[tennisbiz] Re: Looking for a Serving Toss Drill

<x-charset iso-8859-1>When I work on an errant toss, My first goal is to get my student to think
of placing the ball not tossing the ball. Next I try and get my student to
visualize that the ball is a fresh raw egg and have them extend their
hitting hand above their head with the palm facing toward the target area.
(How high would you toss a raw egg and try and catch it in one hand?) Have
the student lift the ball and catch the ball with the extended hitting hand
without moving their hitting hand. (Lift and Catch)

I then move to the hand behind the head, lift the ball and catch with the
extended hitting hand. This gets more movement into the action. The
student them will advance to a full motion, then with a racket.

Another way to try and correct an errant toss is to place a racket in front
of the student. With the student standing in the proper area behind the
baseline (Singles or Doubles) Point the head of the racket toward the target
area with the butt end of the racket touching the students foot. Have the
student lift the ball and try to have the ball land on the center of the
racket. You can also use a towel for this exercise. Preferably a wet one
if you live in a windy area like Corpus Christi, Texas.

Good luck and make it fun for your 9 year old.

Ron Woods, uspta

 
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Received on Tue Oct 22 2002 - 22:02:53 CDT