Weak serve

[Double-fault]

Alright, my serve are weak, weak upper body not strong enough.
So what to need to practice to help the weak serve? spin serve, straight... ?
Any help would greatly appreciated.
:confused:

[M0rgan77]

You don't need to be big to have a big serve. I'm 12 and I generate all my power from my shoulders, hips, and legs. Bend your knees and point your left hand at the sky. Then when the ball reaches its highest point, spring up at the ball and into the court and bring your left arm down and your right arm up. Good luck!

[Jaypro]

all that Morgan said was true, but dont forget the single most important thing...SNAP YOUR WRIST...this will give the ball not only pace, but direction also. if you want to serve out wide, follow thru with your hand (wrist) pointed out wide, same goes for down the middle...get a good wrist snap DF, you'll be amazed at the extra pace you get...good luck..

ps, that'll be $50.00 :)

[Double-fault]

Thank you
:D
Jaypro, You are too expensive, Oh well, I will email you the 50 bucks.
;)
Again, Thank you
Time for me to practice.

[M0rgan77]

I find the reason most club players have weak serves is because they don't use their legs enough. I don't find the wrist snap is that important. But thats just me.

[Jaypro]

true also Morgan, but try this...stand on the baseline and hit a serve, with only a wrist snap...see the power...now use your legs with the wrist snap...can you see that much difference?

[M0rgan77]

I do get more power when I use my legs and wrist together, but I miss a lot more serves because of timing errors.

[abiriax]

then practice so you can get the timing, remeber this serve is pretty much a new shot with very different timing.

[Mongolmike]

I see alot of players with weak serves who just try to muscle the ball.... legs, wrist snap - sure, they're important ..... but your backswing is crucial. You should almost be able to scratch your back with your racquet on your backswing. (Is that what you are refering to when you say wrist snap? I'm guessing no.) The power starts with the legs and the torso, but your backswing and followthru is the "snap" at the end of the whip. Your serve motion should resemble a baseball or football throw. Many people instead serve like they are swinging a hammer.... which is incorrect. If you are not doing this, practice some serves and start your serve with your racquet already "cocked" - like you were throwing a football. Have your racquet up and back, then toss, then swing. If this doesn't make sense, watch the pros and just watch their right arm and racquet on the take-back. Many people just try to muscle the ball, or straight arm it.

And probably the biggest problem people have, and don't realize it, is the toss. The toss needs to be consistent, and high enough that you seem like you are throwing your racquet up to hit the ball. Like a golf swing, you don't want to have an iron grip, and you need to be fluid so you can uncoil smoothly.

One other little point... focus on the ball. Many people really do not focus on hitting a specific part of the ball. Consider the ball the face of a clock. If you are a right handed server, you would try to hit the ball at 1:00, 2:00, or 3:00 to impart a variety of spin. Aim for 12:00 for the dreaded topspin... which hits and bounces high and makes for an awkward return. I guess as a general rule, aim for slightly above the center point of the ball for a faster, flatter serve.

Oh, and one other thing... speed kills, fast serves are cool, but location will win more points if you can't serve like Andy Roddick. Take them wide, rip one down the middle if they are out to wide, shoot one into their body.... keep them guessing and off-balance and their return should be weak. Not everyone can serve hard, but EVERYONE should be able to work on and imporve their service accuracy.

[Double-fault]

Thank You for the Great tips.
:)

[kwick]

Hey DF,

You're not asking this question on behalf of Elena Dementieva are you by any chance :D

cheers,

kwick

[Double-fault]

kwick
:D
You are so funny.
:D
and the answer is NO
Wish my serve weak like Elena, I would be happy then.
;)

[Jens]

:D
Hey guys, can you help me, I'm afraid my serve would get just as weak as DF's if I was playing mixed with Dementieva :p

[Mongolmike]

Hey DF,

You're not asking this question on behalf of Elena Dementieva are you by any chance :D

cheers,

kwick

lol... good one. What is up with her serve??? Tho I noticed that one day she was throwing her toss more out in front and really putting a lot of side spin (at a loss of speed), and the next day she had more of an overhead toss with less spin. Maybe she tries to vary her serve depending upon the opponent?

[kwick]

So D-F,

Absolute denial of asking this question on behalf of Elena can only mean one thing. You are in fact Elena Dementieva in disguise using the Double-Fault pseudonym to infiltrate our stringers forum to gain a competitive advantage :eek:

Now that you've been uncovered :cool: , just how many others like you are out there trying to tap our knowledge and vast experience :) Half a million in prize money and you still complain about 50 bucks for a lesson from JayPro. (Mind you, I can understand that.)

Anyway, don't try and deny it.........

Ciao,

kwick

PS - You might want to try snapping your fingers rather than your wrist for a better service. Seems like Joe would be first to oblige. Keep wearing that little red number with the thigh straps.......

[Jaypro]

hahahahaha very funny post kwick, I enjoyed reading it. a few lessons with me (maybe $300.00 would do the trick) and he/she will be acing serena right off the court! ps, kwick is right, dont lose that little red outfit please :)

[Double-fault]

:D
Alright, You got me.
L O L
Wish I have the good look at her ;)
or
Play as good.