Described for a right-handed server; the tips on reading and returning speak to the receiver.
How to read it
- At contact the blade is upright, not open, and it is moving up and across.
- The ball dips, then jumps forward and to your left off the bounce instead of sitting up.
- The contact is later and a little lower in the swing than on the backspin version.
- The trajectory is flatter and quicker; a backspin serve of the same swing hangs.
How to return it
- Close the racket and play over the ball: flick it if short, drive or loop it if long.
- Aim to your left of the target — the sidespin still throws the ball to your right.
- Do not push it: an open racket sends topspin high or off the end.
Common mistakes when serving it
- Opening the blade as for backspin — you get a floating, high ball instead of a kick.
- Changing the toss or the stance for this serve, which tells the receiver what is coming.
- Serving it long by accident: keep the first bounce in the middle of your own half.
More forehand serves
- Pendulum Backspin
- Pendulum Side-Backspin
- Pendulum No-Spin (Float)
- Reverse Pendulum
- Tomahawk
- Reverse Tomahawk
- Hook Serve
- Shovel Serve
- High-Toss Pendulum
- Fast Long Serve
- Squat Serve
Learn to serve it
The step-by-step technique — grip, stance, toss, backswing, contact and finish — and a 3D demo you can turn and slow down are in Trainoro’s Service Drills, along with 12 ways to receive. To practise serving with a partner, see the serve and return drills.
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