The 5 Keys to a Dramatically Improved Serve
Spin the Ball
Put it all together with a wickedly spinning serve

Sidespin or topspin makes the ball curve down (and hopefully into the service box) as the ball crosses the net. Yes it may fool the opponent, or swing them wide and out of the court. But first, foremost and of most importance, spin makes the ball curve down. And when spinning the ball one can swing faster and with more confidence, even though many rarely practice or master this skill. The eight sided tennis grip (really it is an octagon) allows you to feel differences in racquet face with changes in grip. To develop a spin serve, moving toward (not necessarily all the way mind you but at least toward) a continental or volley grip places the racquet on edge as it approaches the ball.

Spin check list
  • Lead the racquet up to the ball with the edge of your hand (thumb pointing back)
  • Feel a pulling rather than pushing motion in your hand just before the hit
  • Strike the ball with a glancing blow, no matter where the ball initially goes
  • As the ball continues to curve to the left, adjust your swing path to the right
  • Voila!

 

Got something to say? (16 comments So Far)


  1. Luiz Armando

    That’s a very nice tip. Usually when me and my peers train serves, we usually train what would be our first serves. As a consequence, during a match we serve very weak, flat serves, just to make sure we don’t double fault…


  2. garitte

    Hello Jim ,
    How can I access to Mastering The Kick Serve. Is their a link ? . How to pay ??

    Sincerely

    jack


    • jim

      Jack – we are in the process of a MTKS 2.0 coursework launch – I will send you the details
      Jim


  3. Frank Finney

    It’s 4.09 am and I’m wida awake after watching and absorbing your instruction on the serve-so slow the dawn before I can try! Thanks-terrific advice.


  4. Herbert

    nice tennis lesson.now i understand why ive got a problem with my tennis serve.tnx a lot.ur a nice coach. a nice tennis teacher.please send me more videos about tennis lesson so that i can improved my game


  5. Daniel

    It is an awesome tip Jim! I find that topspin when you hit it into the court, it actually goes the other way that the opponent is getting ready for, and I find this is a really good and sneaky trick! Thank you so much for the 5 tips, they have really helped me a lot with my serve!!! ;-D


  6. Phil McH (England)

    Great stuff. Would be good to see a demo of each stage for those of us that are visual learners but I have learned so much from these short clips. Many thanks.


    • jim

      Phil – thanks, there is much more detail in many of the podcasts on the site as well as within the online coursework offerings
      Jim


  7. Raj

    Hi Jim

    I like your style – straight to the point based on personal knowledge and experience and nothing complex and difficult to execute. I have had lessons from you, from other online sources and from my local pro. I still had problems tossing the ball and serving with rhythm. A 10 min review of videos 1-4 and I had a good toss, a nice rhythm and a good serve. Priceless. I can’t wait to try tip #5. This lesson is the best I have ever had!! Thanks Jim

    Raj


    • jim

      Raj – thanks for this great note – I had coaches who were much like you describe me – they were great – I was lucky – and am passing this stuff on – and truly they had as much a simple but lasting impact on me as it sounds some of my material is doing to you
      thanks again
      Jim


  8. Raj

    Thanks Jim

    I forgot to mention one more plus. The effortless part. For the first time my serves are effortless.
    No more putting effort into it and stressing when its 30-40. My serve is effortless now thanks to these tips.

    Raj


    • jim

      Raj – that is the key word – effortless!!
      Jim


  9. Ira Bauer

    Hi Jim,

    I thought things couldn’t get much better after you revealed the “Sampras Snap to us.” Having mastered that (I think), adding the spin was just the “icing on the cake.” With your techniques (when done correctly) there is no torque, and the speed and accuracy I’ve gained is something I never thought possible; I learned a long time ago from throwing the javelin, shot-put, and discus, that when it feels like you’ve done nothing, it means you’re doing it right, and the results are the proof of the pudding.

    Working with Mother Nature pays off !

    Thanks for all you do, Jim.

    Ira


    • jim

      Thanks


  10. Laureano

    I really thank you for this simple lessons that can help me to improve my serve, my main problem is to cooordinate the toss with the emtire serve motion. When I could do that I will be glad of my serve. Thank again from Caracas, Venezuela.


    • jim

      Laureano
      Send me a short video of your serve – particularly how the motion begins – I will give you an opinion
      Best
      Jim