wrist snap on serve

[aimr75]

i came across this vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DpptgXq5j4

which talks about pronation.. it also mentions the racquet position just prior to hitting the ball and the wrist snap that occurs just prior.. i havent delved greatly into serve technique but was wondering whether this is just a natural occurance while pronation is achieved?
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Vaporite Solo

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

I would say that the 'wrist snap' is really a combination of forearm rotation (pronation) and the wrist uncocking. As the racket comes up (on edge) from the racket drop, the wrist is extended (laid back). As the forearm is pronated to meet the ball, the wrist also moves from an extended (cocked) position to a neutral (uncocked) position.

Your forearm can conceivably pronate without the wrist action I described above, but it would not be very effective for serving.

 

[eagle]

Hi aim,

It's good to know the proper technique. But in my personal experience, I never really thought of consciously and purposely doing it. It just happens from the motion of the swing. I actually didn't realize that is what's happening until the advent of the internet when sites this offer tips on improving one's game.

Another good site for you to check out is www.fuzzyyellowballs.com. They break down the serve with excellent video and narration.

thanks,
eagle

 

[aimr75]

eagle, thanks, i've seen a couple vids off of FYB, just not the serve vid, after i posted this, i did take a look and it explained it well.. should have looked there before posting this

i do however have a couple other questions, probably for another thread, but when serving, i notice i tend to kick or flare out my right foot during the follow through, i notice others keep their legs closer together.. does this matter?

also, at contact, the rotation of the body, does the torso need to mostly face the court.. i notice sometimes my body is a bit side on (facing the fence) rather then to the net

how important are these two points?
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Dino Engine

 

[eagle]

Hi aim,

I am by no means qualified to tutor you on the proper techniques of the serve or any other tennis movement. There are others far educated and qualified to do that. I'm sure those folks will chime in here shortly.

But from personal experience, my right foot does lift and extend when I land on my left foot after the serve motion. My body also rotates and end up facing the court after the serve motion.

Hope that helps some.

Thanks,
eagle

 

[aimr75]

with the leg flare, i more so mean the leg flaring to the side fence not the back fence as i'm jumping into the serve

and with the torso, at the point of hitting the ball its more side on but eventually follow through to face the court

cheers
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Jaguar S-Type

 

[wihamilton]

eagle, thanks, i've seen a couple vids off of FYB, just not the serve vid, after i posted this, i did take a look and it explained it well.. should have looked there before posting this

i do however have a couple other questions, probably for another thread, but when serving, i notice i tend to kick or flare out my right foot during the follow through, i notice others keep their legs closer together.. does this matter?

also, at contact, the rotation of the body, does the torso need to mostly face the court.. i notice sometimes my body is a bit side on (facing the fence) rather then to the net

how important are these two points?

aim,

What direction does your right leg flare out? I'm assuming you are right handed, btw. If you watch some of the high speed serve clips, you'll notice the back leg kicks up / back during the follow through. This is because, earlier in the serve, that leg is pushing the body around as well as up. The body does need to be facing the net at contact and the back leg helps you rotation. So I suspect you might not be using that leg correctly if you are sometimes a bit sideways when you hit.

edit: just read your subsequent post. If your leg is kicking toward the side fence (in front of you) that sounds like you aren't using it to push yourself around. There's a good chance it's actually preventing you from turning. Do you have a video?

 

[aimr75]

edit: just read your subsequent post. If your leg is kicking toward the side fence (in front of you) that sounds like you aren't using it to push yourself around. There's a good chance it's actually preventing you from turning. Do you have a video?

I dont have a video yet.. ive never seen myself serve, but i do notice these tendencies

I am going to be borrowing a video camera soon, so will post it to get some feedback, however, will work on pushing off and turning and see how that affects both things since by the sound of it they are related

thanks
________
New mexico dispensary

 

[wihamilton]

aim,

They are related. Your back leg "follows through" by kicking up... and it kicks up b/c of how you push off it... and your body should rotate toward the net in part b/c of how you pushed off your back leg. Not the most articulate response -- it's late -- but hopefully you get the idea.

This is what it should look like:

http://www.fuzzyyellowballs.com/photos/serve/john_isner_serve01.jpg