How to place serves in tennis?

Question

i have always wondered. how do you hit serves (flat,spin) where you want to them to go? (inside,middle, outside) is it the way you toss the ball? is it the way you swing at the ball? is it the way you stand? i have tried all these but have no one solution. any help would be appreciated. any links to videos or sites talking about this would also be great. :)

Answer 1

Few.. Ok lol broad topic =). But I'll try.



Ok well first off, based on where you want to position the ball, you can move along the base line from the middle of the court to the alley edge to try and get a better angle on where you want it to go. Well for example, the further outside you go, the further you can say "cross-court" the ball will go, and vise versa as if you go close to the middle hash, you hit further inside.



Stance is an issue for the serve you are trying to perform, in which I will add some videos at the end.



As for tossing the ball, no real specification here, (Or maybe depending on your serve or your comfort), but I like to toss the ball almost directly over my head and maybe even a little onto the court so I can kind of lean in to it and add power and be in a stance that I can be ready for the return.



Ok for the videos, I would look at some fromYoutube, especially from serious makers like FYB2007 and Webtennis, who both analyze the aspect of the serve, as well as they do with your overall gameplay like forehands and backhands. They also provide you with things to understand and practice on, which obviously makes a better tennis player at the end. Heres their Youtube Channels:



FYB2007:

www.Youtube.com/fuzzyyellowballs



Webtennis:

www.Youtube.com/Webtennis



Also, here a few video of FYB2007's Kickserve analysis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7z7vEVqz1A

Answer 2

you can get a good spin on the ball if you move your hand up just a little(1/2"-1in) on the handle and turn the racket at a slight angle(maybe under 45deg) counter clockwise(if your right handed). And practice! It's kinda hard to learn and get used to. i still just stick with the basic).



As far as getting it to go where you want that just takes practice. And some focus...and some luck in my case.



Also...it's all about where you racket is facing when you make contact with the ball. And yes how you throw the ball does matter. I don't know how to explain it with out showing but i can tell you this. don't throw the ball so far ar behind you that you have to lean and reach for it causing you to lose your balance.



Hope this helps!

Answer 3

A good serve just brushes the net, and goes somewhere in the diagonally opposite service box - the exact position depends on where your opponent is stood, to make the shot hard to return or easy depending on whether its a match or rally you want... The ball needs to be tossed quite high directly above your racket and your front foot (your left if you are right handed) should be pointing in the direction you want the ball to go..

Answer 4

Obviously, everyone is different with their serving body mechanics. I think the key to placing your serve is the "follow through". And to execute it properly, you need a ton of target practice. Still, you also need good serving mechanics like good extension, a good toss, and a solid contact zone. The serve is the most complex stroke, and words alone do it little justice. The best way to straighten out your mechanics is through structured lessons from a professional and a ton of practice. The pro will see the problems in your serving motion and make suggestions on how to improve it. Good luck!

Answer 5

where you hit the ball, at what angle, and at what point on the descend of the ball's toss all have to do about the placement of the serve. try some lessons for them. once you get steady results, your serve can only improve from there =)

Answer 6

I've watched some of the pros place paper cups in strategic places around the service box and work on hitting them. They generally place them on the "T" in the center, on the corners and also about 3-4 feet down the sideline (still on the line). It gives you a target. Btw, don't underestimate the power of visualization. See in your mind the target or spot you want to hit. The top athletes in all sports know the value of this! Hope that helps!

Answer 7

you have to have the right grip on the racket. if your just playing how you feel, it wont work. keep it straight, toss the ball up, racket goes back, and hits the ball forward. whicheever way you aim is the key when you have the right grip.

Answer 8

practice makes perfect

Answer 9

hit