The Tennis Serve
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Phase 1 of 7 · Platform or pinpoint
Stance, Grip & Setup
The serve begins long before the toss. A clean continental grip and a balanced platform or pinpoint stance set up everything that follows.
Phase tutorial · how to drill it
Common mistakes
- Eastern forehand or hammer grip — kills pronation, slice and kick are impossible.
- Stance too square to baseline — robs the body of coil.
- Front foot pointing at the net — no rotation runway.
- Tense, hunched setup — tight muscles slow the swing.
- Rushing the start — no quiet pre-serve breath.
Technique cues
- Continental grip — bevel 2 for righties, no flatter.
- Side-on stance, front foot pointed at the right net post (for a righty deuce serve).
- Back foot parallel to the baseline (platform) or steps up before launch (pinpoint).
- Both hands meet at waist, ball and racquet together — quiet, balanced start.
- Eyes calm and focused on the target before the trigger.
Tip: use ← / → or number keys to walk through the phases.
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