When hitting the second serve, the trajectory of the ball should take the shape of an arc. This gives the serve margin over the net and also down into the service box, thus allowing the ball to jump up at an opponent, making it difficult for them to take on the return. The following are some technical tips to try to improve the shape on your second serve.

1. Let the ball toss drop slightly

We are told to contact the ball on the first serve at its apex or highest point, so that we are able to get maximum extension up into it and more snap from the wrist.

This is not the case however on the second serve. By allowing the ball toss to drop from its apex and by accelerating the racquet head up and out at the same time, you create greater friction between the strings and the ball. It is this friction that enables a player to hold the ball on the strings for a longer period and therefore have more control over the second serve.

2. Contact should be made inside the baseline

The contact of the serve should be made inside the court and above the player's head. From this position, it is easier to accelerate the racquet head up and out.

If the ball toss is too far in front, the player is then stretching and cannot send the racquet on the right path with the same racquet-head speed.