Described for a right-handed server; the tips on reading and returning speak to the receiver.
How to read it
- The blade lies open with its tip toward the net and travels straight at you, not across.
- Which way the wrist turns at the very end decides the direction and the sidespin — watch the tip of the blade.
- A fast slide under the ball is backspin; a push with a quiet wrist is a dead ball.
- The serve is usually short and low with little curve in the air.
How to return it
- Decide late: wait for the bounce before you commit to forehand or backhand.
- Against backspin push with an open racket; against the dead ball flick or push firmly and low.
- If the tip turned to one side at contact, the ball kicks off your racket toward that side — aim the other way.
Common mistakes when serving it
- Lifting the ball: the blade must travel forward, not up, or the serve bounces high.
- Turning the wrist too early, which shows the direction.
- Standing upright — the serve only stays low if you are low.
More forehand serves
- Pendulum Backspin
- Pendulum Side-Backspin
- Pendulum Side-Topspin
- Pendulum No-Spin (Float)
- Reverse Pendulum
- Tomahawk
- Reverse Tomahawk
- Hook 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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