1st place in Derby #512: Out of the Darkness with 109 votes!

we didn’t feel like doing another star wars writeup, so here’s how to flat serve a tennis ball:

-hold the racket with a “Continental Grip” - that means you’re holding the racket perpendicular to the ground with your index finger resting along the first bevel of the racket.

-stand in position - point your left foot towards the cross-court post. your right foot should be parallel to the court.

-toss the ball fairly high in the air. be sure it’s a bit in front of you rather than directly above you.

-as you release the ball, bring the racket behind your back, bending your elbow. pretend like you’re going to use the racket as a back-scratcher.

-be sure to load your back knee - put most of your weight in the back leg to aid momentum when you spring forward to serve.

-hit the ball with the center of the racket face.

-pronate! rotate your wrist slightly to give the ball good spin.

-follow-through: bring the racket across your body, completing the process near the bottom of your opposite foot.

-depending on your level of momentum, you might step onto the court.

-prepare for the return shot.

NOTE: these are instructions for righties. lefties, be sure to swap if need be.

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