Repairs:
- Use a loose, quick motion and full extension. Don't try to muscle the ball. You create power by throwing the energy of your legs, torso, and arm upward, then letting that energy translate into whipping the racquet upward. Keep a loose wrist to allow this whipping to occur, but don't try deliberately to snap your wrist. It will snap naturally if it's loose and you're throwing your energy upward properly to a contact point at full extension.
- For power, make sure you're meeting the ball somewhat to your right. If you have to lean left to meet the ball, you'll lose much of your momentum.
- Lean forward into your serve. Your legs should push up and forward as you go to hit the ball.
- Make sure to turn your back slightly toward the net as you coil your upper body to get ready to hit. The uncoiling as you swing makes an important contribution to your power.
- Try to use a continuous motion from the start of your backswing to the end of your follow-through. Your backswing adds nothing if you stop at the "backscratch" position before swinging up at the ball.
- Don't try to actually touch your back in the "backscratch" position. You want your racquet low and the elbow of your hitting arm high, but with a proper motion, you won't be able to actually touch your back.
If you have a serving problem I didn't address here, direct a message to me, "abtennis," at our tennis forum.
