How I Fixed My Toss After 15 Years

We're going to discuss some hurdles players face to get a straight and consistent toss. Over a decade of struggling with this, these tips have helped me over the last few weeks committing to toss correctly. It's not only important for contact point, but when we discuss stabilization and the "bend and snap" in the next serving video, it comes full circle. Look forward to your feedback if you try some of these out!
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15 Points Of Tennis is dedicated to helping players reach their potential - technically, mentally, and physically through field-tested knowledge and understanding of the game. Join us on our journey of uncovering the secrets to transform your game and revolutionize your experience of this beautiful sport.
WEBSITE: www.15pointsoft...
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Do you want to know how you can learn from Coach Steven no matter where you are?
15 POINTS MASTERY 2.0: members.15poin...
15 Points of Tennis Ebook on Amazon: amzn.to/2Nvf3zW
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other inquiries?
Email me directly at [e-mail]
15 Points Of Tennis is dedicated to helping players reach their potential - technically, mentally, and physically through field-tested knowledge and understanding of the game. Join us on our journey of uncovering the secrets to transform your game and revolutionize your experience of this beautiful sport.
WEBSITE: www.15pointsoft...
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Music - Fresh Start (Audio Library)

[@JamesDavisakaRemguy]

"Try hitting a forehand with no left arm" Welcome to wheelchair tennis, my friend! Actually, our left hand is on the left wheel, braking it and causing us to turn into the ball. This replicates the hip rotation of able-bodied tennis strokes. You CAN put your left arm out first, to get a good shoulder turn before rotating into the shot, but you've got to withdraw it in a hurry and brake if you want the chair to rotate, which you do. All this takes time and one of the first laws of wheelchair tennis is: YOU NEVER HAVE ENOUGH TIME. Even with two bounces, the ball gets there so fast and it takes so damned long to maneuver that friggin' chair, you're always behind the 8-ball (think opening scene of Indiana Jones). Sorry to complain, we're lucky to have our sport. It's renewed my lease on life and, me for one, I'm happy to make the payments. No doubt. So see you guys on the courts! Remguy - Montreal, Canada

[@jamesball5743]

Bad ass.

[@jazzwonderboy]

You’re a really great teacher because you’ve had to struggle and analyse your own shortcomings, and you’re honest about it. “Natural” players often struggle to understand less talented people than themselves. I’ve had the same experience in music where super gifted performers are not great teachers and vice versa.

[@jackieleung5365]

Thank you for this in-depth lesson coach, I will take my daughter (and myself) out to the court to practice these tips!

[@LL-kz1qe]

I ve see hundreds of video and private lessons but this the best tip that helped me improve my toss and elavete my next step towards a good serve Well done Thanx

[@flestau]

thank buddy, after 15 years of continious tennis practising your video has made me to construct my serve again, after so many time trying to get a good serve tecnique

[@reedgage7689]

Useful demo of a variety of serve styles. Even taking that one point away of left arm up can help serve percentage a lot

[@eventhorizon908]

In general, use of non-dominant arm (hand) is most ignored item in tennis. And it is most important, for any stroke. You have brains to uncover this most hidden problem and most professional hidden (ignored) feature of any Stroke Mechanics.

[@tennisbrother5705]

Thanks to the KZbin platform for popping this video up. I am gonna give it a try to fix my 20 years bad habit

[@vinloy23]

I am qualified to comment on this. I used to do serve practice 3 to 4 times a week with each session lasting an hour. I did this for 7 years. I had USTA NTRP 5 to 5.5 level serve while playing at NTRP 3.5/4.0 doubles. When my serve was ON, it was ON. I served so many aces I lost count, perhaps in the 1000s. However I had problems with consistency of toss. The toss is the most important starting point. It is complicated in the sense that moment and point of release is crucial in addition to arm being straight. Also, angle of the arm in relation to the left leg [for right handed players] is very important.

[@euroclyde]

Cool footage showing your progression. Most players on the tour even need to watch this video. It's absolutely nuts how many of them have the crazy toss...and it's nuts how their coaches let them get away with that shit.

[@ElwoodPDowd-nz2si]

Can you comment on watching the ball all the way into the strings. If you look at Federer, he will still be looking at the point of contact after the racket and ball have cleared that space. Djokovic will already be looking up court as the ball is contacting the strings. As soon as the racket comes into my peripheral view, I tend to start moving my eyes up court. It is a hard habit to break. I wonder if it is worth working on since you see both styles at the top of the sport.

[@ejc491]

Excellent video. I have previously heard about the snow cone grip on the ball, but did not realize (until this video) that it meant to turn one's hand sideways. Also, I like the figure 8 practice. In one match the sun was so bad I actually hit the ball well without looking at it. Ha, ha.

[@camillez.7535]

Great tips the new player, especially those of us who are a little older and don't want to open themselves up to unnecessary injury. Less is more.

[@tridentstacking]

Watched your serve and what immediately stands out is your racquet hand staying idle during the toss. The right arm needs to move in unison with the toss arm or it will feel awkward forever. That said, great tips appreciate your candor

[@ReidVV]

Good lesson. One of the best on the toss I've seen. I also liked how you showed your own progression of serve improvement and how you didn't edit out every imperfect serve you hit, even when you demoed how to serve. That's real. Thanks very much. What racquet do you use in the video? (not that it matters. I'm just curious.)

[@15PointsOfTennis]

Thank you.. I use the Wilson N Six One the 2013 model 18x20

[@beaglesrfun5896]

This is great instruction! You have a knack for breaking down the stroke/serve/technique to its simplest forms.

[@AnthonyOzimic]

This video had instant results for me this morning. The palm to the sky technique especially, but also to pick a point in the sky, short toss and dead ball, slow down etc. My accuracy went from 25%-50% in the service box to 75%-100%. Where can I find the bend-and snap effect video please?

[@valanzo7]

Good Job. I really like the way you repeat the the main points. Also, your use of Real Life examples does bring out the point forcefully. Good teaching!

[@ihavesoul4real]

Finally, a great in depth explanation for a consistent serve. Thanks so much. Subscribed!

[@aymansabi3324]

To have a better tossing, I place my 4 fingers under the ball (balanced) and thumb on the top part of the ball to have more control and balance on the ball.

[@jamestomkinson8474]

This is so inspirational to me. I'm trying to break 20 years of bad habits. Your transformation is incredible to watch . Thank you. I'm going to do everything you said.

[@eduardoarboleda8003]

Excellent video. He got my problem exactly, but different than others, provided the simple and concrete answer to resolve it.....Now I have to go work on it. Thanks!

[@kishorramachandra4018]

Very helpful. Appreciate the effort to do a detailed video.

[@themrstroke]

That continuous no pause type serve you allude to and even allude to tossing the ball into this motion, Nick Kyrgios to me perfect example.

[@lymanzollinger7479]

Well said and even better techniques. Your toss and swing path should be effortless. Sometime I continue to work on. Good Tips!

[@markel-100]

Thank You For Your Lesson, it was very-very interesting!

[@phippst100]

Super! Lots of good info. Thank you.

[@doncreepypasta5620]

Good video and good channel! I looked for the bend and snap effect video you mentioned but I couldn't find it, where is it? Thanks!

[@pxnguyen67]

You are the best!

[@adamblesener2916]

It’s amazing how overlooked the toss usually is. It’s so important yet gets almost no attention

[@alphagamma6709]

Toss is the boss!!

[@frittiHD]

Thanks for the vid. The first years i played tennis i never thought about the toss. I just did it and that was fine. However, from one day to another i couldn't toss the ball anymore. Its so crazy and i still dont know how this happened...

[@matyverona9407]

the serve "yips"

[@drelephanttube]

Nice video man, some stuff to think about. 7:00 did you just hit a two-handed forehand? That was weird. Love the super kamikaze net rusher too.

[@notafanboy250]

Great video. Thanks!

[@Perionian]

Hi, do you hit your forehand with your left hand closer to the throat of the racquet? Marion Bartoli style?

[@cesarfernandezlopez2209]

I didn't notice the fat belly guy interruption Lol , there is always and idiot in every court , sometimes more than one .. Great explanation , thanks ❤️

[@pl5778]

where are you teaching? would love to look into your lessons if you are local! Awesome tips

[@davidyasui9357]

Just before reaching the top of your toss, have you ever tried turning your wrist so you end up facing the back of your hand and not your palm? I find that it allows me to pronate more effectively which generates more power in my serve.

[@15PointsOfTennis]

Absolutely agree... Sampras among many players inverts the hand to get more coiled. Should work with FHs too but yeah my game is far from perfect

[@rogerhill4571]

Visualization helps

[@jameswhiteside1467]

Awesome ~ great tips!!

[@Renaissanceman81]

We use the same racket

[@ElwoodPDowd-nz2si]

4:30 Guy in the background wasn't listening...

[@twinwankel]

Coach Steven, thanks for the video. I too have suffered from a bad toss and though I have tried all of your suggestions, my toss still breaks down over time due to elbow bend. This occurs when I practice serving over a few buckets. I found that a little tension in the forearm helps keep the arm straight. This is accomplished by cocking the wrist back slightly. The other problem I have is that even though I can consistently toss the first serve, I find that when I switch to a kick serve, it gets erratic. Haven’t been able to solve that though. I end up having to redo the toss in a match and irratating my opponent which is not a bad thing sometimes. Do you have any suggestions on this? Thanks.

[@15PointsOfTennis]

Hmmm.. agreed it’s a huge pain to fix the toss and find what clicks. For me it was spreading the fingers instead of flicking the wrist and getting the palm up to the sky that helped me keep it straight. Idk if it helps but feel free to send me a clip over insta

[@allboutthemojo]

Where did you get that Nike henley?

[@15PointsOfTennis]

Midwest sports or Tennis warehouse I believe

[@xyjames]

Can someone provide a cliff notes summary in a few sentences?

[@Kazzzzzo]

Toss is the hardest in tennis.

[@maxpowers3732]

My problem is incorporating the toss with the rocking motion. I can't figure out where my weight should be as I'm tossing. I start on the front foot, rock back as I'm dropping my tossing arm and lifting my hitting arm. Then I start rocking forward again. Should I toss while my weight is even between my front and back feet and I'm stable and then rock forward? or do I toss as I'm rocking forward? If I should do it while rocking forward how do you keep your forward momentum from messing up your toss? My toss is parallel to the baseline and I hold the ball the same way that you do.

[@halfnhalf702]

I believe you toss towards the end of rocking forward. Your momentum should bring the ball slightly into the court.

[@Dubinski2382]

Rock counter clockwise an inch or two and then rotate clockwise and begin lifting your arm until fully extended. At the end you should be centered under your toss arm (straight line from foot up through toss hand).

[@mohamadedwinfadillah8912]

Semoga nanti ada subtitel bahasa indonesia

[@Whisper555]

Unfortunately the ball toss is not sexy and nobody really values it until you want to know how to serve consistently well.

[@didanhtennis]

Where are you located?

[@15PointsOfTennis]

If you’re passing by the Bay Area shoot me an email at [e-mail]

[@curtc2011]

Great information but I think you could have got your points across in less than half the time it to watch the entire video.

[@tuhlunksss]

wtf happened at 7:02???

[@FairwayJack]

like

[@lordbyron3603]

It took 30 years to fix my toss! 🤣🤣

[@JohnOfWendofrosde]

(1) TOO BAD, like all the other "coaches" , this "coach" also FAILED to offer a mathematical clarification of WHAT IS A "HIGH TOSS" & WHAT IS A "LOW TOSS", in relation to whatever reference he chooses (...Like how many Inches and/or Feet Above the "Racquet-Arm extension" Or TOP OF YOUR HEAD) (2) @14:00 ... This "coach" needs to look at KYRGIOS; ..... KYRGIOS has a "Low Toss" and moves his feet !! (3) Content is about the same as many other "coaches".... but he is more enthusiastic.

[@johnpaloloco4633]

you talk so much. please be more specific to reduce the duration of your videos. thanks

[@argokan]

@John Paloloco with all due respect, he does not, but rather reflects on the subtleties of the process as I have not seen many (or hardly any) others do; take the example of the necessary momentum of the movement of the tossing arm, beginning at 03:48 . There are many instructional videos on the serve these days, and yet this is the first one taking this issue in the way he did, as far as I know. He did raise some interesting points there. I do see the point in your remark, and everyone is, of course, entitled to their opinion, but the guy really deserves some credit.

[@JamesDavisakaRemguy]

@@argokan I'd like to second that, I really enjoy all the sidelines and autobiographical stuff. If you listen, he addresses some very pertinent or relevant, and very subtle information that you just don't see/hear in all the painfully-basic rehash you see all over YT and the net. Sure, he could edit the verbage so that it flows a little better, but I wouldn't remove the content, it's the main reason I like this guy! Later, and good tennis!

[@antjobert]

John, you could speed up the video. I am watching it at 1.25x and that helps.

[@omarsultanov362]

@@antjobert 🤣👍🕺🤸‍♂️

[@omarsultanov362]

Dear John. I just made a comment about the length of this too. But I'm afraid the way you express yourself is bit rude. You could just stop watching, do you? Or if you still appreciate it you could be more polite. It's free after all and nobody forces you to watch the stuff. Hope you'll be more polite next time...🤔

[@toddcuster3557]

So you want the ball to come off of the stems of your fingers not the tips. Everything else about your video is spot on, but fingertips? Neigh said the horsey

[@15PointsOfTennis]

Not sure if I was specific at all in the video, but IMO just as long as players don’t cup it in their palm.

[@joemarshall4226]

Less talking, more demonstrating.

[@a2casius]

Frankly, I've had the same problem as yourself since I can remember so this video is an absolute god-sent as far as I'm concerned. Thank you.

[@kartkan]

Thanks to the youtube algorithm for popping this up. Most of the coaches dont have a human side to the way they teach and do not get to the actual little things that would help people trying hard to master difficult concepts. You are very humble and an inspiration. Your clinic on the slice serve is maybe the best I have watched here in youtube.

[@Radnally]

Getting a consistent toss really helped increase my first serve percentage.

[@vectorthurm]

I respect that you put your struggles out there for us to see so we know we aren't alone. The serve is so complicated and muscle memory is so difficult to change. I had a horrible windmill serve (horrible throwing motion) for so many years from when I was 11 and no one ever corrected and I played through HS on my team with it. When I returned to tennis after many years it was about the most difficult thing to do to cultivate a good throwing motion. Any change throws your muscle memory into dis-coordination and it takes patience and discipline to work through it. Thank you for making this video!

[@15PointsOfTennis]

Thanks for watching and joining me on the journey!

[@natanaelmorais8676]

PERFECT. GREAT INTRUCTION. VERY CLEAR EXPLANATION. THANKS

[@ElwoodPDowd-nz2si]

My serves already look like I'm closing my eyes.

[@josephcharland7396]

this has to be the best "test" lesson I have ever experienced. master the toss, the rest is much easier! thanks much

[@lisacatto598]

Great tips thanks. If you're able to make the clips 10 minutes at the longest, we will more likely stay with you to the end. All great tips though, glad I stayed until the end. Thank you.

[@anselon7]

Release the ball and Open up the fingers.. WOW.. been playing tennis for 20 years, now 4.5 level, and didn't know that

[@selftrue670]

The very best, most useful serve coaching you will find. So intelligent and thoughtful.

[@chrishanley7009]

Well done, have been struggling with my toss for 44 years but this summer I am committed to fixing it...will be trying your drills and ideas out. Thanks so much for showing federer, sampras, soldering and del potro...your explanation of their tosses was super helpful

[@gwloo]

You're breaking it down very thoroughly. Great video.

[@billionairelivesmatter]

I was just thinking about the toss. Thanks!

[@andrewbaroch2141]

Good!

[@tombarry1824]

The "palm up like holding a platter" over your head on the toss has help my daughter's toss and serve immensely. Thank you, that tip is priceless.

[@EJP286CRSKW]

Tom Barry It's the wrong image entirely. You should really feel like you're hanging from a handle with that left hand, rather than holding something II with it.

[@drbonesshow1]

On your serve you hit the ball too soon. Most players do this because they don't know about the simple physics of a power serve. It's also about the rackets they use specifically the handle. I try to explain some of this in this article: www.nytimes.com/2018/05/11/sports/tennis/don-mueller-rackets.html

[@sleepy4x]

The content is good, but too much information. Please can you do a short version of this with only the relevant information? That would be great.

[@argokan]

All information he gives in the video is actually highly relevant. Some of it is, from the technical and historical point of view (biomechanics and practical examples from the modern tennis pro history) highly debatable, and I could easily dispute some of the details he accounts for (the type of toss and arm action vs. the height of the toss is the one I specifically do not agree with, with good evidence to the contrary of what he says), but that is almost besides the point. He raises the points and accounts for details in the process of changing the somewhat technically deficient stroke (or parts that are not optimal), how difficult it is and what it takes to change it. I have not seen that anyone has approached this, very difficult subject, and very important at any level, in the way he did. I can acknowledge that it might be too much info for some, or many people, but then again, it is not a tennis lesson restricted to the partial result within the scope of the one tennis lesson-hour at the tennis court. Remember, he gives this for free at youtube, while many others give freebies with far less valuable info. He says, in contrast to many others, not only what to do, but also why and above all how to do it, and gives a detailed account of the difficulties during the process, even for the advanced student and player.

[@ts440s]

Some folks like tennis TV if you want short versions google it.

[@brucenobl]

Looking forward to the next piece on the serve. I also fixed my toss to a straight arm and neutral ball release after 62 years.

[@nukiolbartes6279]

I think the toss should be natural continuation of movement that happens before it which is the rocking motion. Good serve should be a complete full sequence of building up n storing energy thru rocking motion, toss, coiling, loading, swing and follow thru. When each part is totally disconnected from the other we will not be able to execute it consistently.

[@ashlychauhan9151]

You appear to be a chinese or an adjacent nation...however, thanks for your honesty on serve and when you said PRACITCE PRACTICE AND PRACTICE!!!!!!!!this is where the many countries have a highly incorrect propostion...practive NEVERRRRRRRRRRRRR makes perfect it only get YOU or the DOER used to of doing something!!!!!!!!!!! Practice MAKES perfect! with guidance...as now I am referring your video to seek guidance. this is so far and so on Iam orginally a university teacher and I CAN teach almost sport -even if i dont know it- to anybody in the world with certain terms and conditions...do you knw Chinese tennis woman champion ..why didnt she win for a long time?do you know why?read her book and research yourself...I am abeginner at tennis but I know how to learn well and which teacher to choose and why..and last but not least....you hit the nail...and you did the right job in the video for beginners and intermediate levels....advanced level I myself dont know...how can I comment...

[@efkay88]

Thanks - this is really valuable content for me! Much appreciated :)

[@wcharles2709]

Just noticed in Fed's serve he doesn't bring his back foot up next to his front (left) foot just before he hits the ball. i think most pros do bring the back foot up just behind the front foot before contact. Any comments?

[@catholicanimationchannel]

Who else is watching this and can't wait do practice on the court as soon as possible?

[@sharoneschenroeder3249]

One point that wasn't really clear is how far out from the baseline should the toss be. One foot? Two? When you tossed the ball and let it land on your racquet, the racquet looked like it was only maybe half a foot in front of the baseline.

[@xhenetic8760]

My biggest problem is, I have no accuracy with the ball, it either hits the net or goes out and the hard thing is it should hit the inner zone right behind the net. I don't know what its called.

[@tennisphui1948]

nice tip - excellent vid - very good instruction and effective

[@schnooksdad136]

your toss looks great....so therefore your serve can now have easy power..one bounce to the back fence...fifteen year change congrats

[@NhatHNgo]

Thoughtful analysis, thorough and helpful. Keep up the great videos!!!

[@nathanielswan909]

Sorry, this was the worst. you just need to tell us how to do it not all the wrong ways. . What is with the "Ice cream toss". I had no idea what you are talking about.

[@jorgewsanabria]

What about the following video with the analysis of the bend and snap for the serve?

[@TheWizLo]

Great video man, subbed!! I have the same problem as well with the toss and it changes day to day when I play which is bizarre, sometimes I would even end up tossing the ball to the court behind me lol. I have a video on my channel where I did some serves at the end. If you have the chance will you be able to take a look and let me know what immediately stands out that I could work on?

[@15PointsOfTennis]

Thanks! If you send me an clip to my insta I’ll repost w feedback... sry I don’t like to download the YT video from a link and clip it bc I do it from my phone usually.

[@biondipepe]

great help for the ones that struggle with the left hand toss. Thanks for sharing, in my opinion all makes sense. Your knowledge seems to come for experimenting and testing instead of so many others that repeat formulas.

[@fiji16g8]

Some people adjust to the toss better than others sometimes with a terrible tossi Ace people

[@mantotennis5135]

a proper toss.... dam right theres a proper way to toss ^_^

[@deeps10]

First I have seen the vertical throwing arm, thanks for the tip

[@bazza2540]

Hey coach can we get a video on your double hand forehand?

[@15PointsOfTennis]

At some point! Several other more impt concepts I need to cover first

[@krolldavid]

Thank you! Great video which really helped me.

[@miguelrodrigues2184]

I saw videos on KZbin and my serve was good naturally

[@JamesDavisakaRemguy]

Hey, this is my first time visiting your (YT) channel, I have to say I really liked it! I enjoy your autobiographical approach, it lends a lot of cred to your message. ('Cred', that was me trying to be 'hip', did it work?) I came here because my toss is my undoing. The ball goes EVERYWHERE. I have not yet tossed it over the fence, but it is just a question of time. BTW, I am a wheelchair player and an old guy. When I played as a young man, my serve was my biggest weapon - I could count on an ace a game. Now, being about two feet shorter in a wheelchair, I need a good spin serve. Not just to keep the ball in (with some pace), but also to move the receiver around a bit. The kick is coming along nicely, but only when I get the toss right (1 out of 3-4 tries). The slice remains a mystery, utter magic, and unfortunately, it is a spell I do not possess. Maybe I'll look to see if you've done something on that. In any case, sorry for the long post, just to say I really like your channel and I'll be subscribing. Keep up the good work! Ciao for Now - Jim Davis, Montreal Canada

[@15PointsOfTennis]

Appreciate the kind works Jim! Mad respect to you for playing and competing in wheelchair tennis... I’m guessing most things are upper body focused so it’s tough for a slice serve because you can get the shoulders fully turned back. To hit slice with upper body only my guess is you’ll have to adjust your toss to the right (2pmish if ur right handed). Curious to see how this goes and I do have a slice serve video on the channel.

[@JamesDavisakaRemguy]

@@15PointsOfTennis Ha, two years later and I'm still watching! Still love your channel, man. I also a fan of Tomaz Mencinger 'cause he keeps things so simple and direct. You're the opposite, you add color and backstory. Two "different but equally great" approaches, and two great online tennis coaches! But two years later and my slice serve is still a work-in-progress (kind of like the roads up here). I've been hitting straight up the back of the ball for a topspin serve and it really dips, but I tried (just for 'S&G's) hitting across the ball at a 45° angle (up and to the right) and the ball just *LURCHED* after the bounce! Is that how you're _supposed_ to hit a kick serve? (spin the ball on a 45° diagonal?) Thanks and keep on trucking, Coach Steven! JD in Canada

[@tatsf226]

some rackets can correct bad ball toss. like ps 85

[@doaparviz6430]

Thanks ,good points for nice service.

[@santoshthapa8398]

i have given up on tossing. literally the hardest one in tennis. ps: roddick has a hitch yet the most powerful serve ever, so it is possible to have a non fluid motion.

[@15PointsOfTennis]

Agreed.. Roddick has an all time great serve without it. At least for me I’ve seen so many players get jerky and get out of sync, that I usually teach the circular motion. Great point tho!

[@Dubinski2382]

15 Points Of Tennis I actually think even roddicks serve has a continuous rhythm it just is more with his core, chest and shoulders than his arms his arm only extends at the end. His motion is almost like a cartwheel.