Actually the best explanation. Ive been looking at other videos and the serves look very similar. So even when they try to break it down it gets confusing. Having a straight to the point and easily digestible explanation as well as a succinct break down of how to do each one was actually a blessing. Thanks for the video!
Best analysis and how-to for kick/slice serves. Beginners note: What I noticed is that throwing the ball just a little bit left and doing a "standard" serve motion will automatically let you bend more, hit topspin on the ball and create a kick serve. The difficult part is the consistency. Find it much easier to be consistent with a flat/slice serve than with a kick serve, due to the bending and hitting it left/behind your body center. If you are not 100% accurate with the ball toss, a kick serve is much harder then, since I find it super complicated to correct my serve motion when the ball toss is a little off, whereas with normal serve I can just do a little bit more side spin or hit it flat when ball toss is not 100% accurate
Alexander If you watch high level tournament play and professional tennis the kick serve is the most frequently used spin serve on second serve and on add out points by servers. The high net clearance and trajectory give you the best margin to clear the net and have the spin bring the ball down and in to the service box. It is also a great first serve in doubles because it allows you to serve and volley. The high arch of the service gives you more time to close in an extra step for your first volley. A well hit kicker jumps above the chest of the player returning serve making it more difficult to hit through the ball on the return especially if they stand behind the baseline.
I have had this problem for a couple of years now and no one was able to explain it so clearly the way you have, will try these changes soon, thank you so much!
I think they sound different too. The sound wave coming from the racket on a kick serve hits the ground and echoes a "phut" sound. On a slice it dissipates into the air like a "shhhshh" sound and on a flat serve it rebounds directly from the ground giving that echo. "Pop!" Sound.. I followed your advice in the kick serve video, and it really works!! Many thanks.
Cant thank you enough for this video. It clicked for me when you said 12 o’clock is in front of your left shoulder. I thought I was tossing to 12 o’clock but was more 1 o’clock. I would ask people if my ball is jumping up and they said no it’s barely coming up off the ground. Now I can tell when I get good kick. Definitely keeping toss at 12 (in front of left shoulder!) and staying sideways generates the topspin I was lacking for so long. Game changer. Thanks Nick!!
This really helped me understand the mechanics way better. Before, when people were telling me it's a "brushing upward" motion, I didn't really understand how that's physically possible lol but I get it now.
bro. your tips in this video helped me so much in my practice today. i finally was able to hit a kick and a slice serve. your instruction just makes it so clear compare to other instructors. thank you so much
I think most coaches "think" they describe and coach the differences in striking the ball for the kick vs the slice serve that you show in this video, however; most don't get it done as clearly as you do. Thanks.
This video is one great problem-solver! Recently, my kick serve, which I spent a long time learning, started failing me in my doubles matches. Well, what was happening was that I had unconsciously allowed my kick serve toss position (12:00) to gradually deteriorate toward more of a 1:00 slice position. And my shoulders were opening up toward the court preventing the necessary bottom-to-top stoke path. This video nailed the solution. Played doubles yesterday, and my kick serve is back! Thanks Coach Aracic for highlighting these critical aspects for avoiding slice when you want kick.
Hi Nikola. Excellent video, as always. And I am glad you clarify the toss position behind/front vs. left/right. My question: you toss in front for both kick and slice (and not behind) and left for the kick (like 12 o’clock) and right for the slice (1 o’clock)? Correct? Maybe you could sometimes also do a video on how to avoid slice when trying a flat server (it happens to me a lot). Thank you.
Thank you! I have learnt so much from your vids and been able to apply them on court. Vastly improved in every area but more than anything else your vids on the serve are super good. Finally someone to tell us about how pronation works intuitively rather than something that’s manufactured.
Really a great video. You have a special ability to explain things and also to choose the subjects to be posted. Among my three favorite online coaches I am using to learn this fantastic sport. Thanks! Once I learn the basics online and practicing/filming myself, I plan to take a few classes...to make a reality check. The problem could be to find a good coach not too distant from where I live. P.S.: How far into the court is the toss? Adding a side view would be very useful for begginers.
It was a great lession Nick. How beautifully and straight to the point you described and showed us the differences. Thanks a ton!! waiting for more lessions.
Thank you for explaining and demonstrating the difference between a spin and a slice serve. I've always wondered why I keep slicing when trying to spin serve. I will definitely practice what you've shown here. Hope I'll get it right.
Yes, I was having a problem with kick serve, and could not differentiate one to the other. I will practice the way you show me tomorrow and see how I go. :) thanks alot
Thank you so much for this. I recently remodelled my serve but my kick serve was struggling as a result. I think the ball toss was the issue but I think you may have solved that for me
Thank you for the excellent video. When you are trying to toss the ball at 12 o'clock, i.e. in line with your left shoulder for right-handers, do you you tend to have your toss arm pointing more towards the net than for a toss to 1 o'clock? Or do you use the same position for your toss arm irrespective of the final ball position you are aming for, whether 11 o'clock, 12 or 1? If the latter, is this not more difficult to achieve consistently?
When you hit your slice serve, are you pronating? If so, how can you can do that if your palm is to "face the sky" on the finish? BTW, this is a very informative video. You talk about the slice and kick serves, the ball direction and placement on the toss. A must watch for many reasons.
It looks like you are pronating at contact but then you supinate a bit so the face is pointed upwards. I hold my pronation and my slice is good. That seems like a personal preference. Is that correct? What I do want to say is that thanks to your videos, my kick serve has improved considerably and I can get about 1/3 to kick to the right without losing speed. I look at quite a few sites and even have paid some pretty good money but I have found I get the most from your videos. You are a great teacher.
Excellent and crisp video, this is exactly what happens to me. Slicing when I want to kickserve. Tomm will try out. By the way at 11 or 12 o position, toss should be forward or slightly behind ?
Very helpful videos, I only wish you also talked where to hit the ball on each serve, on 11 o'clock, down, 7 o'clock up or 2 o'clock etc. Please should you have the time can you please tell us explicitly where do you intend to hit the ball and what is the trajectory and placement expected with each serve type ? Thank you
@IntuitiveTennis What's most effective ? I am a NCAA division 1 player but inactive for a while due to surgery. Why did you not include the body serve in this video ?
I would also love to see a side view to get to know better how and where the ball is getting tossed for kick, slice and flat serves. Would it be possible for you to share this ? Thank you
Good aftermoon! I apologize for my poor Enlish!. Congratulations for the vídeo. It is very clear. I do not know yet how to serve either kick or slice. But I begun to try. What is a difficult to me, it is how I give the direction in the kick service. It is suposed to not twist my body (shoulders). I would be everless gratiful if you can give me a tip.
@@IntuitiveTennis I think, I was not clear. Sorry, I am not a native languager as my name does not hide. What I mean it's how I make the ball reachs the correct box. Mainly, if I am at the deuce court.
Hi nick. Gr8 video. I generally struggle to make serves down the T whether slice or kick, and esp in the advt. Court. What can I do to improve my target control? Tks s lot and superb explanations 👌👍🎯
this is really good explanation! thank you. I have a quick question - so it seems like you can more easily disguise whether you re going to hit a flat or slice serve since you are basically tossing the ball in the same position, however, if you are trying for a kick serve, if your opponent is more observant they would see that a kick is coming from the position of your ball toss since it's more behind you?
This video is super helpful. Easy to understand the mechanism of both slice and kick serve. But I have one serious question about kick serve. How do you toss and swing when you are on the deuce side. It can not be same as Add side since the aim is opposite side of swinging direction. I have never seen someone talks about it. Please show it to me. Thanks
Hitting to add ct foot is 45 toward net post. When serving deuce ct, where does left foot point for a righty? I find myself with left foot straight with centerline, or perpendicular to baseline.
I am trying both serves (kick and slice) again tomorrow. For me it would be great, if I ended performing slice. Neither is easy and neither does work at all yet. How do you explain racket direction during slice? Towards back of right side of the court? What is the easiest way of starting to do kick serve? It looks so easy, when you perform it. Holding racket behind your back when starting to serve? I know basic "rules" to perform a kick serve, but it ends to the net or over the box no matter how hard I try. I would not like to return to old pan (waiter's) serve. Many times I succeed, when trying to do flat serve, but last Monday it did not work almost at all.
Is pronation essential in slice serve? Does the racket go sideways pass the ball from right in slice serve? One recreational player asking (I had to look for that word in dictionary ;) ). Thank you for your nice information about these serves with pictures.
As a coach you know very well the importance of the back leg load in the serve ESPECIALLY KICK SERVE... I saw some of your serve video but you never make back leg loading. Can you explain please... Thanks..
The backward toss and bended lower back have many advantages when performing a kick serve. But it is tough on your back, and as I'm getting older, I get more and more problems with it.
Hi Nick, I am a bit confuse, given the spin of the ball of the slice serve of a righty shouldn't it bounce and go to the right? I don't understand why does the ball bounce and moves to the left. Thanks!
Get the Intuitive Tennis iPhone/iPad App
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I love how quickly and succinctly this guy got to the point. I didn’t have to wait through a long discussion to get the point.
True he is talking hownto do it right way no showing how not to do it wrong ahaha like some others do thats just waisting timw
This guy is great
Exactly
Rare nowadays
Actually the best explanation. Ive been looking at other videos and the serves look very similar. So even when they try to break it down it gets confusing. Having a straight to the point and easily digestible explanation as well as a succinct break down of how to do each one was actually a blessing. Thanks for the video!
🙏🙏
Best analysis and how-to for kick/slice serves. Beginners note: What I noticed is that throwing the ball just a little bit left and doing a "standard" serve motion will automatically let you bend more, hit topspin on the ball and create a kick serve. The difficult part is the consistency. Find it much easier to be consistent with a flat/slice serve than with a kick serve, due to the bending and hitting it left/behind your body center. If you are not 100% accurate with the ball toss, a kick serve is much harder then, since I find it super complicated to correct my serve motion when the ball toss is a little off, whereas with normal serve I can just do a little bit more side spin or hit it flat when ball toss is not 100% accurate
what kind of toss arm direction you use for normal serve ? Toss arm points to right post or parallel to the baseline?
@@asteriskstar100 for normal serve toss arm points to right post, for 2nd serve it points a little bit more to the baseline
@@Alexander-dt2eq right post for both ad and deuce side?
@@asteriskstar100 yes
Alexander If you watch high level tournament play and professional tennis the kick serve is the most frequently used spin serve on second serve and on add out points by servers. The high net clearance and trajectory give you the best margin to clear the net and have the spin bring the ball down and in to the service box. It is also a great first serve in doubles because it allows you to serve and volley. The high arch of the service gives you more time to close in an extra step for your first volley. A well hit kicker jumps above the chest of the player returning serve making it more difficult to hit through the ball on the return especially if they stand behind the baseline.
I have had this problem for a couple of years now and no one was able to explain it so clearly the way you have, will try these changes soon, thank you so much!
this is by far, the clearest explanation of the subject on RUclips. thank you so much.
Glad it was helpful!
his volley video is good as well. simple tips which would greatly improve most players volleys.
I think they sound different too.
The sound wave coming from the racket on a kick serve hits the ground and echoes a "phut" sound. On a slice it dissipates into the air like a "shhhshh" sound and on a flat serve it rebounds directly from the ground giving that echo. "Pop!" Sound..
I followed your advice in the kick serve video, and it really works!! Many thanks.
Cant thank you enough for this video. It clicked for me when you said 12 o’clock is in front of your left shoulder. I thought I was tossing to 12 o’clock but was more 1 o’clock. I would ask people if my ball is jumping up and they said no it’s barely coming up off the ground. Now I can tell when I get good kick. Definitely keeping toss at 12 (in front of left shoulder!) and staying sideways generates the topspin I was lacking for so long. Game changer. Thanks Nick!!
This really helped me understand the mechanics way better. Before, when people were telling me it's a "brushing upward" motion, I didn't really understand how that's physically possible lol but I get it now.
Thank you for explaining the difference!
bro. your tips in this video helped me so much in my practice today. i finally was able to hit a kick and a slice serve. your instruction just makes it so clear compare to other instructors. thank you so much
I think most coaches "think" they describe and coach the differences in striking the ball for the kick vs the slice serve that you show in this video, however; most don't get it done as clearly as you do. Thanks.
You are the best tennis coach on the net....cheers
big fan of your videos
Best tennis coaching channel on RUclips, no questions asked. Keep up the great job!
This video is one great problem-solver! Recently, my kick serve, which I spent a long time learning, started failing me in my doubles matches. Well, what was happening was that I had unconsciously allowed my kick serve toss position (12:00) to gradually deteriorate toward more of a 1:00 slice position. And my shoulders were opening up toward the court preventing the necessary bottom-to-top stoke path. This video nailed the solution. Played doubles yesterday, and my kick serve is back! Thanks Coach Aracic for highlighting these critical aspects for avoiding slice when you want kick.
🙏🙏👍👍
Extremely clear explanations and demonstrations of the 2 serve types. The best I've seen!
I have wached many videos how to improve or correct your slice and top spin serve and this is the best one.. Simply and well explained.
Thank you
Best explanation of problems and solutions for slice and kick serves, even for us 4.0's, especially the "toss behind you" which confuses many.
Great video. I sometimes wind up with a slice/kick serve mainly because of an errant ball toss.
Thank you for breaking it down by using a time clock for a point of reference. Graphs make instructions so much easier to understand.
So many good points to tell the watcher how to make a good slice serve and a kick serve. I enjoy the lesson. Well done.
Excellent explanation of the difference in the angle of the racquet at contact, slice vs kick. Thx!
Hi Nikola. Excellent video, as always. And I am glad you clarify the toss position behind/front vs. left/right. My question: you toss in front for both kick and slice (and not behind) and left for the kick (like 12 o’clock) and right for the slice (1 o’clock)? Correct?
Maybe you could sometimes also do a video on how to avoid slice when trying a flat server (it happens to me a lot).
Thank you.
Very good video, precisely to the point
Great lesson. Thanks
Thank you! I have learnt so much from your vids and been able to apply them on court. Vastly improved in every area but more than anything else your vids on the serve are super good. Finally someone to tell us about how pronation works intuitively rather than something that’s manufactured.
Glad to hear that we👍
I love this channel : one of the best on Tennis !
Really a great video. You have a special ability to explain things and also to choose the subjects to be posted. Among my three favorite online coaches I am using to learn this fantastic sport. Thanks! Once I learn the basics online and practicing/filming myself, I plan to take a few classes...to make a reality check. The problem could be to find a good coach not too distant from where I live. P.S.: How far into the court is the toss? Adding a side view would be very useful for begginers.
It was a great lession Nick. How beautifully and straight to the point you described and showed us the differences. Thanks a ton!! waiting for more lessions.
I got a slice when i wanted a kick, happened yesterday!My journey to a second serve begins now! Great video Nick! 😀
The best explanation to kick and slice I've ever watched. And you can do a demo as well. Well done and thank you so much for sharing. :)
My pleasure EB
Thank you for explaining and demonstrating the difference between a spin and a slice serve. I've always wondered why I keep slicing when trying to spin serve. I will definitely practice what you've shown here. Hope I'll get it right.
Give it a try Anthony
Clear as water, thanks and kudos from Brasil!
Love your channel Nick !!! Another fantastic video. The illustrations are so helpful.
Great coaching, as always, Nick! Thank you!
Yes, I was having a problem with kick serve, and could not differentiate one to the other. I will practice the way you show me tomorrow and see how I go. :) thanks alot
Beautifully explained. I wish if u can explain the kick serve from deuce court. Thank you
great explanations, easy to digest and practice. thanks!
Thank you so much for this. I recently remodelled my serve but my kick serve was struggling as a result. I think the ball toss was the issue but I think you may have solved that for me
I'm a beginner. What are the different types of serves??? Thank you. I enjoyed your video.
this was incredibly helpful i know will not make the mistake of hitting a slice serve when i was really trying to do a kick serve
Illuminating explanation and demonstration Nik, you're a class act. Gordon
Thank you Gordon
Thank you for the toss tips, I played after watching the video with that in mind and really solved my double faults issue. :)
excellent video, loved how you got straight to the point.
Good right to the point
Brilliantly explained Nikola .. Thank you! 🙏
Your kick serve videos are great
I’m a 4/4.5 with a decent flat and slice
Hoping to add in the kick by next summer using your videos
Thanks so much !!
Go for it!
Thank you for the excellent video. When you are trying to toss the ball at 12 o'clock, i.e. in line with your left shoulder for right-handers, do you you tend to have your toss arm pointing more towards the net than for a toss to 1 o'clock? Or do you use the same position for your toss arm irrespective of the final ball position you are aming for, whether 11 o'clock, 12 or 1? If the latter, is this not more difficult to achieve consistently?
Excellent video.
Thanks Michael
Best video recommendation ever
This is a video I was waiting for. Thanks master!
My pleasure Armando
When you hit your slice serve, are you pronating? If so, how can you can do that if your palm is to "face the sky" on the finish? BTW, this is a very informative video. You talk about the slice and kick serves, the ball direction and placement on the toss. A must watch for many reasons.
It looks like you are pronating at contact but then you supinate a bit so the face is pointed upwards. I hold my pronation and my slice is good. That seems like a personal preference. Is that correct? What I do want to say is that thanks to your videos, my kick serve has improved considerably and I can get about 1/3 to kick to the right without losing speed. I look at quite a few sites and even have paid some pretty good money but I have found I get the most from your videos. You are a great teacher.
Wow....superb video and explanation...this is eye opener for me ...thank you so much 🙏👏🙌
You are amazing! I think you have just saved my very amateur tennis career
Thank you 🙏
Really good video. Thank you.
Great video again !!!!!
Hola Maestro Nick, muchas gracias por su excelente explicación en éste vídeo sobre el servicio
Gracias
Great explanation
Excellent and crisp video, this is exactly what happens to me. Slicing when I want to kickserve. Tomm will try out. By the way at 11 or 12 o position, toss should be forward or slightly behind ?
Thank you
Slightly forward
ruclips.net/video/j6c1WPIsk_8/видео.html
Very helpful videos, I only wish you also talked where to hit the ball on each serve, on 11 o'clock, down, 7 o'clock up or 2 o'clock etc. Please should you have the time can you please tell us explicitly where do you intend to hit the ball and what is the trajectory and placement expected with each serve type ? Thank you
Congratulations, u earned new subscriber☺
Thank you very much.
Very good video
Great vid man! Hoping to do one of these on my channel soon too. Keep up the good work 👍
Thanks Leon, all the best!
Thanks Nick. Somehow I missed the importance of shoulder rotation (or not! ) in the kick serve - this is going to help me a lot! 😊
💯
just cut straight to the points!Much appreciated!
What about the body serve ? Is that just the same as a slice serve ? How can we use that as a first serve as a change up ?
Body serve just means hitting towards the middle of box. Can work with flat and slice
@IntuitiveTennis What's most effective ? I am a NCAA division 1 player but inactive for a while due to surgery. Why did you not include the body serve in this video ?
@@kevinfed668 I’ll cover it in a separate video. It is a good tactic 🔥
@@IntuitiveTennis sure. Thanks 👍
I would also love to see a side view to get to know better how and where the ball is getting tossed for kick, slice and flat serves. Would it be possible for you to share this ? Thank you
Good aftermoon! I apologize for my poor Enlish!. Congratulations for the vídeo. It is very clear. I do not know yet how to serve either kick or slice. But I begun to try. What is a difficult to me, it is how I give the direction in the kick service. It is suposed to not twist my body (shoulders). I would be everless gratiful if you can give me a tip.
I can’t diagnose strokes without seeing them
@@IntuitiveTennis I think, I was not clear. Sorry, I am not a native languager as my name does not hide. What I mean it's how I make the ball reachs the correct box. Mainly, if I am at the deuce court.
Thanks for existing!
Love the advice! Just wondering why do I need to have the palm facing toward the sky on the finish to create a slice serve, as mentioned in 7:02?
Solid video. Thx.
Great tips!
Thank u Daniel
Hi nick. Gr8 video. I generally struggle to make serves down the T whether slice or kick, and esp in the advt. Court. What can I do to improve my target control? Tks s lot and superb explanations 👌👍🎯
Thank you Shiram
Try targets ruclips.net/video/TJDxWXXHQmQ/видео.html
How about aiming the kick serve to the outside or down the line? Do we change the racket face or adjust the initial standing position?
Change of the angle of the racquet face ruclips.net/video/lyUzuW_ZeL0/видео.html
Thank you for this 💕
You're so welcome!
this is really good explanation! thank you.
I have a quick question - so it seems like you can more easily disguise whether you re going to hit a flat or slice serve since you are basically tossing the ball in the same position, however, if you are trying for a kick serve, if your opponent is more observant they would see that a kick is coming from the position of your ball toss since it's more behind you?
This video is super helpful. Easy to understand the mechanism of both slice and kick serve. But I have one serious question about kick serve.
How do you toss and swing when you are on the deuce side. It can not be same as Add side since the aim is opposite side of swinging direction. I have never seen someone talks about it. Please show it to me. Thanks
It’s the same, directional control depends on the angle of the racquet face at contact ruclips.net/video/lyUzuW_ZeL0/видео.html
Really great information. I have definitely been rotating my torso too much. I will work on this today! Thank you very much.
Thank you Tanya
とても分かりやすい解説でした。本当にありがとうございます。
Hi could you make a vid about footwork please ? Thank you
Omg nikola! You look fabulous man! Murray state!
do a video about flat serve and more types of volleys
Hitting to add ct foot is 45 toward net post. When serving deuce ct, where does left foot point for a righty? I find myself with left foot straight with centerline, or perpendicular to baseline.
Haha! It's like you made this just for me, Nick! Great video - work in progress but I really do feel like i know what I'm trying to do now. Thanks!
Thanks Andrew
Great tips Nick. Are you about 6'3"? Tall players can make kick serves bounce higher because their contact point is higher.
Hi Quinby, I’m 6’5
Very well explained Nick. You understand the mindset of all types of players. Great video. Thanks heaps.
For slice serves, even we hit the balls sideway, do we hit the balls upward at the same time. Ie, upward and sideway for the racquet movement.
I am trying both serves (kick and slice) again tomorrow. For me it would be great, if I ended performing slice. Neither is easy and neither does work at all yet. How do you explain racket direction during slice? Towards back of right side of the court?
What is the easiest way of starting to do kick serve? It looks so easy, when you perform it. Holding racket behind your back when starting to serve? I know basic "rules" to perform a kick serve, but it ends to the net or over the box no matter how hard I try. I would not like to return to old pan (waiter's) serve. Many times I succeed, when trying to do flat serve, but last Monday it did not work almost at all.
I now saw that you had an arrow showing the direction on racket in your video. So it should point to the right net pole.
Question~ what grip are you suggesting for both of those serves.
Continental but Eastern BH works as well
This clock is it above my head or in line with my nose? great video
Is pronation essential in slice serve? Does the racket go sideways pass the ball from right in slice serve? One recreational player asking (I had to look for that word in dictionary ;) ). Thank you for your nice information about these serves with pictures.
It’s not essential ruclips.net/video/_FSrdt4zUZE/видео.html
Hey
Great tips
Thanks
As a coach you know very well the importance of the back leg load in the serve ESPECIALLY KICK SERVE...
I saw some of your serve video but you never make back leg loading.
Can you explain please...
Thanks..
There is no back leg loading on the best serves in history
ruclips.net/video/rSPc480H9uo/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/3Tzk6IAH4VQ/видео.html
@@IntuitiveTennis So all pros don't make loading on the bag leg ?
The backward toss and bended lower back have many advantages when performing a kick serve. But it is tough on your back, and as I'm getting older, I get more and more problems with it.
Hi Nick,
I am a bit confuse, given the spin of the ball of the slice serve of a righty shouldn't it bounce and go to the right? I don't understand why does the ball bounce and moves to the left.
Thanks!
Just fantastic 🤗🏆
This video is gold
Thank you