tennis serve aha moment

While serving tennis balls, I felt strain on my forefinger and wrist. I diagnosed that I was manipulating the racket with my hand and fingers. I relaxed my hand and fingers letting just  my elbow and shoulder bring the racket into the overhead loop. Once that became familiar I felt less like a beginner. I think beginners move more with their hands, so they get less power and maybe injure themselves more. 

Now if I can remember what that feels like and execute the next time out, I’ll believe I’m improving. 

Tennis lesson: serves and wall

 Wall practice: five balls. Rest.  Work on ONE thing. 

1. Alternate left/right. 
2. Finish with flashlight (butt cap) pointing up

Serves. Work on walking into the court. Right foot moves into pinpoint. Left foot steps into court with impact. Keep walking. Don’t jump yet. Roscoe Tanner didn’t. Rod Laver didn’t. 

Today’s tennis lesson

Forehand against the wall. Stand  back far enough for let the ball to bounce twice to have enough time for follow through. 

Finish with the racket butt cap pointed up to the sky. 

Serve: look for the seams of the ball. Lift the ball and wait to begin racket arm motion. Jannik Sinner’s racket arm is still down as the ball is at head level.  Look at the target then look at where the ball needs to be at contact. No need to watch ball as it goes up.