Instead of just trying to get it in, create a plan of action.
From beginners all the way to advanced players, the second serve is one of the most undervalued strokes in the game. Most players think of the first serve as a weapon. But many of those same players, once they have to put a second serve into play, change their mentality—their goal becomes simply to put the ball in the box. That’s a fundamental mistake because…

Developing an effective stroke takes practice and hard work—most of the time. But follow these six steps and in15 minutes you’ll be on the road to unleashing a wicked slice serve. 1. ADJUST TO A SLICE GRIP To hit an effective slice, you’ve got to start with the right grip. For many players, holding the [...]

Proper use of the tossing arm can be the difference between putting your serve in the box or in the bottom of the net. PROBLEM Your tossing arm drops prematurely and away from your body. This throws off the mechanics necessary for an effective serve. Your shoulders open too soon, causing your head to pull [...]

All the speed and spin in the world won’t matter if you can’t place the serve where you want it. The ability to control the direction of the serve is a critical component to its overall success. Hitting an ace is great. But not everybody can consistently crank the speed needed to blow a ball [...]

The perfect complement to a fast, flat serve is a second serve with high-arcing topspin. For many, the second serve is a measuring stick. If you have one that consistently goes in and, just as important, prevents your opponent from going on the offensive, then you’re a player. That’s where the kick serve comes in— [...]

Want to serve bullets? A fast arm, loose wrist, fluid swing, and take-no-prisoners attitude are all you need. You can argue about many things when it comes to playing tennis, but there’s one issue that’s not debatable—the racquet hits the ball. And the simple fact is, if you want the ball to travel fast or [...]

Having a strong serve means more than just hitting aces. Most players think of the serve as a power shot. But that’s shortsighted. Sure, hitting aces and service winners are desirable results, but it’s not realistic to rely on such shots. To be an effective server, you need to learn to use your serve in [...]

If your second serve is a creme puff, here’s an alternative. I’ve always been confused as to why recreational players who struggle so much with their second serves don’t try something different. Whether it’s mental or technical, they donate games’ worth of points by tossing in double faults and sitting ducks. I think if you [...]

Have you always wanted to own a topspin serve? Let us show you how to get started. For recreational players, the topspin serve is a defining stroke. With it, you have a reliable second serve that safely clears the net, dips in, and jumps off the court. Without it, you’re not going to move up [...]