Are you Ready for a Rock 'n' Roll Serve?
by: Dave Winship @ On The Line

Intermediate players are usually ready for the transition to a continental grip for serving. This involves holding the racket as if you were going to use the frame of it to hammer a nail into the ground. Avoid gripping tightly - use a soft, loose, relaxed grip with your fingers slightly spread.

If your first attempts with this grip produce loads of spin, that's because the edge of the racket initially points to the ball and you need to turn your wrist and forearm outwards to present the full face of the racket to the ball. Try serving a few with your hand choked up towards the throat of the racket and just try to get a feel for how your wrist and forearm must pronate (roll outwards) to bring the strings into contact with the ball. Don't get discouraged if it takes a while to perfect this - the technique will eventually give you a whole lot more racket acceleration.

Intermediate players should also start to pay attention to weight transfer. If you start your serve with your weight on your front foot, rock onto your back foot. From here, transfer your weight forwards again and push the ball up and out in front of you (if you were to let the ball drop, it should land inside the court).

To keep these points in your mind when you're next at the practice court, remember to ROCK back and then forwards again and ROLL your wrist and forearm - you're about to get yourself a ROCK 'N' ROLL serve!

Regards.

Dave Winship