Mechanics in Sports
The Serve
The serve in tennis is arguably one of the most important shots that every player must perfect. The serve starts off every point in tennis. It is one of the most complex shots in tennis, consisting of many steps, and involving a full body motion in order to properly execute it on the tennis court. The steps to carrying out a serve are as follows:
1. Positioning Your Body - a player must set up their feet parallel to the baseline and shoulder length apart. For right handed player, the left foot must be infront and for left handed players, the right foot must be in front.
2. Positioning Your Feet - after the players feet are parallel to the baseline, they should turn the foot in front and have it face diagonally to the post of the right post of the net (for right handers) or the left post of the net (for left handers.
3.Positioning Your Hand on the Racket - the grip used to serve is a continental grip. The continental grip, as explained before, can be done by placing the index finger on the second bevel (right handers) or the eighth bevel (left handers). This grip should look similar to holding a hammer.
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History of the Serve
The overhead serve was first performed in an official Wimbledon Championship singles match in 1877. During the second championship, Arthur Thomas Myers hit the ball above his head, which created the overhead serve. By 1881, all top players were using this technique to give them more speed and strength to their serves. In 1882, Herbert F. Lawford and the Renshaw brothers improved the technique. When the height of the net was set at the current 3 feet, the overhead serve became the most effective technique.
The fastest recorded serve is by a male is by Sam Groth at a reported speed of 263 km/h or 163.4 mph. The fastest recorded serve by a woman is by Venus Williams at 209.2 km/h or 130mph.
History of the Volley
The volley is a shot performed in tennis and other sports where the player hits the ball back over to their opponent's side of the net without the ball touching the court. It can be hit anywhere on the court, but is usually hit at the net. It can be hit either as a forehand, backhand or in the form of a slice. The most common grip to use when hitting a volley is the continental grip, with the index knuckle and heel of the hand sit on the second bevel and the thumb and index finger in the form of a V shape. The word volley comes from the French word voller which means "to fly".
A forehand valley position yourself with your left foot ahead of your right for right hander, and your left foot ahead of your right for a left hander. When preparing to hit the ball, keep the racket suddenly aligned and have the wrist slightly ahead of the racket head at impact. Pull the racket back, but not be on the line of your body. To strike the ball, a short punchy movement is best. It does not require a swing as a key is the block the ball back, reflecting the pace of the incoming shot. It is, however, vital to move your weight Towards your front foot, as you hit the valley, this combination of bodyweight transfer and short racket movement can produce That is very effective. If a player wishes to execute a drop valley, which is when the Ball loses all momentum, and drops right at the net on the opposing players side they should loosen their grip to absorb the pace of the shot.
A backhand volley is similar to a forehand valley, instead, this time turn in the opposite direction around 45° to the net with the right foot in front for right handed people and the left foot in front for left-handed people. Once again, a short, punchy action And a weight transfer forward is required.