How To Be CONSISTENT On Your Serve | Tennis Serve Lesson

Summary

In this tennis lesson, John Craig addresses the common challenge of serving consistency. He explains the importance of understanding the arc required for the ball to clear the net and land in the service box. Craig suggests using a continental grip and swinging up into the ball to achieve a consistent serve, especially on the second serve. He emphasizes the need for accurate ball placement and offers tips on finding the point of release and maintaining eye contact with the target. Finally, he advises reducing power on the first serve to increase the chances of getting it in, thus improving overall serving consistency.

Takeaways

• 🎾 The serve is the most important and challenging shot in tennis, requiring consistency.
• 🏆 Understanding the court dimensions and net height is crucial for achieving a consistent serve arc.
• 🌐 The ball must have an arcing quality to clear the net and land in the service box, especially for players shorter than 6'7.
• 🔄 The difficulty of serving consistently is due to the need to balance ball speed, trajectory, and gravity.
• 💪 A 'push' or 'lollipop' serve is safe but lacks performance, making it easy for opponents to exploit.
• 🤝 Using a continental grip and swinging up into the ball can improve serve consistency, particularly on second serves.
• 🎯 Consistency in ball placement is essential for achieving a consistent serve; aim for the ball to land inside the shoulder and slightly in front.
• 👀 Keeping your eyes on the point of release and maintaining a consistent gaze helps with accurate ball placement.
• 📈 To improve serve consistency, focus on hitting the ball with 75% of your power to maintain control.
• 📊 Aiming for a high first serve percentage by reducing the occasions of second serves can give you an advantage in the game.
• 📚 Further improvement can be achieved by mastering the ball toss and reducing the power on the first serve to increase accuracy.

Q & A

Why is consistency with the serve considered difficult in tennis?

Consistency with the serve is difficult because the dimensions of the court and the height of the net require the ball to have an arcing quality in its flight to land in the service box. This involves blending ball speed, trajectory, and gravity, which is challenging to do under pressure.

What is the importance of the serve in tennis?

The serve is considered the most important shot in tennis because it initiates the point and sets the tone for the rally. Mastering the serve can significantly elevate a player's game to a higher level.

How can a player improve the arcing quality of their serve?

A player can improve the arcing quality of their serve by swinging up into the ball, creating a high toss, and using spin to bring the ball down into the court. This helps in achieving consistency, especially on the second serve.

What is the difference between a gravity serve and a serve with spin?

A gravity serve relies on the natural force of gravity to bring the ball down into the court, which can be less consistent under pressure. A serve with spin, on the other hand, involves using racket speed to create spin, allowing for better control and consistency.

How should a player's first and second serve feel different?

The feeling of the motion and serve should be similar for both the first and second serve. The main difference is that the player might use more racket head speed for the first serve and apply more spin for the second serve to ensure the ball lands in the court.

What is the recommended percentage of power for a first serve to improve consistency?

To improve consistency, it is recommended to use about 75% of full power on the first serve, swinging with control rather than going for 100% power, which can lead to lower success rates.

How can a player ensure accurate ball placement during a serve?

For accurate ball placement, a player should know their point of release, ideally at the top of their head, and keep their eyes on the target until the ball is released. Using the hand as a guideline can also help determine if the ball is accurately placed.

What are the key fundamentals for achieving a consistent serve?

The key fundamentals include understanding the arcing quality required for the serve, mastering the swing up into the ball, maintaining consistent ball placement, and adjusting the power percentage for the first serve to improve consistency.

How can a player reduce the occasions of giving their opponent a look at the second serve?

A player can reduce the occasions by increasing the percentage of first serves landed in, aiming for at least 50 to 60%. This can be achieved by not going for maximum power on the first serve but instead focusing on control and accuracy.

What are the benefits of having a consistent serve?

A consistent serve allows a player to hold their serve more often, reducing the pressure and enabling them to take charge in the rally. It also helps in maintaining a defensive mindset for the opponent, making it harder for them to attack the serve.