The Key To Serving With Maximum Power

If you're looking to hit your tennis serves with maximum power that you're capable of, part of the answer to unlocking it lies not only in your body but also in your mind.

There are plenty of other video articles here that go into technical elements of the serve that allow to you hit faster serves but in this article we'll focus just on the mental aspect of the serve which holds you back from hitting with full power.

The Desire For Control And Maximum Power Are Not Compatible

The desire for control, while hitting your first serve with power, can inadvertently hinder your performance.

When you aim to hit the ball in the service box and you REALLY want the ball to go in, you unintentionally slow down your arm's motion, compromising the power you generate.

While it may seem logical to you at first that surely we must want to hit in the service box to hit any serves in, it comes down to how "badly" you want the ball to go in.

You need to first realize that first serves hit flat with full power are never consistent, not even at the pro level.

So when you really badly want the serve to go in and yet you're hitting with full power you're being very unrealistic.

The reason is that the faster you serve the smaller the window above the net through which you need to "thread" the ball in order for it to land in the service box.

So at some level you feel that hitting that small window is very difficult and in order to control your serve better you of course slow it down - which is now fighting your desire to hit with full power.

So if you do want to hit serves with full power and you accept that the percentage will be quite low, then there is a way to unlock your mind and maximum power of your serve.

The Key To Unlocking Your Mind: Height Over Precision

The secret lies in focusing on height above the net rather than pinpoint accuracy of the spot you want to hit in the service box.

Your mind and your body will immediately exert control over the serve (and slow it down) the moment you want to hit a small spot in the service box.

As mentioned, this happens because on some level you know it's difficult and you are trying to control your movements to achieve that task and in the process you slow down your serve.

In order to avoid that slow down we need to stop aiming into the service box. We need another way of aiming that gives us more freedom to hit serves at full power.

Serve well above the net first so that you get the first reference point of how high above the net the ball flew.

Then on the next serve simply aim lower. 

Of course attempt to hit with full power and in your mind's eye just visualize the ball flight a bit lower than on the previous serve.

Do not visualize a small window you need to hit because you will exert control again over your body.

Just "instruct" your mind and body to attempt to hit the ball a bit lower than before but retaining maximum power.

If you happen to hit the ball in the net then aim slightly higher.

Through this adjustment process you will eventually hit the ball in the service box at full power.

You will then realize that it is possible to hit serves at your maximum power in the service box but you need to let go of control (mentally).

You need to accept that the probability of hitting the box is low and you need to focus just on adjusting the height of serves as you practice them or when you play a match.

Releasing Maximum Power: A Step-by-Step Approach

The mental and physical obstacle you need to overcome is to be able to let your body execute the serve with full power.

In order to do that you need to mentally release yourself of any constraints and when you do that, your body will also release itself from holding back.

Here are the steps to follow that will help you unlock the maximum serve power you're currently capable of:

1. Move Away from the Baseline: To release yourself from control, start by standing farther back from the baseline. This removes the subconscious pressure to hit the ball precisely into the service box.

2. Focus on Height and Depth: Aim your serves far over the baseline, it's best if you can actually hit the opposite back fence. You'll need to aim much higher than usual, the ket is to learn to let go of control.

3. Gradually Lower the Height: With each serve, adjust the height mentally, ensuring you're hitting with full power while gradually aiming lower. This process fine-tunes your serve's trajectory without compromising power.

If you happen to hit into the net, then aim higher. Keep adjusting only the height (in your mind's eye) based on where the ball lands.

4. Feel the Power: As you get accustomed to this technique, you'll start feeling the surge of power without the burden of control. This sensation is your cue that you're on the right track.

Remember that this technique might take some time to master. You're essentially reprogramming your mind to prioritize power over precision.

By releasing the constraints of control and aiming, you allow your body to tap into its true potential.

Conclusion

The journey to unlocking the full potential of your tennis serve begins with a shift in mindset.

By focusing on height rather than pinpoint accuracy, you can harness your body's maximum power while freeing yourself from the constraints of control.

Realize and accept that you cannot have high consistency and full power at the same time. 

When you accept that, you will also attempt to control the serves less and consequently you'll release your body from tightness which will result in maximum serve power you're capable of.