Tips on taking serve from 100 to 110mph by end of the year?

[Arjuntino]

I just got a radar gun, and was testing serves.
I was consistently (>50%) hitting 94-97 mph. But was struggling to break 100mph.

In ~100 serves, I broke 100mph twice and the rest if the serves were 80-94 ish.

Has anyone focused specifically on serves or can recommend any specifc videos/websites that might help? Or is this something it is better to see a coach for?

I think I was defenitly arming it more than usual, so maybe I have hit a couple faster, but it was really hard to get that last 2-3 mph from 97 to 100.

Edit: video link- don't have any side shots, I'll get them next session-

https://imgur.com/a/WQOFNFe

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Lower string tension? More powerful frame?

W/o seeing your serve, difficult to know what changes / optimization in mechanics or timing might get you to your goal. Even then, no guarantee that we could get you there.

 

[ppma]

I guess some posters here could give you some hints if you are able to post some slow-motion videos. I couldn't though.

 

[jz000]

Everyone serves differently. You can go karlovic style, or dolgopolov. So different, but way more than 100mph. Also depends on your height and arm leg length ratio, etc.

 

[Dragy]

You can go with @Serve Doc “MPH” video, which covers all fundamentally important elements to review and incorporate and develop.

You can also post a video of your serve on here to get some pointers.

You either need very specific instruction based on seeing how you personally serve now going for speed, or you go with whole big process reviewing and improving every single element, as well as stitch them together.

Anyway, getting an experienced eye to see you from the outside will be very helpful. If you can work with a coach known for development big serves with his students, that will be the best bet.

 

[ChaelAZ]

I just got a radar gun, and was testing serves.
I was consistently (>50%) hitting 94-97 mph. But was struggling to break 100mph.

In ~100 serves, I broke 100mph twice and the rest if the serves were 80-94 ish.

Has anyone focused specifically on serves or can recommend any specifc videos/websites that might help? Or is this something it is better to see a coach for?

I think I was defenitly arming it more than usual, so maybe I have hit a couple faster, but it was really hard to get that last 2-3 mph from 97 to 100.

For me I used to have decent technique, but much stronger fitness so I could 'muscle' past and serve over 100. As I focused myself more on using racquet head speed with more 'whip' (loose and flowing over stiff and muscled) I found I could keep in the mid to high 90's and actually hit my spots better, which to me is way more important that an additional 10 mph. I mean, as @SystemicAnomaly mentioned, my first though was just using more power-centric gear, but i think working on something more sustainable towrds effortless power and placement pays bigger dividends in the long run.

 

[austintennis2005]

Which radar gun did u get?
Is there any good lower priced ones?

 

[ChaelAZ]

Which radar gun did u get?
Is there any good lower priced ones?

I still have a Bushnell radar gun I used with the juniors and high school kids for tennis, and then the college players loved to borrow it too. Also used it for all of my son's club baseball. Has worked pretty good and I think it was fairly accurate, so maybe +/- 3 mph. Rarely had errors on readings. Picked it up years back for like $60 so I would think they are close to $100 now.

 

[Yamin]

I just got a radar gun, and was testing serves.
I was consistently (>50%) hitting 94-97 mph. But was struggling to break 100mph.

In ~100 serves, I broke 100mph twice and the rest if the serves were 80-94 ish.

Has anyone focused specifically on serves or can recommend any specifc videos/websites that might help? Or is this something it is better to see a coach for?

I think I was defenitly arming it more than usual, so maybe I have hit a couple faster, but it was really hard to get that last 2-3 mph from 97 to 100.

Fast arm, contact at peak of toss or on the way up, high swing weight or polarization.

 

[TennisCJC]

If you can toss a few inches more into the court, you'll usually get a few more mph. When you're serving in the 90 mph range, which appears to be your current speed, are you making 60% or more in match play. If not, increasing mph might not be the best use of your time. If you can average 90 mph, make 60% or more and hit your spots; your serve will be a pretty good weapon in amateur tennis.

 

[Digital Atheist]

I just got a radar gun, and was testing serves.
I was consistently (>50%) hitting 94-97 mph. But was struggling to break 100mph.

In ~100 serves, I broke 100mph twice and the rest if the serves were 80-94 ish.

Has anyone focused specifically on serves or can recommend any specifc videos/websites that might help? Or is this something it is better to see a coach for?

I think I was defenitly arming it more than usual, so maybe I have hit a couple faster, but it was really hard to get that last 2-3 mph from 97 to 100.

Since those speeds represent a decent serve, I would agree with @TennisCJC on the % aspect. Trying to hit bombs sometimes results in accidental "muscling" and/or ab crunching, which is what I sometimes do when I toss too far forward, so tossing further forward may or may not be good for you depending on your normal contact point, your height, and other factors.

If you see a coach (always good advice) they have the ability to view your serve in real time and on video, so you might want to at least consider posting a video from behind (and also from the side if possible) in the Serve Doc thread. There might be a couple of technical aspects you can work on to deliver better consistency and more pop; but without video that is pure guesswork and only @SystemicAnomalys advice is guaranteed to deliver more power without any technical changes.

 

[Arjuntino]

Videos are here:

https://imgur.com/a/WQOFNFe

@SystemicAnomaly
@ppma
@jz000
@Dragy

 

[Arjuntino]

Videos are here:

https://imgur.com/a/WQOFNFe

@SystemicAnomaly
@ppma
@jz000
@Dragy

@ChaelAZ
@Yamin
@Digital Atheist

 

[Arjuntino]

Which radar gun did u get?
Is there any good lower priced ones?

I got the pocket radar coach version.
I wanted one that I can use by myself with the continious recorsing mode, and that was the "cheapest" option.

There was a bundle that included the stand, and rechargeable batteries and a bunch of adapters etc.

There are some sub $100 ones, but the reviews were not great. For ground strokes it might be okay, but specifically for serves, because it loses so much speed quickly, I wanted a more accurate one.

 

[Arjuntino]

Since those speeds represent a decent serve, I would agree with @TennisCJC on the % aspect. Trying to hit bombs sometimes results in accidental "muscling" and/or ab crunching, which is what I sometimes do when I toss too far forward, so tossing further forward may or may not be good for you depending on your normal contact point, your height, and other factors.

If you see a coach (always good advice) they have the ability to view your serve in real time and on video, so you might want to at least consider posting a video from behind (and also from the side if possible) in the Serve Doc thread. There might be a couple of technical aspects you can work on to deliver better consistency and more pop; but without video that is pure guesswork and only @SystemicAnomalys advice is guaranteed to deliver more power without any technical changes.

I'll check out the serve doc thread. Thanks

 

[Arjuntino]

Lower string tension? More powerful frame?

W/o seeing your serve, difficult to know what changes / optimization in mechanics or timing might get you to your goal. Even then, no guarantee that we could get you there.

I currently use a Rad ig pro with multi. Have been experimenting with pure aero w. hybrid poly, but am proceeding with caution because I'm sensitive to tennis elbow.

Both are string sub 55 lbs.

55 for the multi, and around 48 for the poly.

 

[Arjuntino]

If you can toss a few inches more into the court, you'll usually get a few more mph. When you're serving in the 90 mph range, which appears to be your current speed, are you making 60% or more in match play. If not, increasing mph might not be the best use of your time. If you can average 90 mph, make 60% or more and hit your spots; your serve will be a pretty good weapon in amateur tennis.

Yeah, in general if I'm serving at 80-90% power, they are in and ~accurate. I'm a pretty "serve heavy" 4.0. Lots of holes in other aspects of my game.

 

[Arjuntino]

For me I used to have decent technique, but much stronger fitness so I could 'muscle' past and serve over 100. As I focused myself more on using racquet head speed with more 'whip' (loose and flowing over stiff and muscled) I found I could keep in the mid to high 90's and actually hit my spots better, which to me is way more important that an additional 10 mph. I mean, as @SystemicAnomaly mentioned, my first though was just using more power-centric gear, but i think working on something more sustainable towrds effortless power and placement pays bigger dividends in the long run.

I don't think I can shift too much more control/spin. I'm already pretty power forward with the multi and lead tape set up.

 

[Dragy]

Videos are here:

https://imgur.com/a/WQOFNFe

@SystemicAnomaly
@ppma
@jz000
@Dragy

Good fluid motion man

Your power potential lies in:
- loading your legs; taking into account your tendency to go into the court, you might do well with Kyrgios style pinpoint
- leaning a bit over the baseline in that loaded position, for a fraction of second
- exploding up towards the ball; as of now, you shift your body horizontally, you will have better power into swing by directing your body move much more upward (while still into the court).

I believe you have good potential.

 

[Dragy]

Maybe find and try “Cylinder drill” by @Serve Doc

 

[jz000]

Deuce side serve it down the T otherwise gotta slice it the, so it'll be slower.

It's a good serve, but can have more spin so the ball will bounce higher.

Try facing the racket up on prep position for more spin. Took the advice from Federer's Uniqlo video haha. It's on YouTube

 

[ppma]

From what I've seen you could use more leg drive (more flexed knees, weight on the toes) that could help in getting extra spin allowing to swing harder. Maybe you don't get the extra 16km/h but surely will help with clearance and will increase the bounce making the return harder.

 

[Digital Atheist]

Agree with the comments so far.

Your serve is an excellent example of less is more, and is how I believe most people should learn to serve i.e get the upper body and arm mechanics sorted and then add more legs after that. You still use the lower body to help unload the arm into the swing somewhat, but you really don't bend the knees or use leg drive to start the racquet drop, and there isn't much "up" in the swing. That will definitely give you more, including a slightly higher contact point. Watch some of these ridiculously insane warmup serves from Mr Kyrgios, since that is really about all you do, and then observe his legs and how he uses them when progressing to something closer to a match.

Incidentally, here is the cylinder drill mentioned above:

Nice serve and good luck!

 

[Arjuntino]

Thanks everyone! It seems like the general consensus is to work on using the lower body more, loading the legs, bending the knees, and adjusting the toss/contact point.

I'll luk how it goes. Hopefully there will be some 110 mph serves in the next couple weeks/months!

 

[federrero]

Thanks everyone! It seems like the general consensus is to work on using the lower body more, loading the legs, bending the knees, and adjusting the toss/contact point.

I'll luk how it goes. Hopefully there will be some 110 mph serves in the next couple weeks/months!

Adjusting the toss should have the highest priority IMHO. But what about serve grip? I am afraid your grip won't go well with the correct toss.

 

[Digital Atheist]

Adjusting the toss should have the highest priority IMHO. But what about serve grip? I am afraid your grip won't go well with the correct toss.

Looks continental, or extremely close to me. Serena, for example, manages to hit bombs with a weaker grip than that. It's possible he changes during the serve motion, but that needs demonstrated. A better quality video would be nice.

 

[Arjuntino]

Adjusting the toss should have the highest priority IMHO. But what about serve grip? I am afraid your grip won't go well with the correct toss.

Grip is continental (or at least that's is what I try to use.)

 

[ppma]

That's another thing. That grup is textbook continental. Now, you can try and switch to a more pistol-like grip to see if you find any improvement. This is a player-to-player thing.