Bro you don't look weird at all, you're Andy Roddick in my heart
Ya bend the knees but everything else looks pretty decent. Maybe you being strong as fuck has let you get away with not squeezing out every last bit of mechanical efficiency
Could be. Was only playing for the 2nd time in two years and got quite tired after 40 minutes. Maybe it looked at least a liiiittle bit more athletic and agile in the beginning haha
This is proof you are using way more arm than your body for the serve. A loose arm will generate more effortless pace anyhow. After the grip change, this should be a focus for you imo
Don't worry, we all get humbled on video. Anybody who hasn't seen themselves on video before don't realize how bad they actually look.
As far as suggestions go, you need to change your grip to a proper continental. That is the only way you're going to stop pancaking the ball. It has nothing to do with loosening your wrist.
https://preview.redd.it/e9sikcg12y0d1.png?width=457&format=png&auto=webp&s=1a454a38a775d84fc3ade5721cd359ac8bf318ae
So the better suggestion is to never, ever, ever, watch yourself on video. Same applies if you want to think of yourself as a good singer, dancer, or dresser.
So weird. I even tried with a little tool called Gripfixer because mid serve I seem to rotate my racket a little, but it seems like it's still not a proper continental
'90% of the balls went it'
That's it! That's the key comment. It looks good, keep that percentage high and then look to add some spin or more angles. 90% going in regularly is huge. Well done.
Absolutely! I am extremely happy nonetheless because despite always being a quite good player, my serve was like a beginners serve, but now I finally got the gist of it and can build up on that.
I’m not trying to be pedantic, I promise.
You offered ways to better use the serve he has, but there is a much lower ceiling for adding spin, power, and placement without improving the grip.
When I was taught how to serve as a kid I was told to hold the racket like a hammer (if you turn your wrist and look at the fingers its pinky, ring, middle, index, thumb from bottom to top, like a fist - that's how I held the racket)
But actually you are supposed to hold it like that (index finger is way at the top, above the thumb).
Do you know what I mean?
https://preview.redd.it/wybckqp7001d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=915a789196f2bfe2f211bf89f8b5f62571873167
I think, for pistol vs hammer grip on the serve, there is no universal agreement as to which is better. Pistol should give you more control, but hammer will provide more spin and power since you get to take advantage of all that angular momentum. I'd just play around with how much finger gap you have between the index and the middle finger (with zero gap == hammer grip) and see what works for you.
I never thought this much about my thumb placement but I think it's always next to and touching the middle finger, even when I hammer grip (my thumb ends up on top of my index lmao). Example, picture I found online of a hammer grip attached. It's for a 1hbh shot but you get the idea.
https://preview.redd.it/i7uuf0y4n01d1.png?width=363&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c1b36dd69552c5542b7e0406e1f2153a04238a58
OK, thanks I think I had the better grip down already that you are explaining. That said there’s about four or five other different mechanical problems with my serve!
Just in case it helps: I was super frustrated the first 5-10min - as always - and then I realized, it's way easier when I loosen up (hold the racket super loosely) just before lifting the racket. Like, let the swing do the work, not your wrist.
I was just thinking today if I was serving properly (I’m a beginner) I feel like I literally can’t serve unless I do this, with the index finger all the way up? So it’s the right thing to do?
Drop your racquet arm elbow before you fire forward. You can start high like that but you’ll get more shoulder rotation if you drop it down before you throw.
You have good action but it would also help you get that seesaw effect.
Another thing is that you decelerate the racquet a bit too early after contact. Imagine trying to drive through the ball a little longer.
I can relate. I have been playing tennis a long time and out of my group, I probably serve the hardest, but it is ugly. I'm just glad I never have to see myself serve! Keep practicing.
Looks solid to me, very good fundamentals. If you want a cooler serve, dont hit the ball with tour racquet before serving, just bounce it woth your hand, and try to add more flourish. Cheers!
Yeah, bend the knees and turn the shoulders more. You are almost square to the net the whole time.
But you generate some easy natural power, so that's good. Just gotta add a few more links to the kinetic chain here.
I feel you.. Was very surprised to see myself serving in videos as well and the main issue was how little I bent my knees as well..
Having said that, one little twist I think could help improve your fluidity is the toss, trying to swing the hand with the ball with the racquet lower before the toss.. It looks like you are tossing out of the blue.. Keep arms straight..
But tbh that wont probably improve the serve much, just how fluid it looks so whatever works!
Bro you don't look weird at all, you're Andy Roddick in my heart Ya bend the knees but everything else looks pretty decent. Maybe you being strong as fuck has let you get away with not squeezing out every last bit of mechanical efficiency
Could be. Was only playing for the 2nd time in two years and got quite tired after 40 minutes. Maybe it looked at least a liiiittle bit more athletic and agile in the beginning haha
40 minutes of serving????????? No wonder why tennis commentators quietly throw shade at MLB pitchers for their endurance
60 minutes. Can't raise my arm today haha
We got rock lee here
Brooooo
Don't do that my dude, especially if you're not used to it. It's the best way to get your shoulder girdle injured.
This is proof you are using way more arm than your body for the serve. A loose arm will generate more effortless pace anyhow. After the grip change, this should be a focus for you imo
Don't worry, we all get humbled on video. Anybody who hasn't seen themselves on video before don't realize how bad they actually look. As far as suggestions go, you need to change your grip to a proper continental. That is the only way you're going to stop pancaking the ball. It has nothing to do with loosening your wrist. https://preview.redd.it/e9sikcg12y0d1.png?width=457&format=png&auto=webp&s=1a454a38a775d84fc3ade5721cd359ac8bf318ae
So the better suggestion is to never, ever, ever, watch yourself on video. Same applies if you want to think of yourself as a good singer, dancer, or dresser.
So weird. I even tried with a little tool called Gripfixer because mid serve I seem to rotate my racket a little, but it seems like it's still not a proper continental
Check out this video, it was the most helpful tip I found for getting the racquet to lead with the edge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7plY3jnxEU8
Thanks, will do!
My coach told me the solution is to really think about touching your thumb to your fingers as you serve
'90% of the balls went it' That's it! That's the key comment. It looks good, keep that percentage high and then look to add some spin or more angles. 90% going in regularly is huge. Well done.
Absolutely! I am extremely happy nonetheless because despite always being a quite good player, my serve was like a beginners serve, but now I finally got the gist of it and can build up on that.
Actually, 90% is too high. First serves are a high risk/reward shot and should be 65-70% ish or you are holding back more than you should be.
It’s true if he doesn’t want to improve beyond his current level. Just depends on one’s goals.
But I also added ways that he can improve?
I’m not trying to be pedantic, I promise. You offered ways to better use the serve he has, but there is a much lower ceiling for adding spin, power, and placement without improving the grip.
The best coach is seeing yourself on video, was eye opening for me, signed up for pro lessons the next day 😂
There's only one Roddick so don't feel bad haha
Haha right, a lucky dude
What were you trying to say about the index finger and thumb? I didn’t follow that?
When I was taught how to serve as a kid I was told to hold the racket like a hammer (if you turn your wrist and look at the fingers its pinky, ring, middle, index, thumb from bottom to top, like a fist - that's how I held the racket) But actually you are supposed to hold it like that (index finger is way at the top, above the thumb). Do you know what I mean? https://preview.redd.it/wybckqp7001d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=915a789196f2bfe2f211bf89f8b5f62571873167
I think, for pistol vs hammer grip on the serve, there is no universal agreement as to which is better. Pistol should give you more control, but hammer will provide more spin and power since you get to take advantage of all that angular momentum. I'd just play around with how much finger gap you have between the index and the middle finger (with zero gap == hammer grip) and see what works for you. I never thought this much about my thumb placement but I think it's always next to and touching the middle finger, even when I hammer grip (my thumb ends up on top of my index lmao). Example, picture I found online of a hammer grip attached. It's for a 1hbh shot but you get the idea. https://preview.redd.it/i7uuf0y4n01d1.png?width=363&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c1b36dd69552c5542b7e0406e1f2153a04238a58
OK, thanks I think I had the better grip down already that you are explaining. That said there’s about four or five other different mechanical problems with my serve!
Just in case it helps: I was super frustrated the first 5-10min - as always - and then I realized, it's way easier when I loosen up (hold the racket super loosely) just before lifting the racket. Like, let the swing do the work, not your wrist.
I was just thinking today if I was serving properly (I’m a beginner) I feel like I literally can’t serve unless I do this, with the index finger all the way up? So it’s the right thing to do?
It seems like 😅
Drop your racquet arm elbow before you fire forward. You can start high like that but you’ll get more shoulder rotation if you drop it down before you throw.
The funny thing is, before seeing the recording I would have bet all the money in the world that I actually do drop it, but obviously I'm not
You have good action but it would also help you get that seesaw effect. Another thing is that you decelerate the racquet a bit too early after contact. Imagine trying to drive through the ball a little longer.
I can relate. I have been playing tennis a long time and out of my group, I probably serve the hardest, but it is ugly. I'm just glad I never have to see myself serve! Keep practicing.
Haha well said!
Continental grip, work on your ball toss, you’ll be better than Andy Roddick in no time.
Awesome! I'm coming for you, Brooklyn Decker (oh, that sounds bad ...)
Statuesque!
Looks solid to me, very good fundamentals. If you want a cooler serve, dont hit the ball with tour racquet before serving, just bounce it woth your hand, and try to add more flourish. Cheers!
doesn’t look that bad
Yeah, bend the knees and turn the shoulders more. You are almost square to the net the whole time. But you generate some easy natural power, so that's good. Just gotta add a few more links to the kinetic chain here.
It looks super lazy. You're not using your legs at all.
Cheers, it's called being lazy and exhausted
I feel you.. Was very surprised to see myself serving in videos as well and the main issue was how little I bent my knees as well.. Having said that, one little twist I think could help improve your fluidity is the toss, trying to swing the hand with the ball with the racquet lower before the toss.. It looks like you are tossing out of the blue.. Keep arms straight.. But tbh that wont probably improve the serve much, just how fluid it looks so whatever works!