This is bloody gold. GOLD JERRY! Thank you so much. I come from a baseball background as well and can hit a great fastball, but I hit too many serves in the net or long. I had to resort to hitting a power spin serve to get any kind of decent percentage on my first serve and it irritates the living hell out of me when I see guys my level who can hit bombs with some consistency. Can’t wait to try this.
@@jasonwong5919 great question. Yes. You need to reach as high as you can on all those serves. It’s just how you’re pronating with your wrist and striking the ball that will be different.
You are too kind thank you! It’s funny how these ideas come mainly from on the fly teaching during my lessons. I’m like, “I need to write that tip down to share!” Haha. Thanks again for watching and commenting.
Happy to help! Diadem is more head light so I like the whippiness of it. I added lead tape to the throat and it’s been great! Blade lacks power for me.
The best explanation how the throwing motion is different in tennis. I am rather tall (6,2) but as I've been rotating sideways the margin for error for my first serve has been super limited (and missing also power). I tried this and got the ball so much higher over the net and still landing in. Great stuff - thanks!
Thank you Jerry. I come with background of throwing/bowling(cricket) and have been practising serves and taking instructions about hitting up but could not really grasp why it is done and how to go about it. This explanation on reach and tilting made it very clear for me.
Loved this content. I've been having my daughter play catch with herself by throwing straight up toward the ceiling, and I think it's the same concept as you explain in the video
Yes great idea! Similar to seeing the Williams sisters throwing racquets over a fence to work on their serve in the movie King Richard. Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate it!
I checked out a few other teaching pros on youtube who say you dont drop your non hitting shoulder, it happens naturally, when I video myself I dont tuck enough on my own, I will do what you are saying, as I definitely tuck better. I still need better racket drop as I served with very little drop too long and have bad muscle memory. I have a really good shadow swing but when I serve with ball not much. When I physically try to lead with elbow I get stuck as I do believe elbow going forward and up happens when you are relaxed like my shadow swings. I see many 4.0 players like me struggle with racket drop, any more videos you can make on the drop would be appreciated.
Glad the video helped a little bit, at least! Yes, I have a few ideas :-) I’ll be happy to make some extra to help you out. Feel free to reach out to me anytime you have questions as well! I do have an online community and some courses that I’m finishing up and will let you know when they are available as it’s a cheap way of getting a private coach to help you out on a week to week basis :-)
Go watch a slow motion video of Tim Lincecum pitching. He tilts just like a tennis serve. The reason why pitchers have more arm issues is because their arms are moving faster since the ball is much lighter and there’s nothing to slow their arms after release, while impact when hitting the ball slows the racquet and arm significantly. Baseball pitchers are also more elite in general than tennis servers. All tennis players serve, while typically only the hardest throwers pitch. When it comes to arm health, despite exceptions like Nolan Ryan, speed kills like Shohei Ohtani. BTW, telling people to reach up is not a good cue as many will reach up without tilting and that is very hard on the rotator cuff. The ideal arm vs. shoulder angle is the same for both throwing and serving. In general one should tilt more on the serve although there are pitchers who throw more overhand who tilt just as much.
Thanks for the insightful comment! Very helpful for a lot of people I'm sure. From my experience as a baseball player and then a tennis player (and seeing people serve), the motion is different (not in the arm angle like you mentioned, so I agree with that) in terms of the contact point of the serve vs. the release point of the throw. Much higher for tennis players. Not sure I agree with the "elite" part though. Tell that to Andy Roddick who served (every day) over 130 consistently in his matches with no shoulder issues or need for rest between matches.
@@teachyourselftennis 1 Andy Roddick vs. how many 95 mph plus pitchers? Once again the stress from serving is lower because the arm is moving much slower because the racquet is more than twice as heavy as a baseball and the c.g. is much further away. The arm is slowed on the serve a lot at impact by transfer of momentum to the ball. One of the most stressful parts of pitching is immediately after release when the arm is moving near full speed and no longer has the weight of the ball to slow it down. That’s why long axis rotation post release is an absolute in baseball and a nice but not necessary post impact in serving. Pliskova, et al.
@@marktace1 great points! I think my big takeaway for this video that I was trying to show is that the shoulder rotation is different as in tennis you need a higher point of contact then throwing a baseball. Please keep commenting on the videos. I’m sure this helps a lot of people out!
@@marktace1 thanks for the conversation Mark. Appreciate your insight. Do you have a RUclips channel? I’m sure people would benefit from your knowledge.
Something is odd - I am not supposed to rotate on serve, slice, 1hand backhand. BUT! - I am supposed to use massive rotation on forehand? Something doesn’t make sense.
Well for the serve you Definitely are rotating but the shoulders rotate so you can reach more that’s all. And the slice is a rotation but the swing is longer forward than around you until the ball has left the racquet.
Yes, there is rotation but should it be emphasized as the main driver of a stroke or is it an after-effect? Maybe the focus should be on the right shoulder moving the arm and not on the shoulders rotating as a unit. I’ve come to the conclusion that rotation focus, for me, is not good.
Thanks Ben. Re watching myself (ruclips.net/video/_uBPxhLt8Bw/видео.html) I am doing what looks like a hybrid between going upward but also "throwing" the arm sideways a bit too much like a pitcher. I will try to consciously lower the left side more and crunching the left abdominal area prior to contact. Thanks again. Also great idea about recording from front and side angle to see what one is doing on the serve as one angle maybe hiding a hidden problem. Cheers.
Great video! A few things that might help: Try to stay on your left leg a little longer and kick your back leg up more. You swing around the ball too much from what I see on this angle so landing on your left foot will help you stay sideways longer and hit through the ball. Also try another angle on your serve, you might not be hitting the ball in front of you enough. You're going into the court but you might be catching it behind you a bit. Love the insight with your left hand though. "Chest up to the ball" is EXACTLY right! Keep it up and let me know if you need anything else: coaching@benwolfetennisandfitness.com
This is bloody gold. GOLD JERRY!
Thank you so much. I come from a baseball background as well and can hit a great fastball, but I hit too many serves in the net or long. I had to resort to hitting a power spin serve to get any kind of decent percentage on my first serve and it irritates the living hell out of me when I see guys my level who can hit bombs with some consistency. Can’t wait to try this.
So glad this (hopefully) helps! Keep me posted. The reach is key! Tuck that non-dominant arm under the chest to reach the best. Good luck!
Also nice seinfeld analogy!
@@teachyourselftennis One thing though - This is true for flat, slice, kick and hybrid serves?
@@jasonwong5919 great question. Yes. You need to reach as high as you can on all those serves. It’s just how you’re pronating with your wrist and striking the ball that will be different.
Best explanation of the serve I have ever witnessed. 💪🎾👏
You are too kind thank you! It’s funny how these ideas come mainly from on the fly teaching during my lessons. I’m like, “I need to write that tip down to share!” Haha. Thanks again for watching and commenting.
Really great insights on the serve. Thanks so much. BTW what do you think of the Diadem compared to the Wilson Blade?
Happy to help! Diadem is more head light so I like the whippiness of it. I added lead tape to the throat and it’s been great! Blade lacks power for me.
The best explanation how the throwing motion is different in tennis. I am rather tall (6,2) but as I've been rotating sideways the margin for error for my first serve has been super limited (and missing also power). I tried this and got the ball so much higher over the net and still landing in. Great stuff - thanks!
Use that reach! Glad you’re getting results :)
Definitely a topic that needs to be discussed more!
It’s fun to talk about the serve in a lesson and see the lightbulbs go off when they hit it right. It makes a big difference for sure!
Thank you Jerry. I come with background of throwing/bowling(cricket) and have been practising serves and taking instructions about hitting up but could not really grasp why it is done and how to go about it. This explanation on reach and tilting made it very clear for me.
Awesome....you already have a great foundation for a serve then!
Loved this content. I've been having my daughter play catch with herself by throwing straight up toward the ceiling, and I think it's the same concept as you explain in the video
Yes great idea! Similar to seeing the Williams sisters throwing racquets over a fence to work on their serve in the movie King Richard. Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate it!
Great explanation. I believe most coaches who preach that "serving is like throwing" have never seriously played a throwing sport!
Agreed!
excellent explanation. very clear
Thanks for watching and commenting!
i am watching again and again.😊
I am so glad it’s helping!
Well-explained!
Thank you!
You are a talented educator.
You are very kind thank you so much!
Really very good insight as always Jerry. Thank you
Thanks for watching! It's Ben by the way :)
@@teachyourselftennis I'm sorry, before I was sending a message to Jerry.🥱
@@dirceueloy5690 no worries :)
Thank you, found GOLD👁️🙌
Thank you for watching! Glad it helped.
I checked out a few other teaching pros on youtube who say you dont drop your non hitting shoulder, it happens naturally, when I video myself I dont tuck enough on my own, I will do what you are saying, as I definitely tuck better. I still need better racket drop as I served with very little drop too long and have bad muscle memory. I have a really good shadow swing but when I serve with ball not much. When I physically try to lead with elbow I get stuck as I do believe elbow going forward and up happens when you are relaxed like my shadow swings. I see many 4.0 players like me struggle with racket drop, any more videos you can make on the drop would be appreciated.
Glad the video helped a little bit, at least! Yes, I have a few ideas :-) I’ll be happy to make some extra to help you out. Feel free to reach out to me anytime you have questions as well! I do have an online community and some courses that I’m finishing up and will let you know when they are available as it’s a cheap way of getting a private coach to help you out on a week to week basis :-)
FYI I just made a new video on the server that might help with what you were talking about.
Always the best…❤
Thank you :)
Go watch a slow motion video of Tim Lincecum pitching. He tilts just like a tennis serve. The reason why pitchers have more arm issues is because their arms are moving faster since the ball is much lighter and there’s nothing to slow their arms after release, while impact when hitting the ball slows the racquet and arm significantly. Baseball pitchers are also more elite in general than tennis servers. All tennis players serve, while typically only the hardest throwers pitch. When it comes to arm health, despite exceptions like Nolan Ryan, speed kills like Shohei Ohtani. BTW, telling people to reach up is not a good cue as many will reach up without tilting and that is very hard on the rotator cuff. The ideal arm vs. shoulder angle is the same for both throwing and serving. In general one should tilt more on the serve although there are pitchers who throw more overhand who tilt just as much.
Thanks for the insightful comment! Very helpful for a lot of people I'm sure. From my experience as a baseball player and then a tennis player (and seeing people serve), the motion is different (not in the arm angle like you mentioned, so I agree with that) in terms of the contact point of the serve vs. the release point of the throw. Much higher for tennis players. Not sure I agree with the "elite" part though. Tell that to Andy Roddick who served (every day) over 130 consistently in his matches with no shoulder issues or need for rest between matches.
@@teachyourselftennis 1 Andy Roddick vs. how many 95 mph plus pitchers? Once again the stress from serving is lower because the arm is moving much slower because the racquet is more than twice as heavy as a baseball and the c.g. is much further away. The arm is slowed on the serve a lot at impact by transfer of momentum to the ball. One of the most stressful parts of pitching is immediately after release when the arm is moving near full speed and no longer has the weight of the ball to slow it down. That’s why long axis rotation post release is an absolute in baseball and a nice but not necessary post impact in serving. Pliskova, et al.
@@marktace1 great points! I think my big takeaway for this video that I was trying to show is that the shoulder rotation is different as in tennis you need a higher point of contact then throwing a baseball. Please keep commenting on the videos. I’m sure this helps a lot of people out!
@@teachyourselftennis I agree with the takeaway.
@@marktace1 thanks for the conversation Mark. Appreciate your insight. Do you have a RUclips channel? I’m sure people would benefit from your knowledge.
Something is odd - I am not supposed to rotate on serve, slice, 1hand backhand. BUT! - I am supposed to use massive rotation on forehand? Something doesn’t make sense.
Well for the serve you Definitely are rotating but the shoulders rotate so you can reach more that’s all. And the slice is a rotation but the swing is longer forward than around you until the ball has left the racquet.
Yes, there is rotation but should it be emphasized as the main driver of a stroke or is it an after-effect? Maybe the focus should be on the right shoulder moving the arm and not on the shoulders rotating as a unit. I’ve come to the conclusion that rotation focus, for me, is not good.
Thanks Ben. Re watching myself (ruclips.net/video/_uBPxhLt8Bw/видео.html) I am doing what looks like a hybrid between going upward but also "throwing" the arm sideways a bit too much like a pitcher. I will try to consciously lower the left side more and crunching the left abdominal area prior to contact. Thanks again. Also great idea about recording from front and side angle to see what one is doing on the serve as one angle maybe hiding a hidden problem. Cheers.
Great video! A few things that might help: Try to stay on your left leg a little longer and kick your back leg up more. You swing around the ball too much from what I see on this angle so landing on your left foot will help you stay sideways longer and hit through the ball. Also try another angle on your serve, you might not be hitting the ball in front of you enough. You're going into the court but you might be catching it behind you a bit. Love the insight with your left hand though. "Chest up to the ball" is EXACTLY right! Keep it up and let me know if you need anything else: coaching@benwolfetennisandfitness.com