Service Shoulder Power

[johnyandell]

Let's get your thoughts on John Craig's latest article, "Service Shoulder Power!"

[jschaff]

Thanks for showing this internal rotation creating the power in the flat serve. Also I noticed that most pros rotate their shoulders at the point of contact so their hitting arm is almost in line with the shoulders at contact. They do not "throw" the racket in an overhand motion. It's almost a modified sidearm motion. The same as pitchers do in baseball. Not true overhand.

[klacr]

Internal Shoulder rotation. A common theme for all service articles and a term that is not new on this website. But always great to hear a different voice and different way of describing it. Students pick up on these tips and cues differently so always good to have another angle if the first attempt or explanation does not compute.

Any more stuff coming from John Craig down the road?

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[johnyandell]

Yes! Lots more. Some on serve and then branching out to other strokes from there. He has a comprehensive system.

[ralph]

What can be done through stretching and strength drills to improve internal rotation?

[bdole]

I've had a lot of luck with a product called The Rotater. Showed it to my PT and he bought one that day.
Also, tight pecs can inhibit proper shoulder motion.

[ralph]

Will give this product a try. Looks like it has potential.

[johncraig]

Thanks for showing this internal rotation creating the power in the flat serve. Also I noticed that most pros rotate their shoulders at the point of contact so their hitting arm is almost in line with the shoulders at contact. They do not "throw" the racket in an overhand motion. It's almost a modified sidearm motion. The same as pitchers do in baseball. Not true overhand.

Yes, well said. Imagine swinging and reaching straight up with your shoulders horizontal...a recipe for a shoulder impingement injury. The shoulder over shoulder rotation is essential for natural extension and unrestricted internal rotation of the playing shoulder. The question is what movement does every pro perform to make this shoulder over shoulder action? To be addressed in a future article!

[johncraig]

Will give this product a try. Looks like it has potential.

Hi Ralph, You may also try the shoulder stretching technique as presented on my website: PerformancePlusTennis.com. This is a great way to warm up and stretch the entire rotator cuff before playing. Good luck! John

[johncraig]

Internal Shoulder rotation. A common theme for all service articles and a term that is not new on this website. But always great to hear a different voice and different way of describing it. Students pick up on these tips and cues differently so always good to have another angle if the first attempt or explanation does not compute.

Any more stuff coming from John Craig down the road?

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

Hi Kyle, Thanks for your input on my article on the shoulder power. I have videos planned for the next several months for Tennisplayer. Are you attending the USPTA conference next week? I will there on Wednesday and Thursday...perhaps we can meet. Thanks again,John

[klacr]

Hi Kyle, Thanks for your input on my article on the shoulder power. I have videos planned for the next several months for Tennisplayer. Are you attending the USPTA conference next week? I will there on Wednesday and Thursday...perhaps we can meet. Thanks again,John

Yes John. I will be in Indian Wells for the USPTA World Conference. I never miss it! Look forward to seeing you there. You can't miss me

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[Guest]

Just have to say that this quick video was HUGE for me: somehow, just thinking / focusing a little bit on this internal rotation really helped my serve instantly! It's very rare that little tips help me at all - usually they make things (much) worse. But I saw this vid just before I headed out to play yesterday, and as I was warming up, the shoulder rotation popped into my head. With just a small amount of thought about it, I suddenly saw a significant increase in pace - something I have been working on for months now.

I feel that focusing on the rotation led me to 'preload' my shoulder better during the windup, and I definitely got a lot more arm-over-arm rotation as a consequence of this little focus. I reason that you can't internally rotate unless your arm is straight - and you can't hit the ball with a straight arm unless your arms are 'cartwheeling' - thus this little bit of focus results in a significant change of mechanics...

THANKS!!
-frank

[faultsnaces]

Just have to say that this quick video was HUGE for me: somehow, just thinking / focusing a little bit on this internal rotation really helped my serve instantly! It's very rare that little tips help me at all - usually they make things (much) worse. But I saw this vid just before I headed out to play yesterday, and as I was warming up, the shoulder rotation popped into my head. With just a small amount of thought about it, I suddenly saw a significant increase in pace - something I have been working on for months now.

I feel that focusing on the rotation led me to 'preload' my shoulder better during the windup, and I definitely got a lot more arm-over-arm rotation as a consequence of this little focus. I reason that you can't internally rotate unless your arm is straight - and you can't hit the ball with a straight arm unless your arms are 'cartwheeling' - thus this little bit of focus results in a significant change of mechanics...

THANKS!!
-frank

PS: odd that the site let me post without being logged in (Guest above is me)

[johnyandell]

We are experimenting with letting non subscribers post...

[johncraig]

Yes John. I will be in Indian Wells for the USPTA World Conference. I never miss it! Look forward to seeing you there. You can't miss me

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

Hi Kyle, Great! I will send you an email through your USPTA website with my contact information. I look forward to meeting you!