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The serve is the only shot in tennis that is entirely dependent on
you and is often called the most important shot in the game. A top-class
serve is based upon a throwing action, and it should flow smoothly and
continuously. The grip used by most professionals is the 'continental'
grip. While some recreational players may use the eastern forehand grip,
this seems to limit the ability to add speed and spin to the serve.
Here are some points to remember when serving: Flat (standard)
Serve 1. Your stance
should allow you to be balanced and relaxed. If you are too square on
(i.e. facing the net), you will not achieve much shoulder rotation, so
turn sideways slightly. 2. The ball should rest in the fingers of the
throwing hand. If you lodge the ball too much in your palm, you may not
achieve an accurate throw. A good toss for a flat serve will fall about
1 - 2 feet in front of your front foot (i.e. closet to the baseline).
This will allow you to lean into the serve and hence generate more
power.
3. The throwing hand should be kept high and straight as the hand
holding the racket is brought up behind the head (into what is known as
the 'trophy' pose). The knees should be bent, so that the the body can
launch itself into the hitting motion. 4.Once the ball has reached the
maximum height and is beginning to fall, the body should launch into the
hitting motion. Keeping your eyes on the ball, the racket should drop
down behind the back, as the elbow is bent.
5. As the body propels itself into hitting the ball, the racket hand
is brought up high to hit the ball and the ball throwing hand is dropped
next to the torso. The racket may twist at the last moment before
connecting with the ball. This is known as 'pronation'. 6. After
hitting the ball, the racket hand should continue down on the same side
of the body, not cross to the other side. After the spring to connect
with the ball, the front foot will be the one that lands first.
 Slice Serve This serve has a swerving flight through the air
and and may be angled away from your opponent to take him/her out of the
court.
The motion is basically the same as for the flat serve, except that
the shoulders turn more fully during the backswing, so that when
striking the ball, the racket strings can cut across the ball from left
to right (for the right-hander). If the ball is thought of as a clock
face, you would strike it from 9 to 3 o'clock. Careful watching of the
ball is required. Kick Serve This serve tends to kick up off
the surface of the court after it bounces and can prove very awkward for
the receiver. It is a high-percentage shot because, by imparting
top-spin, the ball is given greater room to clear the net.
This service normally carries a mixture of topspin and sidespin. It is
struck in a direction from 7 to 1 o'clock on a clock face.
The ball is placed almost directly above the head, so that the server
can turn his shoulders and bend under the ball. The knees should be
fully bent to allow for balance and upward thrust. This serve can be
particularly hard on the lower back if not performed properly, so it may
be best to get some coaching for this shot.
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