Mankato Athletic Tennis Center, Tips

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by Gerard T. Schwarz, certified USPTR, USPTA, USTA Sports Medicine,
and Tennis Director of the Mankato Athletic Tennis Center

What are the easiest ways to add a few miles an hour to your serve?

#1: Make sure you toss the ball in front of you. I've seen students who've added 15 to 30 miles an hour in just a few weeks simply by consistently tossing the ball in front rather than behind them. Though that sounds like an astounding amount of speed to be gained simply by tossing it a foot in front instead of behind--I've seen it happen with numerous students. As I always tell my students--it's easier to push something than to pull it--easier on your arm--and easier to create more power and consistency.

#2: Develop a consistent toss. One thing I strive to get my students to do is to practice their tosses even when they're off the court. If your toss is in the same place every time, your arm won't have to do gymnastics each time in order to hit the ball. A consistent toss will create a consistent hitting zone which will help create more solid contact on the serve--and thus more speed.

#3: Get the right grip. If you have the continental grip on the serve, you can better pronate (snap your wrist) much better. The simple act of pronation can add 5 miles an hour to one's serve. To check if you have the continental grip, try to bounce a ball off the frame down onto the court. If you can do this, and have the racquet not parallel to the ground, you have the continental grip.

#4: Reach back as far as you can on your backswing. The longer the plain--the more speed that can be generated by it. Think of a car--a car can only get going so fast in 20 feet, alot more in 40. It's the same for any stroke in tennis--the further you move your racquet--the more speed you can generate. Sampras is a pro at this. He reaches further than anyone else on the pro tour. And that is why his racquet speed, not only his mph speed, is one of the fastest on the tour.

#5: Hold your weight back as long as possible. This will help you transfer your weight with the shot, rather than using the weight to move to the ball. You want your arm to propel you and the weight of your body up and into the court, rather than the weight of your body moving your arm into position. It may sound like a subtle difference--but it can easily add a few miles an hour once you have mastered it.

Try the above to help you develop a more powerful serve. It usually isn't instant [what in perfecting a skill is :-)], but consistent practice of the above items over a few weeks will get you more power and speed for your most important shot in tennis--the serve.

More tips soon! Please check back.

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