Simple Steps to a better serve

Simple Steps To a Better Serve
By HTA Coach Chris Thomas

Players are always looking for ways to tweak their mechanics in order to improve their serves. They try things like increasing racquet-head acceleration, ball toss location, and different wind-ups, but they often overlook the basics. Instead of implementing new techniques, the fastest way to improvement is by upgrading the skills you already possess.

For the serve, it starts with a dependable toss. If you watch any of the great servers like Roddick, Sampras, and Isner each one puts the ball in the right spot every time. No matter if they are hitting a flat first serve or a big kicking second serve the ball toss is always in the same place. This helps with disguise and never letting your opponent know what type of serve you are about to hit. Yet less advanced players are constantly chasing a bad toss, which throws off the rest of their motions. You can get away with some deficiencies in your swing if you have a great toss however that’s not true the other way around.

Being consistent with the toss requires rhythm and practice. During workouts I encourage players to get in their serving stances and extend their arms up, let go of the ball, and catch it. To find the ideal place to put the ball, fully extend your racquet upward and toss the ball just above the top of the frame. Remember, it’s better to toss the ball too high than too low. Do this 10 to 15 times before you even hit a serve in practice.

When you practice hitting real serves, it’s always better to make a high percentage. Don’t worry about pace at first. So many players just try to crank their serves, and most of them land out. Since it’s just practice, it doesn’t bother them. But when they get into matches, their serves aren’t any better.

Set up challenges for yourself such as hitting a certain number of serves in a particular part of the service box. For example, see how many out of 10 you can hit wide or down the middle. Or how many second serves you can make without missing. Only after you get into a good rhythm where you’re making a handful of first serves in a row should you start to increase your power. A gradual progression like this allows you to amp up the pace on your serve while maintaining consistency.