The Smart Way to Build a Better Serve (Step-by-Step Progressions)
By Jorge Capestany, RSPA Master Professional, and PTR International Master Professional
In this video, we break down one of the most important and often frustrating shots in tennis: the serve.
Too many players try to fix their serve all at once.
They think about the toss, the grip, the motion, the contact… and end up overwhelmed. The result? Inconsistency and frustration.
That’s where progressions come in.
Why Serve Progressions Work
Great coaches and great players don’t jump straight into a full serve. They build it piece by piece.
In this video, you’ll see how to simplify the serve into manageable steps, allowing players to:
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Develop proper mechanics without overload.
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Build confidence at each stage.
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Improve consistency faster
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Create a repeatable, reliable motion.
What You’ll Notice
Instead of starting with full motion, the focus is on isolating key parts of the serve and then gradually layering them together.
This approach helps players feel:
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The correct contact point
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The rhythm and timing of the motion
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How the body and arm work together