The Tennis Service for Beginners - The natural way!
You should always take tennis lessons in the basics of tennis for beginners. Learning the basic movements with a qualified professional teacher is very important to create a solid foundation for your future tennis technique. But, you can also have fun with a friend or parent.
- Tennis the easy way! How to learn a natural Service in a basic type of stroke for people just learning the game:
THE TENNIS SERVICE:
SERVICE
Start by getting a partner (parent/coach) standing about 10 to 20 feet in front of you. Hold a tennis ball with your dominant hand and toss to each other, baseball style or just the same way you would try to throw a stone high into the air for a long distance. The catcher should try to catch the ball directly in the air with both hands first and one hand as the level of ability increases.
After 10 or 20 tosses like that, now standing sideways hold the ball with your non dominant hand and try tossing (gently let go go of the ball as your arm extends) the ball straight up in a fashion that it will drop 2/3 (25/50cm) feet in front of you to your right. You can either make a circle with chalk or use an plastic arch to mark the drop zone. Try this 10 to 20 times or if you are focused until the ball drops consistently into the circle.
Next keep the same distance as in step 1 of about 10 to 20 feet between you and your partner and take turns at this exercise; hold a tennis ball with your dominant hand and another ball with the non dominant hand. Now holding both balls on each hand bring them together with arms slightly cocked at about chest level while standing a bit sideways. Next let both hands drop slowly together towards your hips and toss the ball in the non dominant hand into the air (the same way you just practiced on step 2) and at the same time start the baseball/stone throw swing with the non dominant hand and try to hit the other ball in the air (if possible about 3/5 feet above your head) . Take turns with your partner and see who can hit the most balls in the first 10 tosses?
Take a break and do a balance exercise with the balance master.
Start again with just one ball in the nondominant hand keeping the same principles of step 3 toss the ball up in front of you andkeep the empty hand moving in a throwing motion, this time though when you start reaching up towards the ball with your hand, aim at the ball with a chopping motion upwards (the fleshy side of your hand pointed at the ball) and has you are getting to the ball rotate your hand forwards (palm open) in a catching motion. Here you can can just hit the ball with your open hand and continue the pronation (rotation of the hand or forearm so that the surface of the palm is facing downward) movement further. Or you can actually catch the ball and continue by throwing it in the follow through (continuation of the movement). Repeat 10 times.
Now go back to step 3, this time using a ball in your dominant hand and the racket in your playing hand. Go through the same motions until the cocking position of your racket behind you. Go no further do not hit the ball you just tossed let it drop into the circle and hold your racket in position like in this picture. No need to bend your legs like in the picture just the upper body matters and the cocked position of the racket behind you. Repeat this 5 to 10 times until the ball starts dropping into the circle with consistency.
Now keep the same distance as in step 1 of about 20 feet between you and your partner, go through the step five motions and this time continue your baseball/stone throwing motion combined with the chopping (aim fleshy part of your hand towards the ball) and as you make contact with the ball turn your hand forwards (palm open = racket open) in a catching motion and gently tap it so that it bounces at least one before it reaches your partner. Take turns 10 to 20 times, if you are enjoying do it even more times.
The next progressions can be made with the net but, for now that is it for your first steps into becoming a natural server.
As a beginner remember that, you will need to toss and hit the ball gently to understand and feel the stroke you are learning! Later on this will be key for you to self-correct or adapt to difficult conditions (wind, sun) and pressure situations in competition.
How To further improve your Service after you followed the steps above.
Step 1:
Select your serving position
The first service point is executed behind the baseline, three to six feet to the right of the centre mark.
Your front foot may be at an angle and your back foot parallel to the baseline.
You will, be naturally placed sideways on to the court.
Your goal is to place the tennis ball into the diagonally opposite service box.
Aim for the middle of the box if you are just starting to play tennis.
Step 2:
Check your grip
The best grip for the serve is the continental or chopper grip, think about
holding your tennis racket as an axe for chopping.
The V of your thumb and trigger finger should be just left of the top of the
racket grip.
Step 3:
The racket head position
Your tennis racket is forwards and pointing to the service box.
Your other hand slightly supports the throat of the racket.
Step 4:
Racket back motion
Arm your tennis racket back into a baseball throwing position, as you turn your
upper body in an upright stance.
All of your body weight will load onto your back foot.
Step 5:
Toss the ball
Arm your tennis racket back into a baseball throwing position, your
tossing arm in sequence starts moving upwards to release the ball.
If you're right-handed, your left hand extends to the maximum stretch of
your arm and then your fingers fully OPEN UP in a tray position releasing the
ball.
Tip:
Lift your tossing arm straight. Do not throw the ball, release it.
When you toss the ball do not give it any spins.
Be relaxed and let your arms work together in a co-ordinated manner.
One hand (ball) up one hand (racket) down.
Step 6:
Making contact
Literally throw racket head at the ball as it reaches the highest point and make
contact.
Tip: Try to hit the ball at the highest point - for better angles,
placement and power.
Step 7:
The pronation
Has you hit pronate your racket head outward.
Tip: The palm of your hand should be facing outward.
Step 8:
The finish
Continue your motion with the racked head ending on the oposite side of your
body and quickly get ready for your next shot.
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Beginners 
keep the empty hand moving in a throwing motion, this time though when you start reaching up towards the ball with your hand, aim at the ball with a chopping motion upwards (the fleshy side of your hand pointed at the ball) and has you are getting to the ball rotate your hand forwards (palm open) in a catching motion. Here you can can just hit the ball with your open hand and continue the pronation (rotation of the hand or forearm so that the surface of the palm is facing downward) movement further. Or you can actually catch the ball and continue by throwing it in the follow through (continuation of the movement). Repeat 10 times.
through the same motions until the cocking position of your racket behind you. Go no further do not hit the ball you just tossed let it drop into the circle and hold your racket in position like in this picture. No need to bend your legs like in the picture just the upper body matters and the cocked position of the racket behind you. Repeat this 5 to 10 times until the ball starts dropping into the circle with consistency.
motions and this time continue your baseball/stone throwing motion combined with the chopping (aim
fleshy part of your hand towards the ball) and as you make contact with the ball turn your hand forwards (palm open = racket open)
in a catching motion and gently tap it so that it bounces at least one before it reaches your partner. Take turns 10 to 20 times, if you are enjoying do it even more times.
