Functional Tennis Ball Toss Variations
First published on 9-09-2009. Bookmark & share
by Randy Lynn Rutledge - a previously certified USPTA Tennis Teaching Professional
( Note: retired in good standing, but stopped making USPTA dues payments )
( Note: retired in good standing, but stopped making USPTA dues payments )
This article discusses variable ball toss locations to accommodate a variety of tennis service styles.
The ball toss must be a functional variable to make the tennis ball arrive to meet with the tennis racquet at a precise location within the service stroke. Variations of the service speed, racquet path, and string action (spin) being applied to the tennis ball require that ball toss variations also be made to achieve string-to-ball contact at a precise location within any kind of service stroke.
A few ball toss variables to consider are how the tennis ball is held, where the ball will be during the service ready position, where the ball will be at the bottom of the tossing motion, when the ball is released, and the necessary tennis ball location and height required for the initial string-to-ball contact point which is desired.
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Holding the Tennis Ball
Tennis players can toss the ball with the palm of their hand facing up, with the ball with their palm facing down, and by using every possible variation in between and beyond. Experiment with various ways of holding the tennis ball to find a method which works best for your ball toss. How the ball is held is a tennis variable.
Tennis players can toss the ball with the palm of their hand facing up, with the ball with their palm facing down, and by using every possible variation in between and beyond. Experiment with various ways of holding the tennis ball to find a method which works best for your ball toss. How the ball is held is a tennis variable.
A consistent starting position for the ball toss start will help a player to achieve a consistent end point. I usually suggest to my students that they aim their tennis racquet and the tennis ball over the net, and in the direction that they want the tennis ball to travel for a flat service motion.
NOTE:
Various types of spins could require variable starting positions to accommodate the necessary string-to-ball contact point.
Various types of spins could require variable starting positions to accommodate the necessary string-to-ball contact point.
Bottom of the Ball Toss
The service motion involves an initial aim (or a ready position) which is followed by both hands dropping down together and then going back up together. These are tennis variables.
The service motion involves an initial aim (or a ready position) which is followed by both hands dropping down together and then going back up together. These are tennis variables.
If a student is doing something that is working, I usually leave the bottom of the ball toss alone; however, if a player has an erratic ball toss, I will suggest touching the front of the leg (on the tossing arm side) at the bottom of the tossing motion; from there, the tossing arm goes up at whatever angle which will deliver the tennis ball above and in front of the dominant shoulder, and into the path of the tennis racquet. Touching the front of the leg (or using any other downward motion) becomes less important after the upward path of the toss becomes habit.
Tossing the Tennis Ball
There is no correct way to toss a tennis ball. Multiple service motions (relatively flat, and spin variations) require that the ball toss be a functional variable. Where the ball-to-string contact point must take place within the service motion is the single most important factor to consider when deciding how to toss the tennis ball.
There is no correct way to toss a tennis ball. Multiple service motions (relatively flat, and spin variations) require that the ball toss be a functional variable. Where the ball-to-string contact point must take place within the service motion is the single most important factor to consider when deciding how to toss the tennis ball.
Ball Toss Release
The ball toss style of a tennis player, the required height for the toss, the build of a player's body and limbs, and the intended tennis racquet head speed are some factors to be considered before deciding where, or when, to release a ball toss to accommodate service motion variables.
The ball toss style of a tennis player, the required height for the toss, the build of a player's body and limbs, and the intended tennis racquet head speed are some factors to be considered before deciding where, or when, to release a ball toss to accommodate service motion variables.
Typically, an early (low) ball toss release travels more forward than does a late (high) ball toss release.
NOTE: A serve and volley player might tend to move up and forward across the baseline to meet the ball a little more in the direction of the net, so an earlier release might work better for that type of server.
Ball Toss Height
The ball tossing height must vary to accommodate variable tennis racquet speeds and motions to achieve an initial string-to-ball contact point at a precise location within a service stroke. A slower service stroke requires that the toss be higher than what is needed for a faster service stroke.
The ball tossing height must vary to accommodate variable tennis racquet speeds and motions to achieve an initial string-to-ball contact point at a precise location within a service stroke. A slower service stroke requires that the toss be higher than what is needed for a faster service stroke.
There are types service spin strokes which require the ball to be tossed at variable heights and locations in front of, to the side of, and behind the head. The elbow works as a variable to create brushing motion angles necessary to create each desired type of spin. The role of the elbow and forearm varies for execution of different types of service actions; therefore, the ball toss delivery must vary to allow the ball to arrive on-time at each desired string-to-ball location.
Experiment
Use experimentation to learn a variety of service tossing methods as your serving skills improve. First, purposely toss the ball to a location which would result in a mistake for your flat serve, then figure out which directions to adjust your feet and shoulders for the new ball toss. Make a racquet path change to create a type of brushing motion against the ball (spin) which, with trial and error, will eventually manipulate the ball in such a way that it ends up going to a desirable landing location.
Use experimentation to learn a variety of service tossing methods as your serving skills improve. First, purposely toss the ball to a location which would result in a mistake for your flat serve, then figure out which directions to adjust your feet and shoulders for the new ball toss. Make a racquet path change to create a type of brushing motion against the ball (spin) which, with trial and error, will eventually manipulate the ball in such a way that it ends up going to a desirable landing location.
Create spins serves with different brushing angles against the tennis ball.
Start the brush against the tennis ball from a lower vertical string-to-ball contact point to create lift for net clearance. A slight variation of the ball toss location will need to be made to land the ball at the same location using each variation of brushing angle. |
Some types of serves require shoulder positioning changes to be made to the left or right, and forward or backward (arching back). Create spins serves with different brushing angles against the tennis ball. Some will require lower tosses, tosses to the left or right, and tosses which require your shoulders to rotate away from the net and your chest to arch toward the sky. Experiment with a variety of ball toss locations to learn what is possible. Vary the ball toss by height, forward and backward, and left or right.
Many spin serve variations can be created by starting the brushing motion against the lower half of the tennis ball at various angles. This requires a much lower string-to-ball contact within the stroke. Ball contact can happen when the forearm is only partially extended away from the back-scratch or power loop position and the dominant hand is raised only inches higher than the top of your head.
Instead of brushing from the shoulder with a fully extended forearm, like you would do when brushing over the top or upper side of the tennis ball, spin originating at or below the midway point ("equator") of the tennis ball might require that the angle between the upper and lower arm (above and below the elbow) be only slightly more or less than 90 degrees. The lower string-to-ball contact point does not require a full extension of the forearm before contact is made. The forearm is moving from the elbow when contact is made.
A brush which originates close to the bottom of the ball ("south pole") requires that the toss be somewhere between the ear and shoulder on your dominant side.
An Extreme Topspin Serve
Set your feet and shoulders to face the sideline. The non-dominant shoulder is close to the net and the dominant shoulder is close to the back fence. The back arches to allow your face to see the sky. Move the racket directly from the ready position into a backscratch position (no power loop). Toss the ball across the body to a location above or outside of the dominant shoulder. Brush straight up the back of the tennis ball. Make initial string-to-ball contact very close to the bottom of the ball.
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I teach the extreme topspin serve by positioning a student approximately 5 to 8 feet outside the back fence. Now, the student must arch his or her back and begin the brushing motion very low on the tennis ball to get it to go over the fence and in the direction of the service box. Keep making adjustments to the ball toss location (toward or away from the fence) and height of the ball toss (lower is better) until the ball is brushed over the fence. Move to the tennis court only after successfully brushing the tennis ball up and over the fence a few times.
Find Other Types of Spin
Gradually adjust your feet and shoulders from the extreme topspin stance and try to follow some the arrows (angles) as shown on the ball.
Lower arrows will require lower tosses, more shoulder turn, less hit (flatness), and more spin (brushing). Higher will arrows require higher tosses, less shoulder turn, more hit (flatness), and less spin (brushing). Adjust the feet and shoulders after unsuccessful attempts to the left or right of the target. Increase or decrease the upward angle after each unsuccessful attempt long or short. |
A relatively flat serve (no intentional spin) contacts the ball with both ends (tip and butt) and both edges of the racket head at about the same distance from the primary target (net clearance) and the intended landing-place (the secondary target).
A spin serve requires that the outer edge of the tennis racket lead the way. The inner edge follows all the way to and through the first string-to-ball point of contact.