Serving Grips and Visualization
Slicepong asked 6 years ago
Hi Dan and Tom. A two parter, if you don’t mind. Would you say it’s accurate that you use the service grip on pendulum serves, reverse pendulum, and long serves; and you use the regular grip on backhand serves, tomahawk serves, and reverse tomahawk serves? My second query involves what’s in your mind as you prepare to serve. Do you get clear in your head the specific spin and location on the table your aiming for? So, for example, a short sidespin/backspin crosscourt? Thanks.
Tom Academy Coach answered 6 years ago
Hi Slicepong,
No problem at all, yes that’s correct service grip on the ones you mentioned above and normal for the others such as tomahawk and backhand etc, spot on!
For the second part its good to have a clear picture and a focus in your head befor you serve. It could be the specific location or spin as you said, or something which you know gets your serves to be effective such as the contact point on the bat or making sure your brush into the ball with a quick acceleration.
Serving is quite individual so experiment with what works for you and gets you relaxed but concentrated right before you serve. Then stick to that method and routine, this will give you consistency which is key when serving!
Slicepong