The game of tennis starts with the perfect serve. If you know how to serve perfectly, then you can easily be the master of your own game. When it comes to serving, most of the people start with a flat serve which is quite easy. However, once you start to know your game, you can do much more in the game. In this article, we are going to focus on the flat serve. By the time you become better at it; you can go ahead and learn about the other types of serves as well.

Step 1

The first step is to assume the right position. Your position plays a vital role in how well you serve. So start by standing behind the baseline which is present at the opposite side of the service box. You should stand in a sideway position with your right foot in a parallel position of the court. Your left foot should be placed in the opposite post of the court’s net. You should make sure that you are standing really close to your side’s center mark.

How you stand also depends upon in which direction you are planning to serve. If you want to serve at the right side of the opponent, then you should stand on the right side as well and vice versa. Your posture should be such that your right shoulder is pointing at the service box irrespective of the direction you are serving.

In case, you are left-handed, simply place your opposite feet and hand.

Step 2

Once you have adopted the right position, you need to hold the racket and ball correctly as well. Hold the ball lightly, not in your palm but in your fingertips. Bring the hand holding the ball towards the racket. This will help you in lining up the serve. You should shift your weight on the forward direction slightly. You are all ready to serve. But before you go ahead with it, you should bounce the ball a few times. It will help you in getting touch with the rhythm of serving ad will give you an exact feel of what the court is like.

Another important part is that you should be holding your racket with what is called the “Continental Grip.” In this grip, you should be holding the racket in a perpendicular position from the ground. Your pointer finger should be placed along the racket’s first bevel. Your index finger and thumb should make a “V” shape. Your grip on the racket should be relaxed, as it will give more power to your serve.

Step 3

Now, it’s time to toss the ball. Simply toss it high up in front of you. It will build up your momentum. It is perfectly okay to toss the ball in your front as is otherwise thought. This is because once you come in contact with the ball you always fall in. practicing the toss a few times also helps a lot to find the best serving point. Remember, a good toss always results in a good serve. If you toss badly, you are not going to serve good.

When you plan to toss the ball, simply bring it in front of the flat racket face. Shift your weight backwards and bring the racket head in the downward direction. Take the racket towards your back in an arc like movement. Start tossing the ball in front of you simultaneously. Do I in a slow but a deliberate motion. Let the ball go as high up as possible.

The moment when you plan to hit the racket, the ball should just be at higher level where you can hit it easily with the racket. It means that when you toss the ball, make sure that you do it right in front of you or a bit forward.

Step 4

Don’t just hit the ball with the racket. Bring it towards your back from the above with your elbow bent. Bend your knees slightly as well, for bringing the racket upwards. With much practice, you will become better at it. It will be just like doing it in a one swift motion.

Now hit the ball with the face of the racket. You should hit the ball with a neat motion. Don’t hit it hard, as otherwise your serve will not come out as perfect as you want it to be. Remember, that the center of the racket is not its sweet spot, rather the face of it is. Also, make sure that you hit the ball when it is at a high position. It will make your serve much better.

Practice, practice, practice! And soon, you will master your serve!