The Three Types Of Tennis Serves
In this video we will be covering the three different serves in tennis: the flat, slice and topspin serves. We will go through the motions of each of the serves and look at the two main technical factors that make the serves different from one another.
The ball toss - where we throw the ball
The contact - the way we strike the ball
Grip and Service Motion
But before we do that we must ensure we are using the correct grip for our serves. You should be using the continental grip for all your serves. If you are unsure of the grip, please check out our video on tennis grips. Your service motion is quite similar when hitting flat, slice or the topspin serve. You must first toss the ball up and bring your racket back. You should be in what is called a “trophy position”, where your arms and the ball are up in the air. Finally, you swing at the ball to complete the serve. Now that you have your service motion sorted we can begin to explore how to hit the different serves!
Flat Serve - The Big One
This serve might be one of your most powerful weapons on court. To execute the flat serve, you will need to throw the ball slightly in front of you so that you can lean forward as you are hitting the ball for more power. You should hit the ball right at the centre for a flat and hard serve.
Slice Serve - The Annoying Serve that Spins Sideways
The slice serve can force your opponent wide and away from the center of the court. You should toss the ball slightly to your right (if you are a right-hander) and contact the ball at 3 o’clock. Imagine the ball as a clock face. By contacting the ball at 3 o’clock you are effectively slicing the ball and generating side spin.
Topspin Serve - The Kick Serve
The topspin serve can be a reliable weapon that bounces aggressively off the court. You should toss the ball above your head and slightly to your left. You should aim to strike the ball at 7 o’clock. By doing this, you will be brushing up the back of the ball, giving it topspin for that almighty kick.
To wrap up, you should practise all three different serves, as you want to have variety in your games. By mastering the different serves and spins you will be able to keep your opponents guessing.
"The Philosophical Tennis Player: Thinking Your Way To Winning" offers a unique perspective on the sport of tennis. This book provides guidance inspired by philosophy to help you rethink the game and reach your peak performance. The author breathes life into abstract philosophical concepts, transforming them into tangible strategies everyone can use to become a successful player. Readers will gain insight into the psychological aspects of tennis and recognise the timeless values that extend beyond the confines of the court.
About The Author
Darren Teo is the founder of Play! Tennis, the most Google reviewed tennis academy in Singapore. His passion for making tennis accessible to everyone regardless of their age, experience and ability continues to drive his work at the school. He is a thought leader in LinkedIn with 14,000 followers.