How I Improved Consistency On My Serve And Overhead

by Wild Bill

I am a sixty six year old doubles player (total knee replacement - left knee and bone spurs in left ankle).

I make up somewhat for my lack of mobility by playing with my left hand and my right hand but I have always had a problem with my serve and overhead. Sometimes I had a really powerful serve or overhead but most of the time it was a powder puff.

When I would go to weekly drills, my russian tennis pro would always yell at us "chin up" when we were practicing overheads.

I would try to stick my chin up but it really didn't work for me. I finally pinned him down as to what he really meant by "chin up".

I finally learned that what he wanted me to do was to keep my chin up until after I had struck the ball.

This is probably instinctive for anyone who has been a baseball pitcher or a volleyball spiker but I have to think about it every time. It really has helped me with my serves and overheads.

I am planning on playing tennis the rest of my life. If I have to go to golf at some point it will be ok but I am a terrible golfer.