Tennis Serve

The tennis serve occurs at the start of each attempt to gain a point. Players who are serving toss the ball in the air, and hit it across to their opponent without hitting the net. A served ball must land within a specific box that is clearly marked on the playing surface. By varying the direction and spin of the serve, a player can keep their opponent guessing.

There are actually various ways to serve; each one offers tennis players some sort of advantage. The flat serve is fast and close to the top of the net. Players often use this serve first; if they happen to hit the top of the net they receive a second chance. Topspin serves are a bit slower, but they have a tendency to create a high bounce, often throwing the opponent out of position when the ball arrives.

Similar to the topspin serve, a slice serve jumps to one side after it hits the ground, also throwing the opponent out of position when the ball arrives. The topspin-slice serve is exactly what it sounds like, a combination of the topspin and the slice, creating a high bounce plus a jump to one side upon arrival.

Characteristics Of Tennis Serve

An impressive tennis feat occurs during the serve and is known as the ace. Aces happen when a player makes an excellent serve, so powerful that the opponent is not able to hit the ball back. This will result in the scoring of a point. In professional tennis, an ace generates a positive response from the crowd and adds excitement to the game.

Speed can be a key factor when executing a tennis serve. Many professional players can serve the tennis ball at over 90 miles per hour. The speed of the ball is measured with a radar gun, much like the ones police officers use to issue speeding tickets.

Tennis Serving Tips

Beginning players need a lot of practice to perfect their tennis serve. Since the serve is often considered the most difficult stroke in the game, it is important to practice it correctly. Common mistakes include hitting the ball into the net often, trying to hit the ball too hard, and looking away from the ball prior to making contact with it.

Using visualization can help alleviate many tennis serve problems. Imagining the ball going above the net can help stop it from striking the net on its way over. Likewise, visualizing the ball traveling fast but minimizing the effort used to strike it can help control over use of muscle power. Repetition is also a key element. Serving 20-30 times in a row, and then analyzing progress will help build skill.