

[graycrait]

@MoxMonkey , I think it has some utility in getting adult beginners to work at keeping their head still, reinforcing eye-hand coordination and working on finishing over the shoulder. It may have more utility for those who can't get practice time with a ball machine and a hitting partner/coach better than they are or as a "poor" substitute for an indoor facility during what can be long layoffs.

 

[sureshs]

I found this video explained it quite well

So the package consists of a shaft and 2 balls?

@r2473 can also supply you with the package

 

[TypeRx]

What did you think of the eye coach?

My experience with the eye coach -- it is a good tool for building hand/eye and also working on properly striking the ball. I think it is nice but a bit expensive for what it is. Like mentioned above, it is particularly good for someone that just wants to gently stroke the ball and work on contact point, etc. It is also good in between matches to continue to build upon this. I know many here may think they are beyond these basics, but IMO every little bit helps -- I do think I am hitting the sweet spot more consistently after using the eye coach.

That all said, i loaned it to a beginner friend a while back and they have been using it the past 4+ months. So, like most tennis tools (actually exercise gadgets in general), for most it will collect dust after the honeymoon phase wears off. But still nice to have around.

Back to the thread topic, I've been using the servemaster for 5-10 mins a day last few days. Its good to reinforce the proper motion and also keep your shoulder loose/warm. Not sure it will actually yield improvement for my serve long term, but it is something else nice to have around to pass the time. I am using the 3 ball version and gave the 2 ball version to the beginner friend mentioned above so they can get better at practicing pronation and full extension at contact. If anyone wants a 1-ball version for their junior, I'll sell mine cheap (will likely list on the Bay and here at some point soon). The 1 ball version due to its weight and length is probably not suitable for anyone (adult or junior) using a full size (27") racket. Still might be a good tool to have to loosen up the shoulder before a match though.

 

[RiverRat]

I'd like to see her serve

Did you see that stack of racquets in the background? She must be one helluva string breaker with that serve.

 

[sureshs]

Did you see that stack of racquets in the background? She must be one helluva string breaker with that serve.

Coaches often have multiple rackets for several reasons, like giving one to students, or collecting from them for stringing, or experimenting with new strings a rep dropped off for promotion, etc.

 

[RVAtennisaddict]

I too have almost pulled the trigger on this. You all have convinced me. Now question is just the three ball or the whole set. Hmmm

 

[TypeRx]

I too have almost pulled the trigger on this. You all have convinced me. Now question is just the three ball or the whole set. Hmmm

Just get the 3 ball unless you have others in the household, etc. that will benefit from the others.

It is VERY expensive for what it is, but if it really does eventually yield any serve improvement I think we can all agree that is worth $60.

 

[Nollid]

I think that on a budget one can get the same thing with a long sock and something of sufficient weight.

But it's nice to have something a little more aesthetic and dedicated to the job, and for that $60 really isn't that much money.

I find doing the sock drill a couple times a year helps upkeep my serve, so a dedicated tool would be over the top for me. But I imagine for someone looking to actively improve their serve it's a great tool.

Arguably it is probably a good warm up option, since mini tennis and such don't really get the upper body chain ready for serving. I do this with a theraband though because I need to rehab my left shoulder. If I wasn't doing rehab having it to warm up would be worth $60 even if I saw no improvement otherwise.

Agree on the sock and tennis ball hack. Does anyone feel that the device is palpably better? I put three balls in a long ski sock and can recreate the motion taught with that.

 

[TypeRx]

Just weighed the 3-ball version and it is 440g. What does a sock with 3 tennis balls weigh? My guess is around 200-225g? Also, the 3-ball version at full extension is 27" and has a molded 4 3/8" handle. So perhaps the device better replicates an actual racket (albeit quite head heavy and more meaty than the rackets most of us use)?

 

[Nollid]

Just weighed the 3-ball version and it is 440g. What does a sock with 3 tennis balls weigh? My guess is around 200-225g? Also, the 3-ball version at full extension is 27" and has a molded 4 3/8" handle. So perhaps the device better replicates an actual racket (albeit quite head heavy and more meaty than the rackets most of us use)?

3 ball sock is 210g as you predicted

 

[eah123]

When I was first learning the advanced serve, I used the "balls in a bag" that recommended by Tomas of Feel Tennis:

I've tried to teach people with it, but see 2 problems that also occurs with the serve master: 1) It doesn't prevent the wrist from flopping back (aka waiter's tray error) 2) It promotes the full backswing takeback, whereas many people will benefit from takebacks that help prevent waiter's tray such as semi-abbreviated and abbreviated takebacks 3) It encourages the starting of the leg drive when the weight is at it's lowest position, which is very much after the racquet drop, whereas ideally, the leg drive should start sometime in the area of right before and right after the racquet drop.

 

[MoxMonkey]

When I was first learning the advanced serve, I used the "balls in a bag" that recommended by Tomas of Feel Tennis:

I've tried to teach people with it, but see 2 problems that also occurs with the serve master: 1) It doesn't prevent the wrist from flopping back (aka waiter's tray error) 2) It promotes the full backswing takeback, whereas many people will benefit from takebacks that help prevent waiter's tray such as semi-abbreviated and abbreviated takebacks 3) It encourages the starting of the leg drive when the weight is at it's lowest position, which is very much after the racquet drop, whereas ideally, the leg drive should start sometime in the area of right before and right after the racquet drop.

The feeltennis videos were one of the reasons that I bought the servemaster. It seems to have helped me get a better understanding and feel of the service motion, particularly the shoulder rotation/pronation, as best as I can tell anyway.

Did it help you with your advanced serve?

 

[MoxMonkey]

I noticed I initially had to remember to keep my wrist closed when I started using this.

Over the past few weeks it feels like my muscle memory is getting reprogrammed, and the servemaster has helped me. When I pick up a racquet and shadow/practice a serve swing my shoulder rotates now, without me having to think about it. where initially it wasn't.

I still have a tendency to sometimes lock out my wrist and just whack at the ball, although it happens less often.

It used to be way worse though. I don't know anyones else's experience in trying to learn an advance serve, but I initially would have major side spin shots that where quite slow, which I assume was from a lack of ISR, while I was 'forcing' continental grip, although doing nothing real constructive with it. Sometimes I would even instinctively quickly grip change between the transition from back swing to forward swing, so I could whack at the ball frying pan style. All sorts of nonsense.

Its been a process, but I really feel as though I am making progress. Its definitely getting better.

 

[eah123]

The feeltennis videos were one of the reasons that I bought the servemaster. It seems to have helped me get a better understanding and feel of the service motion, particularly the shoulder rotation/pronation, as best as I can tell anyway.

Did it help you with your advanced serve?

I never bought the servemaster, just used the balls in a bag. Did it help? I don't know. But I do have a pretty good serve motion. Recently switched from full takeback to abbreviated takeback, Andy Roddick style. I don't think it's possible to learn the abbreviated takeback with the Servemaster.

Probably the thing that helped the most was practicing a lot (many, many baskets of balls), along with video analysis and making small adjustments.

 

[MoxMonkey]

Yeah, I love video analysis. And the detailed breakdowns and analysis of ATP serves as well. Even though I don't like paying for it I decided to take lessons every two weeks, along with group drills and practice on my own.

It's important for me to make sure a skilled eye sees what I do because I have my own biases, and I don't want to go to far down my own rabbit hole.

 

[vectorthurm]

I know this thread over a year old, but I’m pulling the trigger on getting the servemaster. My tendency to drop back into the waiter tray is some energy so strong that I’m almost starting to admire it while hating it.

I’m hoping there’s something about that will target my deep brain holding that tennis racquet grip and then also involving a live ball toss. It’s really my last hope before I just except my crappy serve for the rest of my life.

 

[ballmachineguy]

Just looked it up. Looks like something sold on Adam and Eve.

 

[vectorthurm]

Lol

 

[vectorthurm]

I suppose that’s how deep I have become invested in this rabbit hole

Lol

 

[J011yroger]

Just looked it up. Looks like something sold on Adam and Eve.

It's an added bonus, it doesn't take up room in my bag.

J

 

[TennisDawg]

I think the serve master is good when first learning the serve. Once you learn the serve motion you can actually do shadow swings much better with your own racquet. I guess it can be still be used to warm your arm up.

 

[J011yroger]

I think the serve master is good when first learning the serve. Once you learn the serve motion you can actually do shadow swings much better with your own racquet. I guess it can be still be used to warm your arm up.

I still use it. I can kind of serve.

J