Coaching Tip - July 2011

    Serving with consistency

    A good serve starts with a good ball toss.
    Many players find that they are tossing and then catching the ball several times before getting the ball in the correct position.
    Players often out of frustration hit the ball anyway leading to a poor inconsistent serve.
    You won’t be able to serve well until you get the ball toss right.

    Use the following tips to help you get the correct ball toss

    • Relax your arms prior to serving
    • Cushion the ball with your fingers of your ball hand
    • Hold the ball lightly as though you have an egg in your hand
    • Keep your ball arm straight but relaxed before the release
    • Release the ball above eye level
    • Let the ball go upward with a smooth natural continuous motion
    • The ball arm should continue the follow through so that it is pointing skyward to the ball
    • The height of the ball toss should be just higher than you can reach with your racquet and arm extended vertically above you

     

    Develop the skills involved in getting the optimal ball toss during your coaching and training sessions so that this skill becomes a part of your Serving game during matches and/or tournaments.

    I hope that you are able to use this skill to your advantage so that you can enjoy your matches and play to your ability so that you can get the results that you deserve.

    Tennis the game of a lifetime

    Contact me by Email if you have any comments or helpful Tennis hints.
    Let me know the things that work for you.

    Coach Steve
    Email steve.james@stevejamestennis.com
    Website www.stevejamestennis.com