Sampras Serve: Radical Torso Rotation: Page 3

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As the racket goes to the ball, the hips and shoulders automatically rotate forward back into alignment with the open stance caused by the position of the front foot. This means that they rotate through the motion far too soon. The energy of the torso rotation is dissipated well before the contact. Despite the extra energy and effort, they have the same technical weakness as a club player who simply points his front foot at the net post. They rarely if ever benefit or gain racket head speed.

Should the average player even try to model Pete’s body rotation?

So should the average player, or even advanced players use Pete’s radical closed stance as a model to increase their own rotation or to make it work effectively in sequence in their service motion?

The fact is that most club players–and a shocking number of advanced players–have other technical weaknesses in their serves–either in the basic swing path, the toss and/or rhythm of the motion, or in the use of the legs. Without these more basic factors, it’s ridiculous to try to develop a new cutting edge bio-mechanical element.

But let’s assume that these other elements are solid in…