| Hold and toss the ball a new way. A good tossing motion is a necessity! You must place the ball consistently where you want it. It’s the key to solid contact, power and accuracy… not to mention getting your serve in more often.Sometimes, even with the best instruction, lots of practice, and maximum effort by the student, the ball still goes “all over the place!” If you’re tired of hearing: Too much wrist… keep your arm straight… just release it… lift it… etc., etc. Prepare to think weird!This is a quick fix — a band-aid… but it works every time! Another NTA Instructor shared this one with me… he had students, like me, struggling with their service toss. I was surprised, and many of my students are thankful for this unique tip. |
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It looks different, but it solves a ton of problems. By: Michael Kowalski USNTA Certified Instructor and USRSA Certified Stringer. 1. This is what it looks like… I kinda make a “circle” with the fingers. Your circle size will depend on the size of your hand and the amount of grip on the ball that makes you feel comfortable. |
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2. The ball is held between thumb and index finger. I’m barely holding the bottom 1/3 of the ball in place. You may feel more comfortable widening your circle and holding more of the ball – it’s your call – just make sure it releases freely!This is my serve “ready position.” My racket is below my hand and my elbow is slightly bent. |
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3. My tossing arm straightens on it’s initial downward path without facing the palm upwards.Here the ball is moving up with my straight arm — I feel like I’m “lifting” it — the only joint moving is my shoulder. |
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4. Ball releases naturally (I’m assuming you don’t have a choke hold on it) as your arm extends up to it’s release height.Just look at that baby go straightup! I try to feel that the ball comes out of my hand at the exact same speed that my tossing arm is moving up during the lift. To do that I barely hold the ball. You may be able to circle the ball higher up with your fingers and still get a good release… no problem, whatever works.Remember, tennis is NOT a game of perfection! Have a little fun with this toss… |
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5. Oh BABY! Contact in the center of my racquet every time!Serving is so much more fun when you know the ball will be in the exact same place every time. Your timing improves, and rhythm smooths out… now you’re concentrating on power and placement. |
| FINAL TIPS: Remember, the only body joint moving the ball up should be your shoulder. Everything else; elbow, wrist, and fingers, should be static and only going upwards because the entire arm is moving from the shoulder joint as a unit.When you practice, make sure you don’t have a death grip on the ball. Just allow the ball to naturally release from your “lifting” hand as you extend your arm up to it’s final position. See pic 4.The toss is NOT the end of your tossing motion… a clean, uninterrupted, rhythm with your racquet arm is vital as your tossing arm moves up from your front thigh to the end of its lifting height. I try to feel that the ball comes out of my hand at the exact same speed that my tossing arm is moving up during the lift.Give it a try… and may all your first serves go in — near the corners! | |