ETI 008 Pressuring the Second ServeDownload this podcast – You may need to right-click and select Save Link As to download the file to your computer
“You are only as good as your second serve.”
I know, I do write about this quite a lot, but I believe it – and in nearly every instance the statistics of the professional matches support the idea.
The match winner always wins more points on their second serve, and the match loser will always lose more points on their second serve.
But if you pay keen attention to patterns, as well as the opponent’s mannerisms and tendencies, you can apply more and more pressure on your opponent’s second serve.
In my own tennis life, I found it quite simple to serve against poor or defensive receivers, for there was little threat or cause for alarm. But against aggressive receivers (and in particular one Steve Cornell) it felt like i was trying to hit better first serves than I wanted to (or was capable of hitting) and then getting hammered on my second deivery.
Further, players of that calibre somehow knew where I would place my second serve in big situations.
They were on to my strengths and weaknesses, and with a new perspective you can learn to do the same.
21 Comments
Gary Ranz
June 2, 2012Jim, I just viewed this video and had this idea that I normally put into practice. In receiving the second serve I will stand inside the baseline in order to create that pressure! Be it artificial or not, it seems to put the fear factor into the serving as they know or think that I will power the return of their weak second serve. I feel it forces double faults.? What are your thoughts on that?
Jim McLennan
June 2, 2012Gary – take this to the next level and develop a forcing approach shot – that is take the net on some of these returns and that magnifies the pressure
Jim
Sid
November 5, 2011Second serves are easily returned, so two things are of the essence: having a consistent second serve that’s difficult to return, and keeping that first serve percentage up.
If you were watching Federer and Djokovic this year, then:
In Madrid and Rome: Djokovic pummeling the Federer second serve
In Paris: Federer staying with Djokovic and preventing the massive return with a high first serve percentage and second serve bombs
In New York: I think it was Djoker’s first five set match. First two sets and first half of the fifth set, Federer’s first serve percentage was considerably higher than that of Djokovic. But then he started missing first serves and Djokovic was getting the better of the Federer second delivery. And don’t count out those massive forehands on match point by Novak
Jim McLennan
November 5, 2011Sid – you are a good student of the game – now for an entirely new task – to apply your studies to the art of playing the game
Jim
Kwok Kwan
September 23, 2011Sure Jim, hopefully I can find someone to feed me some balls.
Kwok
kwok
September 22, 2011Jim,
I am using a Dunlop 500 Tour, its weight is about the same weight as yours. I said I used a heavier racket, not a “heavy” racket, so it is relative. And my racket is head light. Some people, actually quite a few, in my club and some other clubs use 9 point something ounces rackets. Yes, I am trying to use my body as much as possible, as you taught us, ” from the center to the periphery”. I use relaxed grip and forearm for my ground strokes, especially for the forehand. And I seldom get any injury ( knock on wood ), maybe I have not hit the ball hard enough, LOL.
Thanks for the tip.
Kwok.
Jim McLennan
September 23, 2011Kwok
thanks for this – send me something else to look at within Hot Seat – maybe your backhand drop shot – really
Jim
Kwok Kwan
September 21, 2011Hi Ron,
In high school, I was taught that F = m x a, meaning force equals mass times acceleration. So for an equal amount of force you want to produce, either you increase the mass of your racket or you increase the speed ( or acceleration ) of your racket. So it comes down to how fast can you increase the speed of your racket to make up for the reduction in mass if you use a lighter racket. Of course nowadays, the high tech strings can give you a boost in creating ball velocity. From my observation, most of the people who use a lighter racket like to use a straight take-back and forward swing. And these people usually use only their arms to create racket speed, as a result they are prone to get arm injury. On the other hand, the people who like to use heavier rackets tend to use loop swing, in which gravity will help them to create racket speed, so the weight of a racket is not an issue for them. So if you really want to use a heavier racket, learn to use a loop swing. Then you should not have any problem, I think your age is not really the issue. On the other hand, learning a loop swing is not an easy task, speaking only from my own experience. I am still trying to improve mine and I am not going to give up. But I like using a heavier racket because you can get a better feel of the racket. And better feel equals better control.
Jim, please jump in if your expertise picks up something that I said is not correct.
Kwok
Jim McLennan
September 22, 2011Kwok – this makes me wistful for the passage of time – when I was playing all the time in the early 1970’s I often practiced with a 14 ounce Jack Kramer – felt like the only way I could use it was with my entire body and with circular rhythms – I found it some 10 years later and (now using the 200G Dunlop) it felt way too heavy – and now I am using a Babolat that is probably 11.5 ounces – and yes I agree – heavier racquets require different stroking mechanics – now my son Patrick uses a weighted racquet with additional lead tape in the racquet head and the ball just explodes off his racquet – but as always if you experiment with anything heavier make sure to use your legs your hips and shoulders
best
Jim
Ron Atkinson
September 21, 2011It occured to me after watching this that I haven’t put any REAL pressure on my opponents 2nd serve in years. I used to be all over it and getting to the net. I think as I have aged that I gave that aggression up without being aware. Thanks for the heads up.
Also I have been using lighter and larger sticks the last few years and can’t get used to them, is it crazy for a 61 year old to use a ‘ players racquet’.
Thanks Ron
Jim McLennan
September 21, 2011Ron – thanks for the note – keep me posted on how it goes
Jim
kwok
September 19, 2011Jim,
several months ago, I submitted my return of serve veideo to the HOT SEAT review at the network website. You commented that I took a full swing with my returnof serve, which was all right. but you suggested that I should tried to stay at or inside the baseline to borrow the pace of my opponent’s serve and hit it on the rise. I took your suggestion to heart and practice and practice, I am starting to get good results, I used to afraid of high bouncing 2 nd serve, but not anymore !
It is amazing that how fast the ball will go back without swinging hard, but by my opponent’s pace and my body going forward a step or two.
So by combining good positioing and borrowing pace from our opponent can be a deadly weapon.
Thanks Jim.
Kwok.
Jim McLennan
September 19, 2011Kwok – this is great news, it can be difficult to coach at a distance (and electronically) but this stuff works, and in some measure your comments are similar to what I experienced when Tom Stow asked me to take it early, borrow pace, but make a “conk.”
Jim
Jack
September 18, 2011Jim, I truly agree with this because if you can pressure the second serve the advantage will swing in your favor, would love for you to continue, with a little more on how to pressure the second serve for instance returning deep down the middle, when to slice the second serve vs usuing topspin also the footwork if needed to pressure the serve.
Rich S
September 18, 2011Hi Jim,
I played singles the other nite 4.5 on fast indoor courts
I was spinning my second serve, the ball was kicking a little hiting near the lines
I was satisfied..but my opponent started hitting shoulder high inside out forehands, really
with good depth, the ball taking off forcing me to slice back defensively…setting him up to
hit big crosscourt. Racket technology has made these guys a new force to be dealt with
They wack it..nothing tentative…..made more than missed..
what do you think
Rich S
Jim McLennan
September 18, 2011Rich – it might be that simply this guy is at a different skill level than you, and no matter how you serve he takes advantage. But to me I suspect you are not getting this ball up on the receiver’s backhand wing. Why not upload your serve into the Network Hot Seat and I will give you some thoughts about using your abdominals and legs more
Jim
Joannis Roidis
September 18, 2011Really useful – and absolutely true. I have been trying to do this, and it really works. Thank you..
Jerome
September 18, 2011Haha, that’s funny, Jim
Yesterday I played two doubles matches (one regular doubles, one mixed) after which my both of my male opponents said (one of them I played in both matches): ‘I’ve never played worse.’
These guys (much younger than me and my partner) were set up by themselves, because they had a much better ranking than me and my partners, they had seen it on the matchforms… and then were suckered during the match…
As a teaching pro-slash-matchplayer I found that the best way to pressure the second serve is attacking THE SAME WAY OVER AND OVER (provided it hurts your opponent).
Don’t vary. Hurt by repetition.
What do I mean by that? Well, in doubles I try to return the serve back 9 out of 10 to the servicebox on the other side, obviously the side of the server, with both the first serve and the second serve.
With the first serve, if the serve is very good, at least I get it crosscourt and in, even if I miss the servicebox by several metres. With the second serve, I get much more time and I will get it into the servicebox, and very often to the side of the servicebox.
In my opinion, THIS shot makes the opponent feel worse about himself than anything, much more than hitting a scorching winner through he middle. Most players just don’t understand what is happening. They got a weak shot, did they not? Why can’t they take advantage of the ‘weak’ shot today?
Because some shots are not weak at all. The return back in the opposing servicebox is always trouble in doubles. The partner at the net can’t reach it. As a server, If you serve and volley, you get a return at your feet. If you stay back, you have to move forward and sideways and down, which is not something human sapiens likes to do.
In short, my advice: in pressuring your opponent on the second serve, don’t be too afraid to be too predictable yourself. Let your opponent know: ‘Look, you know what I am going to do. You just try to prevent me from doing it.’
And if he can’t, THAT’s pressure!
Jim McLennan
September 18, 2011Jerome – magnificent ! When the opponent says, “I have never played worse” it will all be about what you did
keep me posted
Jim
Rolando M. Lagarto
September 17, 2011I wasn’t keen on really putting pressure on 2nd serves before as I deal with the situation as it comes. But now after listening to you Jim I’ll get back to the time where I play aggressive on 2nd serves specially those that are softly delivered and lands on my backhand. Again, thank you so much for the awakening, More Power Jim…
Armand
September 17, 2011Simple and sooooo informative!!
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