The Secret To Serving Like Federer
Ever had any trouble with your serve and felt like it was costing you matches? You basically use your serve to just "start the point"? You always say you're going to work on your serve but never find the time?
If you've spent any time on social media lately, you've seen Roger Federer doing a lot of things you can be doing at home, hitting against a wall, volleying against a wall, etc. But what you might not have known was that when Roger was learning the game, he spent hours "shadowing" his strokes. Most all good players do.
So now, while you are home and have the new "found time", invest in your serve by doing your serve shadows like Roger!
Here are some best practices for doing serving shadows:
Do them in front of a mirror so that you can see yourself going thru your checkpoints.
Or video yourself using your phone. Slow it down and go frame by frame when you watch it back.
Go slow. Feel each movement.
After you feel like you are doing them correctly, do 20-60 serve shadows each day. Do a few warm up slowly, then do the rest at your normal speed.
Quantity isn't most important, quality is! Deliberate practice is what you are after.
Lastly, no excuses. If you don't have your racquet, do them without. If you don't have "time", visualize doing them before you go to sleep...it's much better than counting sheep:)
For all you visual learners out there, here I am doing my serve shadows:
You can always find even more videos of Federer on YouTube. Best is to search "Federer serve slow motion" to get the best results.
Now get out there and be like Roger! Let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
Stay Strong Indian Hills Family!
Keith Swindoll, USPTA Master Professional
Director of Tennis Indian Hills Country Club
University of Alabama Women's Tennis Assistant Coach
USPTA Southern Tennis Professional of the Year 2014
Alabama Tennis Hall of Fame 2013
