Tips for the Toss: Serving Exercises from Our Pros

The serve is the most important shot in tennis and the shot that you have total control over. As you serve, you dictate the timing, placement, spin, and speed, which gives you an advantage before the point starts.

A good serve starts with a good toss. Your toss sets up your contact point and helps you to hit with power, spin, and accuracy. It's hard to serve without a consistent toss.

Many coaches believe that 50% of a serve's success is in the toss. However, players like to practice technique and not notice how much a small correction in the toss can improve their serve. We asked a few of our tennis directors to share their favorite ways to practice the toss.

Tip from Max Mangones, Director of Racquets at The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne (Florida):

"Start by holding a cup of water in your tossing hand, sideways near the tips of your fingers, to mimic the correct hand position. Then replace the cup with a tennis ball and do a few practice tosses, focusing on releasing the ball from your fingertips by spreading all your fingers at the release point. The motion should be slow and deliberate, with your tossing arm staying straight as it moves upward. A good checkpoint: if you can read the number on the ball as it reaches its peak, you're getting close to perfecting your toss."

Tip from Kyle Edwards, Director of Tennis at Bonita National Golf & Country Club (Florida):

"The “Toss and Hold” drill is a great way to improve toss consistency and rhythm. Start by getting into your normal serving stance. Toss the ball up, but instead of swinging, pause and hold the half-serve position, feeling the release point. After a few "toss and hold" repetitions, add the swing motion, focusing on maintaining the same release point."

Tip from Cal Loveridge, Director of Racquets at Barton Creek Country Club (Texas):

"Place a racquet on the baseline in front of you. Toss the ball and aim to have it land directly on the strings. This simple yet effective drill helps improve toss accuracy and consistency."

Tip from Rob Menzies, Director of Racquets at Stratton Mountain Resort (Vermont):

"Stand next to a wall or fence with your tossing arm fully extended and lightly touching the surface. Practice tossing the ball straight up along the wall, aiming to keep it close without making contact. The goal is for the ball to travel smoothly upward without hitting the wall until it reaches its peak. This drill reinforces a straight, controlled toss and helps eliminate unnecessary arm movement."

While the toss might look like an easy part of the serve, it is not simple. Achieving a consistent and accurate toss requires practice and repetition. That’s why focusing on the toss and practicing it regularly is key to developing a strong, effective serve.