We have positioned the camera at eye level, on the baseline, as though returning serve in the ad court.
I nearly hit Antony on one of these serves, but no worries Mate, he is an Aussie.
That said I think this camera angle gives you the feel for how this serve jumps up and away from you, and unless the opponent has an extremely solid backhand return of serve, this particular delivery creates all kinds of problems.
I hope you find this lesson useful. Make sure you leave a comment below and let me know what you think.
21 Comments
Noushin Kananian
April 29, 2013Many thanks for sharing your invaluble knowledge.
It’s really appreciated.
OLIVER
April 28, 2013Hi Jim, I saw nearly all you videos, great advises. I have a question as for the famous lifted forehand, called here in EUROPE “lasso forehand”. It was firstly used by Björn Borg, then aftyer many years passed by ANDREIEV, and immediately after by RAFA. But RAFA invented a new style, doing the circle lasso mouvement over his head. What would you consult to amateur players, or older players after 50, how to execute this shot in order to be effective in the game… Thanks a lot.
Jim McLennan
April 28, 2013Oliver – this is hard to say, to use this stroke one needs a bit more of a western grip, very strong legs, and the preference for play well behind the baseline – but it may be how the game is beginning to change for a number of players use a version of this “reverse follow thru” forehand – it would be a weapon against players of a certain age who prefer balls coming in low and flat
Jim
Stefan Nut
April 27, 2013Thanks, yes I mean the server. Then it’s better to practice this serve (jump up and away from receiver) and move forward quickly ?
Stefan
Kathy Koch
April 27, 2013Jim, great stuff…sounds and looks so easy when you do it ….then i try to execute .. I will keep trying
Kk
Eli
April 27, 2013Jim, thanks for the free video, but I hardly do execute the soft return drop shot.
tom
April 27, 2013I really enjoy your instruction. Good stuff.
TM
thouvenin
April 27, 2013What you explain is great and I learn a lot from your video. Many thanks
Bernard Thouveni Grenoble France
Stefan
April 26, 2013Thanks Jim, great video !
This tip help to see in a different way the serve, as a start shot that avoid the receiver’s first swing.
My question is: In this point, after this serve the court positioning is ?
Best regards,
Stefan
Jim McLennan
April 27, 2013Stefan – I am not sure if you mean the server or the receiver – assuming you mean the server the move is to look for a short ball and be able to move forward quickly
Jim
Rodger Schuester
April 26, 2013Your extra thoughts are always appreciated.
John C
April 26, 2013Thanks Jim,
It was interesting to see your video about the kick serve just after I saw Pat Rafters discussion of it with Will Hamilton. Your actions are different but the essentials are the same. Which is pretty much Pat Rafter’s point – you may not always be able to put the ball precisely where you want, but that’s all OK. Kind of “don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.”
I’m interested on your take on his idea of tapping your tossing arm on your front leg as a kind of guide at the start of the toss.
By the way, Jean Landry’s piece of (deserved) praise – “Great pedagogical teaching approach” translates as “great teaching teaching approach” as pedagogy is the art of teaching. Sorry Jean – a pedantic note from a pedantic old teacher.
Regards
John C
JEAN LANDRY
April 26, 2013Jim.
In french, pedagogie (pedagogy) is for gifted teachers, just like you. Its putting something complex into simple gestures and most of all explaining it.
I try to do that as a pro. ski instructor.
You remind me of my tennis teacher friend from Slovenia, Tomaz Muncinger.
Regards
Jean Cant wait to hit the court again.
Jim McLennan
April 26, 2013Jean – thanks again – really – and Tomaz and I know one another – he is really quite good (as well)
Jim
gene
April 26, 2013Great video. Thanks so much for the help!
Tim Phan
April 26, 2013Hi Jim,
I found it is easier to kick on the Ad side than on the deuce side. What is the position of the left foot (I’m righty) in relative to the base line when kicking out on the deuce side?
Jim McLennan
April 26, 2013Tim – this is hard to answer, it depends on your motion and more, further the pro’s have varying foot placements on this so there isn’t really one standard way to do this
Jim
JEAN LANDRY
April 26, 2013Hi Jim.
Great video shots. We rearely have a chance to see serves coming at us. I COULD SEE CLEARLY the ball coming on my backhand side and kicking out hihg and wide.
Also, I had time to watch your toss and position on delivery.
Love your simple explanation on returning high serves.
Great pedagogical teaching approach.
Merci Jim.
Jim McLennan
April 26, 2013Jean – we are looking this word “pedagogical”up – I think I am flattered – and if so thanks –
Jim
Norm LaPo
April 26, 2013I frequently use the chip shot on a hard serve, but the ball usually returns to the server as a nice high lop for him to cream.
What’s the best way use the shot but just clear the net so the server has a low and more difficult shot back to me……….thanks in advance for a suggestion. Norm
Jim McLennan
April 26, 2013Norm – this may be your grip, also whether you are hitting down strongly enough – often this shot needs to have a “bite” but without seeing your grip, shoulder turn, or even your balance against the ball – it is hard to say for positive sure what the solution is – check out my product Mastering the Backhand – for much more in depth material https://www.essentialtennisinstruction.com/products/#backhand
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