First serve: 1. use a continental grip, 2. Hit the ball at around 2 o'clock for power Topspin serve; do not use Eastern forehand grip and hit straight behind the ball or else you will have little consistency and your serves will have a predictable path and bounce. You can use a more backhand grip and hit the ball around 3 o'clock for more sidespin. This type of serve which is aimed short on the sideline on the deuce court by right handers is a good serve on the forehand side of the returner. Never hit flat or topspin serves straight into the returners forehand- that's an easy return. The variation on spins and locations makes a good first serve. You can't be as aggressive on locations on the 2nd serve and should usually alternate between sidespin serves into the body and topspin serves that make the returner reach far on the backhand side. On the 2nd serve, it's especially important to toss high enough and keep the tossing hand up as long as possible to prevent hitting into the net. If you hit long, it's because you don't have enough spin - toss slightly more to the left (for a right hander) and use a grip closer to the one hand backhand grip.
Coach Tom, it would be great if you can create a video on how to pronate while serving. I have been trying to learn that for several months, but haven't yet been successful. Thanks!
Not too good... sorry about that... I want hawkeye let's take a look! LOL. Please go to my other channel here for more tips: th-cam.com/channels/wyXamwtzfDIvRjEFcqNmSw.html To your tennis success, Tom
Practice practice practice... when you try to hit totally FLAT you must aim close to the net because there is NO SPIN to ball the down in the box... learn to put a little topspin on your first serves and still hit it hard. Go to my other channel: th-cam.com/channels/wyXamwtzfDIvRjEFcqNmSw.html To your tennis success, Tom
Great tip, but I stopped watching the video when you said don't toss the ball high. If you look at the video Djokovic made where he's giving tennis advice, he clearly said, "I toss the ball high as it helps me engage my legs more." As a tennis instructor for the past 10 years, I have to respectfully disagree with you.
Hey there is NO "ONE WAY" to serve just look at the variety we see on the Pro Tour. Some toss higher than necessary... some toss to the peak of their reach... As a teacher I prefer the toss to the peak of the reach... I think the student gets more rhythm and fluidity... besides making it easier on timing and in windy conditions. Also, I think you can still engage the legs with a toss to the peak of your reach. Check out Alexander Dolgopolov's serve. All the best, Tom
Tennis Lessons Online with Tom Avery I agree, one can engage their legs when tossing at the peak, but then they are rushed to perform all the other necessary movements of a serve, which can easily get a half-ass attention when not performed correctly. To each his own. Cheers and thanks for your otherwise great tips.
First serve: 1. use a continental grip, 2. Hit the ball at around 2 o'clock for power Topspin serve; do not use Eastern forehand grip and hit straight behind the ball or else you will have little consistency and your serves will have a predictable path and bounce. You can use a more backhand grip and hit the ball around 3 o'clock for more sidespin. This type of serve which is aimed short on the sideline on the deuce court by right handers is a good serve on the forehand side of the returner. Never hit flat or topspin serves straight into the returners forehand- that's an easy return. The variation on spins and locations makes a good first serve. You can't be as aggressive on locations on the 2nd serve and should usually alternate between sidespin serves into the body and topspin serves that make the returner reach far on the backhand side. On the 2nd serve, it's especially important to toss high enough and keep the tossing hand up as long as possible to prevent hitting into the net. If you hit long, it's because you don't have enough spin - toss slightly more to the left (for a right hander) and use a grip closer to the one hand backhand grip.
Nice points!!
All the best,
Tom
Thanks Tom, been a long time fan !!
Excellent lesson.
Glad you liked it! Please go to my other channel here for more tips: th-cam.com/channels/wyXamwtzfDIvRjEFcqNmSw.html
To your tennis success,
Tom
I wish you continued success in the field of tennis and youtube thank you
Thanks so much!!
To your tennis success,
Tom
Thank you Tom again . Good tip !
Thnks Tom, helpful. All the best.
Thank you
You're welcome!!! My pleasure!!
To your tennis success,
Tom
Coach Tom, it would be great if you can create a video on how to pronate while serving. I have been trying to learn that for several months, but haven't yet been successful. Thanks!
+Jayesh Vyas
I've done videos on pronation... search for it not only on this channel but also at Tom Avery Tennis Channel.
All the best,
Tom Avery
Anyone else notice the slow motion serve went long?
Not too good... sorry about that... I want hawkeye let's take a look! LOL. Please go to my other channel here for more tips: th-cam.com/channels/wyXamwtzfDIvRjEFcqNmSw.html
To your tennis success,
Tom
Yeap, it did!
6:27 and the display serve was…long!
Clearly
I get what your saying but what I need is to get first serve flat serve in the service box consistently. How can I achieved this.
Practice practice practice... when you try to hit totally FLAT you must aim close to the net because there is NO SPIN to ball the down in the box... learn to put a little topspin on your first serves and still hit it hard. Go to my other channel: th-cam.com/channels/wyXamwtzfDIvRjEFcqNmSw.html
To your tennis success,
Tom
Relly Good Tom !!!
Thanks!! Much appreciated.
All the best,
Tom
Great tip, but I stopped watching the video when you said don't toss the ball high. If you look at the video Djokovic made where he's giving tennis advice, he clearly said, "I toss the ball high as it helps me engage my legs more." As a tennis instructor for the past 10 years, I have to respectfully disagree with you.
Hey there is NO "ONE WAY" to serve just look at the variety we see on the Pro Tour. Some toss higher than necessary... some toss to the peak of their reach... As a teacher I prefer the toss to the peak of the reach... I think the student gets more rhythm and fluidity... besides making it easier on timing and in windy conditions. Also, I think you can still engage the legs with a toss to the peak of your reach. Check out Alexander Dolgopolov's serve.
All the best,
Tom
Tennis Lessons Online with Tom Avery I agree, one can engage their legs when tossing at the peak, but then they are rushed to perform all the other necessary movements of a serve, which can easily get a half-ass attention when not performed correctly. To each his own. Cheers and thanks for your otherwise great tips.
You put to many spin on your serve you can hardly talk about a first serve anymore
Even on a first serve with a little spin for more control is always a good thing.
All the best,
Tom