Federer – Up and Down – then Down and Up

The following five shot sequence identifies key elements within the serve (as demonstrated by the redoubtable Roger) but importantly – these elements are part and parcel of a fluid and effortless delivery

And a definition – I am calling UP and Down the moment when the racquet head is UP and the body is DOWN

And I am calling DOWN and UP the moment when the racquet head is down the the body has moved (powerfully) UP

Take special notice of the last two photos in the sequence below  – they highlight the role of elastic energy – where the racquet head drops (lazily) as the legs thrust the body up

Your key is to be as loose and relaxed as possible during the transition from Up and Down to Down and UP

(I am hoping these words, though on the surface confusing, may actually simplify this action)

Tell me if it worked

Toss released at eye level, tossing arm turned to the side – parallel to the baseline!!

Toss rising, Fed keeps his weight back – THIS IS ALL ABOUT YOUR BACK FOOT

Knee bend starts to increase, Fed now evenly balanced on both legs – A DUAL LEG DRIVE

Up and Down – the racquet head is UP, and he is fully DOWN

Snap – everything reverses – the racquet drops DOWN as Fed explodes UP – elastic energy flows to the shoulder and rotator cuff

Photos courtesy Jim Fawcette   ©jfawcette         http://www.fawcette.net/tennis/