How to Learn the American Twist Serve

The American twist serve is an effective serve in tennis. Many times, players choose the twist serve when serving a second serve because it provides higher net clearance, lands deeper in the service box and is more difficult for the opponent to return. When the ball is hit properly, it kicks up and to the outside of the court after the bounce. Returners are pulled wide, which opens up the court, giving the server an advantage. The key to learning the American twist serve is to have solid stroke mechanics and log many practice hours.

Things You'll Need

  • Tennis court
  • Tennis racket
  • Tennis balls
  • Towel
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Instructions

  1. Learning the Basics

    • 1

      Stand behind the baseline and 1 to 2 feet to the right or left side of the small center mark on the baseline. The side depends on which cross-court service box you are serving to. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. The left foot is a few inches behind the baseline, and the toe is pointing to the right net post. The right foot is almost parallel to the baseline.

    • 2

      Cradle the ball in the palm of your left hand. Practice tossing the ball up over your head and slightly behind your head. This helps you to contact the ball in the correct spot and put spin on the ball.

    • 3

      Hold the racket in your right hand with an eastern backhand grip. As you toss the ball, bend your knees, bring your hips forward and arch your back. Rotate your upper body and shoulders so that your back starts to point toward the net.

    • 4

      Swing your racket downward and then behind your back. When the racket is behind your back, keep a high, bent elbow and let the head of the racket hang down.

    • 5

      Keep your head up and push off the court with your legs. As you drive upward, straighten your body. Extend your arm and racket upward and straighten your elbow as you reach up to make contact with the ball. Make the strings of the racket brush up the back of the ball in a 7 o'clock to a 1 o'clock path. This left-to-right path puts a slight sideways spin on the ball.

    • 6

      Follow through with your arm and racket head moving off to the right of your body. Allow your arm to finish the stroke in a comfortable position. Some players find finishing to the left, across your body, to be more natural.

    Corrective Techniques

    • 7

      Toss the ball farther behind your head if you cannot get the ball to clear the net with a 3 to 4 foot margin or if the ball is landing shallow in the service box.

    • 8

      Exaggerate your follow through if you are having problems putting the left-to-right spin on the ball. After contact, force the racket head out to the right. Make your arm finish around to the right side of your body and behind your back.

    • 9

      Put a folded towel on the court behind the baseline in the place where you would stand to hit the twist serve. Kneel on the towel. Choke up slightly on the racket's handle. Following the basic learning techniques in the previous section for the grip, toss placement and serve mechanics. If you are hitting the ball down into the net, this technique forces you to hit up on the ball. The correct spin on the ball will bring it back down into the service box.