Photo Lesson: How to Hit the Heavy Slice Serve

Knee Bend and Body Coil on Wind-up

(C)2006 Jeff Cooper licensed to About.com, Inc.

• Upward thrust from the legs doesn't need to be as powerful in the heavy slice serve as in other serves, but it does contribute to meeting the ball at a higher point of contact.
• Shoulders are turned roughly 45 degrees farther toward the back fence than the hips.
• Right foot has slid to the right, helping align the body for hitting the ball extremely wide in the service box. The serve could still be hit up the middle from this stance, but an astute receiver might perceive an early signal of wide placement.

• Grip, Toss Hold, and Stance
• Knee Bend and Body Coil on Wind-up
• Elbow Up, Racquet Down
• Swing Begins Edge-First
• One Frame Before Contact
• Contact
• One Frame After Contact
• Follow-Through
• Where Ball Lands
• Where Sideward Bounce Carries Ball