The Perfect Serve: Flat Tennis Serve for Beginners

Table of Contents

April 20, 2010

The Perfect Serve: Flat Tennis Serve for Beginners

Inside this issue:

Terminology 2

Equipment Needed 3

Area on Tennis Court for Serve 4

Instructions (Step 1) 5

Instructions (Steps 2 & 3) 6



Instructions (Steps 7 cont’d & 8) 9


Instructions (Step 10 & 11) 11


Afterward/Conclusion 13

This is a set of instructions for beginning tennis players who would like to learn how to properly execute a flat tennis serve. A flat tennis serve can be used in competitive or recreational tennis matches. Learn the correct way to hold the racket, the stances for each movement in the serve, and where to hit the ball inside the tennis court by using these instructions.

-Authors

Team #2

English 3359

University of Texas at

El Paso

Sondra Bueno

Daniela Carbajal

Alexandra Glebova

Armando Martinez

Judith Rivera

© Bueno, Carbajal, Glebova, Martinez, Rivera

Before you can begin using these instructions, one of the

first things you need to know is the terminology of the

game. Here, we’ve noted a few of the most common

words that we’ll use:

• Grip: How you hold the racket handle.

• Vibrasorb: A shock absorber that absorbs

the vibrations caused by the impact of the

ball with the racket.

• Radius: The bone of the forearm that ex-

tends from the lateral side of the elbow to the

thumb side of the wrist (See Fig. 1.1).

• Handle Grip-Tape: Special tape that pre-

vents the racket from slipping out of your

hand while protecting your hand from devel-

oping blisters (See Fig. 1.2).

Terminology


Figure 1.1: Radius bone in fore-arm.

Figure 1.2: Handle Grip-Tape .


Volume 1, Issue 1

Equipment Needed:

In order to play comfortably and prevent any injuries, you will need the following equipment before you start

learning the flat tennis serve:

• Tennis Racket (one that is comfortable for

you, sizes range from light, 9 oz to heavy, 12

oz, Fig. 1.4),

• Tennis ball,

• Proper workout clothing (such as exercise

pants or shorts and a t-shirt),

• Tennis Shoes (shoes will be labeled “Court”

shoes at shoe stores),

• Vibrasorb (Fig. 1.3),

• Handle Grip-Tape.

Figure 1.3: Vibrasorb also known as Vibration Dampener.

Figure 1.4: Typical Beginners Tennis Racket (10.35 oz with

strings).

Note: The

Vibrasorb is

optional and it’s

use is left up to

the individual

player.


Figure 1.5: Your body will be positioned in an area within the circle and the ball should land within the box after being served.

Areas on the Tennis Court That You Will Need to Place Your Serve

The following image denotes where you need to stand and where

you will be serving the ball for the first time (See Figure 1.5).




Volume 1, Issue 1

InstructionsInstructionsInstructionsInstructions

Step 1: Step 1: Step 1: Step 1: Place your right hand around the base of the handle of the tennis racket.

Note: The base of your hand should be aligned with the base of the handle. The edge of the racket should be aligned with your

radius.


Figure 1.6:

Step 2: Step 2: Step 2: Step 2: Hold a tennis ball in your left hand (Fig. 1.7).

Step 3: Step 3: Step 3: Step 3: Place your left shoulder turned toward the net in order to get into the correct beginning stance (Fig.1.8).

Figure 1.7

Figure 1.8



Step 4: Step 4: Step 4: Step 4: Position your feet shoulder width apart and your right foot several inches behind (Fig. 1.9).

Volume 1, Issue 1

Figure 1.9

Figure 1.10

Step 5: Step 5: Step 5: Step 5: Place your weight on your left leg and bounce the ball 2-3 times to focus on your serve (Fig. 1.10).

Note: Keep your weight on your left leg, with the ball in your hand and aim your racket toward the box that

you will be serving to.


Figure 1.12

Step 6: Step 6: Step 6: Step 6: Shift your weight to your right leg and slightly lean back (See Fig 1.11).

Step 7: Step 7: Step 7: Step 7: Simultaneously open both arms; your racket should be behind your right ear as you toss the ball up and a few inches in front of you. (Not too far in front and not too close to your face) (Fig. 1.12).


Figure 1.11


Figure 1.13

Figure 1.14

Step 8: Step 8: Step 8: Step 8: Place your right leg next to your left leg and squat in preparation for a jump (Fig. 1.14).

Volume 1, Issue 1

Note: Toss the ball up high enough in order to

do steps 8 and 9 as seen in Figure1.13.


Figure 1.16

Figure 1.15

Step 9Step 9Step 9Step 9: Jump and swing the racket over your head to hit the ball (Fig. 1.15).


Note: The face of the racket should be facing

toward the net (shown in Fig. 1.16),

ultimately hitting the ball flat against

the middle of the strings.


Figure 1.18

Step 11Step 11Step 11Step 11: Allow your hitting arm to follow through the motion, crossing your body, and ending with the racket close to your left hip (Fig 1.18).

Volume 1, Issue 1

Figure 1.17

Step 10Step 10Step 10Step 10: Land on your left foot inside the court after you jump and hit the ball (Fig. 1.17).



Step 12Step 12Step 12Step 12: Allow your body’s momentum to carry your right foot forward and place you in preparation to receive the ball (Fig. 1.19).

Figure 1.19

At the end of the serve, you will know it was executed properly if your

foot lands inside of the court, the ball goes over the net, and hits the desti-

nation spot.


You have now completed the step by step instructions on how to serve a proper flat tennis serve. Try not to get discouraged the first few times you try it. It takes time, patience and coordination in order to get the

serve right. Practice makes perfect! You can do it!

Congratulations!!

WE ’RE ON THE WEB ! !

WWW .FLATTENNISSERVE .

WEEBLY .COM


Figure 1.20

The Perfect Serve: Flat Tennis Serve for Beginners

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