Do you wish to add one more powerful serve to your skill arsenal? This article teaches how to hit a kick serve and can take your tennis skills to a level where you can daunt your opponents with topspin and unexpected angles. Everyone from beginners to intermediate players will find the kick serve as a key weapon and strengthen the usage of the second serve.
In this guide, I will provide you with four easy tips and make sure that you can hit a kick serve and master this skill in a certain amount of time. At the end of this post, you’ll be able to make that aggressive topspin with such great control that this serve could be used. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
1. Start with the Right Grip
Your grip is the foundation of a good kick serve. The way to go is to hold the continental grip but you could also try using an eastern backhand grip if that is what you find easier for you. This grip is the best for generating the spin that is necessary for a healthy kick serve which is the contrary of the flat or slice serve.
What is a Continental Grip?
The continental grip is easy to find. Hold the racquet as though you were shaking hands with it, and your knuckles should be positioned on the second bevel of the racquet handle. This grip allows you to slice up the back of the ball, kicking it (topspin) you need to execute the serve properly.
Why Is the Grip So Important?
The grip is crucial for generating the topspin required for an effective kick serve. Without it, you’ll struggle to generate the upward brushing motion on the ball that gives the serve its unique bounce. To create spin and maintain consistency in your serve, consider using the continental grip as your tool. With this grip, your racquet angle is perfectly positioned to brush up the back of the ball, which is the essence of a kick serve.
Practice Tip:
If you’re not used to the continental grip, try practicing it without hitting the ball. Stand in front of a mirror and get comfortable holding the racquet this way. Do a few shadow swings with your racquet, mimicking the motion of a serve to develop muscle memory. Repetition is key!
2. Perfect Your Toss for Maximum Spin
An effective kick serve depends heavily on the toss. Unlike a flat or slice serve, your toss for a kick serve needs to be placed slightly above and behind your head, and a bit to the left if you’re right-handed (reverse for lefties).
Why Is the Toss So Important for a Kick Serve?
The position of the toss allows you to generate the upward brushing motion required for topspin. If the toss is too far in front of you, it becomes nearly impossible to get under and brush up on the ball. You should release the ball behind your head to create an extension that generates a down spin causing the ball to “kick” upon bouncing.
Common Toss Mistakes:
- Tossing too far in front: You are required to hit a flatter serve which can make it challenging to generate the kick serve.
- Tossing too low: Too low of a toss will mean you won’t have time to fully stretch and make topspin.
Practice Drill for Consistent Toss:
Stand on the court without hitting the ball and focus on tossing the ball into the correct position. Hold your racquet as if you’re about to serve but don’t swing—just toss. Aim for 10 consistent tosses in a row, ensuring they land in the same spot each time (above and behind your head). The more consistent your toss is, the easier it will be to hit the perfect kick serve.
3. Brush Upward on Contact for Maximum Topspin
Now, let’s talk about the heart of the kick serve the upward brushing motion on contact. Unlike a flat serve where you hit through the ball, a kick serve requires you to brush up and across the back of the ball to create topspin. This spin gives the serve its characteristic high bounce after it lands.
Why Brushing Upward Matters:
The brushing motion is what separates a kick serve from a standard serve. You’re not just hitting the ball you’re brushing your racquet against the back of it. This motion forces the ball to spin forward (topspin), causing it to kick up higher once it bounces on the other side of the court.
Body Mechanics for Spin:
To create this spin, it’s not just about the racquet your entire body needs to be involved. Bend your knees, explode upward as you swing, and focus on making contact with the upper third of the ball. Imagine lifting the ball with your racquet by brushing up against it rather than hitting straight through it. The more you can brush upward, the more spin you’ll generate.
Visualization Tip:
Imagine you’re brushing the back of the ball like painting a stripe on a wall. You want to go from low to high, brushing up the ball’s back to create that topspin. The goal is for the ball to spin up and forward, bouncing high after it hits the ground.
Drill for Brushing Upward:
Stand at the baseline and gently brush up the back of the ball, focusing on a slower, controlled motion. Focus on the motion rather than power at first. As you get more comfortable, gradually increase your speed and aim for height and spin rather than speed. Power will come naturally as you perfect the technique.
4. Right Stance and Body Rotation
Your overall positioning and how you twist your body play a role, in executing the kick serve smoothly For a kick serve it is best to begin in a side-on stance (aligned at an angle to the net), with your knees slightly bent and prepared to spring upwards.
The Role of Body Rotation:
During a kick serve in tennis. The way you turn your body is crucial, for creating the spin and height required for the ball to kick effectively. Make sure your legs, hips, and shoulders coordinate smoothly as you execute your swing. As you toss the ball, rotate your body and push off your legs, extending upward to brush the ball.
Explode Upward:
Kick serves are meant to be explosive, compared to flat serves, which are made by pushing through the ball. This upward motion, combined with your body’s rotation, creates the ideal spin and height for the serve. The more upward power you use, the higher and more forceful you serve.
Drill for Stance and Rotation:
Practice your kick-serve motion without hitting the ball. Your kick serve can be improved by paying attention to your knee bend and body rotation while maintaining an extension. Once you are comfortable with all of those movements on their own, practice adding in the ball toss, and try to smoothly integrate all of the components. This will help build up the muscle memory you need to hit a kick serve.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Learning the kick serve is a difficult task, especially if you are completely new. Let’s look at a few mistakes and how you can easily correct them:
- Incorrect Grip: If you’re using a forehand grip, switch to the continental grip to allow for topspin.
- Inconsistent Toss: If your toss is too far in front, practice tossing above and behind your head.
- Lack of Knee Bend: Not bending your knees enough can reduce the height and spin of your serve. Bend your knees to get the lift and momentum you need.
Benefits of Mastering the Kick Serve
Mastery of the kick serve opens up a world of strategic advantages: You hit a far more consistent second serve and make it much tougher for your opponent to anticipate in which direction your serve is headed. The topspin and high bounce force your opponent to react defensively and yield control of the point.
Control and Consistency:
With a kick serve, more can be given on it as opposed to the flat serve, so this would be a good option for second serves. The topspin does help to keep it in, even if you are hitting less-than-perfect shots.
Adding Variety to Your Game:
With a kick serve in your toolkit, you’ll add variety to your serves, making it more difficult for your opponent to settle into a rhythm. Combine it with slice and flat serves for a well-rounded serve game that keeps your opponents on edge.
Conclusion
Although learning kick serve can be daunting at first, the right grip, perfecting your toss, brushing upward at contact, and mastering stance and rotation are easy tips that will get one off to a great start in mastering this high-powered serve. Again, all of this goes back to repetition and practice; work on these components until they happen without your conscious thought.
Ready to raise your level of tennis and give nothing but your best? Then hit the courts now and start working with these tips to make that kick serve a weapon sure to leave your opponents second-guessing. And please, don’t be a stranger to comment below with any questions or progress updates- we love hearing from you!
