How to serve in tennis in 3 steps!

February 2025

A weak serve is a death sentence in tennis. It hands your opponent the upper hand before the rally even begins. You might wonder how to serve in tennis and if there’s a correct way to do so.

If your serves are inconsistent, lack power, or crumble under pressure, you’re giving away free points. And nothing is more frustrating than watching your game slip away, not because your opponent is better, but because your serve is failing you.

Thankfully, a dominant serve isn’t about brute force. It’s about precision, rhythm, and effortless power. Master these elements, and you’ll turn your serve into a weapon, one that dictates the match from the very first point.

Come with us as we explore How to serve in tennis and win more points!

Fundamentals of a perfect tennis serve

Mastering the grip

Your serve starts with the right grip. The most effective grip for a powerful and versatile serve is the continental grip. This grip allows for maximum spin, control, and power while reducing strain on your wrist:

Step 1: Hold the racket as if you’re shaking hands with it
Step 2:Keep a relaxed grip to allow fluid motion
Step 3: Avoid a death grip, which restricts movement and control.

The perfect stance

Your stance sets the stage for an effective serve. Position your feet in a platform stance (feet remain in place) or a pinpoint stance (back foot moves up before the swing).

Step 1: Stand sideways with your front foot pointing towards the net post
Step 2: Your back foot should be parallel to the baseline for balance and power
Step 3: Maintain a slight bend in your knees to load power into your legs.

Developing a fluid and effective motion

The trophy position

The key to a powerful serve is reaching the trophy position, a moment before you unleash the ball.

Step 1: Toss the ball slightly in front and to the right (for right-handers)
Step 2: Bend your knees and coil your body, preparing to explode upwards
Step 3: Keep your hitting arm at a 90-degree angle, with your non-dominant arm extended upwards.

Swing path and contact point

Step 1: Drive up with your legs and rotate your shoulders for added power
Step 2: Make contact with the ball at the highest point of your reach
Step 3: Use a pronation motion (turning the wrist outward) for maximum acceleration and spin.

Follow-through

A smooth, controlled follow-through ensures accuracy and reduces injury risk.

Step 1: Finish with your racket across your body
Step 2: Land on your front foot to maintain balance and be ready for the next shot
Step 3: Keep your momentum flowing forward.

Common serving mistakes and how to fix them

Tossing the ball inconsistently

A bad toss ruins even the best technique. If your toss is too low, high, or off to the side, you’ll struggle with consistency.

Fix: Hold the ball with your fingertips, not your palm, and lift it smoothly without spin. Practice toss drills daily.

Not engaging the legs

Many amateur players rely only on their arm, leading to weak serves.

Fix: Bend your knees and drive upwards, using your legs as the main source of power.

Rushing the motion

A rushed serve leads to mistimed contact and inconsistent results.

Fix: Slow down your motion and practice rhythm drills to develop a smooth, controlled service motion.

Can you jump serve in tennis?

No, you cannot jump serve in tennis the way you can in sports like volleyball.

In tennis, players are allowed to jump during the service motion, but there are strict rules that must be followed:

Both feet must remain behind the baseline at the moment the server makes contact with the ball. If any part of the foot touches the baseline or the court before contact, it’s a foot fault.
The server is allowed to leave the ground (i.e. jump) during the serve as long as they land after hitting the ball. This is common in professional-level power serves, where players use a jumping motion to generate more force and racquet head speed.
The jump is a natural result of momentum, not a volleyball-style vertical leap. The motion should be smooth and controlled. It’s not meant to be an exaggerated jump.

So technically, yes, you can jump as part of your serve, and many advanced players do. But it must be done in accordance with the rules. You can’t leap forward into the court or land before striking the ball.

Adding Variety to Your Serve

A predictable serve makes you an easy target. To keep opponents guessing, master these tennis serve types:

Flat serve: High speed, minimal spin. Ideal for first serves to apply pressure. Aim for the corners to force errors.

Kick serve: Heavy topspin causes the ball to jump up. Great for second serves to keep opponents on the defensive. Brush up the back of the ball for maximum spin.

Slice serve: Side spin curves the ball off the court. Useful for pulling opponents wide. Hit the ball with a brushing motion from side to side.

Training drills to improve your serve

Target practice

Place cones or markers in different service box areas. Aim for specific targets to improve accuracy.

Shadow serving

Practice your motion without a ball. Focus on fluidity and balance.

Serve Under Pressure

Simulate match situations with penalty-based drills. For example: If you miss two serves in a row, do 10 push-ups.

How to serve in tennis and dominate the court

Mastering your serve isn’t just about technique, it’s about confidence, strategy, and mental toughness. The best players step up to the baseline knowing they can dictate the point with their serve. If you want to elevate your game, it’s time to take your serve training seriously.

Now you know how to serve in tennis, learn the advanced strategies that top players use to outthink and outplay their opponents! Join Fuzzy Yellow Balls and discover the secret tactics used by pros to dominate matches.