Articles

Introduction to the Tennis Kick Serve
The kick serve is a weapon every intermediate to high-level tennis player needs to have. It is a very popular shot to hit as a second serve for two reason. First, it combines topspin and sidespin. This causes the tennis ball to curve in the air and "kick" to the side when it bounces, making it difficult for your opponent to hit aggressive. Second, that spin makes it a high-percentage serve. The spin pulls the tennis ball into the service box. read more…

Step 1: Tennis Kick Serve Toss
The toss is a critical element of the kick serve. You need to put the tennis ball in a different location than on a flat serve. That spot is directly over your head. The reason you are tossing the tennis ball over your head is because, later on in the kick serve, you swing and make contact with the tennis ball above your head. This allows you to impart the proper spin on the ball. read more…

Step 2: Tennis Kick Serve Shoulder Turn
The amount you turn your shoulders on a kick serve is greater than on a flat serve. This video examines that extra turn and explains why you need it. Essentially, because you are swinging in a different direction on the kick serve, you need to position your body to allow you arm to move naturally up to the tennis ball. read more…

Step 3: Tennis Kick Serve Swing Direction
The direction you swing and pronate when you hit the tennis ball is not the same on a kick serve (as opposed to a flat serve). The previous steps of the kick serve positioned your body so that you could swing up at the tennis ball a little bit differently. Instead of swinging straight through the ball like you would on a flat serve, on a kick serve you swing up and across the back of the ball. read more…

Step 4: Tennis Kick Serve Follow Through
Because you were swinging in a different direction on a kick serve, your follow through is going to be different as well. After you hit the tennis ball, you'll follow through more to your side as opposed to into the court (like you would on a flat serve). The rest of the follow through is the same: land on your front foot and bring the tennis racket around to the other side of your body in a smooth and relaxed motion. read more…