Скачать или смотреть Asia Paris Tennis - Master Class - Serve (Flat, Slice, Kick) - Ex TOP 25 Ireland

🎾 Club : Asia Paris Tennis

👱‍♂️ Coach : Jacques Ferrandez - Ex TOP 25 Ireland

Serve Masterclass: Top Coaching Points

Key takeaways from our session, which focused on building a reliable, repeatable serve with clear technical fundamentals.

Set-Up and Grip:
Pre-Serve Routine
We started by emphasising a consistent set-up routine before every serve. A repeatable routine helps with rhythm, focus, and confidence under pressure.

Foot Position and Alignment
Front toe points towards the net post
The ball toss is lined up with the net post for consistency
Good alignment early makes everything else easier.

The Continental (“Chopper”) Grip
We reinforced the use of the Continental grip for all serves. This grip allows for proper racket head speed, clean contact, and the ability to hit flat, slice, and kick serves.

Relaxed Grip
Do not grip the racket too tightly. A relaxed grip allows the wrist and forearm to accelerate naturally, creating speed and control.

The Toss and Trophy Position
The Ball Toss
The toss should be consistent, not too high and not too low
The goal is an optimal contact point, where the arm is fully extended and the body is on the stretch

Straight Tossing Arm
We focused on keeping the tossing arm straight and controlled, which improves accuracy and balance.

Trophy Position
At the peak of the toss, players should reach a strong trophy position:
Racket arm loaded
Tossing arm extended
Body balanced and coiled
This position sets up power and timing.

Balance, Weight Transfer, and Momentum:
Weight Distribution
Start with more weight on the back foot
Front foot begins on the heel
As the toss goes up, the back foot moves onto the toe, shifting weight forward
Reaching Up to the Ball
As the ball begins to drop, we focused on reaching up to the ball.

Contact and Follow-Through
Contact Point
Contact should be made fully extended, at the top of the reach.
Hit the ball with the strings straight on by opening the racket face at contact
For the flat serve try to get minimal rotation on the ball.

Follow-Through
The swing should finish across the body on the left-hand side (for right-handers), ensuring full acceleration and control.

Serve Variations and Exercises

Exercise 1 - Flat Serve
Toss inside the court
Hit through the ball with flat strings
Finish on the left side
Open the palm towards the target

Exercise 2 - Slice Serve
Toss slightly more to the right
Strings are angled to cut the ball
Contact the top right of the ball
Shoulders open up toward the net at contact
Throw the right shoulder into the ball and carve around the outside

Exercise 3 - Kick Serve
Toss to the left side of the body, slightly behind the head
Stay side-on at contact
Racket travels left to right across the body
Brush up the back of the ball
The ball should jump up off the court after bouncing

Final Coaching Tip : Use the Serve Smartly!

Going for a big flat serve all the time doesn’t always win you more points. Some players are comfortable returning pace. Mixing in a slower slice serve, especially to a backhand or weaker side, can be far more effective and put you in control of the point.

A good serve isn’t just about speed, it’s about placement, variation, and good decision-making.