The Kick Serve - Learn How To Master This Tennis Serve

[@ts440s]

Finally, someone that tells the truth about kick serve I've been saying for years most don't have the flexibility to even attempt it. If you look at Federers, kick serve, his toss is at 10 o'clock. Good luck getting there.

[@annsonc]

This video saved my marriage!!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Uh oh, how come?

[@paulluk7515]

Guess your wife was your doubles' partner?

[@joolm4976]

Excellent. After 3 years of tennis I'm 43, you're the first coach who helped me doing it for the first time. Your method is the best I find on youtube.

[@Eagles_Wings_Isaiah40.31]

This is the clearest explanation on the kick serve i have come across. Thank you

[@rile7y]

Meike - I am on bended knee with gratitude. Finally someone has said --DO NOT TOSS THE BALL INTO THE COURT- I never could get a good kick serve by tossing it into the court like most other tennis pros preach. All you other tips really great and even though I am I good 3.0 player many of my serves are in the low 90"s. But your video is just one good tip after another. THANK YOU!!!

[@JoJo-nm1dh]

One of the best kick serve videos on KZbin. It is not brushing the ball up, most rec players and even some college pros don’t understand it, and good kick serve has both top and side spin.

[@leongnikki]

Hey Meike, your tutorials are really good. I've watched countless other videos on KZbin, I find yours to be the most practical and easy to comprehend. And! I love that you dive straight into the content rather than "hello everyone, welcome to my channel, today bla bla bla" Keep up the great work!!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

That’s exactly why I started my channel! It drives me nuts when the info only starts 2 minutes into the video

[@jonizefox]

As smart as usual. Honesty when showing your strengh + telling truth about amateur's strength and limits are big points here. Bravo.

[@mibaer71]

Danke, Meike. Hast mir sehr geholfen damit. Der Drill für den Ballwurf ist klasse.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Das freut mich, dass ich helfen konnte.

[@claudem4733]

All videos are very clear, lots of patience from Meike explaining the technique and not least very good sense of humor...I really enjoy your lessons. Thank you!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate it

[@patricklee3962]

I haven’t seen as kind and easy a lesson as yours so far. Beautiful lesson! Thanks a lot!!!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Glad to hear that!

[@hanseat7950]

Danke, Meike für die Tipps und die Unterscheidung. Ich stimme dir ganz zu, dass wir zwischen einem Topspin- und Kickaufschlag unterscheiden. Ich versuche auch manchmal einen Slick-Aufschlag einzustreuen: Slice und Kick. Ich finde du solltest dich nicht entschuldigen, dass du nicht die Kraft dazu hast oder den Aufschlag nicht unterrichtest. Du bist eine Profispielerin und kannst uns wertvolle Tipps geben. Die besten Tipps für meine Volleys bekam ich übrigens nicht von meinem Trainer (der seine Tochter auf der WTA_Tour coacht), sondern von seiner älteren Tochter, die es bis Nr. 400 auf der WTA-Tour geschafft hat. Seitdem sind meine Volleys und mein Netzspiel viel viel besser geworden, obwohl sie selber nicht gern am Netz spielt. Du kannst uns dein Profi-Wissen und Erfahrungen sehr gut vermitteln. Danke schön! Weiter so!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Da hast Du Recht, ich brauche mich nicht entschuldigen :-) Danke für Deinen Kommentar und auch alle anderen. Ich freu mich immer, wenn ich auch in Deutschland Spieler erreiche!

[@rodctenis]

The first 40 seconds of this video is something every coach working with children below 13 years should listen every day at breakfast (an follow the message, indeed).

[@hattorihanzo158]

I wish you were still in Germany....I really, really need a coach like you. I'm not very happy with my "Vereinstrainer".. Love the videos, keep it up!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Dann koennen wir auch Deutsch reden. Wo in Deutschland bist Du (grobe Naehe). Vielleicht komme ich ja doch noch mal nach D im Sommer fuer Tenniswochen fuer Erwachsene.

[@hattorihanzo158]

@@MeikeBabelTennis Das wär super! Ich bin in der Nähe von Mainz/Frankfurt.

[@stranger360th]

@@MeikeBabelTennis ich finde auch, dass Du hervorragend erklärst. Ich wäre auch an Stunden interessiert. Bin allerdings in München. Spiele derzeit H55 Landesliga (was inzwischen eher Bezirksklasse entspricht). Könnte mir vorstellen, dass eine Menge Hobbyspieler an einem kleinen Trainingslager interessiert wären. Bis dahin schaue ich Deine Videos an. PS: Deine Analyse von MEP fand ich sehr treffend. Und auch Dein Video how to beat a pusher oder so ähnlich, war super. Nicht herabsetzen, sondern akzeptieren, dass der Gegenüber seine Möglichkeiten Klever nutzt! Mit der Einstellung wird es auch einfacher, sich nicht zu ärgern. Lange Rede kurzer Sinn: bitte weiter so tolle Videos machen. Viele Grüße Rainer

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

@@stranger360th Danke, Rainer, für den lieben Kommentar! Wenn ich mal wieder nach Deutschland komme (allerdings mehr im Winter), kann ich das ins Auge fassen. Ich müsste allerdings einen Club finden, der mir die Plätze vermietet.

[@ace18gs40]

Me too. But I wish you are in Toronto Canada …. I really, really need a coach like you. Analytical, practical especially practice drills followed each lesson … just like school learning … class learning and homework! Well thought out through all lessons. I really really wish to train with you everyday until I’m happy with the way I play❤

[@tenistoti3522]

Mi amor eres una divina una GENIAAA!!!! NADIE DICE LAS COSAS TAN CLARAS Y JUSTAS, ERES LA MEJOR!!!

[@Eagles_Wings_Isaiah40.31]

Very practical and down to earth advice for recreational players

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you! That's what I'm aiming to do.

[@davidewing6149]

Best video explanation of a kick serve that I have ever seen.

[@StuartStephen]

I've watched a lot of kick serve videos on KZbin, but this one makes a lot of sense. Definitely will be trying this out next time I'm on court. Thank you.

[@LeonardoGalotera]

Thanks for the tips. As a visual guide at the completion of kick serve toss is to point or open up your chest to the sky rather than simply facing the side of the court. This motion allows you to bend on the knee, stays sideways and enhance the acceleration as you uncoil to hit the serve. I always visualize the swing path of the racquet when viewed from above as the racquet travels in an '8' shape - from cock position to follow through. 9:03.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Visualization is such a powerful tool!

[@legendcanibal9642]

Coach, you are the only player that has seen other people pushing the racquet back and behind....never seen a player to do such serve ending my self until now on this video. by the way, who cares where the arm and racquet ends after the the ball has left. If the toss is right the motion is right all the way to hitting the ball....there is no need to focus on after ...but thank you for making the video.

[@emmanuelbuenviaje6564]

So grateful for this lesson and I really enjoyed the fine details. The plus....your humor makes the lesson more engaging. Thanks coach Meike.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you. Yes u gotta have some fun when you talk to the camera :)

[@blade-ev7gd]

The minute detail you cover in your teaching is splendid ❤

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Glad you think so!

[@nestorvazq2106]

Thank you so much for this lesson!! Finally someone did an excellent detailed video about the kick serve!!

[@giovanniserra5477]

Dear Meike i appreciate your videos and tutorials since they are all crafted for the amateur players as i am. And all your suggestions are really effective . Many thanks and cheers from Italy. Auf wiedersen! 👋👏🤩

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Vielen dank :)

[@billbeck4825]

Danke!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

THANK YOU! I apologize that I'm so late in thanking you! Your financial support is going to help me so much to focus on putting more content out. Again, thank you so much, this is incredible.!!!!

[@slingshot8219]

Love your teaching technique, you make learning tennis fun and easy to grasp the concept.

[@Esty2024]

This is the best video i've ever seen about kick serve, thank you very much🎾🎾

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

You're very welcome! I loved the kick when I played but now rarely ever hit it because of my shoulder.

[@davebeery_youtube]

Great video. I love how practical you are. Especially with us older players. 😊

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thanks so much! And I wanted to also thank you for your comment on the wall practice video. Yes, start slow. It's all about repetitions. And I got tons of practice when I was a kid. Apparently that's how my dad found out that I had started to play. Both my mom and dad played at a high level in Germany and as a toddler they took me to the club with them. Some of the older kids showed me how to hit against the wall and thats what I started doing like crazy!

[@jonathangreen6163]

wonderful, lots of insights that I have not heard before. THANK YOU!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Awesome!

[@johngarner713]

Thank you. The first lesson on the kick serve which I saw how to execute it that I could follow.

[@CH-yp5by]

A very clear and explained video for a very complex type of serve. Especially the toss which certainly is different for pro's whom have the leg drive strenth after leaning in on their outside leg to get under the ball thrown further in. Its a very tough serve but worth it in the long run!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Yes, it's such a great serve to throw in.

[@mortezarof5554]

I have a question Shoud we using our stomach rotation for kick and topspin serv? My coach told me that we shoud use our stomach rotation

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Quite honestly, I don't have any idea what he even means by that. You actually want to be side-on as long as possible to prevent rotating open too soon which is what I'm picturing will happen when you "rotate the stomach".

[@mortezarof5554]

@@MeikeBabelTennisaha thank you very much coach you are the best ❤️🙏🏾

[@halbrody4513]

Thx. One of the best kick serve videos I’ve seen. What modifications would you make for a topspin serve?

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you! It depends on the racket position at contact and the previous swingpath up to contact point whether it's gonna be a kick or a topspin. The topspin serve is more from a 6:30pm to 1pm motion on a clock face and the kick is more a 7, 7:30pm to 2pm ish "roll". We're talking extremely small differences. I find it easier these days to hit a topspin because I don't have the flexibility anymore in my shoulder to position the racket further.

[@johnrowell3583]

Love your instruction Mieke. You should have more subscribers. I think you'll have them soon.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you for your kind words. I only started a little over a year ago and I'll just keep plugging away :-)

[@cesarfernandezlopez5063]

Great, I need to improve my second serve, thank you MEIKE , by the way you are in great shape , don't be so hard on yourself ❤️🙃

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you! Yes, the entire body is in good shape, just not so good that I can (or want) go full out on serves. Especially my shoulder is "old" :-))))

[@kykwan49]

Thanks for the lesson, coach Meike. Lookin forward to trying it out the next time I get on court.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Let me know how it went.

[@kykwan49]

@@MeikeBabelTennis yeah, it went pretty well. I was successful with the top spin serve first. It took me a while to get the kick serve down, I would not say it is perfect yet. It need to be a little bit more consistent, so I am working on it. The funny thing is that before I could get the ball kick to the right, by accident I could get the ball kick to the left after the bounce ( I was serving from the ad court to the backhand side of my imaginary opponent ). At first, I could not figure out how I got it kick to left , but after a few tries, I found out that when I tossed the ball to a little bit behind the base line and at one o’oclock of my body, then I would have more chance to be able to do it. It was when I tossed the ball a little bit in front of me and closer to 12 o’clock of my body, I was able to kick the ball to the left. In my case, if I can keep my elbow up at the level of my shoulder before the hit, I can direct the ball to anywhere I want, roughly. And that depends on how I position my body, which is what I constantly work on. Probably the hardest part is keeping the body turn sideway as long as possible. But thank you so much, coach Meike, my top spin serve is better than before. Now I have to upgrade my kick serve.

[@jinchang258]

Your explanation with how and why makes total sense to me. I have been enjoying your videos so much and wanted to say "Thank You!" Also, if you can, at some point, cover, the role of left hand (non-dominant hand) on 2-handed backhand assuming for the righties, that would be great. Once again, thanks for your amazing videos!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

You are so welcome!

[@juliashulgin4232]

A very good explanation. Thank you.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

You are welcome!

[@robertocfaguiar]

I like a lot your videos. Very wise what you said. Most of the channel, good ones by the way, try to teach you what the pro does. That is why it doesn´t work for the general public. Pros are in another level of flexibility, power, leg strength, ability, time practicing and so on. You teach how a regular folks can do and the roading blocks he faces. Tks

[@petrtamler4484]

Thank you for your gratuluji videos which I follow for some time, as for kick serve, helped me aswell recomendation from Venus Williams, who recommended to go little bit into backhand grip for kick serve and aim ball into No 7, with this grip it automatically will your tacket roll over the ball, otherwise I follow with my body more to the right which naturally keeps me sideways longer, by this means I ve got kick like never before, I can't believe that, cheers and thank you again

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Yes, I think tweaking the grip a bit will help you with the motion as the grip demands the swing shape. I was just never comfortable enough doing it.

[@jacquesleao9718]

Tank you. Very good. Fantastic.

[@guillermotrujillo2451]

Very good explanation help me a lot thank you

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Glad to hear that

[@viewersha]

Thank you! Very insightful ❤

[@TopSpinWilly]

I like your videos I'll tell you how good this one was in a couple of weeks. 😆 TY

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Haha, Yes, please let me know. If you develop a great kick, I take full credit and if you don't, well, it's my fault :-)))

[@jorgedelosreyes8029]

Excelente video y mejor explicación

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Muchas gracias!

[@alejandrol.r.7396]

Great explanation

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lenromano6909]

Great video! What are your thoughts about using a grip that is SLIGHTLY towards a backhand grip for the kick serve?

[@glenberberet8418]

I'm a left-handed player and I have a pretty good Top Spin serve but I have a problem to get a consistent kick off the court. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Love your content

[@TANIL-X]

amazing explanation...

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you

[@rds4629]

thanks for the video and demonstration of swing path w/ your topspin pro... I've been told I have a good kick serve, but I suspect that I'm tossing the ball further back and mostly brushing up. I'll see if I can get my better half to record some video so I can check. I get a nice high bouncing ball that drives some ppl crazy. If you do a follow up video later, it'd be nice to see how you use it from deuce side and also change placement in case you are serving to a lefty :) I'm in the minority, but I wish more coaches would teach the topspin serve first (like you're showing w/out doing any extreme motion). It gives people confidence that they can always get their serve in and when they go to learn the flat or slice serve, they feel safe knowing their topspin serve is there to fall back on. I see a lot of 3.5 or 4.0 players w/ good groundstrokes but horrible second serves. Bonus to learning topspin serve first is it also trains them to use the correct grip.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

You're hitting on the issue with the grip. People want to get the ball in and that's why the wrong grip is so easy. And in the end limiting really.

[@brigitteblanc-brude4802]

I completely agree with you when you say coaches should start teaching a topspin or kick serve first. Personnaly ( I am 75) and I have been fighting to get the correct swing path of the serve including this up and out motion. Learning the kick serve,standing and keeping side ways brushing the ball helped me a lot to feel better, correct and in the end improve the up and out swing path of my flat serve( avoiding over rotation) which I understand should be in the end different !

[@divitisaiprasad9607]

Super Madam.... excellent explanation....

[@tuananhbui313-y4u]

Very good teacher! Tks you a lot

[@CarlUsana-o3l]

Just learned kick serve recently, thanks for the tips. Need to put all this into training and long way to go . . . 🤣

[@nathanmiller6051]

Excellent lesson thanks so much Great explanation and demonstration! 🙏🎾👍 Would love to hear your thoughts about court side coaching on the Pro tours I know the subject has come up recently in the ATP side thanks 🙏 appreciate

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Only getting to "older" comments now. I don't like it at all. It favors the better players who can afford the best coaches. They're having so many advantages already it just gives them yet more help. Lower ranked players sometimes travel with just a friend or a parent. As much as I loved team tennis in Germany where you could be coached ( and it was just a regular club coach) I don't like that players don't have to figure things out by themselves anymore.

[@nathanmiller6051]

@@MeikeBabelTennis well said! I couldn't agree more, it's great getting an education from you, you really know what you are talking about! thanks 🙏

[@aidanck7291]

lots of great tips!

[@AGAU1022]

The problem is that a *big* kick serve is advanced, but a *topspin* serve can actually really help at a much lower level. Learning to impart topspin has helped me a lot on my second serve even though my UTR is under 3. That's why it should generally be called a topspin serve rather than a kick serve & topspin serves should be taught earlier. Beginners & intermediate players like me need that extra margin of error over the net as soon as possible. Kick is a handy side effect of a very powerful topspin serve, combined with height, so it's not really a type of serve but just an effect of power & height on a topspin serve.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

I learned it when I was 10 and tried to serve and volley at 4'8" :-) Still did it anyway :-)))

[@TuNguyen-py7xo]

I totally agree. The topspin serve (which is the simplify version of the kick serve) should probably be taught first to beginner, intermediate, and high-challenge players since it provides the greatest percentage of getting the ball in the service box.

[@ajhl1]

The best advice...we (club players) are not like the pro's!!! well said!!

[@bmanbusee3812]

I love the kicker! Mine is probably like a mini kicker..😂. Think it is better than my flat serve. Weird. That serve looked out at beginning.. lol

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Could have been out. It felt ok. And yes, even a mini kicker will give your opponent something to think about.

[@vitorferreira9549]

Very very clear and pratical

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you!

[@rdsutterjr]

When I watch slow motion videos of the professionals they are pronating on the kick serve, not rolling over the ball. Can you comment on rolling over versus pronating?

[@michaelfederer4878]

Great video! Thanks coach! But I have a question: when I stand small court to serve "kick", it's easy to kick. But when I stand full court, it's difficult to kick, why ? I think my method is correct, What else can I do?

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Try to use your legs more to generate more energy. That will translate into more acceleration of your arm.

[@michaelfederer4878]

@@MeikeBabelTennis OK. Thanks for your reply.

[@Dasato123]

40 years ago you might have been told to hold the racket with a slight backhand grip as it presents the racket face more naturally in the proper orientation for a kick serve. Oddly the use of a slight backhand grip when serving is far less common amongst the pros now than it was 40 years ago. Think Edberg.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

That is true.

[@maxpowers3732]

My problem is it feels unnatural to hit the ball above my head and even if I toss to the left I move by body away so I make contact to the right of my head. Any tips on making good contact?

[@bexar1973]

Hey! That looks like Expo tennis courts in Aurora!!! LOL

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

It is! Busted :-)

[@bournejason66]

What are the things to watch out for to avoid getting injured ?

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Good nutrition, good sleep. Tennis specific off court training, proper preparation and cool down after tennis. AND developing good technique

[@luigin3213]

Something about arm pain with your Ezone?

[@buckyphillips6732]

The tennis serve is a crucial shot that can greatly impact your performance on the court. Learn it

[@spleeb275]

Do I have to toss the ball that way or can I do a linear path

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

You can absolutely toss it in any other way if you get good, consistent results

[@spleeb275]

@@MeikeBabelTennis oh okay thank you because the way you toss it is difficult to do but looks better

[@nicolasvecchione6016]

Meike : "that is all i have these days", Me : in total awe

[@DanielZhaoDeng]

Where can I get that ball on the stick tool?

[@rdsutterjr]

It is called the Top Spin Pro

[@feliperangel9656]

Hi Meikke, i want to ask you How can i learn yo jump on the serve for More power? I'm 40 and jumping Is Not Easy on my knees

[@bmanbusee3812]

I’m over 40 and you can get good power by using your body and not your arm. Don’t need to jump

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

If you have knee problems I would see a trainer to give you very specific exercises to build up leg muscles. Also, by using your body efficiently you can get more power. I've always done well with really good placement on my serve so maybe work on that as well.

[@colinjohnston9000]

So, the kick serve path should be approximately 6-to-12, while the twist serve moves more 8-to-12. Are these more or less accurate?

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

I'd say the other way around if you use twist serve when I use topspin. The Topspin serve "only" has forward rotation. The kick has the additional, well, kick to the side. So that requires the more 7-8 to 12.

[@colinjohnston9000]

You're correct.🌠

[@KubiCash-pi5sy]

Vielen Dank

[@dap777754]

Somewhat disagree. What you call your "topspin" serve will always kick right; it has to because you think you don't want to arch your back. But you do want to. Called the American Twist serve and its basically a topspin serve. You toss to your left maybe 10 o'clock. I was taught it as a kid and it hasn't injured my back, and I don't see why you think arching your back necessarily leads to injury. Yoga has plenty of back arches - its good exercise.

[@paulpellico3797]

i remember asking my coach how to really disguise mt second, kick, serve. he said stop...NOBODY at this level is gonna decipher between a kick and a first serve. EVERYBODY knows the kick is coming, it HAS to come, on my second serve. only pros with outstanding body abilities and skills can use the same motion and toss positions for all services. just keep working on getting good contact, depth, consistency and follow-through so your ball has the kick, placement and pace needed. the opposing player will struggle enough at that point.

[@AlexanderMayorov]

Nice in general but i am afraid with too many details . Great job

[@nini_toys]

it took me years to find out how to do the kick serve.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

I remember learning it as a kid and yes, it did take me years as well to get it to be a weapon. It's such a complex thing!

[@LianiSafirara]

Forgiving explanation for recreational player.. but when I saw from this video, your serve didnt bounce high, perhaps another side view camera to be added for evidence.. so viewers easily agree with yr lesson

[@capricornmagic63]

video was a bit long but it was useful. I think it could have been in less time. Instructional videos tend to be a lof of waffle rather than simply sticking to the subject at hand.

[@CCAvatar]

I call it the frying pan grip too. It's not just German.

[@bmtspain6839]

Your slice video was good but this one is very hard to accept . Rolling over the ball????? Making supination 😳 where is your pronation like in the flat and slice serve ? The beach ball notice like “ one minute tennis coach is also using “ is limiting racket head speed where pronation allows racket head speed. And the swing path does go from left to right especially for a KICK serve. Using a eastern backhand grip will help you even better for a KICK serve due to his racket head position that oblige you to get more pronation

[@alistairjones4361]

I think there's no such thing as a pure topspin serve. You can hit pure topspin but it's going to lack proper fundamentals from the kick, slice, and flat serves

[@TennisOnAction]

The fry pan grip players are so stubborn to change their mind.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

I understand it though, it' can be a very frustrating and long process

[@omarsultanov362]

Rolling motion over the top? Omg... just regular pronation otherwise you kill the shoulder + no kick no speed omg...(((

[@dzulkafleysamad4980]

Coach...the camera...

[@garethonthetube]

Professional camerawork and editing add a lot of effort to the production. As long as the information is clearly illustrated I think it's acceptable to have a few bumpy cuts. Better than a load of arty camera wobble.

[@vicmulyk5775]

Let's just stop with pancake grip. If you're at the level of kick serve, we know it's either going to be continental or Eastern backhand. Let pancakes be reserved for pickleball players.

[@godspeedhamlet2691]

Too much talking 😊

[@absolutelynothingtoseehere]

I wish you'd start off explaining what the kick serve is before going into the detail. I'm 11 minutes into the video and I still don't know what we're talking about.

[@onidraug]

Weird. I'm 1:40 in and the first thing she explained was what a kickserve is.

[@vladimirvidov6202]

next time you make a video please change your / grip on you tennis racket thank you you will look much better thank you for your professional lesson!!!🕺💃🌴🎾

[@AditasSmash]

👍👍👍👍👍⭐️