Photo Lesson: How to Hit the Topspin-Slice Power First Serve

Knee Bend and Body Coil on Wind-up

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

• Right foot has slid forward, closer to left.
• Knees bent enough to allow legs to drive upward forcefully.
• Racquet at high point of wind-up.
• Left hand still fairly high after reaching up with toss.
• Shoulders turned slightly beyond sideways toward back fence.
• Difference between hip and shoulder alignments indicates upper-body coil.

• Stance, Grip, and Toss Hold
• Knee Bend and Body Coil on Wind-up
• Beginning of Upward Strike: Elbow Up, Racquet Down
• Mid-Swing
• Split Second Before Contact
• Split Second After Contact
• Natural Pronation
• Early Follow-Through
• End of Follow-Through