I have seen many players with a very good serving technique, with a lot of power, or with a high percentage of serves in, but even so, I have seen them win few points in their serving games. That’s why I always say that it’s one thing to have a good serve and another to be a server. What helps a player to get those points for free? What is the effectiveness of a server? Let’s take a step-by-step look at the work and its application to get higher performance from the most important shot on the court.
Working and generating variety
That’s the first thing to look for during the work to develop this shot. The variety can be different: of angles, effects, power, ease of deceiving. A big server sees the serve square with multiple angles and possibilities. Between flat, kick and slice, 6 angles (including body), 2 depths and power changes, it opens up a wide range of being able to choose an unexpected move for your opponent.
Serve strategy parallel to match strategy
A good server, like a good card player, has a history of all his previous serves in his mind, of how he has served, where, and what kind of damage he has done. On that memory he traces the effectiveness percentages he has had and generates a line of possible future moves.
The ACE up your sleeve
Still, a big server always reserves his best serve for a key point. He doesn’t use it until he sees a real need. And when that moment comes he pulls out his best weapon, the move he has worked hard for and in which he has the most confidence. The surprise effect and lack of knowledge of that weapon are the main factors to harvest a free point when you need it the most.
One step ahead of the receiver
A big server is always one step ahead of the one in front of him, generating that shot that the receiver does not expect. It’s a constant job and one can’t get comfortable with it. This is where the importance of memory of past moves is maximized.
A gap in the return
Also a server can find a gap in the return and always has it to harvest points. But you must remember that, most of the time, if you abuse the weak side of your opponent too much, he will find a way to adapt himself and stop giving points away. So reap on the weak side but don’t wear it out by making your opponent better.
Serve + 1 (+2)
In addition to the serve, a big server has several moves built on this shot which is his weapon. Let’s look at it this way: even if the serve doesn’t work well, a big server still wins his service games. Those moves, connected with the serve also influence the dominant mentality of a server.
Mentality of a Server
Dominate. That point is rightfully mine! That confidence (don’t mix it up with excessive confidence) is one of the main factors in building a server’s personality. There are days when a big server does not feel the serve, but you still see him dominant and you still see him gaining points.
Breaking the pace of the receiver
A big server, besides gaining points, manages to unsettle the opponent, break his rhythm and make the receiver play badly. I give an example that some people apply to the court: I serve just before the change of sides. I’m going for the first serves, ace if possible, serve + winner. I take my time to maximize concentration between points. I win first points of the game. Score – 30:0. I risk more and prefer to look for an ace or winner by taking a second first serve, even if I commit a double fault. My job is to get my opponent to touch the ball as little as possible. After winning this game, I rest the maximum allowed in the changeover. The result is that my opponent has not touched the ball for about 8 minutes and now he has to defend his serve. This is where I change the chip and I am already the most consistent player on the circuit.
And finally a list of useful things a big server should remember:
- Your opponent will try to get you to play as many points as possible on your serve and that shouldn’t make you rush.
- That the receiver will try to return all the balls and that shouldn’t make you look for an angle or power where there is none and start missing more and more.
- That you should always carry the idea of your recovery keys with yourself (those keys that help you recover the stroke when you lose sensations).
- That you should read the wind, the sun, the humidity, and other meteorological aspects.
- That you should know to check the state of the balls and the entrance of new ones in the middle of a match.
- And finally, everything you do has to be difficult for your opponent to decipher, including the gesture.
From all this I think that you can already get some idea of improvements and observe their effectiveness in the games. And remember the basics, that the serve is trained by serving and no one can take away from you those hundreds and thousands of serves from your daily menu.
Check the article: Keys to Winning
