1. Learn the Continental Grip
Ensure that there is a gap between the index finger and the other fingers
The use of the continental grip opens up the opportunity for you to tap into the versatility of the overhead serve. The grip makes it easier and possible to hit a flat, slice or topspin (“kick”) serve as compared to other grips (i.e. eastern, semi-western, western grips). However, when first starting out, the grip might feel awkward to hold and hit with, so bouncing some balls with the continental grip might help ease you into the grip, and if possible, end off the bounce with the racket head facing back so as to ready your hand for the pronation move later on (Step 4):
2. Get in the Serve Stance
Pick a side to serve from: either the deuce (the right side serving across to the diagonal service box) or the advantage side (the left side). Stand roughly a racket length away from the “T” (the center of the baseline, but do note that you would need to position further from the “T” when serving in a doubles game to gain more court coverage after the serve).
For right handers, put forth your left foot diagonally around 45 degrees towards the net and the right foot behind the left (note that a common mistake is to place the right foot beside the left so avoid that). For left handers, get in a similar stance but with right foot forward and left foot behind. This stance will ensure that you get good balance as well as allowing you to maximise your body rotation to hit a strong effortless serve.
3a. Transition to The “Trophy” Position – Without Ball
First begin without a ball. Swing your racket slightly front and then back with the racket edge while your non-dominant arm “throws” up the ball at roughly one o’clock in the opposite direction to the swing of the dominant arm. Ensure to get enough upper body rotation by turning your hips and shoulder so that your chest can be seen from behind. Both arms must coordinate together with your knee bend to get you into the “trophy” position pose.
Note also that the elbow of the dominant arm must be held up at 90 degrees to your torso with the racket head being brought down by gravity and non-dominant arm fully extended upwards and straightened. Do as many repetitions (e.g. 5 sets of 20 repetitions) until you are comfortable with the motion.
3b. Transition to The “Trophy” Position – With Ball
After which, do the same exercise but this time with a ball and ball toss. An important aside on the ball toss: hold the ball in the space between your fingers and your palm with wrist slightly bent (this aids stability in your wrist which would help translate to a more stable toss).
Next, toss the ball up with a straight arm as if you are placing the ball on top of a high bookshelf and near the apex, release (not roll – see above gif) your fingers and let the momentum of the upswing bring the ball up with no spin (this helps to ensure a consistent ball toss).
It is not necessary to hit the ball with your racket at this point but your ball must land slightly in front of your non-dominant hand at roughly one o’clock. Again, aim for as many repetitions (e.g. 5 sets of 20 repetitions) until you are comfortable and proficient with the motion and ball toss.
4. Contact Ball-Pronate
After you toss the ball, reach out to contact the ball at your swing’s highest point. If you are not yet comfortable, begin directly from the “trophy” position and toss the ball from there. After contact, pronate your racket head by ensuring that the racket head face is facing the side (observe this in the gifs below and refer to Step 1 for the bounce-pronation drill) – this (unusual) movement boosts power and enhance spin to the ball.
Once comfortable, begin from the very beginning of the serve. To gain more power, enlist the help of your legs to drive you up to increase the height of contact and momentum towards the ball.
5. Turn-Follow Through
Only after the hit, should you then focus on rotating your torso to face the front towards the net. A common mistake is turning the body too much too soon (i.e. turning your body to face the net) to hit the ball which de-optimises the service motion. Be sure also to follow through across your front leg after the turn.
6. Land-Recover
Land on your front foot (left leg for right handers; right leg for left handers) on a stable footing with head looking front and recovering fast to your “ready position” to prepare for the next shot.
Congratulations for reaching the end of the article! Here is the full overhead serve:
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