Does all this jumping and excessive body motion really help on the serve? Nastase, Tanner, Gonzalez all had great serves without flaying their bodies.
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Regards, Phil -
This is a really good question. How do we quantify such things? Michael Stich never drove up much nor had any kickback, yet he consistently served around the 130 mph. I guess jumping, on average, gives players more power or they wouldn't do it, but I prefer a slick, perfect motion.
This guy had a slick, well oiled motion. I just love his weight transfer.
Stotty -
Amen to that stotty. Krajicek my favorite of all the servers. Gorgeous motion. His weight transfer is smooth and really gave that ball a good ride. All the technical checkpoints are executed and a sublime serve and volley game that helped him win the 96 Wimbledon.
Phil brings up an excellent question. How much is too much. Where is the line when it comes to extraneous movements. All the extra movements, twists and turns can be justified if it allows the server to have a stronger speed and spin component. But if it is just an idiosyncrasy than it can be edited with no negative effects towards the serve result. How much is too much? How little is too little?
The million dollar question is "How few movements can a player make on his serve while still being able to meet and execute all the proper technical checkpoints to create an effective and consistent service motion? I don't have the answer as I write this, but I'm sure if you go into the stroke archives or even John Yandell's latest articles on the serve and serve progressions you can count the technical checkpoints he mentions and then count Federer's movements during the motion compared to others in the archive. This may give you some idea. Also, practice on your own with meeting all checkpoints
(at least in your head) and see how the body can efficiently get to each marker with effort.
I believe Martin Gore, member and songwriter for Depeche Mode From Basildon (Essex) summed it up best in his song "Judas" which appeared on the SOFAD album, when he said...Is Simplicity best, or simply the easiest?
Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca RatonComment
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You gentleman might enjoy the great Welby Van Horn's perspective on this as part of his serve article:
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Here is Michael Stich:
Good serving, no frills...Regards, PhilComment
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John:
I have read this article before. I like it. It's very grounded and full of good points. I like the idea of the lower ball toss for club players who are never going to have the mechanics of a pro. It's an article full of basics. I love it.
Has anyone else out there seen a server with better weight transfer than Krajicek? I don't think I have. I can watch this clip over and over. It's that good.
StottyComment
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Stotty,
Keep waxing poetic about Krajicek. I won't stop you. I've been doing it for years.
Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca RatonComment
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This young girl, Naomi Totka, has little body movement...
Regards, PhilComment
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This is one of my favorite serve videos ever. I'm sad that Naomi hasn't captured more trophies as she gets older and wiser.
Still we can treat this video as the independent gem it is. Translation: This serve is good and here is the chance to learn from it.
I think you're right, Phil, if you mean that Naomi doesn't move her head much.
Essentially the service motion goes around the core which is signified by her head. The racket meanwhile comes up from behind.
Just the opposite of a Maria Sharapova or Venus Williams hurtling her head forward.
I think this is what Pat Doherty means when he advocates keeping chest faced toward the sky.
That said, I am amazed that I think I can learn something from a pinpoint serve when I am platform all the way.Comment
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