Flat Serve Technique | Hit Faster and Harder (125+ MPH)

[@zeroelus]

Thanks for these pointers. As someone who's in a drastically different situation (40 year old with a dad bod trying to get back in to shape and to return to local league level play) I've been rebuilding my game and the serve is the weak spot I'm working on now. If I could just get close to a consistent 80 mph with good placement I'd be happy (lol) but the fundamentals that I've been made aware of are still the same, which I'm pleased to see. Still I want to have proper technique because with good technique I should be able to play for longer without putting unnecessary strain on anything of this middle age (it stings so bad to write that phrase) body. Algorithm showed me this video, happy to be a new subscriber.

[@MPTennis]

Glad you liked it and thanks for the sub 💪

[@jackspradlin4183]

Perfect time to pull up your video as I am going to hopefully stick with a lower toss, looking at your serve obviously works well for you!

[@noturbo]

i agree man throw the ball cant think about all the moving parts its not possible maybe work on one bit at a time if thats what needs to happen cant change everything at once.

[@topspin1715]

Question about the palm down tip. I thought you want to start the trophy position with palm down, and racket tip facing side fence (see clip at 2:52 of Federer), but as the racket moves into the backswing, I thought you want to supinate the forearm so that the palm ends up facing your head/ear so that the racket strings consequently end up facing the back of your head which is what you do in your swing motion around 5:16 as an example.

[@MPTennis]

Great question! First thing is everbody's body moves differently, so what works for me might not work for you, since your body naturally moves different compared to mine. That's why I try not to tell you what do do exactly but try these suggestions and make them work for you and your body. However, the palm facing down tip is more geared towards those who allow their palm to face up when hitting a serve. Most times they are using a forehand grip during their serve or they let the racquet face open up. Palm down is an easy way to think of your hand instead of all of the mechanics, and when you reach the top of your trophy pose, your hand can face your head/ear as you begin your racquet drop.

[@topspin1715]

@@MPTennis Got it. Thanks for replying to my question. I am working on improving my serve, one day will hopefully reach 100mph.

[@MPTennis]

@@topspin1715 My pleasure and let me know if you have any other questions.

[@HeartMindMuscle2022]

Peep the other comments

[@helensagi]

Loved the star wars part 😂

[@MPTennis]

Gotta love a good light saber clip 🙂

[@TheDrakulie]

can you also do a video on some of the gym workout and light weight lifts that can improve the serve speed ??

[@MPTennis]

I did one last year that has some good exercises kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2bdk5mCech1aKssi=SKGpIQk6N7o3I1xx Also, the whole 130mph challenge is me in the gym trying to get a faster serve. I might do a new one, but not something I will be doing in the near future.

[@MadHolms]

nice tips. too bad you are not located in Austin, TX, would really need a couple lessons to increase my level. Maybe you have some friends here in Austin how are willing to coach a little? :)

[@bleras00]

Thanks a lot, this really helped me. Question: palm down also for kick serve?

[@MPTennis]

Glad you liked it. Yes palm down is consistent for most successful serve motions. Palm up puts you in a waiter tray position which limits acceleration and the ability to spin the ball.

[@RWCTennis]

Nice stuff

[@drigans2065]

What about getting good separation between shoulders and hips in the trophy position? So turning shoulders more than hips stores more elastic energy in the trunk before releasing the kinetic chain.

[@MPTennis]

Maybe...it depends if that is an issue you are having. We like to get in the same position that you would naturally throw a ball and build your trophy position off of that. Everyone throws differently and everyone serves differently. What's important is doing what feels natural to you.

[@Pro-kesh]

Good stuff

[@MPTennis]

Thanks!

[@thomasnorris6083]

Great video

[@phillai9930]

One question here. I realize we push off from back foot when we throw a ball out front. However, a serve feels like a bit confusing in that aspect. Do you push off from your back foot or front foot with a platform stance when you throw your racket at the ball ? Cheers

[@MPTennis]

Great question...for me most of the energy does come from my back leg when serving. Especially if we are rocking back before we go up to serve. If I were to put a percentage, it is probably like 80-20. But that could be different for others...Maybe less or more depending on the individual. The biggest thing is understanding the movement and knowing that some energy needs to come from the ground to help you server faster.

[@phillai9930]

@MPTennis Thanks for the prompt clarification. Great video, and I will follow for sure ! Cheers

[@joseh899]

Other than "SNAP YOUR WRIST" very good instruction. Wrist snap never happens with good serves, the slow motion video of very good serves prove it. Internal shoulder and forearm pronation., not wrist snap!

[@daoulmenard968]

I agree it's a myth !

[@commondirtbagz7130]

What players misconceive as the wrist snap is most likely wrist flexion that happens after pronation as the arm is decelerating, no?

[@CH-yp5by]

The serve is not like a a normal throw / pitch because you do not face your target when you hit the ball your hitting up not forward which is why saying a serve is like a pitch / throw is missleading. Also most of your weight should be on your back foot so your not really leaning on your hip but you loading your right hip (if right handed opposite for left) making sure your left hip is higher which leans into the court as you create C shape with your left up and left side.

[@drbonesshow1]

Believe it or not: You don't need to pronate or try to force pronation (some in tennis call it fake pronation - so ridiculous). The fastest way to extend the forearm is via the neutral wrist. Where you are right on the money is the loose grip and the reason I created the Whip-Grip handle. If you are not afraid to challenge your thinking I invite you to read Tilting at Tennis Rackets (NY Times 2018). Yes, I'm the physics professor who hits harder than the "130 mph guys" the author writes in the article. I also played pro baseball not tennis and I have the current world record for hitting a tennis ball for distance: 305 feet (wind-aided 366 feet). I'm old so I invite you to take over my work for the younger crowd. BTW: if you can break these records I'd like to see it. I'm all for breaking records.

[@florianpisacreta5099]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Official.tadiwa]

Your serve bigger if it was a pinpoint and you’d have a better slice serve too

[@MPTennis]

Maybe so. I used to have a pinpoint stance as a junior, but I felt more control and balance with a platform. Maybe I should do a video testing my platform vs a pinpoint and see which one delivers the most power.

[@Official.tadiwa]

@@MPTennis yeah it’s a two edged sword. You have more momentum on pinpoint all the biggest serves are pinpoint

[@gilbertamthor5098]

What the hell school is that?