Where are your eyes as you toss the ball?

[Japanese Maple]

I have a problem of not getting my toss up high enough to have a high contact point. To remedy the problem after looking at my opponent I tilt my head/eyes up before tossing and then toss to the higher point I am looking at. When I use to look at my opponent ,than shift my eyes upwards as I was tossing, this lead to a lower toss and contact point. What do you guys do-what do the pros do-what is taught by teaching pros?

 

[Essential Tennis]

Personally I look up as I toss, so I put my eyes and the ball up at the same time. I've seen people look up first and then toss, I think that is fine as well. As with a great deal of the rest of the serve in terms of preparation and rituals use whatever is most comfortable and whatever works best for you, this is something thats personal preference more than anything.

The only thing I would really not recommend would be tossing first and then looking up after to find the ball. That doesn't make sense to me. Any other combination of looking and tossing that works for you I say go for it.

If you're having trouble with your toss in general what you really need is practice and repetition. I've always had a hard time personally relating to people who struggle with it, I know where I should toss the ball and I toss it there, there's no thought about it for me. However I know many other players who are much better tennis players (5.0) and athletes than me that have struggled with it a lot. So you're definitely not alone. Find whats most comfortable for you, and then get out and practice a ton, always let a toss you're not sure about drop.

 

[dave333]

Looking at thet toss is a good idea, since it keeps your head up as you hit, which is pretty important.

 

[jmverdugo]

I watch the ball in my hand then in the air.

 

[azn_tomato]

I watch the ball...i'm pretty sure everyone does. Never exactly heard of anyone just tossing and hitting while looking at you the whole time.

 

[Mike Cottrill]

Look at your opponent -> decided what type of serve and were you are going to place it. This happens before you start your service motion.

Once you start your motion, do not look at your opponent. If you do, you’re just asking for inconsistency in your toss which will lead to a total breakdown of your serve. Apply the same to your ground strokes as well.

 

[Japanese Maple]

I watch the ball...i'm pretty sure everyone does. Never exactly heard of anyone just tossing and hitting while looking at you the whole time.

I think you misunderstood what I was saying. Most people look where their going to serve first, and as their tossing the ball they shift their eyes up along with the tossing arm. What I am now doing with good results is tilting my head up first before I toss, then tossing the ball into the higher zone I am looking at. This allows me to get a higher toss and contact point with a better angle into the court-it works well for me.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

I think you misunderstood what I was saying. Most people look where their going to serve first, and as their tossing the ball they shift their eyes up along with the tossing arm. What I am now doing with good results is tilting my head up first before I toss, then tossing the ball into the higher zone I am looking at. This allows me to get a higher toss and contact point with a better angle into the court-it works well for me.

If that helps you keep your head up, then you are not out of line and doing something detrimental.

I am one that does not watch my toss. I feel my toss instead. I am one that looks and keeps looking up waiting for the racquet to flash through contact.

So you are fine. The more important thing to think about is what you are DOING with your serve and how you are going to setup your play.