Does your serve suffer from the slot machine syndrome? Many people can't wait to double fault. Their service deliveries oddly resemble the fanatical slot machine player who cannot resist until he loses.
Impatient tennis players seem to be in a hurry to get their first serve out of the way so they can get the point started with the second.
All intelligent players THINK before they start the point. They take the golfer's example standing over a difficult putt for a few minutes before attempting it. Tennis players should imitate this type of concentration. The serve is the only stroke you can take your time with - so don't let anyone hurry you.
You can increase your level of consistency by concentrating before each serve and creating the same stimuli - like the basketball player shooting a free throw. He goes through the same set of stimuli everytime he shoots the ball. He'll look at the basket for a couple of seconds - bounce the ball four times, and, in cadence, say "I can make it." Then he'll take a deep breath, blow out all the air - and shoot it. Try to create the same relaxed environment for yourself each time you serve. You should start from the same position and go through a routine, like the basket ball player - before you begin your service motion. The more frequently the exact set of stimuli or environment is presented, the better the chance that the desired response will occur.
Start your motion from a balanced, comfortable position. Hold your arms at waist level and make sure you are relaxed. Don't grip the racquet handle - rest you hand on it while you cradle the throat of the racquet with your left hand.
Start your motion with your weight on your back foot. Lift your left heel off the ground. Your feet should be spread a little wider than shoulder width apart. A line that touches your toes should point in the direction of the service court.
Now look across the net and imagine yourself hitting the serve you want. Be positive! Think the ball to the target. You can see the first couple of hits of the rally you are about to serve. You see yourself hitting the serve to the backhand and hitting his return to their backhand again. You may envision serving and following your serve to the net and putting away your opponent's return of serve with a crisp volley. If you mentally practice the first few hits of the rally, you will have a better chance of winning the points. Now bounce the ball on the court four times and say, "I can make it." Concentrate going slowly as you drop your hands down together... then hit it!!
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