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Second serve

Tennis / Popular

Build a reliable second serve with spin, depth and margin.

What coaches agree on

  • Use a continental grip on your second serve — it lets you put slice or topspin on the ball instead of hitting flat.
  • Aim several feet above the net and trust your topspin to curve the ball back down into the box, rather than aiming close to the tape.
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  • Aim your second serve at a specific target, usually your opponent's weaker wing, instead of just steering it safely into the box.

Common mistakes

  • Decelerating or "pushing" the racket near contact, often from tension after missing the first serve, instead of swinging fully through the ball — it leaves the serve floating for the returner to attack.
  • Letting the toss drift too far right or too far in front, instead of staying consistently back and slightly left of the head, for a kick attempt.