Coaching Tip - January 2021

    Are you having trouble with your Serve?
    Hitting too many into the net?

    The Serve is the most important stroke in tennis and many players have problems with consistency whenever the scoreboard is involved i.e.
    • During a practice match
    • in a Singles or a Doubles Team competition
    Or
    • an Individual tournament
    So try to relax, don’t overthink the process and let it happen.

    If you are consistently hitting the Serve into the net
    • Slow down the racquet takeback and ball toss arm at the start of your serving motion
    • Try to keep your head up and still during your serving action
    • check the height and position of your ball toss
    Try a higher toss and vary that height to see if that you can find the height that works for you
    • Reach up using your legs and arms to drive up to contact the ball at the highest point
    Your ball toss arm should follow through upwards after release and point to the ball in the air.
    This will help you reach up to the ball.
    If the arm drops too early your head may also drop resulting in a low ball toss.
    Synchronise the movement of your back hip, leg and foot so that this fits in with your kinetic chain for serving
    i.e. move your back foot and hip forward after the racquet take and ball toss but as a precursor to
    the leg and hip drive and the Racquet drive up to the contact point
    If the leg movement and drive is to early i.e. out of sync then it is likely that the serve will go into the net.

    Get your Coach to help you.

    You will also need to practice the tips above during your hitting and organised practice sessions so that they become a natural part of your game plan.

    • Relax and enjoy the game

    I hope that the above tips will help you improve your Serve so that you can take your game to the next level.

    Try not to confuse yourself by thinking too much.
    Keep it Simple. Relax and let it happen

    Let me know if you can think of any other options to help you achieve a more consistent and effective physical and mental game.

    Steve
    Website www.stevejamestennis.com