What I love about Brent's videos is that he gives REALISTIC coaching and tips to intermediate players. He knows that none of us are going to learn how to hit a shot like Nadal so he anchors us in the solid concepts and works from there.
So there you have it folks. It may take up to 5 months of just practicing your 2nd serve to get it to where you're so confident with it that you feel no risk in going for something with your 1st serve. Well done Million ... Brent
i finally got a consistent second serve. all i did was stop serving first serves for about 5 months. as a result i got my second serve good enough to do it on the first try. now that i kno that my second serve will always go in, i can attempt first serves with confidence. and because of that confidence my first serve tends to go in more often now as a result. you basically have to learn how to win points with ur second serve before having the luxury of a good first serve
This video, along with another one you did about allowing for shoulder rotation, has been immediately helpful to me and has made all the difference in my second serve. All of a sudden I have confidence in it and don't feel the urgent need to dink it in order to keep it in. I've seen a bunch of your videos now and I think that you are the best tennis teacher on the web, as your instruction is geared exactly toward the recreational player. Often it takes just a few simple and understandable tweaks and adjustments to elevate the stroke to the next level, as with this second serve. Two very simple things, moving forward and shoulder rotation, and the difference is immediate. Thank you.
Hey Mark. Thanks for your kind words. That's my mission ... to help 'the rest of us' out there ;-) What a great feeling it is to know that you can bring high quality spin to your 2nd serve and know that it's not going to sit up over there. You can pick my full course titled "How To Crack The Topspin Serve Code" at no charge over here: new.webtennis.com/wtrs-free-serve-course
Thanks for this advice,it actually worked in a way that through the practice tips you gave me I realized what my main mistakes were,and why I could not create depth. 1.Elbow position was too low 2.Ball toss(tossing the ball just a little bit in front worked the best for me.) 3.Much faster swings give better result.It kinda gives sense of insecurity in the beginning,but it vanishes through the practice.There is so much more spin on my serve now.
It took me a while to learn that varying my first serve was a good competitive tactic. Trying to understand the returning persons weaknesses or biases helped me to have a plan of action and target for my first serve. Keeping your opponent out of their comfort zone or unsure of your next shot is something that took me a while to learn.
Hi Coach and greetings from Germany, thank you for making these helpful videos. For me your serve demonstrations are by far the best on the internet, because you are explaining the complex service motion in detail and with a special focus in each of your clips. Please keep up the good work! :) Best regards, Patrick
You're right. Trying to hit just like she does would be rough on the body for sure. BUT, there are 5 things she does that we can copy. Probably can't do those 5 things as well as she does, but well enough to where it does give us a much better 2nd serve. Those 5 fundamentals will be available in a couple of days over at WebTennis. The link is in the Description area above. Brent
Hi Makhtar. Just tinker with slightly different toss placements and see what you get. The timing of the forward movement (jump or back foot step first) will take some practice depending on where you place your toss. Practice - keep working - it'll eventually come to you ... Brent
Great video! I was so focused on trying to create topspin I couldn't understand where my power went. Simply "leaning" into the serve really seems intuitive to create power without forcing it.
Brent, hope you are well and wish you best of success in your coming New Year. I played Begleman in a club tournament match recently, I had him 6-3; 5-1, with a match point at 5-2 with him serving. I blinked and promptly lost the set at 7-5, with third set going to him at 6-0!! An an excellent 2.5 hr match with great momentum shifts and good lessons for me. Serge
SSFEDSTER SIra Thanks for the new year cheer! Same to you ... Man, that's rough, but, you're not alone ;-) I'm doing a new podcast interview series titled "Tennis - Mental Meltdown Moments" that will feature former all-time touring greats and current world class senior players who have coughed up leads just like the one you described. Even the great ones find a way to give one away now and then. These players will share their stories plus give us great advice on how to minimize them as much as possible - stay tuned ...
Coach Great video. It will help me. I tend to lack confidence on my second serve and just arm the ball to get it in. But that just sets up the ball for the returner. I want to put more spin on it and with some depth.
Apologies for not responding sooner. Have faith that more spin equates to better control (height over the net and the spin curves it back down inside the service line). So, if you slow down your swing speed, you get less spin, and thus, less control. I feel as if I swing faster on my 2nd serve ... Brent
Hi Alberto. I won the national USA 35s hardcourt doubles with the Prince Pro 110. So, if memory serves, I've been with an oversize racket since the early 80s. Brent
Hi I am playing professional tennis and my ranking is 530 right now in WTA. I feel pretty confident in my first serves but recently I am having problems in my second serves and hitting around 7-9 dfs in a match. So I am gonna try using your tip and see how it works for me. Will comment again for sure 😊
Great video Brent. As always. I think my trouble spot may be others as well... It is the feel of the toss a d the need to toss more into the court as a
Thanks again, Brent, for another great tip. It helps me clearly understand what I need to do to improve my second serve. I especially like how you help remove the misconception that jumping into the court means that I have to keep moving forward no matter what.
Love this lesson. Very helpful tips on moving forward after the second serve. I tend to forget my swing mechanics when I do the second serve, just popping it up to get it in. Thanks! PS Love your neighborhood!
Hi Eric! Good to hear from you. That's a friend's home ;-) Right. Keep that toss slightly forward so that you can naturally take a step or two in after you make contact.
Cont... As opposed to tossing behind to get a good racket movement. I think I always assumed you generated more racket speed but the toss has a great deal to do with the body moving naturally into the court. Just gotta get on the court and put some practice in! Thanks again.
Let's try this in an attempt to get better depth on your 2nd serve when you're adding some footwork to your service motion. Get a bucket of balls (no more than 30), and put a target 3 feet behind the service you're serving to. Not only try to havde your 2nd serves land deep for awhile, but also try do that while increasing the height over the net. No fair hitting deep practice serves without a nice high arc. Brent
I think Maria's got a great tossing motion that really sets up her swing. BUT, I do think Sharapova at times drops her tossing arm down just a hair too early. The finish of the tossing motion is to help you get into the proper hitting position. Make sure you maintain that position as you start your upward swing. Brent
Good question on the difference between deuce and ad courts. No. But there is sort of an optical illusion for righties serving to the deuce court to where they feel a need to open the shoulders too early. Opposite of course for lefties. Opening the shoulders too early is a recipe for lousy topspin. Stay sideways longer than what might feel natural to insure your swing path goes up the back of the ball ... Brent
For me, I need a little forward footwork to get some extra pop - spin on my 2nd serve, so right, keep that toss placement where you can naturally get a step or two into the court after contact even if you want to stay back on the baseline. There's a real balance between staying sideways at contact and also turning forward to get some power. Just gotta keep workin ... Brent
Outstanding. Nice job on breaking down specifically what it is you need to work on. You're right, there has to be a some blind faith that practice will eventually get you where you want to go (a better quality spin). Brent
Great video as usual Brent! The way I personally think of my first serve is to not about the power I generate. I view my first serve as IS MY FIRST SERVE GOING TO KEEP ME AT AN ADVANTAGE when I start the point? I dont bomb my serves by any means but I increase my chances of holding serve because of my good placement and spin. This includes 1st and 2nd serves. I especially liked the 3 points you brought out about the 2nd serve. Thanks again, I appreciate your videos! -Jeffrey K.
Decent video. I see lots of people not moving forward on the 2nd serve because their toss is so far behind them when hitting the kick serve. I see lots falling backwards and to the left (for righties) after hitting their kick 2nd serve. Hitting that kick serve and getting forward is crucial in doubles too.
your comments about not moving forward is so important. and I need to work on it. I make a good serve and then stand back and admire.....not good. Thanks for your professional comments
+James Murphy Hey James. You're right, it's really important to have that forward movement into the court to help you get natural power and spin. Work on keeping that toss out in front, set up to swing in a balanced position, and then make sure your swing goes up & forward ... Brent webtennis.com for free access to all "WTRS?" episodes.
Thanks again Brent, you just point my biggest problem (and the biggest problem of all my friends). When I serve a second serve, I notice quite often that I toss the ball behind me, and that toss dosen't allow me to add some foot work . Personally, I also notice that my shoulder turn is not complete after a second serve, I stay too much side ways, even after hitting the ball... (I sometimes finish with the racket between the legs!!! I even hit my legs couple of times !!!) Any advice coach ? Thx
Hello Coach, may I ask you a question? Can you please tell me WHY we should keep up the racket head during the phase of racket takeback? I do it and I am playing well with this, but often I see players who don´t do this. Serena does not have her racket head up when playing backhand. Other players, for example all Spaniards like Ferrero and Almagro have their racket head up on forehands and backhands during takeback. Thanks in advance for answering my question and best regards, Patrick
I am adjusting my serve to making it stronger currently. For second serve, I use an extreme Eastern grip for a hard slice. I think my body usually comes in on the serve but last weekend pulled a groin so gotta figure a way to not injure my leg. lol
Very good advice first of all. I have the problem of not getting any power into my 2nd serve. However mentally I feel that if I am moving forward I might hit the ball long. Where should the ball be when I am hitting it, above, behind or in front of me? Thanks
Don't think of the 2nd serve as powerful. Think out it as guiding the power or energy in a different way. Most most use more energy in their second second serve because they exaggerate shoulder rotation and hip rotation for spin. So the first serve energy is more vertical and the second serve energy is more horizontal. You can fix your mental game by practicing enough so that you are confident.
Love it! Thanks for your kind words. Glad you liked this video. Look, I love watching Rafa play, but there's no way to effectively copy what he can do. I suppose if you could look like him to start, well then maybe ;-) Brent
Hey TB. Without seeing you serve, it's really tough to know how to advise you. Any chance you can send me a short video clip of your serve? No longer than 15 seconds. Video from a phone is plenty good as long as there's no camera movement while recording. No charge ... Brent
Downloading..Another great tips from Brent... :D I need to improve my 2nd serve badly T_T!! I can do the kick during the drill but during match and i am doing the full motion..the kick is kinda missing..
kindly tell me where to toss the ball....is it at 12 o clock over the head or just infront....and what is the difference between a kick and twist serve
I actually tried that 2nd serve technique before,but it resulted in lot of my 2nd serves finishing in the net.It gives more power but net clearance is much lower.Maybe I don't "draw" enough power from my legs to extend my upper swing motion? Anyway,great tip and it produces far better 2nd serves but you need really good technique to execute it imho.
When i usually serve my second serve i stay where i am and dont move forward into the ball like you discussed in this video. Im excided to get out and try your tips on the court!
Recently I was taught to serve second serve with kick but I am starting to feel pain on my back. Maybe I am bending my back way too much. What do you think?
Hard to say Juan without seeing your service motion. I don't believe in a tossing position on top of or behind our heads. Too much risk for injury. You can learn to hit a nasty topspin serve with the toss slightly to your side and out in front. Comp video tip here: new.webtennis.com/topspin-serve-tip
+Ha Tien For sure, in fact, you want to swing your racket shoulder up to initiate the swing and get a better spin. Brent webtennis.com for free access to all "WTRS?" episodes.
Right, that's a tough habit you've developed to break. BUT, I'd suggest you try to develop a new habit where you start with your left toes down and your left heel up so that all you have to do is move forward into your tossing motion. It's the opposite of what Sampras did where he has his left toes up off the court to start. Try it and get back to me with some more feedback. Thanks for asking ... Brent
Benjamin Fowler Hi Benjamin. Literally parallel? Like Mac was in the 70's / 80s where he showed his back to the returner? If so, I don't have that kind of flexibility, and frankly, that's a pretty extreme set up that requires tremendous flexibility and timing. Brent
aim your front foot toes to the corresponding net post either when you set up for your serve, or just as you hit the ball on your follow through. That always worked for me. You get your body aiming the right way when you do that.
Im having the problem where my racket won't let me get the spin on the ball to drop it in the service box. I know it's my new racket because my old one is a little heavier and although my first serve isn't the best with the old one the second serve about 80% of the time goes exactly where I want it. With my new racket however I have a more confident first serve with about a 65-70% rate of a good solid deep serve but my second serve just doesn't quite make it in with barely a 35% chance of hitting right
I am not much interested in oversized racquet. But, yes, serving is so much a mental issue....the body plays a role, because when it's stiff, serve does not go in, but the mental relaxation is key to place the serve in place. and mental relaxation means the body is more prone to do those specific movements that accompany the serve...
I always attempt a first serve on my 2nd serve. 1st it gets rid of any silly pressure. Yeah I'd rather double fault than toss a pathetic sitting duck of a serve. I agree with Nick Kyrgios basically. Secondly, more than half the time that you attempt a hard 2nd serve, you won't double. And half of that more than half is going to be aces, or a forced return error for your opponent.
I'll bet if you could measure it that you put a little more spin on your 2nd serve even if it's just a hair. Comp topspin serve course ---> WebTennis.com
erm...i think every session i play,i will drill around 5-10 2nd serve.. playing 3-4 times every week..last saturday i think almost 20 serve i had done during the single session..
+quinby123 It is. Love to get out there and work my butt off. Quiet. Warm. Let's get to work ;-) Brent Here's the info video for my new course "How To Break The Peeking Habit", you know, how to stop looking up just prior to contact. ruclips.net/video/msMvNvVTWG8/видео.html
horrible coaching - trying to teach you to put first serve in to "Start the point" - sir it is men's tennis. First serve needs to WIN you points more often than not - otherwise you are gonna be eaten alive by good players.
This is definitely not horrible coaching! if you are trying to win points solely on your first serve, you will find yourself hitting your first serve into the net or long more often than is necessary! First serves are meant to give you momentum in the point, not to end the point before it has even started. Even if you look at players like Roger Federer, most of the time he does not win the point right off his serve. He is good at getting aces quite often but most of the time he sets himself up to win the point after the serve. Great coaching!
@@VL1975 You know you've lost the argument when you find the need to resort to name calling. Even club players have really powerful forehands and backhands. If your 1st serve just sits there you won't have any time to swing for your first groundstroke after your opponent's return, as you just barely finished your serve motion. Perhaps the club players you play against have weak groundstrokes. First i hated playing against hard hitting club players. And then i ended up loving it. It's because of them and their crushing returns that i owe my crazy hrs put into learning how to serve properly.
What I love about Brent's videos is that he gives REALISTIC coaching and tips to intermediate players. He knows that none of us are going to learn how to hit a shot like Nadal so he anchors us in the solid concepts and works from there.
So there you have it folks.
It may take up to 5 months of just practicing your 2nd serve to get it to where you're so confident with it that you feel no risk in going for something with your 1st serve.
Well done Million ...
Brent
i finally got a consistent second serve. all i did was stop serving first serves for about 5 months. as a result i got my second serve good enough to do it on the first try. now that i kno that my second serve will always go in, i can attempt first serves with confidence. and because of that confidence my first serve tends to go in more often now as a result. you basically have to learn how to win points with ur second serve before having the luxury of a good first serve
This video, along with another one you did about allowing for shoulder rotation, has been immediately helpful to me and has made all the difference in my second serve. All of a sudden I have confidence in it and don't feel the urgent need to dink it in order to keep it in. I've seen a bunch of your videos now and I think that you are the best tennis teacher on the web, as your instruction is geared exactly toward the recreational player. Often it takes just a few simple and understandable tweaks and adjustments to elevate the stroke to the next level, as with this second serve. Two very simple things, moving forward and shoulder rotation, and the difference is immediate. Thank you.
Hey Mark. Thanks for your kind words. That's my mission ... to help 'the rest of us' out there ;-)
What a great feeling it is to know that you can bring high quality spin to your 2nd serve and know that it's not going to sit up over there.
You can pick my full course titled "How To Crack The Topspin Serve Code" at no charge over here:
new.webtennis.com/wtrs-free-serve-course
Thanks for this advice,it actually worked in a way that through the practice tips you gave me I realized what my main mistakes were,and why I could not create depth. 1.Elbow position was too low 2.Ball toss(tossing the ball just a little bit in front worked the best for me.) 3.Much faster swings give better result.It kinda gives sense of insecurity in the beginning,but it vanishes through the practice.There is so much more spin on my serve now.
It took me a while to learn that varying my first serve was a good competitive tactic. Trying to understand the returning persons weaknesses or biases helped me to have a plan of action and target for my first serve. Keeping your opponent out of their comfort zone or unsure of your next shot is something that took me a while to learn.
Smart tennis. In the end, it's not about how much power you can bring to the party. Variation ...
Hi Coach and greetings from Germany,
thank you for making these helpful videos. For me your serve demonstrations are by far the best on the internet, because you are explaining the complex service motion in detail and with a special focus in each of your clips.
Please keep up the good work! :)
Best regards, Patrick
You're right. Trying to hit just like she does would be rough on the body for sure.
BUT, there are 5 things she does that we can copy. Probably can't do those 5 things as well as she does, but well enough to where it does give us a much better 2nd serve.
Those 5 fundamentals will be available in a couple of days over at WebTennis. The link is in the Description area above.
Brent
Hey Jeffrey. Good to hear from you.
Good man for thinking that your serve is simply a way to start the point and maintain control.
Brent
Hi Patrick.
Thanks for your kind words. Glad you like this video.
Brent
Hi Makhtar.
Just tinker with slightly different toss placements and see what you get.
The timing of the forward movement (jump or back foot step first) will take some practice depending on where you place your toss.
Practice - keep working - it'll eventually come to you ...
Brent
Great video! I was so focused on trying to create topspin I couldn't understand where my power went. Simply "leaning" into the serve really seems intuitive to create power without forcing it.
Glad to read this resinated with you ...
Outstanding. Will be curious to read your feedback after you try this a couple of times.
Brent
Brent, hope you are well and wish you best of success in your coming New Year. I played Begleman in a club tournament match recently, I had him 6-3; 5-1, with a match point at 5-2 with him serving. I blinked and promptly lost the set at 7-5, with third set going to him at 6-0!! An an excellent 2.5 hr match with great momentum shifts and good lessons for me. Serge
SSFEDSTER SIra Thanks for the new year cheer! Same to you ... Man, that's rough, but, you're not alone ;-)
I'm doing a new podcast interview series titled "Tennis - Mental Meltdown Moments" that will feature former all-time touring greats and current world class senior players who have coughed up leads just like the one you described.
Even the great ones find a way to give one away now and then. These players will share their stories plus give us great advice on how to minimize them as much as possible - stay tuned ...
Coach
Great video. It will help me. I tend to lack confidence on my second serve and just arm the ball to get it in. But that just sets up the ball for the returner. I want to put more spin on it and with some depth.
Apologies for not responding sooner.
Have faith that more spin equates to better control (height over the net and the spin curves it back down inside the service line).
So, if you slow down your swing speed, you get less spin, and thus, less control.
I feel as if I swing faster on my 2nd serve ...
Brent
Hi Alberto.
I won the national USA 35s hardcourt doubles with the Prince Pro 110.
So, if memory serves, I've been with an oversize racket since the early 80s.
Brent
Great video all around with many great tips Brent
This is helpful, I will check my footwork tomorrow (normally I am not crossing the baseline after my second service). Thanks!
Hi I am playing professional tennis and my ranking is 530 right now in WTA. I feel pretty confident in my first serves but recently I am having problems in my second serves and hitting around 7-9 dfs in a match. So I am gonna try using your tip and see how it works for me. Will comment again for sure 😊
Great video Brent. As always. I think my trouble spot may be others as well... It is the feel of the toss a d the need to toss more into the court as a
Thanks again, Brent, for another great tip. It helps me clearly understand what I need to do to improve my second serve. I especially like how you help remove the misconception that jumping into the court means that I have to keep moving forward no matter what.
+Ryan Hupping Wow Ryan! Beautiful. Brent
Love this lesson. Very helpful tips on moving forward after the second serve. I tend to forget my swing mechanics when I do the second serve, just popping it up to get it in. Thanks! PS Love your neighborhood!
Hi Eric! Good to hear from you. That's a friend's home ;-) Right. Keep that toss slightly forward so that you can naturally take a step or two in after you make contact.
Cont... As opposed to tossing behind to get a good racket movement. I think I always assumed you generated more racket speed but the toss has a great deal to do with the body moving naturally into the court. Just gotta get on the court and put some practice in! Thanks again.
Let's try this in an attempt to get better depth on your 2nd serve when you're adding some footwork to your service motion.
Get a bucket of balls (no more than 30), and put a target 3 feet behind the service you're serving to.
Not only try to havde your 2nd serves land deep for awhile, but also try do that while increasing the height over the net.
No fair hitting deep practice serves without a nice high arc.
Brent
I think Maria's got a great tossing motion that really sets up her swing.
BUT, I do think Sharapova at times drops her tossing arm down just a hair too early.
The finish of the tossing motion is to help you get into the proper hitting position.
Make sure you maintain that position as you start your upward swing.
Brent
Good question on the difference between deuce and ad courts.
No. But there is sort of an optical illusion for righties serving to the deuce court to where they feel a need to open the shoulders too early. Opposite of course for lefties.
Opening the shoulders too early is a recipe for lousy topspin. Stay sideways longer than what might feel natural to insure your swing path goes up the back of the ball ...
Brent
For me, I need a little forward footwork to get some extra pop - spin on my 2nd serve, so right, keep that toss placement where you can naturally get a step or two into the court after contact even if you want to stay back on the baseline.
There's a real balance between staying sideways at contact and also turning forward to get some power.
Just gotta keep workin ...
Brent
I am frequently off balance after hitting serve. I must get the too out front and body behind it. Thanks for your great coaching tip
A great choice to copy. Arguably the best 2nd serve of all time?
Brent
Outstanding. Nice job on breaking down specifically what it is you need to work on.
You're right, there has to be a some blind faith that practice will eventually get you where you want to go (a better quality spin).
Brent
Great video as usual Brent! The way I personally think of my first serve is to not about the power I generate. I view my first serve as IS MY FIRST SERVE GOING TO KEEP ME AT AN ADVANTAGE when I start the point? I dont bomb my serves by any means but I increase my chances of holding serve because of my good placement and spin. This includes 1st and 2nd serves. I especially liked the 3 points you brought out about the 2nd serve. Thanks again, I appreciate your videos!
-Jeffrey K.
Decent video. I see lots of people not moving forward on the 2nd serve because their toss is so far behind them when hitting the kick serve. I see lots falling backwards and to the left (for righties) after hitting their kick 2nd serve. Hitting that kick serve and getting forward is crucial in doubles too.
your comments about not moving forward is so important. and I need to work on it. I make a good serve and then stand back and admire.....not good. Thanks for your professional comments
+James Murphy Hey James. You're right, it's really important to have that forward movement into the court to help you get natural power and spin. Work on keeping that toss out in front, set up to swing in a balanced position, and then make sure your swing goes up & forward ...
Brent
webtennis.com for free access to all "WTRS?" episodes.
Thanks again Brent, you just point my biggest problem (and the biggest problem of all my friends). When I serve a second serve, I notice quite often that I toss the ball behind me, and that toss dosen't allow me to add some foot work . Personally, I also notice that my shoulder turn is not complete after a second serve, I stay too much side ways, even after hitting the ball... (I sometimes finish with the racket between the legs!!! I even hit my legs couple of times !!!) Any advice coach ? Thx
Hello Coach,
may I ask you a question? Can you please tell me WHY we should keep up the racket head during the phase of racket takeback? I do it and I am playing well with this, but often I see players who don´t do this. Serena does not have her racket head up when playing backhand. Other players, for example all Spaniards like Ferrero and Almagro have their racket head up on forehands and backhands during takeback.
Thanks in advance for answering my question and best regards,
Patrick
I am adjusting my serve to making it stronger currently. For second serve, I use an extreme Eastern grip for a hard slice. I think my body usually comes in on the serve but last weekend pulled a groin so gotta figure a way to not injure my leg. lol
Very good advice first of all. I have the problem of not getting any power into my 2nd serve. However mentally I feel that if I am moving forward I might hit the ball long. Where should the ball be when I am hitting it, above, behind or in front of me? Thanks
Don't think of the 2nd serve as powerful. Think out it as guiding the power or energy in a different way. Most most use more energy in their second second serve because they exaggerate shoulder rotation and hip rotation for spin. So the first serve energy is more vertical and the second serve energy is more horizontal. You can fix your mental game by practicing enough so that you are confident.
Love it! Thanks for your kind words. Glad you liked this video.
Look, I love watching Rafa play, but there's no way to effectively copy what he can do.
I suppose if you could look like him to start, well then maybe ;-)
Brent
This is great advice for novice/intermediate players. Thanks!
Hey TB.
Without seeing you serve, it's really tough to know how to advise you.
Any chance you can send me a short video clip of your serve? No longer than 15 seconds.
Video from a phone is plenty good as long as there's no camera movement while recording.
No charge ...
Brent
hi brent i use the topspin/kick serve for my first and a slice serve for my second after i serve i use a walking step to step into the court
Downloading..Another great tips from Brent... :D
I need to improve my 2nd serve badly T_T!!
I can do the kick during the drill but during match and i am doing the full motion..the kick is kinda missing..
Fabulous video !!! Thank you !!!
great video man, hell of a tip
kindly tell me where to toss the ball....is it at 12 o clock over the head or just infront....and what is the difference between a kick and twist serve
I actually tried that 2nd serve technique before,but it resulted in lot of my 2nd serves finishing in the net.It gives more power but net clearance is much lower.Maybe I don't "draw" enough power from my legs to extend my upper swing motion? Anyway,great tip and it produces far better 2nd serves but you need really good technique to execute it imho.
When i usually serve my second serve i stay where i am and dont move forward into the ball like you discussed in this video. Im excided to get out and try your tips on the court!
Right on bro ...
Thanks.
Brent
Glad you liked this video m9 ...
Anything specifically that really helped you?
Brent
ty itll really help me with my tournaments
Hi , how do u hold ur racket in second serve?
Ash H Hi Ash. You mean for the grip? If so, continental grip.
Brent Abel's WebTennis.com Sometimes even an eastern backhand grip to exaggerate pronation and spin.
Brent Abel's WebTennis.com o
what are your recommended grips for the 1st and 2nd serve?
Recently I was taught to serve second serve with kick but I am starting to feel pain on my back. Maybe I am bending my back way too much. What do you think?
juan b Yeah that happened to me
juan b Try to toss the ball more on top of your head instead of past it
Hard to say Juan without seeing your service motion. I don't believe in a tossing position on top of or behind our heads. Too much risk for injury. You can learn to hit a nasty topspin serve with the toss slightly to your side and out in front. Comp video tip here: new.webtennis.com/topspin-serve-tip
thats what i do with my first serve and just stay behind the baseline on the second serve is it ok to do it the first serve brent?
can you swing up when you toss the ball in front of you for the second serve?
+Ha Tien For sure, in fact, you want to swing your racket shoulder up to initiate the swing and get a better spin. Brent
webtennis.com for free access to all "WTRS?" episodes.
i'm trying to copy sharapova's form... what do you think of her serving technique? :)
Thanks for the tips man
You got it Frisbee ...
My footwork seems OK, but my kick serves always land long and don't have much pace. Any ideas?
Try this tip over at new.webtennis.com/topspin-serve-tip
So do I ...
My friends the Millers are extremely generous with the amount of time I get to use their court.
Brent
good tips...I served the best second serve first and then the second serve is easier
Right, that's a tough habit you've developed to break.
BUT, I'd suggest you try to develop a new habit where you start with your left toes down and your left heel up so that all you have to do is move forward into your tossing motion.
It's the opposite of what Sampras did where he has his left toes up off the court to start.
Try it and get back to me with some more feedback.
Thanks for asking ...
Brent
Hello, Nice video. My tennis coach said I should be parallel to the base line when I serve. It doesn't look like you do that. Why not?
Benjamin Fowler Hi Benjamin. Literally parallel? Like Mac was in the 70's / 80s where he showed his back to the returner? If so, I don't have that kind of flexibility, and frankly, that's a pretty extreme set up that requires tremendous flexibility and timing. Brent
I have a big problem with the serve, My toss and swing are fine however the ball always lands in the wrong box. Help?
aim your front foot toes to the corresponding net post either when you set up for your serve, or just as you hit the ball on your follow through. That always worked for me. You get your body aiming the right way when you do that.
Thank you
+Dominic Sevilla ....Good idea.Thanks
Im having the problem where my racket won't let me get the spin on the ball to drop it in the service box. I know it's my new racket because my old one is a little heavier and although my first serve isn't the best with the old one the second serve about 80% of the time goes exactly where I want it. With my new racket however I have a more confident first serve with about a 65-70% rate of a good solid deep serve but my second serve just doesn't quite make it in with barely a 35% chance of hitting right
Thanks a lot for this great video! :)
Hmmmm. How many high bouncing 2nd serves do you practice every week?
Brent
Do you toss the ball inside the court for the second serve.
no
Makes a huge difference, but you need to toss the ball ahead of you and slightly over head in order to get the topspin.
I'm sorry but what do you particularly mean by "overhead"?
I am not much interested in oversized racquet. But, yes, serving is so much a mental issue....the body plays a role, because when it's stiff, serve does not go in, but the mental relaxation is key to place the serve in place. and mental relaxation means the body is more prone to do those specific movements that accompany the serve...
work hard, god bless you
No - disagree about 1st serve. That's why I wanted to learn about the second. Tony Costa.
my ball toss is way to low how do i improve on this?
Remi Aaron throw it higher
I have got that racket and the same grip
You got it ;-)
Brent
I didn't know that ;-)
Brent
Not only your arm, also your left knee if you're on the heavy side like me.
Woody Allen? Ouch. Now that's a low blow ;-)
Brent
100 percent true
Hey TB.
Send me a short video clip. See my earlier comment to you.
Brent
my body is falling to the left, not front );
I always attempt a first serve on my 2nd serve. 1st it gets rid of any silly pressure. Yeah I'd rather double fault than toss a pathetic sitting duck of a serve. I agree with Nick Kyrgios basically. Secondly, more than half the time that you attempt a hard 2nd serve, you won't double. And half of that more than half is going to be aces, or a forced return error for your opponent.
I'll bet if you could measure it that you put a little more spin on your 2nd serve even if it's just a hair.
Comp topspin serve course ---> WebTennis.com
your demonstration is of deuce not Ad show me Ad so we can better understand the swing
What she said! A slightly different camera angle would help too
erm...i think every session i play,i will drill around 5-10 2nd serve..
playing 3-4 times every week..last saturday i think almost 20 serve i had done during the single session..
My serve is slow and my toss is not right
Bummer! Here's where you can get it fixed - WebTennis.com
Great tip brent, let's do a goggle hangout, i teach in kobe, japan.
My left ear enjoyed this video
this old man ill remember u one day-maybe
+Percy Young .....Idiota
Too much shoulder rotation, and it looks more like a slice serve...
It takes you almost 10 minutes just to pass out one little tip?
no need to be a dick
chris
oh, and he doesn't take 10 minutes either if you were paying attention
They say in tennis that you're only as good as your second serve. That's why Federer wins so much and Murray struggles.
***** I totally agree Anthony. Completely different 2nd serves between those two. If you're looking for a player to copy - go with Fed.
That's probably true in pro tennis Not so much in club level
Sweet house with a tennis court.
I want a house with a tennis court as my backyard :(
not if you jump into it
Nice private court.
+quinby123 It is. Love to get out there and work my butt off. Quiet. Warm. Let's get to work ;-) Brent
Here's the info video for my new course "How To Break The Peeking Habit", you know, how to stop looking up just prior to contact. ruclips.net/video/msMvNvVTWG8/видео.html
Well, Woody's not a bad tennis player....
i will only copy pete sampras if i have second serve...hehe
horrible coaching - trying to teach you to put first serve in to "Start the point" - sir it is men's tennis. First serve needs to WIN you points more often than not - otherwise you are gonna be eaten alive by good players.
+contactaaat Bring it ...
This is definitely not horrible coaching! if you are trying to win points solely on your first serve, you will find yourself hitting your first serve into the net or long more often than is necessary! First serves are meant to give you momentum in the point, not to end the point before it has even started. Even if you look at players like Roger Federer, most of the time he does not win the point right off his serve. He is good at getting aces quite often but most of the time he sets himself up to win the point after the serve. Great coaching!
contactaaat I think both first serve mindsets are acceptable
You're an idiot. This is a good tip for club players. If you were so good, you wouldn't be watching these videos. lol
@@VL1975
You know you've lost the argument when you find the need to resort to name calling. Even club players have really powerful forehands and backhands. If your 1st serve just sits there you won't have any time to swing for your first groundstroke after your opponent's return, as you just barely finished your serve motion. Perhaps the club players you play against have weak groundstrokes. First i hated playing against hard hitting club players. And then i ended up loving it. It's because of them and their crushing returns that i owe my crazy hrs put into learning how to serve properly.
My right hear is lonely now.
I got here from Halo...