Thanks for posting this. I coach a high school girls team, and I have had them focus on second serves exclusively in practice with the focus of double faults being our kryptonite and the understanding that (at least in our league) few first serves are actually weapons. I like how you give them targets and progress up to boomers and weaknesses. Excellent break down, coach!
This is an excellent structure to follow and I love the emphasis on staying in your routines. So many times I’ve gone out and been able to hit 9/10 on rapid fire mode but that’s not how it is when you play. I take it a step further and rotate from deuce to ad side back in forth to resemble game play.
Great drill, I try to throw in a game of PIG or HORSE like shooting hoops with targeting weaknesses (pressure) that a server may have. Someones starts by targeting 1-6 and the next sever follows…
I really think this is a great way to mentally engage for serve practice. What I notice, though, is that in the high school game there is really not much rhyme or reason when it comes to points won on 1st vs 2nd serves other than the psychological effect. I could share several anecdotes, but to be brief, I see weaker kids who take very compact swings able to redirect the boomer serve and get points straight off the return, while they can only seem to make garbage returns of the second serve that, even if they put the ball in play, can be easily put away on the next shot. So I really like the fact that this drill gives equal weight to the second serves.
Very helpful video, but how can you the most of a weak serve? The obvious answer is to make it stronger, but this takes time. Is there any way that a server can take advantage of those opponents who like to stand very near to the service line when receiving a serve?
Dear Coach, I just happened to come across your website and am really happy that I did. In quickly viewing a few of your videos, I found them all to be helpful and especially appreciated your helpful way of teaching – i.e. simple and easy to understand, yet very, very helpful and encouraging. Being 71 years young, yo-yoing up and down at the 3.0-3.5 level wanting to improve to 4.0, my inconsistency, predicated to a certain extent from all the different on-line instructions come across and try, I think has created much confusion in my mind as to what is really best for me. I’ve always liked the idea of “smooth and easy, easy and smooth (with minimal moving parts), that’s the way to always move” – so, I’m sure I will be visiting your site and videos often. Thank you.
It is helpful hitting back and forth within the 6 targets giving rise to serving toward the alley, the middle,
and at opponent (ABC). My teams sometimes get bored hitting serves as they’d rather have a cardio workout doing drills.
Isolating the player’s weakness serving to the specific target area will give them more confidence serving in their matches.
I also like the variation of adding a game where students try to hit each area in order and count the number of serves it takes to get one in each. Perfect score would be 6. I probably stole this one from you too!
As an 80yr. old, I do a very similar thing only, I prefer doing just 40 balls 10 in each of the 4 corners. 1-3-4-6 using flats and spins. I do this just before I do my ball machine work outs. Either way I think is very good.
Helpful, yes. I find that nothing whatsoever improves my game like service practice. I also wrote down ritual, as I have lots of trouble with my service toss – rushing myself.
Thanks for posting this. I coach a high school girls team, and I have had them focus on second serves exclusively in practice with the focus of double faults being our kryptonite and the understanding that (at least in our league) few first serves are actually weapons. I like how you give them targets and progress up to boomers and weaknesses. Excellent break down, coach!
Thanks Justin
This is an excellent structure to follow and I love the emphasis on staying in your routines. So many times I’ve gone out and been able to hit 9/10 on rapid fire mode but that’s not how it is when you play. I take it a step further and rotate from deuce to ad side back in forth to resemble game play.
Thanks Bob
Great drill, I try to throw in a game of PIG or HORSE like shooting hoops with targeting weaknesses (pressure) that a server may have. Someones starts by targeting 1-6 and the next sever follows…
I love it
I really think this is a great way to mentally engage for serve practice. What I notice, though, is that in the high school game there is really not much rhyme or reason when it comes to points won on 1st vs 2nd serves other than the psychological effect. I could share several anecdotes, but to be brief, I see weaker kids who take very compact swings able to redirect the boomer serve and get points straight off the return, while they can only seem to make garbage returns of the second serve that, even if they put the ball in play, can be easily put away on the next shot. So I really like the fact that this drill gives equal weight to the second serves.
Thanks Gene
Very helpful video, but how can you the most of a weak serve? The obvious answer is to make it stronger, but this takes time. Is there any way that a server can take advantage of those opponents who like to stand very near to the service line when receiving a serve?
I think the best thing to do is to focus on accuracy… so at least the returner will NOT be able to hit his favorite shot
Dear Coach, I just happened to come across your website and am really happy that I did. In quickly viewing a few of your videos, I found them all to be helpful and especially appreciated your helpful way of teaching – i.e. simple and easy to understand, yet very, very helpful and encouraging. Being 71 years young, yo-yoing up and down at the 3.0-3.5 level wanting to improve to 4.0, my inconsistency, predicated to a certain extent from all the different on-line instructions come across and try, I think has created much confusion in my mind as to what is really best for me. I’ve always liked the idea of “smooth and easy, easy and smooth (with minimal moving parts), that’s the way to always move” – so, I’m sure I will be visiting your site and videos often. Thank you.
Thanks Robert… I’m glad you found us!
Jorge and Martie, I believe your videos are helping me, tremendously! I work on my serves every chance I get. Thanks for your helpful suggestions!
It is helpful hitting back and forth within the 6 targets giving rise to serving toward the alley, the middle,
and at opponent (ABC). My teams sometimes get bored hitting serves as they’d rather have a cardio workout doing drills.
Isolating the player’s weakness serving to the specific target area will give them more confidence serving in their matches.
Thanks Rick
Love this, I have a dedicated wheelchair student that likes to practice his serves, and will introduce this sequence to him. Practice with purpose!
Perfect practice makes perfect! Thanks for the excellent reminder, Coach!
I also like the variation of adding a game where students try to hit each area in order and count the number of serves it takes to get one in each. Perfect score would be 6. I probably stole this one from you too!
Good Stuff!
We have adults and Jr’s at the club.
All need more service practice.
Coach Stretch
As an 80yr. old, I do a very similar thing only, I prefer doing just 40 balls 10 in each of the 4 corners. 1-3-4-6 using flats and spins. I do this just before I do my ball machine work outs. Either way I think is very good.
Helpful, yes. I find that nothing whatsoever improves my game like service practice. I also wrote down ritual, as I have lots of trouble with my service toss – rushing myself.
d.
This is just what I need. I am going to share. Thanks great advice Ellen
I tried this but could not get our courts to light up. Just kidding great instruction on helping my High School Team Thanks