5 Drills to Improve Your Tennis Serve

Why the Serve Matters

The serve is the only shot in tennis where you have complete control. You start the point, and a good serve can immediately put you in an advantageous position. A strong serve can win you free points, set up easy put-aways, and put pressure on your opponent from the start.

Drill 1: Target Practice

Purpose: Develop accuracy and placement

How to do it:

1. Place targets (cones, towels, or chalk marks) in different areas of the service box
2. Try to hit each target 5 times in a row
3. Practice hitting to the T (center), wide (out wide), and body serve positions
4. Focus on consistency over power

Pro tip: Start close to the net and gradually move back to the baseline as your accuracy improves.

Drill 2: Toss Consistency

Purpose: Perfect your ball toss, which is the foundation of a good serve

How to do it:

1. Stand at the baseline and practice tossing the ball without hitting it
2. Release the ball at eye level, slightly in front of your body
3. The ball should reach its peak at the same spot every time
4. Practice 20 tosses focusing on consistency
5. Place your racquet where the ball would be to check placement

Common mistakes: Tossing too far in front, too far behind, or to the side. The perfect toss should be slightly in front and slightly to your dominant side.

Drill 3: Serve Progression

Purpose: Build proper mechanics step by step

How to do it:

1. Stage 1: Serve from the service line (halfway between baseline and net) - focus on form
2. Stage 2: Serve from 3/4 court - add a bit more power
3. Stage 3: Serve from the baseline - full power and placement

This progression helps you maintain proper technique while gradually increasing power and distance.

Drill 4: Power Development

Purpose: Generate more pace on your serve

How to do it:

1. Focus on the "whip" motion - snap your wrist through contact
2. Practice the throwing motion without a ball (like throwing a baseball)
3. Use your legs - bend your knees and push up into the serve
4. Rotate your body - your shoulders and hips should rotate into the court
5. Practice 10 serves focusing on maximum power, then 10 focusing on control

Remember: Power comes from technique, not just muscle. A smooth, fluid motion generates more speed than trying to muscle the ball.

Drill 5: Second Serve Practice

Purpose: Develop a reliable second serve (crucial for match play)

How to do it:

1. Practice serving with topspin or slice (safer than flat serves)
2. Aim higher over the net - gives you more margin for error
3. Focus on getting 9 out of 10 second serves in
4. Practice under pressure - serve 10 second serves in a row, if you miss one, start over

Why this matters: A double fault loses you the point immediately. Having a reliable second serve is often more important than a powerful first serve.

Common Serve Mistakes to Avoid

• Rushing: Take your time between serves, establish a routine
• Poor toss: An inconsistent toss leads to an inconsistent serve
• Not using legs: Power comes from the ground up
• Tense arm: Keep your arm relaxed for better racquet head speed
• Stopping at contact: Follow through completely for power and control

Practice Schedule Recommendation

To see real improvement, practice your serve regularly:

• Beginners: 15-20 minutes, 3 times per week
• Intermediate: 20-30 minutes, 4 times per week
• Advanced: 30-45 minutes, 5+ times per week

Quality over quantity - 20 focused serves are better than 100 rushed ones.

When to Seek Professional Coaching

While these drills are helpful, having a coach observe your serve can accelerate improvement. A coach can:

• Identify technique flaws you can't see yourself
• Provide immediate feedback and corrections
• Customize drills to address your specific weaknesses
• Help you develop a serve that works for your body type and playing style