The USTA Newsletter for Tennis Coaches
2010
5
High Performance Coaching
Vol. 11, No. 2
The USTA Newsletter for Tennis Coaches
2010
Synchronized Serves II
by Mark Kovacs, PhD, CSCS - Sr. Manager, Sport
Science/Strength & Conditioning/Coaching Education
& Tom Gullikson, National Coach
The serve is easily the most complicated stroke in
tennis and one area that seems to provide some major
differences between the men's and women's game.
The question needs to be asked as to why we notice a
difference in serve speed, spin and consistency at the
junior, collegiate and professional level between male and
female players. Is it a strength issue, a technique issue and
priority of training issue? All these components may play a
role, but to be successful at any level having a technically
proficient service motion is vital to improved results. In
last issue (Vol. 11 No. 1), we analyzed two male servers
in the professional game, Andy Roddick and Fernando
Verdasco. In this issue we are focusing on two of the best
servers in the women's game Sam Stosur and Justine
Henin. The complexity of the serve and coordination of the
movements require the effective utilization of the ground to
push against and help transfer the forces developed from
the ground up through the kinetic chain and out into the
ball. If any of the links in the chain are not synchronized
effectively the outcome of the serve will not be optimal.
It is generally noticed that the synchronization of these
links are not as consistent in female servers and the
purpose of this article is to highlight eight major areas to
focus on when analyzing or developing an effective high
performance serve.
The serve can be broken down into 3 Phases and 8
Stages (including the start and finish).
PREPARATION
1.
START - Photo 1 highlights the starting position of
the serve and it is clear that both players are relaxed
and just about to start the weight transfer (i.e. rocking
back) to initiate muscle contractions in the back leg.
At this point in the service motion, most good servers
have a clear picture of where they are going to hit the
serve (i.e. wide, into the body or a t serve) and what
type of spin they will be imparting on the ball. Having
a repeatable pre-service routine is a hallmark of good
servers and something that needs to be developed in
servers at all levels.
2.
RELEASE - Photo 2 highlights the release of the
ball from the non-dominant hand (left hand for both
servers). As the ball toss is one area that many
players struggle to perform consistently (especially
under pressure), it needs to be simple to perform
and easy to replicate. Notice that both players
have released the ball, after their tossing arm has
elevated from the inside of the front leg, in-line with
the baseline. This ball release motion is preferable
to a straight on (perpendicular with the baseline)
ball-toss release as it allows for greater rotational
loading (i.e. hip and shoulder turn). This is one area
that both Stosur and Henin do extremely well and
is something that is a major factor in effectively
synchronizing the following six components of the
serve. It is also important to note that both players
release at the same relative height - when their
tossing arm is just above the eye level.
3.
LOADING Photo 3 showcases the loading position
for both players. Efficient loading mechanics are
displayed, though Henin uses a platform (or foot back)
technique, whereas Stosur uses a pinpoint (or foot
up) technique. It is important to highlight the use of
the back leg involvement during this loading phase.
Both players do a good job of pushing hard into the
ground during this loading stage which develops high
levels of potential energy (stored energy), which will
be utilized as kinetic energy (usable energy) during
the acceleration phase of the serve. This back leg
involvement during the loading stage is one area that
both players execute well, and many other female
servers at all levels of the game sometimes struggle to
effectively load. Both athletes have full non-dominant
arm extension, and each player's front hip is pushing
into the court - which also aids in the storage of
greater amounts of energy that can be converted
during the remainder of the serve.
4.
COCKING Photo 4 highlights how similar effective
servers should be at this point in the service
motion. Although both players use different starting
mechanics in the upper and lower body, at the
cocking stage of the service motion they have nearly
identical positions. Notice the racket head is pointing
to the ground (requiring phenomenal external
rotation at the shoulder). A line can be drawn from
the dominant to the non-dominant shoulder (termed
"shoulder-over-shoulder" position) and also from the
back hip to the front hip ("hip-over-hip" position). This
position is one of the biggest differences between
effective and ineffective servers and less female
servers (at all levels of the game) are consistently
able to successfully navigate to this position
compared to the male counterparts. It is interesting
to note the Stosur is able to achieve a greater range
of motion at this point and is the reason she is able to
generate so much spin on her serve. Players who do
not reach this position in the service motion, usually
suffer from a poor ball toss and/or opening up the
back hip/shoulder too early in the motion. Lack of
shoulder flexibility also can contribute to players not
being able to reach a full effective cocking stage.
Phase
Stage
Preparation
1. Start
2. Release
3. Loading
4. Cocking
Acceleration
5. Acceleration
6. Contact
Follow-Through
7. Deceleration
8. Finish