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Show Tennis Tips Aim for consistency, not power in serve by MARK JENSEN tennis professional Park Meadows Racquet Club The idea of the serve in tennis is to start the point. This strategy is simple , andbasic but oftentaanderttoo So often you will see someone trying to out-power his opponent with a big, hard serve. This thinking will often result in a fault or double-fault. The smart player knows the secret to a successful serve is control, accuracy and con-sistency. con-sistency. The service motion is one of the most complex skills in tennis. There are five basic moves that are found in all good serves : Proper grip is a must at all levels. The V formed by the thumb and index finger should be turned a little to the forward part of the grip (toward the thumb) . This is called the continental grip. Even though it feels awkward, it should be learned early. As the player progresses, he will find it easier to impart im-part spins on the serve. , 1L , ... The ball toss should be made with an extended arm, holding the ball with all the fingers and thumb. The palm should remain up and when the ball is released, releas-ed, it should come off all the fingers and thumb at the same time. The "ball toss" arm should move smoothly and rhythmically down and up from the inside in-side of the thigh. The ball is released at the maximum height of the extended arm. The ball should be tossed to the height of the extended racquet of the hit-tins hit-tins Brm Weight transfer-or the time of the transfer of the weight onto the ball at impact-is important. There are many ways and means of rocking and rolling the weight into the ball at impact. Sometimes it is best for the student to find his own timing through experimentingThe weight transfer is similar to weight transfer of the basic throwing motion. . The racquet arm should be drawn back smoothly behind the head. The elbow should remain relaxed and fall naturally to a flexed position. The racquet arm should be moving in a continuous smooth rhythm with the toss arm The traveling arc of power should be smooth, long and without break in acceleration accelera-tion as it travels behind the head and up through the ball. At impact, it is important that the wrist be relaxed so that it can break easily easi-ly To impart the last angle of acceleration and spin on the ball, the racquet head should be moving smoothly through the ball with a last-second wrist snflD ,,v -' The serve motion is beauty in movement when it is done with a relaxed and rhythmical motion. Repetitive practice of timing and rhythm is essential. Practice the five fundamentals : grip, weight transfer, ball toss, power position posi-tion and wrist snap. The result will be a more accurate and consistent serve. |