Slice Serve vs Kick Serve In Tennis - How and When To Hit Each One

Summary

In this Top Tennis Training video, Simon explains the strategic uses and techniques of the slice serve and kick serve in tennis. He details the mechanics, including ball toss and racket path, for each serve, emphasizing the importance of disguise and the right moment of contact for maximum effect. Aimed at improving players' serves, the video also offers a free PDF guide on perfecting the tennis serve.

Takeaways

• 🎾 The video compares the slice serve and the kick serve in tennis, highlighting their importance in a player's arsenal.
• 🔄 It's crucial to understand the differences between the slice and kick serve to use them effectively in matches.
• 📢 The channel offers a subscription and notification bell for updates on new tennis lessons.
• 👉 The slice serve is used to open the court, especially on the 'juice' side for right-handed players and the outside for left-handed players.
• 💪 Using the slice serve to the body can 'jam' the player, forcing them to return from an uncomfortable position.
• 🎯 The slice serve can be used on both the first and second serve, but is generally preferred on the first serve if a good kick serve is not available.
• 🌀 The mechanics of the slice serve involve making contact around one or two o'clock on the ball's 'clock face' for a dipping effect.
• 🤔 For the kick serve, the contact point is different, aiming for seven to one o'clock to generate spin and a high bounce.
• 🏐 The kick serve is particularly effective on the second serve, targeting the opponent's backhand weakness or opening up the court on clay surfaces.
• 📚 The video mentions a free PDF guide available for download, offering five steps to hitting the perfect tennis serve.
• 🕺 Disguising the slice and kick serves is essential to prevent opponents from anticipating the serve type and adjusting their return strategy.

Q & A

What are the two types of serves discussed in the video?

The two types of serves discussed in the video are the slice serve and the kick serve.

Why is it important to develop both the slice and kick serve in tennis?

It's important to develop both serves because they are essential in a player's arsenal and knowing the differences between them allows for effective use in different situations.

What is the main purpose of using a slice serve to open the court?

The main purpose of using a slice serve to open the court is to take the opponent way off into the tram lines, leaving the rest of the court open for the third shot.

How can a slice serve be used to jam the player?

A slice serve can be used to jam the player by serving into the body, forcing the player to return the ball from an uncomfortable position.

What is the advantage of using a kick serve on the second serve, especially down the T?

The advantage of using a kick serve on the second serve down the T is that it targets the opponent's backhand wing, which is often a weaker side, and the ball bounces up and out of the hitting zone.

What is the recommended contact point on the ball for a slice serve?

For a slice serve, the recommended contact point is around one or two o'clock on the ball's top right side, depending on the player's handedness.

What is the 'shoulder over shoulder' effect mentioned in the video?

The 'shoulder over shoulder' effect refers to the seesaw-like motion of the shoulders during the serve, where the right shoulder drops and the left shoulder rises, creating an upward motion at the point of contact.

How does the ball toss differ between the slice serve and the kick serve?

For the slice serve, the ball is tossed more to the right for right-handed players, allowing for a better curve. For the kick serve, the ball is tossed more to the left and slightly behind the head, facilitating the brushing motion across the ball.

Why is it important to disguise your slice and kick serves?

Disguising your slice and kick serves is important to prevent the opponent from easily reading your serve and anticipating its direction, making it more difficult for them to return the ball effectively.

What are some situations where a slice serve would be most effective?

A slice serve is most effective when serving out wide on the juice side, curving the ball into the body, slicing down the tee for more margin, or using it on the outside for a wide serve to mix up play.

In what scenarios would a kick serve be most beneficial?

A kick serve is most beneficial when serving down the T on the juice side to force a high return, serving out wide on the outside to force the opponent into a defensive position, or using it into the body on the outside to catch the opponent off guard.