Perfecting the toss

[dizzychump]

Hi, I have just read the article about the Sampras serve. If i was to try and emulate this serve and was practicing the toss can anyone tell me where the ball would land in relation to my feet if i did not strike the ball? This would really help me practice my toss in the garden and i know that when i serve badly it is mostly down to the toss.

[ruymendes]

Don´t forget the footwork

I can tell you that Sampras could serve with the same toss 3 different serves, that is, the "flat" serve, the spin, and the '2nd" serve.
I would strongly recommend not to forget to touch the court with your left foot. I judge this is an as much important factor for a success serve as the toss location.
I hope this helps you.

[johnyandell]

Good question--somewhere to your left and well inside the court. The way I would visualize it is by establishing the contact point physically as a model position--but with your feet on the ground. Now go to the hand release point you see in the video--and visualize the arc of the toss moving right through the contact point.

[maverick1]

Why do the pros toss the ball in an arc from the right side of the court to the left side?
I personally find it easier to toss the ball straight up and so far have resisted copying the pros blindly.

Every pro that I have seen tosses the ball in an arc rather than a straight vertical line. There has to be a good reason.

[gzhpcu]

Read John's article "the myth of the toss" in the advanced tennis section for a good explanation.

[maverick1]

Read John's article "the myth of the toss" in the advanced tennis section for a good explanation.

Thanks. I had seen this article but either glossed over or forgot the explanation:
"As for the motion of the tossing arm, no top player uses a straight down and up motion. This is because virtually every good server starts with his shoulders sideways to the net, or turns them sideways at the start of the motion. This means that the tossing arm turns sideways as well.As for the motion of the tossing arm, no top player uses a straight down and up motion. This is because virtually every good server starts with his shoulders sideways to the net, or turns them sideways at the start of the motion. This means that the tossing arm turns sideways as well."