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Mastering effective serving or returning can lead to direct scoring opportunities, so mastering the technique of spinning serves will give you a significant advantage. The trajectory of the ball will be extremely unpredictable. So, how can you execute them? In this article, VNB will explore the secrets of executing spin shots in tennis.
Various techniques for executing spin shots in tennis during serving phases
There are various types of tennis serves, each with its own advantages and unique execution. The three most common types of serves used by players and athletes worldwide create incredibly mesmerizing ball trajectories.
- Technique of executing the Horizontal Slice Serve
Stance: Stand in the correct position, focus on the ball, and aim for the target point.
Execution: Swing the ball towards your right side (if you hold the racket with your right hand). As the ball approaches, rotate your wrist forward, raising the palm of your hand upwards. Align the ball precisely as it drops and strike the right side at the 3 o'clock angle of the ball to create spin and send it far towards the opponent's court's 'backhand' side. Because of hitting the left side of the ball frequently, this shot is often referred to as 'peeling the skin off an orange'.
At this point, the racket angle should be tilted forward, raising the palm of the hand high to create a low and horizontal spin. When aiming for the T-spot, executing a spin shot in tennis will cause the ball to curl towards the opponent, making them uncomfortable and putting them in a passive position, struggling to defend and possibly hitting the ball out or returning weakly.
After executing the horizontal spin serve in tennis, extend your arm and maintain a straight stance. Pay attention to the trajectory of the ball after hitting it.
The Slice Serve spin serve has the advantage of bouncing low and tending to go towards the opponent, making it easy to push them out of the court. Another special point is the low rate of serve faults. However, this tennis spin shot is a basic technique in effective tennis serving, so opponents will find it easy to return the serve.
Instructional video on how to execute the Slice Serve tennis spin shot
- Technique of executing the Topspin Serve
For the topspin serve technique, players need to brush the ball from low to high. The stronger the brushing force, the stronger the spin. For this technique, players should serve towards the net to have more time. The ball will bounce high, extremely stable, and make it difficult for opponents to return. However, if your opponent returns the ball immediately after it touches the ground, this serve can be neutralized.
Racket Openness: To execute the Topspin tennis spin shot, you must open the racket early and always ensure that when the racket is at its lowest point, it is lower than the contact point of the ball. In principle, you lower the racket low and hit in a cycle from low to high, the more spin you generate. That's why we see Nadal's swing amplitude is very wide, but it doesn't mean waiting for the ball to drop low, but still trying to hit when the ball is high.
Foot Position: The most advantageous foot position is a semi-open or open stance with the knees slightly bent, shoulders rotated to generate the necessary hitting force. Neutral or closed foot positions can also be used if you pursue an aggressive playing style, stepping the left foot forward and tending to approach the net.
Execution: Toss the ball right above your head, hitting the upper left part of the ball to create spin. Usually, left-handed topspin shots have slower speeds in the initial phase when the ball leaves the racket, so increasing racket head speed is crucial: push the racket forward, with the racket face behind but when approaching the contact point, increase racket head speed and bring the racket from low to high to ensure the ball's trajectory has both power and spin.
This topspin tennis shot is less prone to hitting the net, so players use it as a safe second serve option after making an error with the first serve. Although it lacks the power of a flat straight serve, the spin of this serve also poses difficulties for the opponent. The ball tends to bounce high on the opponent's side of the court, making it difficult for them to return effectively.
Advantages of the Topspin Serve technique include sending the ball high over the net to minimize errors. And when crossing to the opponent's side, it generates a certain level of spin, causing specific difficulties. Topspin shots do not significantly reduce speed; instead, they continue to travel unexpectedly. Sometimes the forward speed of the ball after the bounce even increases if the actual speed of the struck ball is very slow but with a rapid spin.
- Technique of executing the Directional Kick Serve
Grip
Similar to other serving techniques, right-handed players hold the racket in the continental position (position 2) when using the directional kick serve in tennis. However, in various variations of the kick serve, the racket can also be held in position 1, similar to the one-handed backhand grip (eastern backhand). The two types of kick serves are considered the best in the tennis world, endorsed by Novak Djokovic.
Racket openness and ball toss
The racket opening for the kick serve doesn't differ much from the flat serve; it can be opened directly waiting for the ball or rounded along with the ball toss, the most important is the comfort of each player.
Ball toss position for right-handed and left-handed players
Particular attention needs to be paid to the ball toss in the kick serve; the ball will be tossed behind and directly above the head instead of deviating from the vertical line projected from the ball down to the body (like the flat serve and slice serve).
To strike the ball in that position, the foot needs to be curved and the head facing the ball as if leaning backwards.
The ball toss determines the success of the Kick Serve. Usually, players tend to toss the ball low to facilitate the serve alignment, but that's not what helps them achieve a good kick serve. A high ball toss will assist players in executing accurate kick serves and provide ample time for adjustment.
Ball Contact
The Kick Serve causes the ball to change direction after hitting the ground, making it difficult for opponents to anticipate the return. In tennis, particularly in the initial stages of a match when players are not accustomed to their opponent's serving style, they can easily misjudge a kick serve. This tennis spin shot is widely used by many world athletes due to its high effectiveness.
The ball contact position is between 7 o'clock and 1 o'clock if we consider the ball's face like a clock. Brushing the ball straight from low to high will make it spin in the opposite direction, but adding a bit of left-to-right motion will reverse the opponent's usual anticipation of the ball's trajectory.
Increasing spin power on the kick serve
The kick serve may not be as fast as the flat serve (where the ball is tossed behind), but it still gains extra force through the coordination of various body parts. In particular, the rotational movement of the shoulders and hips plays a crucial role in significantly increasing the hitting force.
In reality, if you use the kick serve at a slow speed, even though the ball changes direction, opponents still have enough time to hit a difficult return. Therefore, practicing the kick serve is actually more challenging than the flat serve, especially to generate sufficient power and difficulty, requiring meticulous and well-guided training.
Instructional video on how to execute the Kick Serve tennis spin shot
Executing spin shots in tennis when performing serve returns
Racket opening movement: Open the racket early and always ensure that when the racket is at its lowest point, it is lower than the contact point of the ball. In principle, you lower the racket low and hit in a cycle from low to high, the more spin you generate. That's why we see professional players have a wide swing amplitude, but it doesn't mean waiting for the ball to drop low, but still trying to hit when the ball is high.
Foot stance: The most advantageous stance is a semi-open or open stance with knees slightly bent, shoulders rotated to generate the necessary hitting force.
Ball Contact: The racket face tilts upon contacting the ball to go upward when you want to perform shots flicking backward behind the baseline or downward when aiming for small slice shots at the net.
Thus, executing spin shots in tennis is a crucial skill in tennis and can help you control the game well and gain advantages. To master this skill, you need to focus on your hitting stance, create powerful spin effects, and control the ball better. You also need to use suitable balls to generate good spin effects. If you train thoroughly and pay attention to the above points, you will be able to master spin shots and make a difference in your matches. Additionally, diversifying your tennis spin shot techniques will make you more proactive and avoid falling into your opponent's traps.
Hope this article will help you improve and enhance your spin shot skills on the court. Why hesitate? Hire a good coach and start practicing right away.
Posted by: Lê Hùng
Keywords: The secrets of executing spin shots in tennis you might not be aware of
