How to Develop a Kick Serve
Miss your second serve in tennis and your opponent is handed 15 points, which is why these serves are often slow and cautious. The kick serve provides a consistent second serve, as it loops high over the net and dips down into the box. But unlike a standard second serve, its high, twisting bounce can catch your opponent off-balance. Basically, this serve combines the safety and consistency of a second serve with the aggression and high-reward of a first serve. It will take time and effort to develop and master, but is a huge weapon once you've done so.
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Instructions
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Grip the racket in your right hand and hold the tennis ball in your left fingers, rather than your palm or fingertips.
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2
Raise your arm and release the ball when it's in line with the top of your head. Bend your knees and stick your pelvis out in front of you as you do this, to improve your accuracy and control. Don't arch your back to reach a kick serve, as this can cause an injury and will result in a poorer serve.
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Throw the ball above and slightly behind your head to the 11 o'clock point, if directly above your head is 12 o'clock. This is a major difference from a standard flat tennis serve, in which you hit the ball in front and to the right of your head.
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Spring up from your bent knee stance and thrust your body toward the ball. Look upward the whole time and point your right elbow straight up in the air. Both feet will eventually lift from the ground.
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5
Drop the head of the racket before you attack the ball but keep the right elbow at shoulder level.
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Brush the back of your ball from the 6 o'clock to the 12 o'clock position, if you imagine that the ball has a clock on it. This will create spin. It will feel like you are hitting your serve too high, but don't compensate for this, as the ball will drop nicely into the target zone thanks to the topspin.
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Follow through with your swing after striking the ball and your body will naturally twist round to face your opponent's return. Don't try and adjust your position before the swing has finished its progression, or you will end up off balance when dealing with the return, if there is one.
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