Sick Kick Serve Lesson with Legendary Coach and Former US Open Quarterfinalist

[@twinwankel]

That's an unbelievable kick. This guy is the truth. His kick is Fed-like. And he hits the ball over the top of his head like Fed too. Thanks for the lesson.

[@LeightonGRose]

By far, the simplest and easiest to understand explanation and demonstration of the kick serve. This is awesome! Peter Crunch Time & Rodney Harmon, thank you both!!!

[@Sweeney-Kubach]

I tried hitting the ball over the fence and it works my friend.

[@lifesnotfair]

This is the first "kick serve tutorial" that does NOT tell you to toss it over your left shoulder (if you're right handed) and not in front of you. Doing those extreme tosses kindof 'behind you' makes your back bend in a way I feel would lead to injuries long-term. Doing it the way Rodney is showing seems much safer and easier, probably why he still generates those monster kicks at his almost 60 years of age and makes it look effortless. Awesome video! The serving over the fence is a GREAT way to practise this. First time a coach told me to try that I hit like 10 straight serves right into the fence in front of me... it really forces you to learn how to hit the ball in a way it leaves your racquet going UP and not just going forward/down. I feel that is the biggest key to hitting a true kick serve. Has to leave the racquet going UP. Not that I am any good at it but my worthless two cents anyways :)

[@guitarsarebest6565]

Leave it to guy from Georgia Tech to break the kick serve down on the "technical" and physiological levels that makes it easy to understand and grasp. I was coaching in the tennis world for 15+ years and even at a high performance academy and I never heard it explained like he just did. And he hit monster kicks. I especially liked him dispelling the myth of throwing the ball behind your head and his explanation of the shoulders and core not being able to help when this is done. Amazing instruction.

[@PeterFreemantennis]

glad you like it! Rodney used to be my coach!!! I agree guitars are the best!!! Make sure to get your FREE Ticket to Tennis Con 4 you will love it if you love this lesson!!! crunchtimecoaching.com/tennis-thrive/tennis-con-4/

[@BurnsTennis]

Yep, this is an excellent instruction video.

[@capricornmagic63]

I agree with that. I think far too many coaches are wedded to the idea that the only way to hit a good kick is for the ball to be tossed over your left shoulder. I've always said no matter what the discipline is, there is generally more than one way to acheive specific results. My man Rodney just validated that view.

[@AutoMotivatedTV]

Absolutely the best kick serve lesson on youtube!

[@sergioscalia5922]

Good point to avoid bending your back, tossing the ball behind and to the left (for righthanded) and lastly the pronation at all cost, most natural and effective movement wihout eccessive strain on the shoulder😀

[@capricornmagic63]

I saw Rodney play MacEnroe at Wimbledon in 1984, he was using a Prince Boron back then and I have to say those serves had some serious bite! He had the power but that was the year mac was playing champagne tennis. As for the instruction? this is coming from someone who played at a high level, straight from the horses mouth as it were. I like the fact that he kills the myth about tossing the ball behind your left shoulder

[@vectorthurm]

A real legit teacher! Boom this guy is who athletes want! Best video I’ve seen in so long..a true Coach. 🙏

[@timothydowd6693]

Rodney is phenomenal, both a fine gentleman and a great teacher. Thank you. I am off to the court to try my hand.

[@jimn6218]

I am 68 and this does wonders for my back. Accuracy and consistency much improved too. I will try to get a game off my son this weekend. Great video! Make some more!

[@manuelsoto9134]

I salute you, sir. I hope I’m still playing at 68. I’ve got 20 years to go and sometimes this game kills my knees.

[@LetsBuildThatApp]

This guy's kick is beastly.

[@ATIL1304]

Before anything else Coach Rodney is a very sympatethic person with positive energy.Liked him very much.Sure feel the same for you Coach Peter.Take care...

[@alimoini4718]

This is the first "kick serve tutorial" that does NOT tell you to toss it over your left shoulder (if you're right handed) and not in front of you. Doing those extreme tosses kind of 'behind you' makes your back bend in a way I feel would lead to injuries long-term. Doing it the way Rodney is showing seems much safer and easier, probably why he still generates those monster kicks at his almost 60 years of age and makes it look effortless. Awesome video! The serving over the fence is a GREAT way to practice this. First time a coach told me to try that I hit like 10 straight serves right into the fence in front of me... it really forces you to learn how to hit the ball in a way it leaves your racquet going UP and not just going forward/down. I feel that is the biggest key to hitting a true kick serve. Has to leave the racquet going UP. Not that I am any good at it but my worthless two cents anyways :)

[@5882869]

Please bring Rodney back for a slice serve. BEST video ever because he shows the follow through.

[@gregdrotzmann1354]

Pete. I just want to add. That in your personal kick serve coarse. You had a FANTASTIC TIP. The tip is the "behind the leg drill." Your tomahawk drill was excellent. But the behind the leg drill takes it to another level. Thank you again.

[@RollinLeonard]

the don't limbo your back tip was incredibly useful but what really blew my mind when I was practicing this today was the full return on the racket path. Looping it back at yourself. it actually worked great for me. I think I'm going to only use kick serves from now on. THANK YOU Rodney!

[@PeterFreemantennis]

that is awesome!!! congrats

[@Fitness4London]

Fantastic kick serve video. Rodney is a star! Worth watching regularly for the rest of my tennis career.

[@Multisportamateur]

Hit the kick serve like a table tennis service!

[@Mickey_McD]

Rodney seems like such a nice man. It's interesting that Jeff Salzenstein advocates using a the same racquet finish for his slice serve.

[@peterrattenbury8608]

Jeff Salzenstein and Rodney both advocate exactly the same finish for a slice serve.

[@neiloprey8374]

This is the best kick serve video on KZbin. I don’t know why it took me so long to find!

[@TrishanthDiwate]

The best kick server instructions ever

[@ND-9]

RVA’s and Battery Park’s own Rodney Harmon. Great info on the kick serve.

[@timothynataliegoh2404]

Thank you for this great video. Can’t wait to try it out on my 85 year old hitting partner.😬😬😬😬

[@macsfarmer]

How old are you?

[@dadmaxx8127]

Wow...great coaching...very simple and to the point

[@1114gabby]

Great stuff... I remember Rodney. Great player.

[@KayJay-lc3cv]

Great lesson...........best I've seen on the kick serve so far. Thanks young men................

[@dltorre100]

Rodney tips are invaluable, thanks for sharing you knowledge and experience.

[@Fardado07]

Best kick serve instructional video ever, thank you sir

[@gargamel3966]

I have had people try to explain a kick serve and I never understood it until today. Thank you!

[@DecimosFlame]

My tennis coach had me practice the over the fence drill to learn the kick serve, and it helped so much. Awesome video.

[@transklutz]

Just hitting over the fence doesn't make a kick serve. There has to be some sideways spin for it bounce of in a different trajectory.

[@DecimosFlame]

@@transklutz thanks, buddy. So anyways, as I was saying, it helped me develop my kick serve. I got plenty of diagonal spin doing that drill too 👍

[@Better_Call_Raul]

So about how far behind the back fence do you stand? Hard to tell from the video... About 10 feet?

[@DecimosFlame]

@@Better_Call_Raul between 6-10 feet is good! The closer you are, the harder the drill is.

[@Grogbelly]

The only thing that really matters for either the kick or the slice serve is what is happening between the racquet (strings) and the ball at the exact moment of contact. That has to do with the direction and speed of the strings at that moment of impact. And THAT has to do with the swing path you use to bring that racquet into contact with the tossed ball. Whatever happens with the racquet head after impact has no effect, whatsoever, on the ball itself. HOWEVER - and this is the big deal - it's all about how you can get your body to move that racquet in the correct direction and at the correct speed to hit the ball the right way to get it to slice or kick. If that means you have to toss to a certain spot, bend your legs, arch or don't arch your back, follow through and tuck the racquet, or let it flare out, or let it pronate or not, it doesn't matter... all of those POST contact manipulations of your arm and the racquet are only important to help the server with the physiological mechanics of getting the correct the swing path that will get the racquet strings into contact with the tossed ball going in the right direction, at the right speed, at that instantaneous moment of contact.

[@ryansundoto5036]

Wow, this is a great lesson, I'm gonna practice it tomorrow morning. Thank you, Peter & Rodney

[@glenross9163]

Fantastic kick serve lesson!

[@nathanmiller6051]

Awesome! Thanks 🙏👍 This is one of the best videos!!

[@yowtychao3604]

This was incredibly insightful!! I’m super inspired and challenged to go practice these items! So much to take away from this. Thank you for posting this crunch time coaching.

[@PeterFreemantennis]

if you liked it you will love tennis con 4 I have the BEST instructors in the world...many things can be overblown this is not

[@Sweeney-Kubach]

I wanted to thank you Coaches for sharing this video with us, I just got back from practicing hitting over the fence into the other court. I had a bucket of balls, it just got done raining, and it was still sprinkling rain. I watched this video at least 10 times, and I had to try to hit the ball over the fence like you did. My first few tries were dangerous my dude, I hit the top of the fence and the tennis ball came flying back at me and I got a chance to practice volleys also. Maybe I made a new game. Hahe After a few tries I started getting the ball over the fence and by serve number 10, I was clearing the fence and the ball was bouncing into the service box, and the ball was wet from the rain, and it still kicked up at least 8 feet and I couldn’t believe it was me hitting the kicker, over a fence and into the service box. I hit a Hundred and twelve balls and 90 went over the fence and about 70 of the balls went into the service box. The other 12 I missed almost took my head off on the comeback off the post! Thank GOD I played baseball when I was a little kid, or this old 51 year old fat out of shape man, might have taken one and it probably would have knocked me out cold. The reason I mentioned this is, because the video you make about this subject, let people know that the ball will be coming back at you if you miss the shot. So I watched this video and Krause video on how to hit a kick serve, and between the two videos and a 112 tennis ball, I learned the kick serve in one day. I think I was hitting a Slick serve before, because I really don’t double fault to often, and I been hitting that Slick serve for over 30 years and didn’t even know I was hitting that type of serve. I have a similar stance as Coach, and I agree about bending backwards, it’s not necessary and it could hurt your back, I truly appreciate you fellas teaching us this serve, and I am so excited about learning this serve. I am shocked that just hitting a tennis ball over a fence, can help a person learn a very cool serve. I am so excited to hit the kick serve tomorrow in doubles. I have a few ideas that will help my partner and I play better and smarter. Thank you again for your awesome video and great teaching my friend.

[@careydunn8227]

Great keys to the kick! will save my back the pain!!!! we were told so often to get the ball "behind" us to get that kick.

[@jimichan4604]

So fun and instructive, super cool video!👍

[@pauldydyna5599]

Waterfall is a Great! Tip. Thanks so much.

[@rossdickinson2541]

Thanks Rodney and Pete... clearly the best instruction ever. Love the explanation regarding what makes a slice differnt. Brilliant! Watch this many times... its like Lincoln... it's LOADED!

[@PeterFreemantennis]

Our pleasure!

[@PrecisionPointTennis]

Absolutely amazing 🥇🏆🎾

[@HH-ry2zn]

Great to see Mr. Harmon. Looking well and enjoyed this video. Great tips. We met in Jacksonville FL and happy to know he continues coaching at Georgia Tech. #tennisislife🎾

[@raulfedericolaplacette2249]

The best video on the kick serve I've seen so far.

[@jeffreylara3835]

Amazing tips! Thank you both!

[@mark-anthonyalexander8425]

Love those e drills! Can't wait to try them out!!

[@jscottparent7867]

Thanks for this video - really good stuff. Can't wait to try kicking over the fence tomorrow.

[@adityasarang5755]

Great video. Gonna try this in the next few sessions before my tournament. Rodney seems like a great guy and really humble.

[@the1tfactor]

I love the fact that his racket take back is kind of unique. He does not have the takeback on edge bring forward on edge thing going on, but somehow he manages to get that racket head in supreme striking position. It’s a lesson for me not to get too obsessed with trying to follow instructions picture perfect. I made that little “picture perfect” reference just for you Pete! Kissyface.

[@nighttrain7404]

You said it in a much nicer way than I would have. I don't see a clean take back, but he somehow corrects it on the forward swing. I actually think this is robbing him of even more racket head speed and more kick. Its interesting that his flawless step by step breakdown doesn't match his actual swing...

[@the1tfactor]

@@nighttrain7404 You may be right about what he doesn’t have, but what he does have is still pretty amazing. What matters most is the racquet face at contact, ultimately.

[@monstertrucktennis]

@@nighttrain7404 yup, there's a little wrinkle with the hand and wrist that appears to limit full motion(just before racquet head drop). Tough to argue with the results though.

[@boscoffernandes]

Awesome stuff. Thanks for the post. Best wishes.

[@TennisOnAction]

Definitely need this technic for my match.

[@jovelinoalmeida4704]

FANTASTIC, thanks for sharing

[@dnomdelopez1921]

Tyvm...great share!

[@rob7ho]

This is great info...thanks for putting this together!

[@locke23]

thank you so much for this amazing lesson.

[@AppeltVortex]

Great lesson! I didn't know Rodney Harmon, he's an amazing player and coach. Thank you very much!!

[@user-jv9qz2bu1r]

Great lesson guys.

[@samwhite9958]

Love this channel, great content, brilliant teacher with legendary guests. Big shout out for this video in particular, I now have a kick serve after watching and practicing this content. Really well explained, great interaction, banter and questions to cement the instruction perfectly. Keep up the amazing content, so many glorious nuggets of knowledge to absorb.

[@PeterFreemantennis]

wow thanks

[@zuluman0]

This video is awesome. I, literally, watched it and tried it a half hour later, and hit nasty slices and some kick serves in a match. It was very easy to incorporate.

[@dadsfreetimeclassicgaming1220]

Wow! I mean i already thought you were an awesome teacher. Then you bring up Harmon?! Greatness.

[@juanrojano7966]

This is owsome great way to practice the kick serve fantastic thanks.

[@jesoby]

Some interesting tips. Not sure about the long range serves for fun as the main difficulty is bringing the ball down quick enough ie shorter the target harder it is.

[@dman030]

looks like how one would handle a fly swatter. thanks for the tips, will give it a try.

[@cindygirlification]

Tennis people are good people 🏆

[@THEFITNESS411]

Great lesson 💪🎾

[@enricopascucci711]

Great video..and amazing kicks.

[@alexabney7913]

all about building and transferring energy through the body and racquet and imparting into the ball. A good kick needs to go down hard as well as spin fast otherwise you don’t get the crushing deformation that makes it grip the court and jump around

[@tennisinclined4744]

Awesome video! Time to hit the court with a cart of balls.

[@JimArthurVanWyck]

Superb lesson...

[@PeterFreemantennis]

Glad you liked it

[@Better_Call_Raul]

18:07 serving into next court drill. It looks like Rodney is standing in the AD and serving into the Deuce side of the next court. NOT the Ad side. Correct? Is that how the drill works?

[@SooperToober]

Brilliant

[@nc4310]

Pete this was absolutely the best video I have ever seen on kick serve!!! Thanks for being so humble and not making it about yourself, and being willing to learn from someone else, even though you are a coach yourself !!!

[@tennisparisbrothers8001]

Just subscribed. Great channel. Good demo's, easy to understand

[@yasim9435]

Great video. Wish there were slow mo

[@henmaniac]

That airfield is a pain in the butt.

[@nc4310]

question pete how far back are you from the fence when you are doing the over the fence drill?

[@ringo119]

Interesting that there's no talk of swinging parallel to the base line as with most kick serve instructions.

[@transklutz]

The ball stays in the air so long, it gives the returner time to get in position.

[@slimpickinses]

If you serve and volley in doubles it also gives the server more time to get in. It also allows you to move the serve farther away from the receiver too

[@EndoftheTownProductions]

Edberg had a great kick serve.

[@djeeee911]

Awesome

[@shaileshpatel4655]

My toss is good, and I stay very loose, but my balance causes problems for me. Any tips. I currently play for JV tennis at my school.

[@shaileshpatel4655]

Thanks will try it on the court when I can.

[@darrenyap5842]

Don’t forget to control your breathing. Breathe in when you’re bending your knees before hitting the ball, as u jump and accelerate, that’s when u exhale. Maybe sometimes most people didn’t realise how hard controlled breathing is and it affects our body more than we know.

[@akimmalik1329]

Shoot find Bryan Shelton he had a nice Serve. CHIP Hooper had a big serve 👍👍

[@JebsTennisJourney]

Enjoyed the video. I’d like to improve my kick.

[@boarini2003]

Great video! This makes me want to grab my basket-o-balls and head to the court to practice right now.

[@Gitfiddle]

So I’ve been hitting kickers wrong for years. Man this looks a lot easier.

[@seeeyell]

Any tips about acceleration, velocity, pace? It sounds like the focus is on the velocity of the topspin, but what about the skill and adjustments required to increase the pace of the ball? If a 90 mile serve is the goal for a sub-pro flat serve, what speeds can be achieved with a kick serve? How to progress?

[@teamreal2607]

Does he ever pronate on his serve?

[@Braselton21]

His racket curls back in Instead of finishing out which probably puts less stress on his shoulder & wrist

[@reuelray]

Pros Pro. 👍🎾

[@reuelray]

I am 68 and it might be too late. Good to day dream though. 😯

[@dcfunhouse]

beating mayotte is good, but I think US Open quarterfinals in the Connors/Borg/Mac/Vilas/Gerulaitis era is a much bigger deal--conrats Rodney!

[@rodctenis]

Head Prestige Flexpoint?

[@DragonPhlyy]

Is he holding the racket with his pinky off or on the grip I couldnt tell?

[@danezu791]

but if you do this C shape type of kick you have no pronation?

[@santospereyralucena9118]

great

[@tennisstars8220]

So so nice 👌

[@jeffhermida4788]

ok i subscribed

[@shriramoka]

super !

[@PeterFreemantennis]

Here is link to GET Your Free Ticket: crunchtimecoaching.com/tennis-thrive/tennis-con-4/

[@SugarlandTennis]

Rodney only showed great top-spin serves, but they were not real kick serves (American Twist serves) which should move to the right after bounce on the ad court side.

[@SugarlandTennis]

See 8:50

[@SugarlandTennis]

And 8:12

[@jlook6070]

Does he have any PT that might help one get the kick service motion down? I'm working with some right now to get the needed shoulder mobility (with acceleration and power).

[@VIMCALL]

so no pronation on his kick serve??.... not seem like it with his finish...??

[@pedropaivalemos]

He doesn't pronate..? Sick kick by the way .. interesting..

[@Asthfghl]

Sheesh... is this court in the middle of an airport or what?