Tennis Tip of the Week
Serving to a Target
One characteristic of an effective server at any level, from a 2.5 lady to a touring professional, is that he or she can accurately locate his or her serve to one of the 3 major targets in the service box. These targets are best described as the “ABC’s” of serving.
A: A stands for the alley or “out-wide” target, as it is sometimes referred to. This target is the third of the service box nearest the doubles alley. This is an effective target because it will draw the returner off the court and make for a more open shot on the next ball. The biggest draw back of this target is that it does open up more angles for your opponent.
B: B stands for the body target. This target is the middle third of the service box. This is one of the most under-utilized targets in the game. An effective body serve will “jam up” your opponent, meaning it will cut into their body and inhibit a full swing. The biggest con of this serve is that if the target isn’t hit just right the serve will be right to your opponent.
C: C stands for the center target. This target is the third of the service box nearest the center line. This target is effective because it takes the shortest distance from server to returner, which means a quick serve to this target can get the serve past your opponent. This also is a safer target because the serve will go over the lowest part of the net. The draw back of this serve is that it keeps your opponent in the middle of the court.
By successfully utilizing these 3 targets when serving, any player can hold their serve more comfortably and put more pressure on the returner.