The Importance of the Second Serve:

The second serve is THE most important shot and often one of the weakest shots in a player’s arsenal.  It is even more important in doubles than in singles, which I will come to later.

Just as a start it’s easy to see that missing a second serve loses the point.  We all can see that.  How much does a point matter?  It’s been said that serving in a game is worth 2 points.  Probably true or close to true.  If that is true then the average receiving game is worth 30 points.  Meaning the serving team wins at 30.  If there is one double fault in a game it brings the game to 40 all.  Two doubles puts the receiving team at ad-out.  Many people feel that if they double fault 3-5 times a set they are doing okay.  If they double 3 times they would probably be broken at least once.  If they double 5 times they are almost assuring a break or two. 

So what is the first line of defense against double faulting?  Hitting a poofer! (that’s technical tennis terminology).  Worse than that, many players don’t even hit ALL their poofers in.  If they do they are often on the defensive because of the weakness of the serve.  If the other team or player is smart they will come in behind the return and take the net away from the serving team.  Well that was the advantage of serving in the first place.  Even if you or your team can’t take the net at least they shouldn’t.

The percentage of the server winning a point in doubles is higher than in singles, so anytime a double fault occurs in doubles the loss is greater as the chance of winning the point was higher.  So far we haven’t even discussed the advantage of a strong second serve.  Which includes being able to serve and come forward at least in doubles and possibly in singles if you have a mind to get to the net.  If not it keeps your opponent from controlling the point from the return and will let you play at least evenly when a first serve is missed.  In singles I hope to win 75% of my first serve points and 55% of my second serve points.  In doubles raise those percentages 5-10%. 

So HOW does one develop a more consistent and effective second serve?  Not by slowing down, but by learning how to swing hard and spin the ball more.  This is not an easy thing to do because it takes some practice.  As a coach the thing that boggles my mind is that I see people who are so into tennis, playing 2-6 times weekly, who compete and want to win, who don’t take the time to practice specific facets of their games to get better.  For most players improving their second serves would raise their levels farther than any other single thing in tennis.  So if a person was to practice one thing to be better it would make sense to practice the thing that would have the greatest effect. 

“Sorry coach, I just can’t get that one in.”  Well, duh!  Not after 5 minutes.  Learning to spin the ball is just the first part.  Then getting a feel for the shot has to come through repetition.  How do I know this?  I had to go through it myself.  Coaches aren’t born with the ability to hit shots other players can’t hit.  They have to go through the same procedure as anyone else.  That’s why I know it works and how it works. 

How nice would it be to be serving at 40-30 on a second serve and not be “hoping” to hit a second serve in, but to have true confidence in making a good shot that will create an advantage?  Pretty nice, I think.  It’s all in taking the time and committing yourself to get better one thing at a time and being specific in your practice.  Don’t count on getting better just by being on the court, in some areas of your game it will NEVER happen without a specific effort.