Photo Lesson: How to Hit the Twist Serve

Elbow Up, Racquet Down, Body Arched

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

• Notice that the legs have already driven upward: the knees have straightened, and the feet have lifted off the ground. The legs begin the kinetic chain that culminates in the racquet-head speed that delivers spin and power to the ball.
• Elbow up, racquet down. Generally, the longer the racquet's path, the more time it has to build up speed. Dropping the racquet as low as possible maximizes its energy potential as you prepare to whip it upward.
• Body arched, like a bent bow. As the body (bow) straightens, it contributes more energy to the kinetic chain.

• Introduction and Grip
• Knee Bend
• Elbow Up, Racquet Down, Body Arched
• Kinetic Chain Moving Into Shoulder
• One Frame Before Contact
• Point of Contact
• One Frame After Contact
• Beginning of Follow Through
• Following Through Initially to the Right
• Ball Clears Net Comfortably