Beginner Tennis Lesson: Serve Progressions Part 2

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Time Stamps: 0:46 - Ball Throwing Skills 3:54 - Trophy To Contact Point 4:50 - Finding The Contact Point 7:35 - Serve Skills

[@stilllifeproductions5017]

Thanks for doing this video with an ACTUAL beginner! There are so many vids out there where accomplished players are used as "students." I've found that players who are good/accomplished throwers (baseball, softball, football) learn the service motion and improve much faster than persons who (like this woman) throw "like a girl." It's important to keep that palm down back there to avoid the "waiter tray"-- as you know, very common in beginners...

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Hi and thank you for the feedback and kind words. Good luck with your tennis and please keep me updated on your progress. Best, John

[@davidmicalizzi4323]

This is so much better than a lot of content because it shows someone at a level that the majority of coaches will actually be coaching, too many channels will demonstrate themselves testing an intervention which seems ineffective at showing if what their teaching actually works especially when something like serving is so “feel” based it’s about developing technique not being able to do it. Really great video here and enjoyed watching the process immensely, many great insights I’ll be sure to take on court.

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Hi David, Thanks so much for your feedback and contribution to the video! Stay tuned as we have a lot planned for the channel! Kindly, John

[@albaashley769]

Solid lesson, you are an amazing couch!

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thank you, Alba! Kindly, John

[@danieli.9252]

I’m late to these videos, but they are very helpful. I’m getting back into tennis after a long time away, and the serve is giving me all kinds of trouble. If I could develop a reliable serve and reduce double faults, I’d be so happy. A lot of what you are showing here is going to be useful for me, and I like that I can even do some of it at home (where no one can see my mistakes!). Thanks for the help.

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Hi Daniel, Thanks for your feedback. Please keep me updated on your progress, and let me know if you are interested in submitting a video of your serve for me to review. Best, John

[@kumarsabaratnam4787]

Great content. Thanks.

[@jeanmarcgoeminne269]

To build/repeat on previous comments, I found these 2 videos clever and original for two reasons. One is that it emphasizes the routine while leaving the ball out of it (distraction, aka music for a choreography) and that is a great observation. Second is to have a real beginner executing the drill. That allows to relate much better. One question: with the continental grip, it seems to me that it is harder to power the serve and instead it slices the ball. Is it where the pronation comes into the picture?

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Hi, Thanks for the great feedback and question. Actually using the continental grip will enable more racquet speed when rotating (pronating) into a flat contact on the ball...that is one of the key benefits of the continental grip...it requires you to activate the long axis rotation and discover where the easy power on the serve comes from. This is explained further in the Serve Playlist here on the channel. Let me know if you have further questions. Thanks, John

[@tomkim1017]

I think elbow spiraling to get rid of the ‘waiters serve’ is what distinguishes pro-level serves from beginner ones. I’ve been working on that for years and it’s still hard to get right.

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Hi Tom, I have not heard the term "spiral" associated with the serve, but an interesting concept and image nonetheless. Thanks for your feedback and contribution to the video! Best, John

[@Paul-mz2dq]

Please could you send me the link the to home practice serve lesson. It would be so helpful! 😊👨‍👩‍👧‍👧🇬🇧

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Here you go, Paul: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJ6ckGiBrrh3nNk. I am certain this will help you!

[@Paul-mz2dq]

@@PerformancePlusTennis Thank you!

[@ramonl6637]

Great lesson. Thank you so much. One question, should the forward foot be pointing to the net post?

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thank you! Best, John

[@jackspradlin4183]

like many club players I have great shadow swings, but the ball distracts me enough to make my serve much less effective. I like the pole demo as I thought about a similar setup as a still ball at top of swing would possibly be a good stepping stone to a ball in motion, hopefully making it easier

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Hi Jack, Thanks for your comment and contribution to the video. The "Serve Doctor" from On-Court, Off-Court is a great tool if you have someone to hold it while you practice. Keep working on it and keep me updated on your progress. Best, John

[@monstertrucktennis]

Toss into the swing, not swing at the toss.👍

[@tennisparisbrothers8001]

Took me a while to figure out what you meant good spot !!!

[@monstertrucktennis]

@@tennisparisbrothers8001 borrowed from Jim Mclennan at Essential Tennis.

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Absolutely agree with that! Thanks, John

[@coffeedude2024]

Really interesting to see you build a beginners serve with simple progressions John. Quick question. I noticed that your student was getting into the waiters tray in the trophy position when she was rehersing her swing. Does this not matter when you are building a serve from scratch in the early stages? Thanks John.

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Hi Grant, Thanks for your question and accurate observation. Yes, Adriana was clearly presenting the waiter's tray/ palm open in trophy position. During the lesson I felt she had enough to think about, so I reserved this adjustment for a future lesson. As you are probably aware, this is one of the tougher movements to get beginners to do correctly. The key is to "plant the seed" of the correct movement early on, which I will cover in the next video with Adriana. Thanks again. Kindly, John

[@coffeedude2024]

@@PerformancePlusTennis hi John yes that makes total sense. I suffered with the waiters tray for years and have generalky struggled with serve technique in general and I agree, you have to focus on the serve in progressions and baby steps as it's such a technical and overwhelming stroke to master. Keep up the great work👍

[@CTFlink]

remove all distraction... well she certainly didn't help with that! Jokes aside though. Amazing training series. Thank you so much

[@cjt6634]

I don’t think she knows you need to serve diagonals

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

She is an absolute beginner, so there’s so much to learn. Thanks for your feedback. Best, John.