Tom, you teach the “spaghetti arm” in other serve videos. I’m (belatedly) realizing that it’s the combination of the hitting shoulder moving forward (@ step 3) AND the spaghetti arm that “causes” the racquet drop (and increases racquet head speed?). Does that make sense? Thanks.
Tom, the “simplicity” of your previous beginner flat serve is beautiful! [I only wish that I’d been taught this at the outset, because it’s much harder to “learn” your 4 steps if you also have to “unlearn” the bad stuff!] 😁
Hi Bruce remember muscles don't have a memory, every movement of the body comes from the master computer your brain... once bad habits are "burned in the brain" they are there forever, that's the bad news... the good news is you can create new signals in the brain by practicing new technique that is better, as you practice over and over these "new signals" can become stronger than the old bad habits and you have a rewired stroke.. the old bad habits may come out occasionally but the more the new better improved stroke is practiced they will return less and less.
@@Fundamentalsoftennis Fair enough, Tom, and thanks for the encouragement! (But I guarantee you it’s going to require (and already has, lol) way more than 3-5 sets of 5 repetitions, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks!)
Hi Tom (my best online coach), lots of people have shoulder impingements throughout their athletic life. At this juncture of my life, I just want to hit a decent serve without hurting my shoulder. My shoulder/hip is my first priority. Not many coaches talk about this topic. I know it is about proper form and techniques but I believe it is a bit more than that if I practice serve 30 minutes a day, 7 days a week. Those repeated movements may eventually lead to injury. I am doing rotator cuff/shoulder stability, mobility and strength everyday while I rehab my disable shoulder for the last 2 painful years. My hunch is that, if I can minimize the overhead movement of the arm by tilting the spin/torso may reduce the risk of shoulder injury. Hope you can continue your lasts a life time series, that is the goal of playing tennis for long term, not just for 20 years old folks.
Try practicing the serve motion with a clubbell. Start with a low weight and slowly. It is also a perfect warmup in my opinion. I think the clubbell is one of the best devices for strengthening and mobilizing your shoulder for tennis serves. In my experience it's not only about strengthening your shoulder but maybe even more about mobilizing your shoulder and getting it used to the serve motion in a healthy manner. By swinging a clubbell you are forced to use your whole body (rotation) and not putting tension on your shoulder and this relaxed movement then gets transferred to your serve when holding a racquet. It is kind of like practicing with a heavy racquet to optimize your technique. And I think this is the most important part of the serve - teaching yourself how to swing relaxed and having a relaxed shoulder / arm, serving "effortlessly".
TY, now I can teach my 7 years old granddaughter the basics. You’re our favorite online coach.
This has really helped my serve Tom. I am getting a good speed and nice rhythm.
Great job!
Tom, you teach the “spaghetti arm” in other serve videos. I’m (belatedly) realizing that it’s the combination of the hitting shoulder moving forward (@ step 3) AND the spaghetti arm that “causes” the racquet drop (and increases racquet head speed?). Does that make sense? Thanks.
Tom, the “simplicity” of your previous beginner flat serve is beautiful!
[I only wish that I’d been taught this at the outset, because it’s much harder to “learn” your 4 steps if you also have to “unlearn” the bad stuff!] 😁
Hi Bruce remember muscles don't have a memory, every movement of the body comes from the master computer your brain... once bad habits are "burned in the brain" they are there forever, that's the bad news... the good news is you can create new signals in the brain by practicing new technique that is better, as you practice over and over these "new signals" can become stronger than the old bad habits and you have a rewired stroke.. the old bad habits may come out occasionally but the more the new better improved stroke is practiced they will return less and less.
@@Fundamentalsoftennis Fair enough, Tom, and thanks for the encouragement! (But I guarantee you it’s going to require (and already has, lol) way more than 3-5 sets of 5 repetitions, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks!)
Thanks a lot Tom!! Much appreciated :)
Hi Tom (my best online coach), lots of people have shoulder impingements throughout their athletic life. At this juncture of my life, I just want to hit a decent serve without hurting my shoulder. My shoulder/hip is my first priority. Not many coaches talk about this topic. I know it is about proper form and techniques but I believe it is a bit more than that if I practice serve 30 minutes a day, 7 days a week. Those repeated movements may eventually lead to injury. I am doing rotator cuff/shoulder stability, mobility and strength everyday while I rehab my disable shoulder for the last 2 painful years. My hunch is that, if I can minimize the overhead movement of the arm by tilting the spin/torso may reduce the risk of shoulder injury. Hope you can continue your lasts a life time series, that is the goal of playing tennis for long term, not just for 20 years old folks.
Try practicing the serve motion with a clubbell. Start with a low weight and slowly. It is also a perfect warmup in my opinion. I think the clubbell is one of the best devices for strengthening and mobilizing your shoulder for tennis serves. In my experience it's not only about strengthening your shoulder but maybe even more about mobilizing your shoulder and getting it used to the serve motion in a healthy manner. By swinging a clubbell you are forced to use your whole body (rotation) and not putting tension on your shoulder and this relaxed movement then gets transferred to your serve when holding a racquet. It is kind of like practicing with a heavy racquet to optimize your technique. And I think this is the most important part of the serve - teaching yourself how to swing relaxed and having a relaxed shoulder / arm, serving "effortlessly".
Awesome thank you
My pleasure!