As a serve and volley guy, one of the things that can get in the way of me (and other s/v players) completing the good mechanics of the serve is to think out in the future a bit too much.
In other words, at the completion of my tossing motion, I mistakenly can start thinking about that 1st volley.
And what that thought often translates to is opening up my front shoulder (the tossing shoulder) too soon.
And when that happens, it’s usually not the shoulder that’s the culprit, it’s the tossing arm that can fly open which causes the shoulder to then open.
If your front shoulder opens up too early, you are no longer in a set up position to swing your racket shoulder up so that you can generate power and spin.
It’s a bit counter intuitive, but you’ve got to fold your tossing arm into your chest as you make contact so that your front shoulder doesn’t fly open too early.
Here’s what I mean …
The nasty truth about your 1st serve …
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change your mindset about what you’re supposed to be doing
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What’s up guys?
Hope you’re having a great day so far.
What’s on your mind with this tip? Let me know.
Thanks…
Brent
Brent ,
Interesting as I never thought about the toss arm at this point I’ll go knock some balls and get back to you thanks matt
Hey Matt.
I never thought about much either until Mr. Stow threatened bodily harm!
That seemed to do the trick
Brent
One question I’ve had is the role of blocking the upper body. It seems this tuck of the tossing arm helps “square up” the torso at contact and prevent over rotation of the upper body.
You got it…
Brent
i am fairly coordinated but it feels awkward raising my tossing arm up and going down at the same time with the knee bend. Is this just a matter of practice and repetition?
Hi Peter.
Yes. Coordinating the knee bend takes a ton f practice.
I don’t have much in my serve.
Brent
Hey Brent:
Great video series. Two things:
1. If Fed’s tossing arm is held parallel to the baseline, how is he tossing the ball into the court? I went to the US Open this year, and one thing I noticed is that ALL players were tossing the ball into the court on their first serve.
2. I know you were focusing on the toss, but the slow mo videos of both Fed and you show very clearly the pronation motion in the serve (starting with the racquet on edge as it approaches the ball). I have never seen the pronation motion demonstrated so clearly – thanks!
Ed
watch them closer…most pros start with the ball inside their left leg! they throw paralell to the base line, which gives them a 10″ differential. The ball ends inside the baseline where they strike it.
Brent?
Could be.
Brent
Brent– the anonymous is actually me Eric Carlson
i dont know why it prompted anonymous???
Hey Ed.
Good observation. Fed’s tossing arm must move slightly forward so that the ball ends up in front of the baseline.
He’s clearly not flicking his wrist. A side view might show us more.
Glad these slow motion clips helped you better see and understand pronation.
Brent
Hi Brent: This is absolutely something I do all the time (spinning out to my left). I will work on this. I guess with all the other stuff going on in my serve, I forgot about this very very important component of the action. Keeping my right shoulder back longer, should improve my racquet path shouldn’t it?
Jim
Yes Jim I agree.
Keep the racket shoulder down ad back until it’s time to swing upward.
Brent
Brent,
Been struggling a bit with the toss my entire tennis career. This whole series has been really useful, particularly this last tip about not opening up too soon. I’m a s/.v player (historically, at least) and that’s a really tempting mistake.
Also, you’re take on the tossing grip has really been useful. That palm up grip is seemingly used everywhere, but I just could never get comfortable with it. It really does introduce/encourage wrist involvement with the toss.
Thanks again.
Doug
Hi Doug. Really glad to read that you’re enjoying this tip series.
Brent
I’ve never really thought about where my left arm ends, but I know that I open up quite frequently on my shots, especially when trying to slice out wide. I’m definitely going to try this and will let you know how it works out. Thanks!
Hey JohninMike …
No question, the non racket arm on so many strokes can cause lots of problems.
Gotta make it behave
Brent
I think my tossing arm flies back behind me, past my left side (I’m right handed player).
From memory, some pro’s do the same, but perhaps it depends on what kind of serve it is?
and/or whether you’re serving from the ad court or deuce court.
Morning Dom.
The only player on tour right now that I think opens up early with his arm not folding to his chest is Andy Murray.
Brent
Interesting. Since I’ve started playing tennis (after a 20 year hiatus), my serve has been questionable. I’ne attributed that inconsistency to my head pulling down on the serve and/or opening my shoulders (as you said, to start toward the net). But after listening to the points you made in your video, I remembered the muscle memory pattern that I used to use on the serve – my left arm (I’m right handed) would drop to my right hip area and remain there through the completion of the serve. Like what you recommend, but further down. So now I have something to think about in my league match this afternoon. Thanks.
Hi Joe. Give me some feedback on how your new toss went during league match.
Brent
Brent,
Incredible visualization possible from just watching you and Roger.I’m gonna do this!
DeWitt
Hi DeWitt. Awesome! Really pleased to read that you’re enjoying the visualization aspects of this video tips series.
Is there any one specific aspect that really stood out for you?
Brent
THIS IS MOST CONCETRATED LESSON I’VE SEEN ON THE SERVICE TOSS. REALLY GREAT STUFF. I HAVE A GENERAL LESSON ON THE SERVE TAKEN OFF TENNIS ONE MANY YEARS AGO. THE INSTRUCTOR WAS A GUY NAMES SCOTT MURPHY. HE MAKES SOME THE SAME POINTS ABOUT THE TOSSING ARM. SOMEHOW, I’M SORRY TO SAY, I DIDN’T REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF IT DUE TO LOOKING AT OTHER THINGS PRESENTED.
Hi Fred. Scott is a good longtime friend of mine and I’m sure he gave you some really good instruction.
Glad you enjoyed this tip series on your tossing motion.
Brent
Brett, I have had this awful habit of flicking my elbow/wrist during my toss and I have been unable to cure this bad habit – until now! By watching how Fed prepares to toss – he starts at his racquet, then he comes DOWN with the ball BEFORE he goes UP! This tip of yours and awareness through the slow mo shoot has managed to almost eliminate the terrible flick in my arm motion, it sort of enables the arm to be relaxed and have the natural momentum to flow up and stay up going with the ball and then collapse down into the chest. Thanks Brett, these tossing tips have isolated this fundamental aspect to a successful serve.
Morning Denis.
Great feedback and congrats on being able to study, copy, and make a significant change.
Just one slight flaw in your comments.
It’s Brent with an “n’ and not two t’s.
BreNt