Tennis Serve MAXIMUM POWER Tips: How to Hit an Effortless, Fast Serve Like an ATP PRO

[@ChrisLewit]

Hi friends. Happy to answer any serve questions and would like to discuss technique and biomechanics topics

[@foxyonthrottle690]

I always start to learn to serve without legs !! And then I want ( let’s call it trophy position , which is for me part 2 in my 5 serve points ) to be 70 in front with toss arm in line of ball , racket head pointing to ball , body as much as possible in line with ball and the focus at ball . Legs are for me less important which for most people think that the legs are a big part of the serve power , then you go to a wheelchair game where they serve 140 to 150 km/hour without legs and almost no body rotation and you start to ask yourself questions on how important legs are! I also want the back foot passing the front font in the pinpoint serve which gives a more natural body rotation Here some points to think about but it’s a good video you made

[@ChrisLewit]

@foxyonthrottle690 you make great points. I like what you are saying about wheelchair tennis. How fast is the fastest wheelchair tennis serve? I will be working with a pro wheelchair player getting ready for Australian Open soon

[@ChrisLewit]

@ForefrontTennis thank you!

[@foxyonthrottle690]

@@ChrisLewit not really sure but we had a Belgium wheelchair player who served around 150/155

[@diabeureudjambeu6172]

Hey chris i love your work ! I ll be in ny soon. I would like my son to have a lesson with you. How can we make it happen ?

[@TheLuc234]

A well thought-out video with great references. I would love a follow-up on the differences between this and a slice/kick serve. After watching this and your kick serve video, I'm guessing my lack of ball speed on my kick serve is my back leg drive, as I tend to move parallel to the baseline and don't move into the court on a kick, making a slow, spinning ball that goes in but doesn't move forward.

[@ChrisLewit]

Thank you amigo. We are working hard to make higher quality videos with the best coaching advice on KZbin. I am actually a real coach and not just a KZbin coach, which it’s important to consider. The coaches I trust more have years of field experience. You may be right about your back leg drive. That’s a common issue on the kick serve. I would need to see your video to diagnose. If you are getting the spin sound then that is a great sign. Exploding forward from the legs always helps with power and depth on the kick. But there could be a host of issues going wrong. If you are jumping parallel to the baseline that’s definitely a red flag, sorry to say. People from around the world send me video to review to my WhatsApp [phone]. Cheers Chris

[@taco-belle-get-it]

this is so interesting and helpful, thank you!

[@ChrisLewit]

Thank you very much!

[@ChrisLewit]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnwyatt1057]

I learned to play tennis from youtube! from first forehand stroke to, back hand, to serve! This video is really BEST serve video, from step to step, with reasoning! I just love it!

[@ChrisLewit]

Really appreciate this. KZbin is an amazing form of communication and information sharing. That’s one of the reason I like being in KZbin. I have learned so many valuable things on KZbin by watching other people share their expertise too

[@phillai9930]

Finally !! A coach is finally explaining the use of backfoot drive for the serve. I have been in the dark from day one until this great clip today. You are a big-time coach. Keep it up, Chris!

[@ChrisLewit]

Thank you so much my friend. Let me know any technical questions!

[@771ceh]

Hi Chris, I am a student of the game and have been studying and working on my serve for years. So I am familiar with the references you make to other teachers. I must say your presentation is extremely helpful. I can’t wait to start practicing part by part to put it all together soon. You did a fantastic job of demonstrating the many parts of the serve. Thank you very much. I play USTA and played for my team at Nationals 3.5. last year in Surprise, Arizona. I plan on really nailing my serve soon! 😊thx for all you do for our beautiful game.

[@ChrisLewit]

Thank you my friend. Send me your video and I can offer a few suggestions if anything pops out to me. Players from around the world send me their videos to my WhatsApp at 914-462-2912. Good luck at Nationals! Come visit Vermont when you can!

[@HaraldSchneider-m8n]

I find the move from the ground up and after this , the arm move follows is very good explained, easy to understand 😊

[@ChrisLewit]

Thank you my friend. Let me know any questions.

[@tabaccount9622]

Amazing tips coach. For the slice serve do I still toss the ball 2 feets to the front or is it different for the slice serve?

[@ChrisLewit]

Thank you my friend. The first serve slice toss should be the same location as the power serve. Good question. There is another variation of the slice serve that is more like a kick serve. I call it a slick serve. Slick kick. And that toss is a bit closer to the baseline.

[@ChrisLewit]

STOP Slicing Your KICK. Expert Tips and Common TECHNIQUE Mistakes kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKu6hWidgtCbac0 Here is a video that discusses the slice serve.

[@gydscutroo9973]

I’ve never specifically focused on the exact timing of my racquet-drop relative to the firing of my leg-drive, but, after just now trying to do so in a few shadow serves, I can see that my inconsistency in getting that right may be a culprit - or perhaps even THE culprit - when my serve feels out of sync and is less effortless and powerful (which it can be on any given rep). Definitely somethin’ about which to be mindful and to work on.

[@ChrisLewit]

Thank you. Try to avoid initiating the drop before the legs drive upwards. Send me a video to my WhatsApp [phone] and I can check it. Make sure to use video to get objective data about whether you are getting it or not!

[@ChrisLewit]

Could be the culprit yes

[@MicahWhitmire]

Great video, the advice is advanced. 👏👏

[@ChrisLewit]

Thank you my brother!

[@IsaiahLewit]

Amazing video 🎉

[@ChrisLewit]

Glad you liked it!!

[@ChrisLewit]

How fast is your serve?

[@thomasc4777]

Hey Chris, all great and important points, particularly the racquet leak. I hope at some point we can see your full service motion at a very slow speed. I'm sure it's amazing with lots of learning potential. Your former Catamount and new adult friend from CT.

[@ChrisLewit]

Thanks very much. Yes we have lots of b-roll of my serve around here and can share. Let me know any technique questions. Thanks!

[@yimengzhang6896]

Very good points. Some of them are beyond beginner mistakes. thumbs up!

[@ChrisLewit]

Thanks very much. Let me know any technical questions. Please share with like-minded friends.

[@kimberleighweiss-lewit333]

Love this! 🤩

[@ChrisLewit]

Thanks

[@kimberleighweiss-lewit333]

Yes! Thank you!

[@ChrisLewit]

How is your serve?

[@user-sy6hi8re3i]

Very helpful explanation of the shoulder over shoulder movement and overall a thorough, but easy to follow instructional video. So nice to see content from someone who is a coach and expert, not just a content creator!

[@ChrisLewit]

Really appreciate this feedback. Yes-what I want to do on this channel is provide expert instruction based on scientific research and my years of field experience actually coaching top juniors.

[@pier6240]

Hi! I can't thank you enough for this! I've been playing for a year and a half, improved a lot very fast, but still struggling with my serve. Trying to focus on timing my racket drop and weight shifting. Something that helped me a lot was focusing on keeping my left arm up for longer. Good lesson!

[@ChrisLewit]

Thank you my friend. Send your serve video to my WhatsApp [phone] and I’ll check it out.

[@7ayraan]

Thank you Chris! This is one of the best videos on serve I have watched that connected the dots for me. Would the toss be always the same (inside the court 1-2ft) on 1st & 2nd serve? Could you have another video on serve full swing path, and how to end it safely? I see people hitting their knees at the end of the serve, I did it few times.

[@ChrisLewit]

Thank yo. Very glad to hear this video was helpful. The second serve is tossed closer to the baseline but typically still 6 in to a ft inside the baseline. The locations are different for first and second serve toss. It’s a myth that the tosses should be the same. You hear that a lot but it’s not true.

[@ChrisLewit]

The follow through should be safely to the left pocket for a righty. Vic Braden used to joke that some players should wear shin guards to serve practice!! Be careful!

[@ChrisLewit]

We will be doing more serve technique videos. Serve biomechanics and technique is one of my favorite topics.

[@im-tacocat.butspelledbackwards]

thanks for the pointers!

[@ChrisLewit]

Thanks!

[@ronswaine5562]

Chris, great! Thanks muchly! Also, I’ve heard some coaches say that having the racquet face sitting “open” at the start of your motion helps ensure it closes properly as you pass it over your head (avoiding waiter’s tray effect). However, Roddick does not appear to open his racquet face at the start. Looks pointing down. Do you have any preferences/advice about this regarding starting position? I use a more closed position (something like Roddick) and wondering if I should change…

[@ChrisLewit]

That may be a more personal stylistic decision. I understand what you are saying. It could help improve the racquet position up top. Let me know if it helps you.

[@martinkoch6628]

Hey Chris, thanks for your great input and videos...I always try to emphazise on not to bend kness while preparing for the toss like she is doing. Because the kids end up bending their knees two times instead of one time. I like to keep it as still and clean as possible...

[@ChrisLewit]

The classic double dip. I don’t think she double dips though.

[@barkleyhunt3227]

Thank you - great instruction!!!

[@ChrisLewit]

Thanks! Let me know any questions!

[@gabrielteo3636]

I'm going to try the 60/40 split and the cartwheel motion. Thanks!

[@ChrisLewit]

Super. 60/40 rule very important!

[@ChrisLewit]

Let me know any questions. Cartwheel will likely need video to check.

[@gabrielteo3636]

@@ChrisLewit I'm going to imagine I'm doing a very fast cartwheel. Will let you know.

[@ChrisLewit]

@gabrielteo3636 ok good luck. 60/40 is easier to learn than cartwheel in my opinion.

[@Sam-je4xc]

Hi Chris, Thanks for the great video! It was really insightful. What reliable device would you recommend for measuring the speed of a serve? I’m looking for something accurate and easy to use.

[@ChrisLewit]

Thanks so much. I have been researching those. At the end of the day, I feel like throwing down a little more money for a baseball type speed gun is going to be more accurate than a phone app device for now. It’s possible in the near future phone based apps can get better but a traditional true speed gun would be my recommendation at this time. I just don’t think the algorithms and tech are accurate enough yet for mobile apps.

[@ChrisLewit]

By the way, we will be doing some cool content with speed guns and speed testing of shots and serves coming soon.

[@ChrisLewit]

sabr.org/journal/article/radar-gun-love/ Here is a great research article on the subject. The author recommends the Stalker Pro 2 as the gold standard but that the other Stalker model is good and that the Pocket Radar has shown good accuracy.

[@ronswaine5562]

Chris, perhaps you covered this, but I’m wondering if you use the Eastern backhand grip to get the most from your kick serve, can you also use it to good effect on all serves? Or does it make more sense to use Continental on the other serves, particularly the flat?

[@ChrisLewit]

For me I have a small grip change so Continental on flat. But it’s also possible to use the same eastern backhand grip for all serves if you work on it and pronate well. If you have a grip change like me make sure you disguise it.

[@PeterFreemantennis]

great serving !

[@ChrisLewit]

Thank you my friend.

[@jean-pierreuys1554]

Excellent explanation. The hesitate accelerate is so good. I think some below comment thinking that the drill is the technique. I see it, if I am correct to change or create the habit, but then it's different in the actual way everyone does it.

[@ChrisLewit]

Yes thanks. You need to build the habit of the legs firing before the racquet drop.

[@Snowboardjedi892]

Very important question: toss then unit turn, toss and unit turn at same time, toss after unit turn, or no unit turn at all?

[@ChrisLewit]

That is a great question. I generally teach a partial turn, then toss then full coil But for me there are many acceptable ways to do it. Some top players turn early with the tossing arm parallel to the baseline and others turn after tossing more straight ahead. I believe there are broad parameters here of acceptability. But some coaches are very dogmatic about one style or the other. If you toss straight forward with the arm you will need a higher toss to allow more time to coil. Keep that in mind. If you turn too much before tossing it causes a big arc in the trajectory of the ball. You are asking great questions.

[@harkirehal258]

Great tips. Sophie follows complex instructions so easily. Isn't her toss too high? Is there an ideal height for a toss? I find that I do not have sufficient time for the racket drop and have to rush the serve.

[@ChrisLewit]

If you feel rushed I would definitely toss much higher to give yourself time to organize the mechanics underneath the ball. Sofia’s toss height is within acceptable parameters. There is a lot of debate in coaching circles about what makes the best toss height. In general you need a toss to allow you time to load and explode properly. Some players have a quick motion like Ruud and other have a higher toss. In general I would recommend a foot to 18 inches above your max contact point after jumping.

[@halbrody4513]

Good video, but I’m 74 with arthritic knees and have limited knee range. Suggestions?

[@ChrisLewit]

I’m sorry to hear about your arthritis. Considering your condition, I would focus on serving with much legs. Perhaps use the traditional step in serve rather than jumping. Research shows that you can still serve at high velocity with just the arm/shoulder/wrist complex. Jumping on arthritic knees is probably ill-advised but of course depends on the severity of the condition. If you decide to jump do it on clay and not hard courts!

[@user-jv9qz2bu1r]

@@ChrisLewit I would suggest if you can't hit a powerful try for pinpoint control - wide or down the T

[@ChrisLewit]

@user-jv9qz2bu1r yes. Agree. Thanks for your thoughts.

[@ronswaine5562]

Chris, as usual, very helpful. It is interesting to me that for so long, advice has focussed on a “continuous” loop or swing of the racquet. No pausing because you supposedly lose momentum. However, just as you’ve noted, a slight pause to ensure the racquet doesn’t move behind you too early can stop power leaks. Looking at Alcaraz, his motion has a slight pause in that power position. And he can hit his serve over 130mph! Any comment?

[@ChrisLewit]

Agree completely. It’s a myth that smooth motion adds power. It could help with rhythm. You can develop a continuous motion but the racquet drop and leg drive need to be synchronized correctly. Casper Ruud does a good job of this. Alcaraz is a great example of the pause.

[@ChrisLewit]

It’s important to note that many well meaning coaches and players, when stressing continuity, actually make this power leak worse! I see that all the time.

[@waynelai354]

Nice points. Ironically, I have had to focus just as much on how to serve without using my legs or at least my lower legs as much. Because at my modest office worker fitness level, the muscles that cramp first are always the calves. Sometimes, I just need to hang on for a few more points before the cramp takes over. Once I feel that is imminent, I have to serve differently and put less load/flex on my calves during the serve especially. It's exactly the opposite of what this video focuses on... keeping weight on front leg not loading the back, rotating forward without extending the back leg, staying square to strike the ball instead of reaching up into the rotation and swapping vertical rotation with horizontal. Makes perfect sense that these are the levers for a stronger serve.

[@ChrisLewit]

It’s unusual to cramp like that. I’m sorry you are struggling with that. Maybe a leg training program and extra serve practice focusing on loading well would help

[@ChrisLewit]

That being said, it is possible to serve very fast without any legs at all.

[@NICKANDCHARLIE.tac0]

hey chris you are my fav online athlete plleeezz keep posting such helpful tips ❤😊

[@ChrisLewit]

Thanks so much, I am happy to help!

[@bijano7320]

Content is strong, it really doesn’t need the music.

[@ChrisLewit]

Glad you liked it! Noted

[@julest2503]

Thank you so much for your helpful tennis service tips. And thank you for little Sophia for her great examples.. she is so cute & very attentive 😊😀🙏🏼👍🏼⭐️ will try to do this serve sequence !

[@ChrisLewit]

Super duper! Sofia is the best! Thanks! Let me know any technique questions.

[@Justin-fromtennis]

I can get to the the power position, however I can't get my racket to do a loop behind my back (like most pros) before contact.

[@ChrisLewit]

That would relate to your shoulder mobility, perhaps trunk mobility and upper body flexibility. You might need a good scapular mobility program. There are some good videos for this on KZbin and Instagram. Without actually seeing your video or testing you for range of motion (ROM) it’s hard to say for sure. You can send serve videos to my WhatsApp [phone]. Best Chris

[@GershonBenYitzhak]

A great way I found to to make sure I am using both legs - I make sure I am on the balls of my feet for BOTH legs, also make sure you get a deep bend.

[@ChrisLewit]

Thanks for sharing. Balls of the feet is good advice. Many players actually load flat footed. Be careful because some players will actually go too deep in the knee bend which can be counterproductive to force production. Keep the knee bend simple.

[@stevek1716]

Great video and explanations. For the next serve video, can you work with a 40+ adult? It may be easier to relate in terms of technique and bad behaviors 😅

[@ChrisLewit]

Sure I will try with one of my adult students. The techniques here apply no matter if child or adult!

[@ckn711]

Excellent coaching!

[@ChrisLewit]

@ckn711 Thanks so much!

[@stevek1716]

@@ChrisLewit thank! Adults have different challenges than juniors so I’m interested to see how you coach those challenges 😂

[@ChrisLewit]

@stevek1716 ok amigo. I do work with some serious adults here in Manchester Vermont.

[@ChrisLewit]

Let me know any questions!

[@tomsd8656]

The hesitate accelerate part is done by just about all WTA players except some like Serena Williams , Justine Henin, who merge the two into a more continuous action like most ATP players. I wonder why that is. If they were taught the same way, why is there a difference? If they are taught differently, why? Or male players just naturally have a smoother hesitate accelerate action and coaches didn't say anything since there's nothing wrong with that. But, seeing that Serena Williams and Henin are some of the best servers, and most ATP players have a better serve than WTA players, maybe a smoother action is better?

[@ChrisLewit]

Thanks for this. Many ATP players have a distinct pause. Alcaraz is a good example. I’m not sure if the majority of male players have a continuous motion. That’s an interesting observation. It probably has to do with teaching approach rather than a physiological gender difference for example. I think a smooth action and a distinct pause are both viable!

[@mightbefire]

It's weird to teach that pause. I'm not saying it's wrong - I know a lot of pros do it - but I'm currently trying to get rid of mine. I'm seeing so many people swing straight through (Kyrgios is the best example) and get amazing effortless power.

[@ChrisLewit]

Thank you my friend. You don’t need to get rid of a pause. Fluid motion looks pretty but the research and science does not indicate that being more fluid adds power. That being said, Kyrgios has a beautiful serve and its biomechanically perfect. He is a good mode to use if you want a quicker motion with a lower toss.

[@FairwayJack]

like

[@ChrisLewit]

Thank you! Please share with friends.