ADVICE ON THE SERVICE

Northern Advocate, 2 December 1936, Page 2

ADVICE ON THE SERVICE

The whole game of tennis consists of attack and defence. The opening stroke of every rally is the service and should be the opening of the attack. In the old days the service was regarded merely as a means of getting the ball into play, but with the modern development of the game it has become one of the most powerful weapons of attack. It is not at all uncommon to see a point scored outright by the server because • his service has been so fast and well placed that his opponent has not been able to touch, much less return, the ball—a ‘clean ace.’

Essentials of a Good Service

A first-class service must have high speed and good direction. The only way of getting high speed is to hit the ball down from a height; and the greater the height the higher the speed at which the ball can be hit and yet made to pitch in your opponent's service court. From this it is clear that a tall man has a great natural advantage over a short one, because be can hit the ball down from a greater height. A short player should concentrate his attention more on

points. Nothing is more annoying in an important match than to have ‘footfault’ called against you, and nothing is more likely to throw you off your game at an all-important stage. There is no need for such things to happen if you obey the rule strictly whenever you are on a court.

The Plain, Service,

Before attempting any modifications you must master what may be called the ‘plain’ service. Stand loose and easy, with both feet on the ground just behind the base line, and just take half a second’s glance at the spot in your opponent’s court at which you are going to aim. Now with your left hand throw the ball straight up in the air in front and a little to the right of your head and to a height of about four or five feet above your head. At the same time swing your racquet back over your right shoulder, keeping your wrist loose and elbow a little bent. As the ball begins to drop swing your racquet up and hit the ball as high up as you can, timing the stroke so that your arm is at full stretch as you hit the ball. Follow right thi'ough. and the force of the shot will bring the racquet head to finish in front of your left knee.

When you can do this, at a good pace, and you can place the ball just where you want to, you will have quite a useful service even if you are not tall enough to get the highest speed. You will have mastered the ordinary plain service made with the full face of the racquet. Learn it thoroughly, so that you can really depend on it. first, then you will be in a position to experiment with its modifications.

The ‘American’ Service

The chief development of the service is the American style. Its object is to put spin on the ball. The position is the same as before, with nearly all your weight on the left foot. The body should be bent backwards and to the left and the head should also be bent to the left. The bad is thrown up as high as before but a little to the left front instead of to the righn