The tennis serve consists of certain key fundamentals which need to be learned and delivered in the correct sequence.
These fundamentals include; tennis grip, position of feet, ball throwing method, and position of body prior to impact with the tennis racquet.
An accomplished Tennis player would be able to vary their technique to produce a different type of serve when required. The different types of service include;
1. Flat Serve – produces flat trajectory with minimum spin
2.Topspin Serve – high arc and bounce
3. Slice Serve – generates sidespin and topspin
Service Stance. – The stance adopted is determined by the serve being executed. Feet should be positioned shoulder width apart, approximately 2 feet distance from the center mark, front foot several inches from baseline and knees slightly bent.
Tennis Grip. – The best grip to create a powerful serve is the Continental Grip. This grip creates a powerful release of the wrist which imparts maximum spin on the ball.
If you currently use forehand grip and are serious about becoming a good server of the ball, you need to make the change to the continental grip. When you make the initial switch to the continental grip, it will feel clumsy and unnatural.
Commence hitting shots at quarter your usual speed. Eventually through practice build the speed up to full power and the new grip will start to feel comfortable.
You can avoid the fear of a double fault by alternating between grips initially i.e. play you first serve with the continental grip and your second serve with you old grip. You won’t double fault because you trust your old grip.
Ball Hold. – Hold the ball like you would an orange, between your thumb and all 4 fingers.
Position of Feet. – Foot alignment is determined by service type but toes should generally point toward target area.
Ball Throw. – The ball must be thrown high enough that it is several inches over the height of the racquet fully extended over head. This gives the player adequate time to swing the racquet to meet the falling ball.
It should be thrown front right of the shoulder nearest the net i.e. the opposite shoulder to the hand on the grip. The ball should be release when the throwing arm is fully extended.
Flat Serve Tips
Straighten bent legs and shift weight forward and upwards in support of the racquet arm. Strike the racquet head towards the descending ball when it has fallen 5 to 7 inches.
Let the weight transfer to the front foot and fully extend the racquet arm as you hit the ball.
Let the natural momentum of the strike continue to a full follow through with the back foot overtaking the front foot and completing with a balanced finish.
Topspin Serve Tips. – Throw the ball a little higher than for the flat serve shot and focus on moving the hitting shoulder away as the ball is released.
Straighten bent knees, and racquet arm simultaneously firing the racquet head up such that the springs grab the ball with a brushing up and across action.
Release the wrist towards the direction of the target so that the ball receives an ascending strike from below.
The back foot will naturally cross the baseline as you commit to a full follow through which ensures the ball arcs up and right.
Slice Serve Tips
The slice serve creates side spin which veer off to the forehand side in the right service court.
Using a continental grip the aim is to produce side spin by cutting across the outside of the ball.
Having thrown the ball high right of front shoulder release the wrist with the racquet swung head on and cutting across the ball just below its center right side.
General Service Tips
In order to generate power in the swing the racquet must be taken back as far away from the ball as possible. This generates more leverage and provides sufficient time to build up speed.
A good mental image is to view the racquet as an extension of your hitting arm and make the swing as if you were throwing the ball with the hitting hand.
The rhythm of your swing is important from a timing and power perspective. Don’t intend to trash the ball as hard as you can as this will contract opposing muscles which will result in great effort with little useful power or direction. A good tip is to hit 5 serves each time focusing on generating an effortless swing but at the same time generating more and more power for each serve.
The last thought in you mind is what is going to happen to the ball. If the last mental image in your mind is the ball hitting the net, that will happen. It is critical that a positive attitude is adopted. A confident strike is produced when the player visualizes a perfect outcome.