I consider serving an art, mainly. Granted this stroke is seen as power and speed yet the expert practitioner like a good artist is able to create varied effects. The great servers throughout time know the secret to serving; it is NOT only power. It is really about fluidity, coordination, rhythm, timing, and a host of other factors.
How does one go about learning this?
The first thing to explain is the concept of directions. You have up, down, back and front. Also there is left and right. One might think these directions are “intuitive” and thus take them for granted. However to deconstruct anything one must go to the very basics, and teach them. You’d be surprised at how the very simplest “basics” can be misunderstood. So we start with direction. The reason direction is mentioned is because one needs to know which side is responsible for the initiation of the generation of power throughout the serve.
Once this is understood we proceed to analyze the stance the student has selected. Most modern students will choose either the platform or the slide step. Each work, however the most explosive is the slide step for it allows the student to gather timing and balance similar to a basketball player exploding off the ground.
Once should not pay too much attention to grip. The student should hold the grip the way that is most comfortable for them. The most important aspect of grip is that the student should hold the racquet loosely and loosen on impact rather than tighten. This will give the whipping action necessary for racquet acceleration and a fast serve.
Next is ball toss. High toss or low toss? The flexibility of the student is the determining factor to what toss should be used. Stiff legs necessitate a high toss. High toss means that the student will also pendulum or drop the racquet head before getting the racquet to the set position. Remember top and bottom must be in synch. The student is required to hit the ball as it descends into the strike zone, which is much more difficult to time…and if it is windy, even more difficult than that.
Now let’s look at the more ideal and compact presentation. The student is more flexible, increased trunk rotation and shoulder flexion accompanied by bent knees. One could say this student is more prepared to affect a quicker strike. He will naturally toss the ball lower and begin with a bend in the racquet arm. This type of presentation is much easier to time. The angle created by the bent knees is equal to the angle created by the bend in the arm (forearm, elbow, bicep). Top and bottom in synch. The best server of today Andy Roddick exhibits this in his stroke.
The next area of analysis is extension through the hit. The modern players to not drop the racquet head behind the back and reach up. This is the old “back scratching” action. In yesteryears we were taught to reach up, precipitated by going down first. Now you see the top servers go outside then around, much like the quarterback in football or pitcher in baseball. They go from the ear, around and out. Yes I’m talking about the concept of circular rotation, angular rotation finished with linear acceleration. This is what they do now!
The problems come about when one is mixing these applications incorrectly. For example tossing the ball quite high but taking the racquet from the ear. The top is ready to strike but the toss is so high the strike is mis-timed with the toss and the player must wait for the ball to come into range…a major cause of double faults…too much delay.
The next area to look at is the finish. You must rotate the entire front side around so the aft side can follow. Your head should turn as well. Just watch Andy Roddick. He knows that the body follows the head (that’s why you see him whip his head on his serve and forehand).
Now that we know all this data how do we implement it?
The first thing we must have is the student’s agreement to change. Assuming we have that we’re home free.
Technically we examine his flexibility. He needs increased flexibility so spend much time on this. Next examine his stance: feet too close together? This will throw off his rhythm. How’s the toss? Too high? Work with him to shorten the toss. Explain to him there is little power so far away from his center. If he won’t change instruct him to jump up vertically at impact. This will decrease the distance created by the high toss and cut down on the delay before the strike.
Next get him to rotate. This means to pull down and around with the ball toss arm before contact. This is crucial. The modern serve is powerful because of this pulling action. The racquet is not “pushed” through the hitting zone but instead pulled by the front side first (creating centrifugal force). Work with the student to get the feel. This will take some hours to accomplish.
Note: During training pay little attention to where the ball is going. In or out, in the net…it doesn’t matter at first. They will work it out. The key is the body rotation. As a coach you must know two basic rules. 1) If the ball goes long the student didn’t turn completely enough on impact (and thus there was not enough rotation to bring the ball into the box). 2) If the ball goes in the net the student merely is collapsing on impact (the body is bending over thus dragging the ball down into then net).
If you keep practicing and practicing these fundamentals you will soon have a serve that will make you proud. Not only will you learn the serve but also how to use it. Enjoy!
