How to Serve a Tennis Ball
Playing a good game of tennis means you have to learn how to properly serve the ball. This is very crucial, because not does it start the match, but it’s also the only shot which you can control throughout the game. Here’s how to do this.
What You’ll Need:
Tennis ball
Tennis shoes
Racket
Tennis court
Opponent (optional)
Procedure:
Wear the right tennis gear. Shorts and tennis shoes are important, so you’ll perform better. Get your racket and your tennis balls ready, too.
tennis serve
Know where you should be standing. You must be behind the line that’s farthest from the net, known as the baseline. Plant your feet steadily, positioning yourself in such a way that your shoulders are lined up where you’re aiming. Face the net sideways, and not forward. Turn in your shoulders parallel to your feet.
Using your dominant hand, hold your tennis racket outwards, pointing to the net. It must be in a service grip, also known as the Continental grip. To do this, hold the racket sideways, like you’re holding a hammer.
Drop the racket, and bring it behind you, in an arch-like motion. While you do that, start tossing the ball in front of you, towards the court, at least five inches or more infront. Remember that when you toss, you’re not throwing the ball. You must just let go of it, when it’s at the top. Let the ball reach as high as you can reach using your racket.
Drop the racket behind you, as if you’re using it to scratch your back. Bending your knees is also a good strategy, to give the ball more power.
Bring the racket forward, hitting the ball as speedily as you can, but still keeping control. Don’t try to to hit it too hard, though. Make sure you pronate your wrist, so you hit the ball. In every type of serve, this is necessary.
At the very end, after you had contact, snap your wrist downwards, so the ball will land in court. Be careful not to hit yourself, though. Your racket should now be near your opposite foot’s bottom. The ball must cross over towards your opponent’s side, and enter the first box, within the service line.
After serving, move a bit into the court. You have to be alert, since your opponent will hit the ball, and it will be coming back.
Keep practicing! Practice how to swing faster, adding power as you go. You should also use your leg strength to attack the ball.
Additional Tips
Tossing of the ball is very important. Make sure you toss in front of you, using your non-dominant hand. Watch your toss, and if it’s a bad one, repeat it.
Don’t toss too high. Gravity makes it go down faster, meaning it’s harder to hit.
Don’t hold your “back scratch” position very long. It’ll make you lose momentum and power.
Don’t lose hope if it doesn’t work the first time. There’s always room for improvement.
A good tennis game starts with a smashing and impressive serve. If you deliver one perfectly, you’ll make the audience stand on their feet and applaud!