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Drills for Serves Throwing Drill Throw a ball over the net and into the appropriate service box. Using an overhead throwing motion, throw a designated number of balls into the appropriate service box. Athletes struggling to get the ball over the net can start at the service line and gradually work to the point of throwing from behind the baseline. Use various balls, such as footballs, foam balls, etc.       Toss Drill Stand in the ready position with a ball in the non-racket hand. Hold the ball with the fingertips and point the palm upward. With a straight arm, raise the ball upward and let go of the ball when the hand reaches its highest point. Allow the ball to drop back into the left hand while the right arm is outstretched. Count the number of successful tosses and catches. Variations: Put the racket on the ground to the right side of the server to act as a target. Toss the ball as if to serve, but allow the ball to drop to ground. Count the number of times the ball hits the racket strings. Toss the ball while standing alongside the fence. The ball should not touch the fence. This drill helps show the athlete if the toss is going straight up.       Arm Reach Drill Place the palm of the racket hand against the back of the neck (back scratch position). Make sure the elbow is bent and pointing upwards. Extend the arm from behind the neck until it is straight and slightly in front of the shoulder. Now try the drill with a racket in the hand "extend the arm."       Catch a Ball from the Service Toss Start with a ball in the tossing hand and the serving arm in the back scratch position with palm against the back of the neck "scratch your back." Toss the ball and extend the arm as in the Arm Reach Drill and catch the ball with the arm fully extended.       Serving Practice With a bucket of balls at the baseline, practice serves from the deuce court and the ad court. Two athletes can practice serves at the same time. Aim for targets or count the consecutive number of successful serves. Play in teams and race to see which team can get 10 serves in the correct box first. When an athlete misses a serve, they go to end of line.     Key Words "Relax" "Where are you aiming?" "Where are your feet pointed?" "lift and let go" "Place the ball on the second shelf" "Down together, up together" "Scratch your back" "Hit only a good toss" "Extend the arm"     Coaching Tips Explain the boundaries and rules for the serve: (a) athletes must stand behind the baseline; (b) two attempts are allowed; (c) ball must be served diagonally; and (d) serve is replayed if it hits the net and lands in the correct service box (let). Stress the proper tactical priorities: (a) get the ball in play and (b) use a progression of placement, depth control, spin and pace. Start athletes near the service line when they are learning to serve.  As they progress, move back and eventually serve from behind the baseline. Modify the serve by using a forehand stroke or a 1/2 or 3/4 serve. It is more fun to begin playing points rather than have a game of double faults. Provide athletes with corrections to missed serves. For corrections, consider that a ball in the net indicates the toss is probably too far in front or too low and the athlete is hitting down, rather than reaching up. A serve that goes long indicates the ball toss is too far behind the body. More extension of the hitting arm is needed. Stress the importance of an accurate toss. If the ball is not in the right place, it is difficult to control the serve. When there is a bad toss, encourage athletes to catch the toss and try again. There is no penalty for a bad toss ("hit only a good toss"). Athletes should practice the serve in every practice. A point cannot be played without putting the serve in the correct service box.

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