Serve Masterclass From One of the Best Serving Coaches of All Time

Key Points

• Stance:
• A "clean" stance is key for consistent serving
• Grip:
• The preferred grip for serving is the Continental grip, which provides better control and wrist snap essential for effective serves
• A "trigger finger" position, where the index finger is slightly separated from the other fingers, enhances control over the racket, allowing for more precise wrist action
• Position your toes in a straight line, perpendicular to the baseline
• This stance helps maintain balance and control, particularly for left-handed players on the add side or right-handed players on the deuce side, ensuring a more controlled and accurate serve
• Starting Position:
• Begin with the racket at eye level, with the strings facing you
• This position uses gravity to help the racket rise naturally, reducing the effort needed to initiate the serve
• It also helps prevent common errors, such as an open racket face that can cause the ball to go long
• Rhythm and Motion:
• The serve should follow a 1-2-3 rhythm:
• 1: The racket moves down and back
• 2: The racket starts to come forward and up
• 3: The hitting phase occurs. A platform stance is recommended, as it offers better balance and stability, leading to improved accuracy and power
• Ball Toss:
• Consistency in the ball toss is crucial for effective serving
• Toss the ball straight up, not left or right, regardless of the type of serve (flat, slice, topspin)
• For flat and slice serves, the toss should be well out in front. For topspin serves, it should only be slightly in front
• This consistent toss keeps your serve disguised, making it harder for your opponent to anticipate the direction
• Serving on the Offside:
• When serving on your offside (deuce side for lefties, ad side for righties), ensure proper shoulder rotation
• Align your shoulders with the net post or single stick just before the hitting phase
• This alignment maximizes angular velocity, contributing to a more powerful serve
• Using a Metronome for Rhythm:
• A metronome can be a valuable tool to ensure consistent timing in your serve. Set the metronome to a comfortable pace, and match your serve rhythm to its beats:
• 1) Racket down and back
• 2) Racket forward and up
• 3) Hit. Adjust your ball toss height to stay in sync with the metronome
• Weight Distribution:
• Proper weight distribution is essential for a powerful and controlled serve. Start with your weight on the back foot, shifting it forward as the racket rises. Ideally, you should end with a 60/40 weight split (60% on the front foot, 40% on the back foot) to maximize your serve’s power and precision