Mia Ford
Nobody, not even a beginning tennis player, likes to be called a “dinker.” Even aggressive servers can crumble under the pressure of double-faulting. They’ll usually resort to weakly tapping the ball over the net on their second serve.
The second serve in tennis is one of the most underrated strokes. Too many players use their first serve as a weapon but then back down on their second attempt by simply trying to “get the ball in.” This change in mentality is a fundamental mistake and puts the server in a vulnerable position for the rest of the point.
Service games are a distinct advantage for the server, and if you start the point cautiously, you’ll struggle to crawl back and recover. Instead of trying to keep the ball in play, have a game plan and attack the opposition.
Master Your Second Serve In Tennis
If you follow these tips for a better second serve in tennis, you’ll have more confidence and become a more serious competitor on the court.
The Ball Toss
The first facet of serving is the location of your toss. Many beginners overlook the importance of this step; however, a wild toss often leads to a bad serve and a wasted opportunity.
Tossing the ball directly over your head allows full arm extension, generating more power and a better angle to get the ball over the net. Throwing the ball too high will likely disrupt your timing and result in a poorly-hit serve. A common trick you can use to practice is to aim for the shoulder opposite your throwing arm when you toss the ball in the air. Just remember: in a match, you can toss the ball as many times as you need to get it right 😉
Consistency
Once you develop a dependable ball toss, you need to focus on having a consistent swing. Many players tense up on their second serve, so it’s important to develop good habits and feel comfortable with your stroke.
An old proverb states you’re only as good as your second serve in tennis. One way to interpret this is to build your game around your second serve, not your first.
Establish a consistent second serve that you’re confident will go in, and once you’re comfortable, move on and hone your first serve. If you can’t get your first serve in play 60 percent of the time, try tweaking your stroke to make it more reliable.
Regarding pace, your second serve should travel at about two-thirds of the speed of your first serve. You may need to adjust your first serve if you notice a more dramatic drop-off.
Hot Tip: Aim for the Fence
As you introduce new swings to your arsenal, don’t worry about hitting the ball out. It takes time to fine-tune your serve, and hitting the ball long indicates you’re on the right path. On the other hand, hitting balls into the net is less encouraging. You could be dropping your head or shoulder or swinging down on the ball. Hitting the ball long might simply mean that you need to use more spin.
Spin
Spinning the ball is the best way to improve consistency. Spin adds margin for error because you can hit harder and higher over the net while creating a more difficult shot to return.
A topspin serve, which puts forward spin on the ball and makes it dive downward, allows you to aim higher over the net. Although topspin serves are slower than flat serves, they are much more consistent. Be sure and use the Continental grip as it allows you to snap your wrist for increased power and spin.To grip a topspin serve, hold your racquet directly in front of you, arm parallel to the ground and palm facing sideways, with the strings of the racquet perpendicular to the ground. This is called a Continental grip and allows you to snap your wrist for increased power and spin.
To hit a slice serve, hold the racquet with an Eastern backhand grip (for righties) or semi-Western grip (for lefties). Toss the ball slightly farther to your right (if you’re right-handed) than you would for a flat or topspin serve. Brush across the ball from its center and move out toward what would be the three o’clock position if the ball were a clock face. You want to focus on swinging upwards and outwards without getting under the ball too much.
Don’t expect to master your serve in one practice session. It can take months or years to finally reach the level of consistency you’ve strived for. Working with a coach is the best way to get feedback about your mechanics. It’s also helpful to have a knowledgeable tennis pal give you advice as you serve.
Hot Tip: Place the Ball
Always use the direction of the spin to your advantage. For a righty on the deuce court, try hitting the ball to the left corner of the box to push your opponent as far off the court as you can. On the ad side, serving down the T will slice to the left and cause your opponent to stretch out.
Situational Practices
A helpful way to practice your second serve is to put more pressure on yourself as you serve. Try playing a set where you’re allowed only one serve. This exercise gives you a clear idea of how consistent and effective your second serve is. You’ll have to find a balance between an aggressive and reliable serve while becoming comfortable with the anxiety of faulting.
Remember, your second serve is the crux of your game. You can’t expect to win many matches if you can’t count on making your second serve in tennis.
Take Notes
Pay attention to where your opponent likes the ball, and keep her guessing. Even if you’re serving with pace and consistency, you might be placing the ball right in your opponent’s wheelhouse. If you notice that your opposition prefers to hit forehands, try to keep your serve on the backhand side.
Whether on the first or second attempt, your serve should set up your next shot and put you in a position to win the point. If your serve is predictable, your opponent may jump on it and hit a winner. Vary where you place the ball, and keep your opponent on her toes.
Strengthen Your Arms, Core, and Legs
One thing that recreational players never consider when trying to improve their game is strength training. Stronger arms, legs, and core will give you more power and control, not only with your second (and first) serve but with all of your shots.
Check out our Fitness Section with expert tennis-specific fitness tips and workouts for more strength and agility on the court. None of them are difficult or take very long to do, but when done regularly, you’ll definitely see a difference!
Now put it to use!
Now that you know the strategy and basics of hitting a second serve in tennis, get out on the court and practice. You’ll feel increasingly comfortable as you take more swings, so bring a basket of balls and practice until you’re tired. Experiment with your swing and figure out what works best for you. A major part of the process is discovering your stroke and building confidence, which comes with repetition and hard work.