Shape your body like a bow for better serve
Start your service motion. When releasing the ball follow through with the tossing arm extending as if you’re reaching up for the cookie jar on top of the refrigerator (most players will stop the tossing arm at this juncture). The act of reaching up and extending will push out the hips and tilt the shoulders. Your hitting shoulder will be below your tossing shoulder at this point. To accentuate this movement, bend your knees.
1. Tossing shoulder is above hitting shoulder.
2. Hip is pushed out (left hip for a right hander).
3. Knees are flexed.
4. Majority of your weight is on the back foot.
At this time your body will take the form of a bow.
Releasing the arrow is very much like hitting the serve. Once the bow is released the tips of the bow snap. The same is true with the service motion. The ends (racquet head and feet) of the body snap in much the same manner. This is particularly evident in Roger Federer’s serve.
(example of a good warm up stretch, lunge with overhead twist)
Hi everyone,
This week’s tip is about warming up before we even start hitting balls. Way too often we see tennis players just walk on the court, at best they do a few circles with their arms and that’s it.
It is very important that we warm up our bodies before we start swinging our racquets. The warm-up should be around 15 minutes long and should include a light jog and tennis specific dynamic stretches, maybe a foot-work drill and even a little jump rope.
It is also important to keep in mind, that while we are warming up we are not only getting our body ready, but also preparing our minds to compete. A good warm-up will get you ready for a joyful game of tennis, will prevent injuries and most likely help you have a good start which is always a plus.
Please feel free to stop any of the coaches on the grounds of DTC, email us or give us a call if you have any questions.
Thanks, coach G
