Why Is The Serve In Tennis So Difficult? One Main Reason...

Why is an advanced tennis serve so difficult to learn? Join the free 30 Day Serve Challenge and finally overcome that waiter's tray position: www.feeltennis...
If there's one stroke you're very likely still struggling with in your tennis game then it's likely the serve. You've been working on your serve technique for long time and yet you're nowhere close to the technique and power that the pros possess.
www.feeltennis....
A tennis serve is technically the most difficult stroke but there is one single cause from which many other challenges arise - and that's the Continental grip.
As soon as you decide to use a Continental grip in your tennis serve, everything that you knew so far about the serve that made sense is not correct any more.
You can't orient towards the court and you can't swing towards the target. The Continental grip changes everything by 90 degrees and instead of still persisting with the common sense approach to serving, you'll need to change.
You'll also need to develop more power in the pronation move as only then will you be able to make the best of the Continental grip.

[@feeltennis]

Let me help you learn advanced serve technique with this 30 Day Free Serve Course with 10 sessions of 30 minute drills: www.feeltennis.net/serve-challenge/

[@adambird9949]

I think this is gold. Why on earth do all coaches bother teaching all the other stuff first (the toss, the set-up, the stance etc. etc.) and not begin with HOW to hit the ball?!

[@MisteMiner]

This guy explains tennis like no one else I've found.

[@everest0411]

I feel the same way. He actually makes me understand the serving a lot better than other videos.

[@Salmonzs]

Misterminer except my private tennis coach

[@corneliuslinneball3785]

That’s because he is the best. He really knows what he’s doing.

[@SimonFreston]

Too many tennis coaches learn when they were super young, they have the body mechanics but don’t understand why it works or the various little steps to put it together

[@ve1803]

still he's completely wrong

[@containedhurricane]

I dunno why I'm watching this coz I've never played tennis in my entire life, but great insight bro

[@wasabikimchi7891]

Dude, nevrr? U suck bruh

[@shadowkilla5252]

You should, it’s fun

[@losyourmind]

HOF youtube comment

[@stervenmealey1097]

me too kinda, only played as a kid and knew I was too weak, always got injured, but this video was insightful lol

[@SharapovaFan]

It's a very difficult sport when played competitively, particularly at the technical level. But it's what makes it fun. You'll appreciate how the pros play when you actually learn to play yourself.

[@scottsummers3182]

I've been playing tennis as a recreational sport, off and on, for about 50 years now. About a year ago, I decided to try to improve my serve. I started watching as many videos as I could to get advice. I picked up a few helpful tips, but haven't seen much improvement. A couple of days ago I saw a video that said, to get more power on my serve, I should be facing the side fence to begin the service motion. I tried that today, but as stated in your video it was very awkward and unnatural (50 years of doing it the wrong way makes it worse). This video is the best explanation of what to do and WHY to do it that I've ever seen. I can hardly wait to practice my serve again with this new understanding. THANK YOU!

[@arnaldoprietoavalo8756]

I have never seen an explanation that make sense for a tennis serve like this before. And I have been playing for 23 years ! Thanks so very much ! You are a gifted teacher !!!

[@knotwilg3596]

When you see this video and grasp at the intellectual and intuitive level that this is "true", you also start wondering why you never heard this before.

[@jadenhenderson1451]

I couldn't agree more.

[@thomasbluhmann8259]

Yes, he nailed it! Now it's clear why I should use the continental when doing a correct serve. It did not make sense to me until this great instruction!

[@mahidr27]

Dieter Verhofstadt c in u

[@chrisvanaman3035]

Absolutely!

[@Dubinski2382]

Dieter Verhofstadt American tennis instructors sucked until recently.

[@deveshsingh1233]

I have been playing tennis(amateur) for the past 20 years and none of my coaches explained so clearly and lucidly.Hats off to you man! Can you explain the single hand back hand as well?

[@feeltennis]

Thanks a lot. I'll try when I get to it. ;)

[@tomorrow41]

Ive been trying to go to the one handed backhand from the two hander for a couple of years. It would be great to see you break this stroke down. Thanks

[@serumulasiema3424]

Devesh Sing

[@blueckaym]

I 2nd that. I'm a complete newbie, but the only motion that comes natural with my single-hand backhand is the slice.

[@badmiyagi]

From a basic premise first make sure you connect with the ball way out in front of your front leg. Lean in to the ball and reach out on the follow through toward the target.

[@cussyrichards6121]

This guy always puts out videos light-years ahead of any other tennis instructional channel in terms of quality

[@raymondgilmore9236]

Finally someone provides for a realistic and detail explanation of the specifics of the tennis serve. Great teacher!!!

[@raymondgilmore9236]

Great job

[@feeltennis]

Very much appreciated!

[@skmalladi]

Absolutely perfect explanation. This tells everything that is correct and incorrect with the body mechanics of coming up with a good tennis serve. This video, along with your other video "How to serve in tennis in 7 steps" seems to have everything that is needed in learning the right technique of serving. I watched both carefully, made sure I understood the tutorial well and then went out with a bucket of balls. In just a couple of days, my technique transitioned from a basic serve into the correct serve and I can see a big improvement already. It'll take time for the entire motion to work together in one single, smooth hit but now I believe I have the ability to get there and hit fast and accurate serves! Thanks a million for putting up such a helpful video!

[@basithamid4712]

sasikanth malladi w

[@fernandodelgado1416]

I am impressed with the clarity of this explanation. GOLD.

[@missvai28]

Took many lessons in my life and no-one managed to explain how to serve as well. Thanks a lot! Will practice right away!!!

[@cslxxwilliam]

This is the best breakdown of the serve fundamentals. It’s not taught like this ever on KZbin

[@Bomartins]

Hands down, the best instructional video on the tennis serve on YT. Thanks.

[@TheEarlyAdoptr]

This video and the 7 drills for pronation is the best serve tutorials on KZbin!

[@tennismaniacpoland1381]

Hey! WOW! There are many teacher over YT, many paid and good teachers but man! Its all about how You explain what You want to achieve! And this is completely understandable! Easy for everyone I believe. For those who are starting with serve, Guys this will be very very difficult and You will not feel it for some week or two, but later You will be so happy You change it to proper technique! For those who are looking for dismantling serve for parts - this is what are You looking for! Thanky You. I paid for many many serve lessons online and on court , but Your explanation is worth all money I spent..and its a lot! Thank You for sharing!

[@ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣΓΡΑΜΜΑΤΙΚΑΚΗΣ-ν9ι]

Perfect tennis teacher. Every information you give us is so helpful. Everything seems so natural using simple logic.

[@francisbuencamino511]

Excellent explanation on the pronation thingie that coaches have been saying to do, but they have not really explained that it was a combined series of movements! Excellent, thanks!

[@myself-ow7ji]

best serve lesson ever! thank u!

[@ame7272]

I agree. It made a lot of sense. Subscribed.

[@martintheguitarist]

I always found having a consistent toss being the most difficult part.

[@fei1226]

How to improve the toss?

[@twanplays4837]

@@fei1226 A great way of thinking about the toss is placing the ball in the air instead of throwing.

[@recolinotyu]

Exactly. Look at a pro tossing, it's not really too much of a toss, he moves his arm all the way up and gently releases the ball, that adds immense precision

[@spongebob1849]

Yep. That’s the hardest part of the serve. If you can’t toss you can’t serve.

[@lawpilot8526]

9/24/2020 Is the pronation imparting spin? Should i use a one-handed backhand grip to serve out wide?

[@StefsEngineering]

+Feel Tennis Instruction , Hello Thomaz, I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your awesome quality video's! This video helped me out a lot! I am a beginner (1,5 year now) and struggled a lot with my serve. Since I saw this video I improved an incredible amounth! Had some matches today and even the highly placed players (ranking 2 (1-9 ranking system) came to me to compliment on the serve. Thanks again! I will buy your video collections as a thank you and to improve even more.

[@Misteryowl]

Video's?

[@HC-wt1cg]

Thank you so much. I have been struggling with myself. I have been told what to do and I have watched so many videos how to serve, but I still serve badly, and this video totally changed my perspective, and I am a logical person and this video explains the need and function of pronation so well that my understanding of probation has finally been unlocked. Thank you and I will definitely practice my serve differently from now on!

[@mariodorado3730]

Thomaz, I wrote to you before, with excellent reviews, but you still manage to blow my mind. You're an amazing istructor; one of my only two favorites. I refer to you for technical enlightenment, and Capestany for drills. Keep up the great critical and attention-to-the-minimal-detail work! THANK YOU!

[@feeltennis]

Much appreciated, Mario!

[@EskoTV-VIDEO]

I tried this exercise outside on my lawn today. Does not work yet for me. The explanation is very very good. Tomorrow I shall try this on tennis court. Hope to see some trainee about 70 years old or so practicing with you. We are a bit stiff. When a younger person starts tennis, it is a lot easier. When you start at 69 years old, it is quite difficult. Maybe when I am 80, this serve goes well enough. ;)

[@LuchuanXu]

Thanks very much for this video! I've been struggled to learn the serve for a few weeks and watched some teaching and pro-serve videos. Only this video makes clear about the mystery behind the serving! Right now, I know not only the correct body and muscle movement, but also the difference between its way and intuitive (amateur) way and why (the most important)!

[@mick5934]

Thanks Tomaz... this is one of the most useful videos on serving that I've ever seen. So many coaches fail to explain the elusive technique well, but you have achieved that.

[@SloanZurnToto]

Brilliant description of how to hit a tennis serve. You make so much sense. I will get out and practice this technique. Thanks for your wisdom.

[@premmenghani8126]

Hi, I have started playing tennis just abt 2 months ago. We play once or maximum twice a week. I took 8 classes to start with and somehow I could never get the serving technique right. After watching this video I realized my coach was teaching the same things but the way you explained it in this video was much more effective. I watched your video yesterday and tried it today and there was a huge difference. Its increased my confidence so much and I'm so excited about the next game next week. Thank you so much for making such an effective video and making the serve technique so so simple. Kudos. Prem.

[@benjaminyip9870]

All them other coaches and even professional tennis players talking about continental grip and pronation but you are the first that mentioned the proper anatomical biomechanical term internal rotation of the shoulder and demonstration... I have been waiting a long time for this video. Well done

[@paulgisby5792]

Best tennis video I have ever seen. Transformed my serve. Thank you.

[@kks3186]

Hi Thomas. Your explanation of the Service, is the easiest I find to understand. I am going to try this out as I have an awfully bad service, with all the beginner faults that you mentioned. Thanks very much. Great Tutorial for beginners.

[@Brandon-zd2vc]

15:30 literally me all summer

[@somestingyontheinternet683]

oh god no

[@Macbille]

Does it help you to generate more power? Can you apply this power to your serve?? :D

[@Brandon-zd2vc]

@@antonboludo8886 gotta work on that pronation kid

[@antonboludo8886]

@@Brandon-zd2vc There you go, LOL! xD

[@antonboludo8886]

@@Brandon-zd2vc I am not a kid. Do you play tennis?

[@seshagiri6438]

I started using this technique and it worked remarkably. I am able to generate more speed and consistently serve in the right area. Thank you

[@parkmw17]

This is the very best explanation about serve I've ever heard or seen. Brilliant!!

[@domenicoscionti6105]

I can't imagine a better teacher than that. You are simply great.

[@got2bharmony]

Brilliant video, you could pay large amounts for coaching and never receive instruction half as good as this. Thank you for sharing your amazing knowledge and teaching skills with us all.

[@mikeotoolephotography5829]

This is one best instructional videos out there on the serve . Excellent for beginners and improvers

[@guillermotrujillo2451]

First time that somebody explain soo good the process of serving not even so call top trainers thank you very much

[@jvz1978]

I love how methodically and simply you explain tennis. A great help to me.

[@manuelcruze442]

Great info, and so patient to describe every movement. But too late for me. I still love love the way he teaches.

[@DilshadDilliwala]

The easiest explanation of serving technique I ever found on any KZbin video. Superb👌👌👍

[@MrHitthespot]

This was the best serve video I've watched so far. Thank You!

[@kevinliang1775]

third time watching this, still learn a lot. thank you so much. clear up so much of my confusions about serve!

[@Chrisguilfoyle87]

Hi Tomas. This video is so good. I went out and practiced pronation like you demonstrated here and it totally changed how I view the serve. I'm excited to keep working on it and I feel I've made a massive improvement already in 1 practice session. I don't think any other channel has explained the mechanics and the visual aspect of the serve as well as this. Thanks!

[@kattikukkula]

Thank you! Went to the court this morning to practise according to your advice. Found my long gone 1st serve and increased the average racquet head speed by 10%. Imagine what I can do over the summer... :-)

[@febringasable]

This is a great video! I have been trying to correct my waiter's serve and your videos have been so helpful. Thank you very much. If you could talk about the right timing of when to turn during the serve (from throphy position to turn the hips and elbow) that would be great too

[@thequiroz1000]

I’m a teaching pro for 35 years and still play at the 5.0 level and extremely appreciate the quality of instruction provided by the excellent pro. Great job.

[@riotmode666]

The BEST Training i've seen on youtube and i've seen a lot. easy steps to follow and well understandable explained. it's not the shoulder that makes the serve, its the arm/pronation that generates power.

[@dreamhighstudio]

This is the best logical explanation of serve i have ever watched on youtube

[@theforeverpuddle8754]

I'm just beginning to play tennis and I've latched onto this guy's teaching. So clear and concise, a really gifted teacher. I like how he breaks everything down to the core components. Also glad that I'm beginning to learn to serve the proper way instead of using a beginner grip. Practicing a few times a week has really helped. Just hitting ball after ball. Recording myself has been helpful too. It wasn't until I recorded myself that I realized how little extension I was getting so I increased my ball toss height and that helped tremendously.

[@danieldrlja757]

The great teacher complicated things explains in a very simple and unerstandable way. Often uses hyperboles to reach the maind and the heart of student. THANK YOU, MASTER! Helped me a lot!!! D.

[@berndklumpp7790]

Man, don‘t give your address to my tennis Trainer I fired yesterday because of your videos: he is really angry with you! You are way better than every trainer I had so far. Great job, Thomas!

[@jeanc9868]

This video was enlightening ... I have struggled with my serve forever and never knew why!!! Thank you :-)

[@triplea007]

You just saved me a $100 lesson. This right here is pretty much everything a weekend warrior needs to serve well.

[@Limyun]

Perfect! You explain it so well. Going through and explaining the natural serve and then breaking it down and transitioning into the pronate has helped my understanding so much.

[@johnpeng6335]

Best server lesson ever! Thomas really understands the biomechanics that gives a clear image unlike the other normal coaches. Thumbs up!!

[@davidlai399]

Thank you Tomaz for these great intuitive videos. You are very empathetic towards people trying to learn the correct techniques. The 45 degree contact point is a really subtle but crucial point which nobody else really talk about.

[@kyrieburnheart3970]

I wish I found you yesterday. I spent three hours yesterday working on my serve only to eventually get to this conclusion in my technique . My arms are mad sore.

[@icecreamalacarte]

Be careful, I practiced and practiced and the constant pronation tweaked my forearm muscle so it's now sensitive to this movement; I rehabbed for 2 months and incorporate light forearm work into all my workouts to strengthen this movement. Even throwing a baseball now I can feel the muscle more; basically, GO VERY SLOW when beginning to pronate correctly, slow toss, slow follow through.

[@foolishwatcher]

Without any doubt the single best introduction to a professional serve technique. I tought myself how to serve from this video and your 7 steps serve instruction and moved away from the " waitors serve" in no time. I always go through the serve progressions during my warming up and a couple of times before starting to serve.Although I'm quite satisfied with my tennis instructors in general (training in a group of 4 recreational players), the serve does not get the amount of attention it needs.Highly recommended to any recreational player out there! :-)

[@namornivek]

Awesome video. I've been trying to practice my serve and couldn't figure out why it felt so awkward to go through the movements, I think this really cleared up a lot of my confusion.

[@manouchazad1863]

Kevin Roman

[@andreperusso]

Finally someone explained it well enough to be able to replicate it on court. All other "how to serve" videos just give you specifics that often just leave one more confused.

[@tomorrow41]

I agree with Davesh. Been playing tennis for a long time and never really understood the proper movement and rotation of the arm to achieve pronation. Ive been doing it all wrong until you broke the movement down to its most simplistic and basic form before actually serving balls. Thank you so much for such attention to detail. Ive got instant results by taking the steps you showed.

[@themrstroke]

This serve instruction video was so good. I liked all of it but I particularly liked the part where you showed the head position difference at contact with most recreational players vs the pros. That was very eye opening. It had never occurred to me, nor have I heard it anywhere else, that one simply cannot perform the proper internal shoulder rotation motion on the serve unless one gets his head in front of the hitting shoulder as you so clearly showed in this video.

[@raygolf1]

Thomas is the best guy on the internet for explaining tennis so well. Thanks.

[@Mancheguache]

this is excellent. My boy is learning tennis and just can't get his serve right even with a trainer....this will help him and me a lot. Thank you!

[@MA-dw2yl]

Super thanks. I am an upper intermediate player but for the serve, just a beginner. I have been disappointed. But at last, through this video clip, I've found the secret which no coach could teach ever. Thanks again!!

[@torystcyr8842]

I watched about 5 minutes of this and learned more about serving than hours of other videos!

[@henrychapman7957]

I teach HS tennis and this video has helped me teach the service stroke to near beginners. The logic and intuitive truth of this explanation can transform any novices serve.

[@3010valeria]

The best explanation I saw at Internet. In tenis the server is the most dificult thing for me. I have tried it a lot , but still not regular. Thank you!

[@danhigashi]

I totally agree with you Devesh. The "feel" approach of Tomaz is so resonating compared to "old school" tennis instruction. While you're waiting for Tomaz to "get to" explain his break down of the one-handed backhand, may I suggest that you consider the last link of the kinetic chain before contact with the ball of this stroke is analogous to the last link of the serving chain except instead of pronating your forearm, you should supinate your forearm.

[@speedypete4987]

Best explanation I have seen for a long while. I learnt my serve facing the court and using Oscar Wegner's idea of using my palm to push the ball forwards into the court but for many years I have struggled to incorporate the pronation aspect of the serve. Can't wait to try standing sideways tomorrow!

[@PD-gl6wf]

Great , simple explanation. For weeks I've been "Hammering" a serve with no direction or consistent net clearance. Now I know why. 👍👍

[@suannwong4045]

Spot on explanation of my problem with the continental grip serve and and incredible deconstruction of the proper serve! Wonderful teaching! Thank you so much!

[@tomkocian6710]

Wow, this has to be best tenis serve tutorial ever. Helped me so much

[@NT-hr3nl]

Best advance serve explanation on KZbin. Can’t wait to get out in court to work on my new serve.

[@kuhataparunks]

This has answered so many questions I’ve had about the serve. By far the best serve basics video out there

[@positroninc7534]

You are the best KZbin teacher ever... Thanks for share with us these techniques. But the big part of pronation is that happen pointed to the sky and not in front of you, like flat forehand serve. And also the toss play his role.

[@thomaslehmann9033]

A really good teacher! I can´t imagine a better explanation of the service procedure, because he keeps it as simple as possible. This video got more value than 100 exercises with a tennis trainer demonstrating his abilities. Thanks for that, I´ll use it for a friend of mine.

[@JebsTennisJourney]

I want to improve my serve and I know that adding the pronation movement is the next step. This video is helping!

[@leonardchari3604]

Excellent bit by bit teaching. You have truly demystified it for me. I am going back to the courts to put all your wisdom into practice. I have been labouring with a an uncertain pronation technique. Thankfully I am now full bottle on what I need to be focusing in.Thanks a lot

[@timmedlin7863]

I am a professional tennis instructor and coach. Tomaz is the best I have ever seen. Thanks for your videos.

[@luisfelipemuradtavares9165]

That's the best explanation about serving i've seen. The change of the use of the shoulder to the pronation is the key that i needed to understand the moviment. Thanks!!

[@babyhero24]

This video definitely helps me a lot to understand how to make a correct advanced serve. Thanks a lot

[@gerfracchia5749]

Amazing!!! You explain tennis like It´d be a foreing language and now I can finally understand "what they´re talking about¨. I´m an good intermediate self taught player who never really knew how to serve but now I can start building it. BIG THANKS!!!

[@TimTheMusicMan]

Wow, this is one of the best instructors I've ever watched... Where is his academy, where does he teach..??

[@TooleyPeter]

Whenever I watch your videos I think to myself this guy is a genius.

[@1aran2]

This guy explains it sooo well. Love the way you explained forehand vs continental. Thank you.

[@vasubojja6464]

Excellent explanation. I am doing the same exact mistakes with a continental grip. Now I know how to fix it. Thank you very much.

[@mattbray_studio]

brilliant explanation of why to pronate the serve and how it works to create power. really helpful, thank you

[@ivanhannel]

Single best explanation I've found on the serve. Crazy.

[@MillerTheOriginal]

Literally what a video. Why does no other youtube explain things like this. Excellent explanation 👍

[@s-b6218]

I have got so much better in just a month by watching your videos. Thanks a bunch!

[@BethMannPresents]

this is one of the best vids on serving, hands down. Very clear and easy to follow.

[@tae912]

Mind. Blown. Concept breakdown by this guy is just Brilliant.

[@Grumpus3]

Every time I watch one of these videos I apply the advice in them to my practice, and it always makes a huge difference at improving my shots. Traditional tennis instruction has a place I think, but it should be built on a foundation of learning the game through feeling. After watching a video on the forehand follow-through my consistency went up by at least 25%. I'm looking forward to practicing my serve again after this one.

[@joegodwin6818]

Beautifully concise; right down to how to get there with some work. It is a difficult concept for someone who has a self taught serve he has used for 40 years. I have been wanting to change but never had a clue how until now. Thank you, thank you!

[@premntini]

Thank You Boss.I have been struggling with my serve for last 4 months. i always knew i was facing parallel to baseline at moment of contact. Your video was instrumental in me changing my serve orientation. tennis is learnt in mind (mental image of the short) rather on court.

[@jflow5601]

I wish I had you for a tennis instructor so many years ago. I might still be enjoying this wonderful sport.

[@jamesyoh1373]

Best video on serve that I have seen on KZbin so far.

[@alfredogarciaproveyer324]

Excellent and very clear explanation.

[@knotwilg3596]

Four years ago, I thought this was the perfect explanation. Having studied the mechanics of serves more, I can still appreciate the way you build up to the actual professional serve, but now I think there are a couple of reversed cause-effect relationships and even one misleading advice. Mind you that I think your serve is 100% correct and you're an accomplished teacher. You are 100 times the player I am and I have learned a lot from you. Also, I'm not even sure I'm right - rather I think differently today. Here we go: The biggest issue I have now is that you present pronation as a kind of flapping motion which adds extra power to the serve or is the main driver of it, moreover perpendicular to the swing path driven by the shoulder. This is (though not entirely) wrong in two ways: 1) the serve is not the resultant of two perpendicular forces, which would be physically inefficient. 2) More importantly, pronation is merely a necessary twist of the arm to make the racket blade face the court, as it does with the basic beginner serve. The difference with the beginner serve is that you do this right before contact, so that for the majority of its trajectory the racket travels "head on" through the air, minimizing resistance, maximizing speed. To bring that hammering motion to the racket, you need a continental grip. Second issue is the stance. Looking at the above argument, there should be no reason to change the stance: you face court, make that throwing motion with the racket, using a continental grip, pronate and hit the ball square on. Why stand feet parallel or 45°, as the pros? This is because professional players (and you) uncoil, using power from the legs, into the trunk, adding more power to the serve. They do so sideways, because that's mechanically much easier, transferring weight to the rear leg and forward again, and ergonomically better, sparing the fragile back, than doing it square on. So, the stance must change by 45° to 90° to allow for that coiling-uncoiling (Federer and Mc Enroe are at the extreme). This stance is not what causes the "flapping" you suggest, to compensate for the angle. When they have uncoiled, the pros are almost facing the court and they pronate to unload head speed to the blade, as explained. But you are not entirely wrong, because the pronation will indeed cause an extra "snap" onto the ball, which finally adds power coming from the wrist, to the arm, shoulder, trunk rotation and legs. I think you know all this but you wanted to present this complexity in an easy manner. However, this leads to the magical appearance of the continental grip (why?), the mysterious 45° stance (why?) and the misleading representation of pronating as flapping. I'm rather firm in the above, for the sake of discussion. I have nothing but admiration for your teaching activity and I'm ready to be found wrong.