Tennis Tutorial Part 4 - The Serve

[heathertoledo69]

nice one

[hh1power]

thanks

[perogol99]

thank for ur tutorial..

[booshoe2000]

Thanks very much. I just watched this vid, followed what you did, and finally got my serve right.

[lshelbourne1]

@booshoe2000 - Many thanks for your comment and I'm really glad my vid helped - hope you have been playing alot of tennis and making further progression. I'm hoping to start being more active on youtube with more vids over the next year... check out my channel - Liam Shelbourne Tennis Channel... cheers again, Liam

[TheRAA2000]

god verry easy

[iankobe]

He makes it look so easy.

[portbou]

nice one

[Jacksr19]

Very good, clear description of the basic serve swing path. I find the clip to be very helpful. I would love to see a longer version which demonstrates the weight shift, and the use of the legs further, if you can Liam. Thanks a lot for your help!

[lshelbourne1]

Many thanks Jack and Snipe for positive feedback - would def like to do more in-depth and advanced tutorials for all shots in future, and particularly on the serve as there are so many elements to the shot to analyse and explain. Will be posted on you-tube if/when I get them done. Hope you're having a good summer of tennis, cheers.

[Jacksr19]

Your welcome Liam. I've had a number of serve lessons, but somehow your video clicked with me. You are a good teacher. I hope you do upload the advanced tutorials. Thanks again, very much, for what you've already done.

[SnIpEwithWiNgS]

nice tutorial

[lshelbourne1]

Another and final addition(I promise!): using your legs is also important in the serve - firstly, to create momentum and rhythm by shifting your weight from the front foot to the back, by rocking or leaning, and then back onto the front foot as the ball is placed up and throwing action starts. Secondly, the legs are used to drive up into hitting zone via a deep knee bend therefore using those big muscle groups to add height to the serve contact point and power to the serve in general.

[lshelbourne1]

...REMEMBER, THE SERVE IS THE ONLY SHOT YOU HAVE COMPLETE SOLE CONTROL OVER (ie it's not a response to an opponent's play) SO DON'T BE RUSHED, MAKE SURE YOU GET EVERYTHING RIGHT BEFORE HITTING IT (set-up & throw-up/placement) AND USE IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE! - hope this has been useful and apologies for waffling...

[lshelbourne1]

In general, every service action is unique - esp. from start point to beginning of the throwing action(see the difference between Federer's classic action and Roddick's abbreviated version). But every server, whatever level, can be helped by taking their time(a pre-serve routine can help eg bounce the ball), staying as relaxed as possible(loose grip is important) and getting the throw-up high enough and straight...

[lshelbourne1]

The chopper grip will allow more spin, power and ultimately more variety on your serve. The left arm, used to place the ball up, should be lifted, lined up with the right-hand net post, remaining as straight to release the ball at eye-level and should continue to follow the ball up after release and held there reaching up toward the ball in order to keep your left side nice and strong whilst the right arm dips and then accelerates up into the throwing action...

[lshelbourne1]

Just a bit of additional info as serve clip has been heavily cut - could spend half hour talking about the serve...! I wanted to clarify that the 'push' serve I start with is a fantastic way for players to get the ball over and in to start the point off - as a coach, this is great as the more people playing the game and playing points, the better. The jump to the 'chopper' grip serve can be v difficult and can require many frustrating hours on court practicing but is vital to progress.