This user has no status.
Member
Is there a "most effective" service strategy?
I can do three types of serve confidently: (i) backhand serve from my backhand corner, varying amount and type of spin between side and underspin, and varying the serve placement; (ii) pendulum serve from my mid-backhand side, varying serve placement and amount and type of spin between side and underspin; and (iii) hook serve from my mid-backhand side, varying placement, type and amount of spin. I've essentially given up on reverse pendulum and tomahawk serves, because I never learned to do them consistently.
In a game situation I tend to vary serves in the first few points, and try to see what bothers my opponent most. Then, I will continue to vary the serves, but I'll save the ones that give my opponent most trouble for critical points (9-9, 9-8 and such). My tendency is to vary each type roughly an equal amount.
Is it more effective to specialize on one type of serve, and do that 70-80% of the time? I see the pros specialize, although I'm sure they can do all kinds of serves well. What are people's most effective service strategies? Is it even advisable to continue to try to do the reverse pendulum and tomahawk serves, or just work on improving the arsenal I already have?
I can do three types of serve confidently: (i) backhand serve from my backhand corner, varying amount and type of spin between side and underspin, and varying the serve placement; (ii) pendulum serve from my mid-backhand side, varying serve placement and amount and type of spin between side and underspin; and (iii) hook serve from my mid-backhand side, varying placement, type and amount of spin. I've essentially given up on reverse pendulum and tomahawk serves, because I never learned to do them consistently.
In a game situation I tend to vary serves in the first few points, and try to see what bothers my opponent most. Then, I will continue to vary the serves, but I'll save the ones that give my opponent most trouble for critical points (9-9, 9-8 and such). My tendency is to vary each type roughly an equal amount.
Is it more effective to specialize on one type of serve, and do that 70-80% of the time? I see the pros specialize, although I'm sure they can do all kinds of serves well. What are people's most effective service strategies? Is it even advisable to continue to try to do the reverse pendulum and tomahawk serves, or just work on improving the arsenal I already have?