Jumping during a serve?
I always see pros jumping up to hit the ball during a serve. i have tried this and it feels uncomfortable. can i have a good serve without jumping?
Answers:
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its not really a jump, more of a spring reaction. Pros usually get the power from there serve from there whole body, starting with the knees, and the knee is where most of the momentum is stored. when the momentum is released, they "jump", altho its not really a jump, more of the springs being released. Some people add more of a hop to there serve, but generally causes more errors.That "jump" should come naturally and usually is no more then 8 inches.
It's possible to serve without "jumping" but it helps to be very tall. Watch Ivo Karlovic and Ivan Ljubicic serve. Neither one has a significant departure from the ground however they are 2 of the biggest serves in tennis. They also both happen to be incredibly tall so it's not as important for them. Tennis is a game of inches and you need every little bit of help you can get to make sure you clear the net, in my opinion.
Also, jumping can help generate power and spin on the ball because you're using you thighs and knees to hit the serve, not just the arm and shoulder. To stay on the ground can stop you from getting as much action on your serve as you can. I would recommend trying to learn the motion like Pete Sampras used. It was very smooth. The jump wasn't abrupt, he just sort of leaned and flowed into it very naturally. Find some footage of him hitting serves. It could help. Good luck with that.
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You should not be trying to jump on purpose during your serve. If you intentionally try to jump, you will end up concentrating on jumping rather than your service motion. The pros end up jumping because they are trying to chase the ball as they they throw their toss up and into the court, and because they are trying to hit the ball as hard as possible. This is the aspect of your serve you should be concentrating on. If your toss is in the right place, and you are trying to hit your serve with power, you will also leave the ground, but it should not be intentional. Good luck!Who is better? Andy Murray or Tim Henman or Greg Rusedski?
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Pros are playing at a whole new level. I think that's more important than copying their serve is doing what is comfortable for yourself. As you get better, you may find yourself springing upwards more. It's not really a jump like when you jump up and down in place. Serving uses the knees as a springboard.Practice and practice and do what's comfortable. If it's not, you'll look it.
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