Snap in a kick serve or just pronate?

Question

In a normal serve with a continental grip, I would typically pronate in snap.

As for the kick, would you just need to only pronate and brush up on the ball or pronate, brush, and snap?

Trying to change my 2nd serve, no need for a big explanation for how to do a kick serve. I just want to know if you need to snap while pronating during the serve.

Answer 1

Toss the ball a little behind you, like its going to land on your right ear (if your right handed) hit UP on the ball and as soon as you hit, snap your wrist to aqcuire more of a kick. You have to keep your head up extra long on a kick serve. If it goes into the net, your dropping your head early. The sound of a good kick serve is when it sounds like your strings are moving. Also, the more power, the less kick.

Answer 2

USPTA Professional here that has coached numerous high level juniors  and adults.

The best advice I can give you is to hold the racket like you are holding a live bird!  Loose enough so you don't squash the bird and tight enough that the bird does not fly away.

If you force yourself to think pronate or snap it really will never happen because you are trying to force your muscles into action .  Think about how you throw a tennis ball or baseball.  Do you tell yourself...."Okay snap down to throw?"  Actually you relax your grip on the ball, thus relaxing the wrist which enables your wrist to "snap" as you put it when you release.

A relaxed hand is 2 times as fast as a tense hand.  Try it for yourself:  Death grip a ball and attempt to throw vs. relax your grip and throw.  You will see a HUGE difference in ball speed, fluidity and the ability to consistently replicate.

In addition, the key to a great serve is a RELAXED grip.  To practice a relaxed grip for any serve, hit serves and then remove one finger of the gripping hand after each serve till eventually you are holding the racquet with one finger (pointer) and thumb.  You will see as you remove fingers.....you are relaxing the grip = greater racquet head speed!

BECARFEUL that there is no one in front or behind you as I have had students launch racquets....but they get the idea of grip relaxation.  If you have an old beater racquet....use that for this drill!

Hope this helps and keep swinging!