Overhand throwing might be a lost art
Whether male or female, adult or junior – some throw much better than others.
How come? Permit me a guess…
-
Some whip the ball, and others use a subtle pushing motion
-
And for better or worse those two types have similar serving actions
Mike Krukow, former Major League pitcher described a time when he lost his speed on the mound, ” The pitching coach told him it is not about pushing the ball harder towards home plate, it is about a whip action – this resonated with Krukow and he changed his motion, regained his mph, and went back to the “bigs” for good 2 weeks later.”
The video below shows a “live arm” and I believe this translates to both the forehand and the serve.
Pete Sampras, Wayne Arthurs, Andy Roddick and MadisonKeys are all known to have live arms – and as you can probably imagine – I believe this action can be learned.
Enjoy the following
The photos highlight the following – turn with the hands together, unwind the hips before the shoulders, lead with the elbow for the whip
Join the dialogue - click the link - let me tinker with your serve!
9 Comments
Eugenio Ovalle
February 15, 2019Jim
Great point.
Your arm has to be loose, did you mention on a previous podcast that your serve has to be like a whip.
The same applies for the forehand and backhand ,as a matter of fact for all your strokes.
When you are in the ready position your grip should be loose and never a tight grip before you begin your motion for the stroke.
Jim:
Do you incorporate Stretching exercises before and after you play to increase flexibility.
Best Regards
Eugenio o
Jim McLennan
February 15, 2019Eugenio – yes for sure on the loose grip to enable a whip, but as for stretching I am not doing a very good job with that on court
best
Jim
Eugenio Ovalle
February 15, 2019Stretching has to be done before you come to the court
This way you will be loose and flexible before you a hit a ball
Eugenio
Kevin Starkey
February 15, 2019Your approach has always ‘resonated’ with me Jim. Look at the complete relaxation in the throwing arm after the swing!!!
Jim McLennan
February 15, 2019Kevin – but somehow “complete relaxation” is often so rare
Jim
Joe (Toms River, NJ)
February 14, 2019You can see the “racket drop,” can’t you?!
Jim McLennan
February 14, 2019If you mean in regard to the leading elbow – then yes
Jim
Dan
February 15, 2019The racket drop is a consequence of the throwing motion not a forced act. Many who teach the serve at weekend clinics teach the path, not the throw. It makes sense seeing slomo without the racket m
Jim McLennan
February 15, 2019Dan – for sure – and further this “drop” when done efficiently is hard for students and players to observe – somehow misunderstood
Jim
Leave A Response