I don’t know about you, but there were (OK, now and then are) times when I miss my 1st serve, and then as I get ready to play my 2nd serve, there’s this little voice that I hear that’s telling me stuff like “Dude, it’s 30-40 and if you miss this 2nd serve your life is gonna suck BIG time. No pressure pal, but you better not screw up this 2nd serve…”.
Don’t you just love how we can allow those insidious little voices that create so much doubt to completely take over?
Well, I’ll be honest, until I took control of that other voice by making sure I said something super positive BEFORE that other voice had a chance to spew, well, I was at the mercy of that negative and confidence killing thinking.
There’s no magic tip here. IF you hear something that goes something like what I described above in between your 1st and 2nd serves, then you have to take charge of it right now.
Because if you’re not, I’m telling ya, your confidence is going to be all over the map from really lousy to not very good. And that’s not where you want to be executing your game plan from. You want to be in charge of what you’re telling yourself.
My advice is to right now think of a word or phrase that you tell yourself immediately after you miss a 1st serve.
It’s got to be a non emotional professional word or words of direction that you tell yourself. Something like to make sure you completely finish your tossing motion.
You are NOT at the mercy of that other negative voice. You’re in charge out there, so dang it, work it.
The reality check here is that you actually have to practice saying that word or words to yourself when you’re on the court and from time to time when you’re off the court just to insure that you’re getting comfortable saying it AND believing it.
No problem if you want to refine whatever it is you tell yourself between 1st and 2nd serves, but it has to be a deliberate, conscious, positive, and a non critical statement you make.
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How about you? What are you telling yourself between your 1st and 2nd serves?
Brent
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“racquet head speed” works for me. Reminds me I need to swing just as fast (maybe faster) on that second serve as the first.
I have two gremlins which I have mostly conquered with my phrase but every now and then creep in.
1) I usually have a solid first serve % (I aim for 80%, happy with 60%) but every now and then it goes off. If I miss a few in a row I can blurt out a negative between serves. Always always ends in disaster for my second serve two.
2) That pesky voice sometimes says either “do not double fault now” or worse “you haven’t hit one double yet.” just as I start the toss.
The problem with this is you do it – it works – and you think you have this serving thing sorted and you stop saying the word. Then it bites you. Not at 40-15, but at 30-40 in a key match. Got to keep doing it – and that is tough (for me at least) to do as I get lazy. (It’s just the same as my post match stretch which I neglect to do if nothing is hurting.)
I’m not to different from Ed. B. On second serves I like to say to myself, “hit up on the ball”. This helps me to get more top spin on the ball as well as keeps my racket head speed up.
Hey Larry.
Right. I haven’t read all of the comments yet, BUT what I’m hoping to find is that most of us are saying to keep the racket speed going.
Brent
Great thought there Paul.
Me as well…
I need to think racket speed, high quality spin, head stays up.
Brent
Brent, Great stuff I think all comments are good. I like to tell myself to keep the head up all
the way through the shot. Dont look to where the balls going and drop the head.
This is usually what short circuits my second delivery. I look up and see a bad shot!
Brent,
I tell myself: Be aggresive, the spin will bring it in.
Love your tips…slice serve to the T helped me win match sunday.
JIm
I always say in my head as I’m serving the 2nd serve “this is a beautiful serve”
This thinking definitely helps me and an idea that was passed on to me recently from a pro to help keep any negative thoughts out of my head for the 2nd serve
Hi Bob.
Very positive thought.
Brent
As a mental coach for professional athletes I want to throw in that going for positive thinking is like putting a bucket under a leaky roof. It catches the water but does nothing about the problem. Naturally, thinking positive is better than thinking negative. Optimum though is to just realize it’s just thought – it’s not real and has nothing to do with your performance unless you start treating them as such and begin working on them. Anybody who’s ever performed in the zone knows that you aren’t thinking positive when it happens. You either don’t think at all or the thinking is going on but is more like a tv set left on in a corner of room and doesn’t affect you. Positive thinking with that in mind is shadow boxing – whatever new trick you try to apply the shadow has learnt too. Because both positive and negative thinking is in the way of being fully involved and present. Once you see the fact that it’s just thought it doesn’t hinder you from doing what you normally can do:-)
Hi Anders.
For me, I really need a positive feeling or I start to really come unglued.
From an intellectual point, you’re right, but from a non professional amateur player reality, staying positive gives one the best chance of paying well.
Brent
I have to agree with Anders, I have all of my positive “pep talks” when I am out practicing. So if I miss my first serve I know that my second serve is going in I don’t think. Because of this I have been told that my second serve is better than my first. If I go out on the court thinking too positive I sometimes take my match to light and at the first problem I start thinking to much about everything except the match, trying to find something to blame the reason I am not playing well. But when I go in to a match feeling good even against a better player that I have lost to before I just settle in to the match and play my game. I would say use practice to gain the poise in those situations. I look at my second serve as a free throw shot thats how I pratice and thats how it has worked for me.
As Rafa says in his book, “you have to squash all negative thoughts.” I think, even if it means STOPPING you service motion, you reposition your thoughts to positive ones of location, location, location.
Hi George.
Jealous. I’m sure you’re down there in FL basking in the warm sunshine.
Pretty tough to have ANY negative thoughts there this time of year!
Brent
I just say one word to myself: “UP!!”
OK, a bit enigmatic, but what I mean when I say this to myself is hit up on the ball, not through it. It is amazing how well this works for me.
Upthread, Paul is so right about what happens when you forget to say the magic words… when I forget my UP command then I inevitably start hitting long or into the net.
Great one Ed.
Remember, all of this takes never ending practice on and off the court to make it feel natural AND believable.
Brent
I just mind between the first and the second: “Topspin on his backhand now”. Just like that
Hola Fernando.
Right. Get that spin to get up and out to that backhand side.
Brent
My voice says to me – “Don’t screw it, hit high topspin above the net” – I know it is not positive, more technical. Sometimes it helps sometimes not.
Hi Ralph.
Edit it down to just “Hit high topspin above the net”.
You don’t need the other stuff …
Brent
My voice says ‘watch the ball’ as the temptation to look over the net before contact is greater on big points
That’s a great one Colin.
No question that the 2nd serve can be a stressful situation and that our instincts might be to “peek” to early.
Eyes stay at that contact point longer than you want …
Brent
Same with me.There is always huge temptation to watch the ball land in on big points.
I also do think hell don’t screw up…this negativity is unavoidable sometimes and also depends on your general play(forehand,backhand).If I am playing Ok,I don’t think anything at all..I am at peace.and most probably all the first serves goes in as in case like PROS I don’t aim for lines or corners.
Since I am not really a great in serving the negativity does come in say on 50% of times.
2nd serve is all about “more air” over the net and “let the spin, win”!
PS If telling yourself “WHERE” to hit the ball on the service, does it also work for a groundstroke, or is there just not enough time? Really bugging me!
Thanks
Q
Hi Q.
No question for me that I’ll often think about the exact spot on the incoming ball I want to contact.
That will also help with the process of executing the shot and not the outcome.
Brent
it may sound stupid, but i do not think of the situation, all serves are equal in my eyes. i do not think of the score, i just concentrate on the next action. it is a learned behavior and it works, i think it comes down to not caring if you win or lose, but just doing the best you can, do not get upset over missed shots, it is ok to make a mistake, but learn from it, Like I said it is a learned behavior, On another note, really enjoy your site, thanks loads.
Phil
Me likey phil’s way of thinking. It’s a lot easier to pull, though, once you have confidence in yer game. . .
Kevin
“pull *off*”
Hey Kevin. It is easier when you have confidence, but you gotta earn that confidence every time you step out there on the match court.
Find a system that works for you. Per match, warmup, etc., and whatever it is, trust it and bring it every time.
That’ll help bring out your confidence more quickly in a way that’s believeable.
Brent
Hey Phil.
Ideally, that’s a great way of thinking about it.
But for me realistically, I have to stay competitive to keep moving forward, to keep trying to bury this guy, and that requires some constructive positive scolding ow and then.
Brent
For me its “Don’t hold back, go for it” in my head since I know I am more likely to double when trying to play it safe. Head speed drops, arm swing tightens – all trying to just push it more than hit it. Holding back and playing safe leads me into more trouble than a really confident approach. Visualising my best second serve also comes into it too.
S
Love it. That’s all great stuff Stephen.
Brent
Brent, I am very positive about my 2nd serve these days ….. ever since I saw your 2 tips about the elongated time frame for eye contact at the ‘hit’ & the arm across the chest. This helped me win 2 tournaments in 2010;
When it comes down to it, YOU ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR 2ND SERVE …..
You are correct Marc about your 2nd serve.
We should all hit 25 2nd serves twice this week in practice.
Brent
Hey Brent, as if by providence today I encountered an enhanced situation to the one you suggested with the video on the 2nd serve. I was 4-6 4-5 0-40 (3 match points down); saved the 3 match points and went on to win 4-6 7-5 6-3 ….. I commenced 2 of the 3 match points with 2nd serves & boy did I ‘Go For It’ …… your 2 points on the 2nd serve a while back has given me so much confidence to come back from the dead at times.
I will need this confidence in January when I defend one of my Indoor titles. Keep up the great video instruction.
Marc Howland
Belfast
Northern Ireland
My thought: Get It In
As in, get it in please dear God do not let me miss this OR here we go, let’s get this in dude …?
I say, “Serena serve.” Not only does Serena have the best serve in women’s tennis, but she also seems to have so much confidence in herself. I imagine that Serena believes in herself and would never have negative thoughts about her ability to put a 2nd serve in the box, so if I put myself in “Serena mode” to give myself more confidence.
P.S. Believe it or not, I am not a fan of Serena, but I do admire her mindset during her matches.
Good way of thinking about being in that moment.
“What would _____ do right now?”
Brent
Been stuggling with my second serve all year. I practice hitting it just fine but in game situation I here the voice 90% of the time. These are good tips.
Thanks guys!
Was thinking about you on this one JP!
Tell that other voice to hit the road.
You’re in charge.
Brent
“Don’t miss this one”
Instead, try “Gonna make this one right now. Here we go …”
Brent
Sometimes when I mess up in a point I say to myself–good plan, poor execution. So when I NEED to make the second serve, I say EXECUTE. has more than one meaning of course, like –kill, Bubba, kill.
But it’s just one word.
Hi,
I know this voice telling me: “don´t miss this one” and then the second serve goes in like a falling apple, just by gravity. The opponent takes advantage of this and attacks to the net after a nasty forehand.
Same thing I say on every serve- “Toss”. Perfect toss = in serve; that simple.
Happy Holidays!
I really don’t give the 2nd serve too much thought. I just decide where i want to place it (not too close to a sideline). I just assume it is going in, and focus on what i want to do with my second shot.
Of course, I think it is important to have a pre-serve ritual, e.g. bounce the ball 3 times, look at your target, slow/methodical exhale as you think about what you want to do with your 2nd shot. It is important to go through the same ritual before every serve – no matter the score.
I compare hitting a 2nd serve to shooting a pressure free throw in basketball… Rather than focusing making the free throw. Just assume it’s going in, and focus on what kind of defense you are going to fall back into – zone, man, press, etc.
actually a few negative thoughts in the above comments:
“don´t miss this one”
“Don’t hold back”
“Don’t screw it”
the mind says “don’t” but the body only hears the action, not the negative.
Personally, I don’t have a pet phrase, but I visualize and plan what I’m going to hit and where to hit it – a non-verbal phrase, I guess.
I think the most important thing is that the second serve really works and you have genuine confidence in it. When my second serve was undergoing changes and was very inconsistent, it was impossible to dismiss the worry voice in my head. When it behaves and is going where it is supposed to, it is easy to have the positive voice/attitude.
The biggest turning point for me was when the spin I was putting on my second serve started creating errors and weak returns. At times I was winning more second serve points than first serve points (much to my surprise
). That gave me some confidence and genuine belief.
My Goals = 1) All of my serves are 2nd serves and 2) a high percentage of serves I serves the first time are in. Focus here is build the point every game point, use serves as approach shots, control, or neutralizing strokes, AND don’t look for a quick exit.
This, of course, is not favored among most players at my level who are impressed by various kinds of attempts, successful or not, to quickly exit the point.
To build my confidence with the kick serve I serve it as a 1st serve, but if I miss I serve it again – so, two 2nd serves.
This is my variation of a tip from Jim M., to serve both serves at the same pace. The purpose, I think, is simply to help train oneself mentally and emotionally and YES understood a more accomplished server would have a 1st and 2nd serve.
Yet, the value for me is that over time I have eliminated the puff or backed off serve 95% of the time – yes going backwards to old recurring habits, particularly when initially implementing a critical change, does occasionally happen as a natural function of making constant changes to my game, which is why I keep a lot of notes to go back to and refer to, to get back on track once I reasonably lock in another change.
i am always cognizant of the score and the situation …… i remain positive, loose, focused, and always tell myself on second serves to the ad side to “stay fundamental”
I got you now , kick this “baby”
I hum and make sure I exhale on the contact with a specific target in mind
It’s not really a voice, more like a feeling. I know I have to make the second serve. Sometimes this will lead me to try and guide the ball over. I will drop the left shoulder in order to “push” it over the net. This will affect my toss as well. If I miss, then it’s usually due to the fact that I didn’t “swing at the ball”. This is what I tell myself after I miss (into the net). Which is usually where I miss, if I do.
Well obviously, it’s usually one of these, or a combination of all 3 due to the “pressure” of getting the second serve it.
I have to not overthink … when I put to much thought into the second serve and try to over correct ..well it does the opposite… So I just say simply “Keep the ball in” It might not be a great serve .. but it usually does go in..and well way better than double faulting right!
Hey Brent,
I do have those voices from time to time and I hate them. My mantra for my first and second serve is usually, “Stay Up”. Stay up as long as possible in the toss/serve and not drop my head. – Will
PS: Thanks for the tips, they really do help and work. I have been using your “Directional Serve” tip.
I really don’t say anything to myself unless my first serve was into the net. If it was, then before my second serve I always tell myself (out loud) “Keep your head up!” This ensures I watch the ball until I hit it.
I just think “Up and Out”; reminding myself to hit up for topspin and hitting out 100%.
Honestly? The voice usually says, “Well, even if I get this softball in the box, he is going to CREAM the return.”
If only that little voice in your mind would just shut up for once………
I do two things: try to correct what I did wrong on the first serve (toss too low, pulled my head down, the list can go on and on) and visualize the second serve after deciding where I want to serve it.
Lots of great comments here. Thanks.
REALLY ?? FORTUNATELY I HAVE A GOOD SECOND SERVE SO I HAVE NO PROBLEM IF A MISS THE FIRST ONE BUT I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU MEAN EVEN THOU ALLWAYS SAY TO ME NO PROBLEM LETS GET THE SECOND AND ATTACK THE NET EVEN ON THE SECOND IAM A SERVE AND VOLLEY PLAYER LOVE TO ATTACK
Myers Briggs says there are 16 personality types, so I suppose there are at least 16 possible answers to figuring out how to control oneself mentally and emotionally. Since only 1 to 2 % of the population have my personality type, I have to work pretty hard to find my solutions.
usually I play the first serve like the second one with lots of spin, and I rarely have double faults. But from time to time I loose confidence to my serve not in the state of loosing my game, no, sounds really funny, I have most problems in terms of winning the game. Suddenly questions appear, that hinder me from going on with my successful game. And even my serve, one thing I don`t have to worry, starts failing. Awful!
If I miss my first serve, I say;”Make a good toss” in my mind repeated two or three times. This has worked quite well for me.
Brent, in another different note; but perhaps somewhat related topic: How does a player self-diagnose his game and put it back together when he starts making a lot of forced and unforced errors
I say, make a good toss. good toss over two or three times.
/
Very helpful comments thank you. I like what Anders offered too.
For me it varies around how long I have been playing when that critical moment arrives (mental and energy levels) but most times I can change my thinking.
I realise it is just that “the inner voice” and try my best to block it out and lift myself with a sort of “a good game to win” approach.
Techniquewise in such situations I endeavour to maintain my “service shape” by not dragging on the racket speed and consciously keeping that left hand up, perhaps a fraction longer so as to avoid pulling the ball down into the net. Horrors!!!!!
“Mi” should read Michael
I use to try to hit with a lot more topspin, but ended up serving too short. So I reversed the process and concentrated on hitting the ball more solidly. It works like a charm. I say trust the stroke and execution is automatic.
This is definitely something I have done during my league play this fall/Winter. I tell myself, “Head up, arm up, and bend the elbow. The first two keep my toss undercontrol and looking too much at the service box to early. The last one, bend the elbow, came about recently when the pro told me I needed to bend my elbow more. I was lessening my service motion on my second serve in order to dink the 2nd serve in. I know I can serve, so I just get back to basics and get that second serve in.
Before my first serve, I think “pronate”. Before my second serve, I think “Australia” – I’m going to hit the ball at Australia and move my racket across it to North America. Alternatively, before both serves, I sometimes concentrate on “keep my toss arm up.” On topspin ground strokes, at least lately, it’s been “drop that racket head.”
A couple of things.
First, I always say “Eyes up, hit up.” Generally I get into problems with serving when my eyes shift downwards from the point of contact. If you watch through the point of contact your shoulder won’t be tempted to collapse into the shot, which inevitably ends up with a serve into the net. On the second serve especially, I find “hitting up” makes me thing about brushing the ball and making that soft sound by leading with the racquet edge versus the hard sound you’d get from a flat strike.
The other thing I start every match with is “You’re not getting paid to do this”. While I compete I try to remember that I’m not a pro who has to live and die based on making that next shot. Lack of confidence comes from fear of failure. Minimizing the consequences of failure is a great way to boost confidence. At the end of the day, what does it matter for most of us if we miss a serve in the larger scheme of things? Truth is, not much.
I tell myself to ease my little finger off the grip. If I’m in real trouble, I’ll lift up my index finger. Heard this from Pete and Pancho via Jim McLennan, which is more than good enough for me.
Watch out if you miss !!! or Come on you can do it easily !!! or Dont think twice and hit de ball !!! those 3 things go throw my mind
The internal voice just before the 2nd serve is the analysis of what went wrong on the first. This way my mind is busy with a constructive analysis how to make the second serve in vs. a distructive thinking ‘Oohh! my God if i double fault, I loose the game/set… match”.
If the 1st one was into the net, then I know usually it’s because I waited too long and hit the ball way too low. If it’s long, then not enough spin. Luckily I know how to correct both, so I don’t double fault many times.
The other advice I can give (something I practice from time to time) is to practice second serves often – You’re as good as your second serve. Sometimes, against weaker opponents I serve 2nd serve as my first… This way I gain more confidence in my second serve.
Hi Brent,
Love the site and thanks for all of the great stuff. Now on to the second serve. I have only been playing for two years, I am 29, and I play on a 4.0 league as well as a 4.0 WTT league, when people find out that I have been playing for such a short time they ask me who taught me how to serve. When I tell them I taught my self how to sevre by watching videos on the internet and PRACTICE they think I am joking. But it is the truth. All I did was look at some video get a box of balls and swing away. When praticing my second serve I always build my confidence so when I miss my first serve in a match I know my second serve is good like a free throw shot.
hmmmm…’sometimes I’m wondering what’re we having for dinner tonight ?’
No, seriously I try to use visual intentions which are quite minimal. (Self 2 concept from The Inner Game by Timothy Gallwey)
Example: I visualize my legs jumping upwards & into the ball and spinning it in with a relaxed wrist…
and love your web site Brent – keep up the good work and happy holidays!
Elledge
I say to myself:
1.”Richie. you’ve got the best 2nd serve in the town – don’t stop your hand”!
2. “You’ve got the right to loose this game – don’t worry”!
I was taught to relax and go through my focusing routine, a la Sharapova, picking at her strings and bouncing the ball. This keeps me from rushing into the second serve to quickly and not being prepared properly.
I am going to try your advice and find something in my service motion to focus a phrase on, like “up and out.” It seems that for me if that is going on, everything else is enough in line, and I won’t get into looking back at mistakes.
Of course ‘positive thinking’ ALONE will not get it done. But it does seem that a positive, directive FOCUS will keep you oriented to what you know how to do.
I don’t actually think it in words, but I sometimes get a general sense that the second serve is going to screw up. Then I get too controlling and put it into the net. I double fault 2 to 6 times a match. I tried telling myself, “clean the slate and hit it.” Too complex. It sometimes works to think “serve from your backswing, as that will get me accelerating a little more, which almost always helps.
Got to work on this. My second serve is one of the weakest parts of my game.
it is far better to not think at all! just play your second serve!
After starting to play tennis again after a 20 hiatus, I found I either developed some bad habits or the muscle memories of old habits were still strong. One place was the serve. My serve was completely undependable. Ace / unreturnable or a fault. Not much in between unless the serve was too slow. I got more consistent, but was almost guaranteed a double fault on the second serve, especially on a key point. My muscle memory response in trying to hit lots of spin is to lift the rear leg, bend forward at the waste and drop my head. On a good day I might hit the fence rather than the court. And, of course, as I prepared for the second serve, I could hear myself saying, “Don’t double fault, don’t double fault.” Which would cause me to tighten up and I’d often do double fault anyway.
Point being, I LOVE the idea of a positive voice. So, the question is, should what I say be more than one thing? For example, I’m inclined to say something like, “Place the ball and throwing motion.” For me that means don’t rush the motion, place the toss with a slight hesitation before the rest of the service motion and use a throwing (pitching) motion rather than my “bad” muscle memory. What do you think?
I keep it simple: “Everything up.” i.e. legs, body, racket, and confidence.
Oh my god, that awful voice that is always talking about bad things. I noticed that always when I have to stop between 1st and 2nd serve (like pushing away a ball that is in middle of the court) I 99% do double fault xDDD Because if I change my position it’s like I can’t find a good concentration on my 2nd serve.
At my least training with my kids I noticed that playing with them, I always hit the ball in. So I think that it’s that confidence that’s making the difference…AndI have it with my little tennis players because I know that they’re not that good, and so I have to think about all my opponents.
The last match I played (a week ago I think), before 1st and 2nd serve I was always saying to myself… “do it like with your tennis disciples” and I can’t believe, but it works!!! So I think that I will use some good thoughts all time in my matches
Thanks Brent!!! And Merry Christmas
When I miss my first serve I tell myself “Shoulder UP”. As Brent says you serve with your shoulder.
Greg
What I say to myself depends on how I feel that day and who my partner is if I’m playing doubles.
I have one female partner who takes three steps back if I miss my first serve which #1. breaks my concentration, #2. irritates me because I like to hit my second serve with the same pace as I hit my first serve but the steps indicate a lack of confidence in my second serve, so then, I am less likely to hit the serve I like.
If I’m playing singles, I usually hit the second serve as hard as and sometimes even harder than my first serve because I always hit my first serve at less than 100% of what I could hit. I remind myself of basics, like, keep my head up and not look at where the ball is going, follow through, keep a loose wrist, decide where I am aiming, forehand, backhand or body serve.