Djokovic practicing how to serve

[julian1]

http://www.richbenvin.com/2010/05/28/whats-up-with-djokovics-serve/

[llll]

looks like that was with tod martin
that didnt help much

[gzhpcu]

I saw a video with Todd having Djokovic on his knees at the baseline practicing his serve and not liking it...

[julian1]

NOT very clear

I saw a video with Todd having Djokovic on his knees at the baseline practicing his serve and not liking it...

Is it
1) Djokovic not liking to be on his knee
2) you NOT liking a tape
3) all of above
?

[bottle]

You have to make generous guesses when you read anything! My guess is number one and I would argue for it to the death.

[gzhpcu]

Right bottle... Djoko did not like it...

I found it again... here it is...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ywm916KQq8

[llll]

wow phil thanks for the link
i had read that novak didnt like being"foolish" in public
you can tell that whatever todd was suggesting wasnt "natural " for novak
i guess thats why it didnt work

[tennis_chiro]

The reason it didn't work

The reason it didn't work is when Todd does it, he puts the racket right up in the trophy position to start. If Todd was trying to emphasize hitting up (the usual reason for using that drill), he overlooked the fact that you can't take a downward backswing when you are on your knees. If he was trying to get Novak to shorten his backswing, then he needed to let him know that he couldn't have his racket go down at all. It doesn't look like he has done that.

Maybe this is part of a learning progression that Todd used when he was learning to play, but I doubt he has used it with many students. Sometimes it's a little dangerous when "coaches" who were players try to get to the level of developing technique. I don't blame Novak for being uncomfortable. He's being made to look foolish and it doesn't appear that Todd has given him a clear idea of what he wants Novak to do.

[bowt]

I think todd was trying to take away all the muscles in djokovic's body other than his arm so he can feel the motion

looks like he uses his body alot and doesnt really hit it

[GeoffWilliams]

A stupid thing to do, to get a guy like joker on his knees, and embarrass him in front of a crowd, and on video!

[bowt]

well if you look at djokovic's server at the aus open it looks like a far better / natural movement with his elbow reaching the trophy position

seems like a really good drill to me and djokovic talked about his serve improving

[stroke]

That on the knees serving drill seems to work better at getting a feel of the proper motion when you do it on both knees instead of just one knee.