The Serve: Where Are We Now?
Second Serve

John Yandell

What is a second serve anyway?

In this series on the serve Where Are We Now? we've looked at the technical commonalities in great serves (Click Here) and at the technical differences in great serves (Click Here) and also what separates the men and the women. (Click Here.)

What is a 2nd Serve?

But what about the second serve? What is a second serve anyway? Is it some distinct or different motion? If you learn a first serve do you have to then learn a completely new motion for the second?

On the message boards out there in the world, there are people arguing that they need a different grip for the second serve. Arguing that if they use a platform or a pinpoint stance for the first serve, they should use the opposite for the second. Claiming that the hitting arm should be bent. Claiming you should consciously finish the swing on the right side of the body.

I have had numerous students ask questions along those lines. And the answers to all are no. To me that's all crazy.

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John Yandell is widely acknowledged as one of the leading videographers and students of the modern game of professional tennis. His high speed filming for Advanced Tennis and Tennisplayer have provided new visual resources that have changed the way the game is studied and understood by both players and coaches. He has done personal video analysis for hundreds of high level competitive players, including Justine Henin-Hardenne, Taylor Dent and John McEnroe, among others.

In addition to his role as Editor of Tennisplayer he is the author of the critically acclaimed book Visual Tennis. The John Yandell Tennis School is located in San Francisco, California.

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