JAK'S MONTHLY ESSAY SERIES: Achieving Your Personal Best

WHY DEVELOP A SPIN SERVE?

By Jak Beardsworth

The legendary Jack Kramer – those of you who have been playing a long time probably remember namesake wooden stick - once said way back when, and it’s still a classic keeper, “You’re only as good as your second serve.” So true!

How good is yours?

If you’re like many club players the answer is that it’s not very good, and mostly underdeveloped or not developed at all. In fact it’s often a liability, i.e. “We’ll receive.”. It becomes attackable. And it’s an automatic disadvantage when serving seconds, especially for your then very vulnerable net partner to be exploited in doubles play. Advantage receiver!

Curiously, despite being motivated to achieving a reasonably solid level otherwise, many pretty good players tend to stop growing their game at that all-important juncture, and never bother to learn to spin a serve in on a second serve – yes, it can be a steep learning curve for some and take some time, and practice. A good one can eventually be utilized even on a first serve on occasion as a change of pace and bounce height, to disrupt the receiver’s timing. Often referred to as “bending it in,” it’s particularly necessary if you’re going to possess a complete game and hold your own versus better players.

BTW, I should mention right off that it’s usually bad juju to boast about never double faulting in your previous outing. Yeah sure, no double faults because you more than likely tapped in that flat lollypop, patty cake floater –the one that even lesser players munch on. And, it’s at speed that wouldn’t even register on any self-respecting radar gun…the so-called Grandpa, Grandma serve (although interestingly, the slowness can actually throw some aggressive, chomping at the bit returners off on occasion, but not for long).

Good players playing good players double fault here and there since they avoid the “tap-in” and commit to a substantial, bending or slice (yes, they are different) spin delivery.

Most players will need coaching help, especially in the beginning, but in the meantime, at the very least, what are the universal basics in bending a serve in?

1. You’ll need to adjust your grip from your flat serve position (might still be forehand grip?) to a minimally “Continental” position, or an even more extreme “Eastern” backhand position, both aimed at creating an angular racket face at impact resulting in spin.
2. Along with grip change the toss will need to be adjusted as well from that well out in front neutral position for a flattie to either back somewhat and slightly left creating a “topspin” rainbow like trajectory (literally bending it in) with a very safe net clearance, and a higher bounce out of an opponent’s favored strike zone. Or, still in front but now slightly to the right for a resulting “slice” or “slider.” Both are spin serves. Just a different ball rotation and flight dynamic. Regarding tossing: left is right, right is left in terms of ultimate direction.
3. Racket speed through the ball should absolutely be equal that of your flat bomb. Avoid chickening-out and slowing down resulting in less ball rotation.
4. Your visualization – imagery - will now encompass that “rainbow” trajectory for the ’topspin´approach, or the “sidewinder slice,” versus tha flat, linear one characterized in a flat ball strike.
5. Practice will be required. Minimally 1x per week for 15-20 minutes using about 12 balls only…quality practice vs quantity practice.
6. Introduce into “friendly” play on 1st serve only as a way of reducing pressure and initial double faulting while still gaining confidence.

Keep aspiring higher. It’s never too late for a slightly older dog to learn a necessary new trick!

Copyright© 2007- 2025 by Jak Beardsworth Tennis. All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

COMMENTS WELCOME: JB1tennis@comcast.net

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