SERVING PROGRESSIONS 🎾🎯
Serving progressions 🎾🎯
🧠 Overview
The serve is arguably the most important shot in tennis—and often the most difficult. It’s vital to introduce fundamentals early to build confidence and long-term technique.
Children learn best by imitation, so coaches should demonstrate a forehand or serve at every stage of development, even if simplified.
Good serving technique video: https://youtu.be/0tP2pmXd9Gk?si=iKxPKIPcBQAV3sDu
🧸 Throwing = Serving Foundation
Before a child can serve, they need to learn to throw.
Basic Technique: Start sideways on, with the throwing hand behind the ear.
Progression 1: Introduce hip and shoulder rotation as they throw—use the whole body, not just the arm.
Progression 2: Add targets to encourage distance and accuracy.
💡 Serving Progressions (Starting from Tots)
1. Kiss-Kiss
Children stand sideways, racket in one hand, ball in the other.
They gently "kiss" the ball onto the strings twice:
At knee height
Above the head
This teaches timing and synchronised arm movement.
2. Hammer the Sky
Encourage proper grip: chopper grip, not frying pan.
Children imagine the edge of the racket is a hammer, and they’re hammering a nail into the sky.
Reinforces serving "on edge" to promote correct spin later.
3. Balloons (Indoor Alternative)
Use balloons to slow the action down.
Pop the balloon upward with the non-dominant hand, then “hammer” it with the racket.
Great for developing hand-eye coordination and arm synchronisation.
4. Two Beanbags
Hold one beanbag in each hand.
Toss the first (non-dominant hand) straight up.
Launch the second (dominant hand) from throwing position behind the ear and try to collide them in the air.
Progress to using tennis balls.
5. Slingshot serve
Hold the ball onto the racket and pull back behind your ear.
Release the ball and throw the racket at the same time, projecting the ball
6. Back Scratch & Reach
Child stands sideways on, in “back scratch” position (racket behind their back).
Step 1: Coach holds the racket and guides the swing while tossing the ball.
Step 2: Coach tosses, child swings from back scratch position.
Step 3: Child performs ball toss + swing for a full serving motion.
Note: Focus on technique, not result.
7. Directional Serving
Introduce the concept of serving diagonally from a baseline into a service box.
8. Introduce Chopper Grip
Essential for spin and control.
Introduce early in Titans and Troopers groups.
Reinforces the “on-edge” hammer motion.
9. Lengthen the Action
Start from “back scratch and reach” → progress to full arm extension.
Let the hitting arm dangle, then swing in a throwing motion with a ball toss.
10. Lengthen further: Tossing arm raises straight up, Hitting arm swings back in a smooth pendulum, Contact ball at full reach; focus on rhythm and body coordination, not power.