The serve is the most important shot in tennis — it’s the only stroke where you have complete control. Yet many club players neglect serve practice in favor of rallying. Here are five techniques our coaches use to transform your serve from a liability into a weapon.
1. The Trophy Position
Before you can hit a powerful serve, you need a solid trophy position. This is the moment where your racquet is behind your head, your tossing arm is extended upward, and your weight is loaded on your back foot. Our coaches use the “freeze frame” drill — tossing the ball and pausing at the trophy position for 3 seconds before swinging through.
2. Pronation Is Everything
The snap of your wrist and forearm at contact — pronation — is what generates both power and spin. Think of it like turning a doorknob. Without pronation, you’re pushing the ball rather than striking it. Practice serving with a continental grip and focusing on the pronation motion at the point of contact.
3. Consistent Toss Placement
A consistent toss is the foundation of a reliable serve. Place a target on the ground where you want the ball to land if you don’t swing. For a flat serve, toss slightly in front and to the right (for right-handers). For a kick serve, toss more overhead. Practice the toss 50 times without hitting — just catching the ball at the apex.