Are you an aspiring tennis player looking to take your game to the next level? If so, then mastering how to hit a kick serve is essential. The kick serve can be one of the most effective serves in a tennis match and knowing how to hit it correctly can give you an edge over your opponents.
In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss all aspects of hitting a kick serve. We’ll also provide advice on when and where to use the kick serve in order to maximize its effectiveness. Whether you’re just starting out or already have some experience playing tennis, this guide will help you learn how to hit a kick serve with confidence.
How to Hit a Kick Serve Quick Guide
Hitting a kick serve can be a great way to catch your opponents off guard and set yourself up for an easy point. To successfully hit a kick serve, you’ll need the right combination of technique and practice. Here are the steps you should follow, for a more detailed explanation continue below.
- Get the grip right
- Adjust your toss
- Bend both knees
- Brush up on the ball
- Follow through and finish
How to Hit a Kick Serve Steps
By following these steps and practicing consistently, you’ll be on your way to mastering how to hit a kick serve.
Step 1: Get the grip right
To hit a good kick serve, it’s important to have the right grip. The most common grip used for this is the Continental grip, which positions your hand correctly for the right service motion. However, some experienced players opt for an Eastern backhand grip for this type of serve.
Step 2: Adjust your toss
To improve your kick serve, adjust your ball toss by tossing it slightly further behind you. Avoid making your toss too obvious as it can give away your serving strategy to your opponent.
Step 3: Bend both knees
Bend your knees to avoid arching your back when reaching for a toss behind your head. This will not only prevent lower back injury but also help balance your weight for more stability and control.
Step 4: Brush up on the ball
To hit a kick serve, you should not hit the ball in slow motion even though it is not as fast or powerful as a flat serve. Instead, you should brush the back of the ball in an upward motion at the same speed as a first serve.
Even though a kick serve won’t move through the air as quickly as a flat serve, it generates enough arc to clear the net and reach the opposite service box, and enough topspin for the ball to bounce up sharply.
Step 5: Follow through and finish
When serving, make sure you don’t turn your body too soon. Instead, aim toward the target and keep the racket moving forward as you hit the ball. After making contact with the ball, continue to rotate your wrist outward.
Recommended Tools to Hit a Kick Serve
Yonex VCORE Pro 97 Tennis Racquet
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The Yonex VCORE Pro 97 Tennis Racquet is the perfect tool for players wanting to take their control game to the next level.
Its updated frame design creates added stability and repulsion, while its tapered and elongated box-frame shaft combines Flex Force + Flex Fuse graphite for precise control. This allows you to quickly snap back your racquet for greater spin and faster ball acceleration off the string bed.
The VDM “Vibration Dampening Mesh†within the grip adds a touch of precision, ideal when learning how to hit a kick serve. With this racquet in hand, you can expect optimal performance on every shot!
TopSpin Solution – Tennis Training Aid
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The TopSpin Solution is the perfect tennis training aid for all skill levels and ages.
With a patented design, you can practice virtually any shot on both indoor and outdoor courts with ease. This includes topspin groundstrokes, slice serves, kick serves, and more!
The TopSpin Solution is also designed to be used both at home or in a professional setting – giving players the flexibility to practice wherever they choose.
Common Questions About How to Hit a Kick Serve
What is the kick serve in tennis?
The kick serve, also called the topspin serve, is widely used in tennis. It involves hitting the ball upwards with a high contact point to reduce unforced errors, making it ideal for second serves.
This serve causes the ball to spin forward when it hits the court, making the returner move back or to the side. Although it is slower than some other serves, it provides the opposing player with more time to prepare for their return.
When should you use a kick serve?
To improve your chances of winning a tennis match, consider using a kick-serve technique for your second serve. This type of serve produces a high-bouncing topspin on the ball, making it difficult for opponents who struggle with returning high balls.
Since kick serves have a higher arc, they have a lower risk of error compared to other types of serves, reducing your chances of double faults. Additionally, their high bounce can push your opponent back, giving you an advantage.
What is the difference between a kick serve and a slice or flat serve?
The primary distinction between the three tennis serves is their ball spin.
- Flat serves do not have much spin, if any.
- Slice serves have sidespin, which makes the ball move laterally from right to left (for right-handed players).
- Kick serves spin upward and outward, resulting in the ball bouncing high and to the side.
Video How To Hit A Perfect Kick Serve In Tennis – 3 Steps
Do you want to learn how to hit a kick serve in tennis? In this video, you’ll witness all the steps and tips needed to master this essential skill. Learn the correct grip, positioning, and technique for hitting a kick serve that will give your opponent trouble!
Final Thoughts
The kick serve is one of the most effective shots in tennis, and once you master it your game will be improved significantly. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should now have a good grasp on how to hit a kick serve with power and accuracy.
With practice and repetition, you’ll become more comfortable performing this shot as well as other types of serves that can help give your opponents trouble. Don’t forget to also focus on improving other aspects of your game such as footwork and strategy when playing matches against better players. Good luck!
