I would like to improve my tennis serve, I am 9 years old and wonder if it is my height holding me back?

Question

or if there is a way of adding power and speed to my serve, although I am not that tall for my age at the moment.

Answer 1

at nine just be happy that you are starting out a good young age.

now is the time to work on perfecting your service motion.

it will take time, be patient.

in a couple of years when you start to get height, you will be able to let you service motion grow and develop as you do.

but if you want a slight shortcut, try doing just a little knee bend as you do your serve - it's amazing what that can do...

Answer 2

A decent height will certainly be an advantage when serving. But cheer up, you are only 9 and if you serve better than those of the same age group as yours by the time you're taller you would be a good server. The saying goes "A player is only as good as his 2nd serve". Build up your second serve. I thought the 1st serve was more important but what if you missed it? The pressure will be on you to put the 2nd one in and if you're not mentally tough, you'll end up baby-ing your serve into the net, trying to play a cautious approach. My advice is, don't go for power now, build your consistency using the serve. Feel comfortable holding the racquet in the right way (most use the backhand grip). In 50 balls see how many can you put in. If you've got a good percentage try placing the ball now, aiming at the opponents backhand. A moderate serve with good placing can surely win you points.

Answer 3

Your height is a factor, but at your age you won't be hitting any where near 100mph serves. This means that the ball has plenty of time to drop through the air and into court, so height is not very critical at all.

Use this time of your playing life to practise placement and spin - hit flat serves down the centre and wide & deep, and build up the speed gradually; hit slice short and wide or swinging into your opponent's body; try topspin to bring the ball down quicker, but don't be despondent if you can't hit those at first!

Answer 4

your height and strength are both holding you back. Once you start growing and developing more muscle your serve will become more powerful. If you are serious about tennis and want to play at advanced level when your older you should be more worried about your technique. If you have the proper technique and you are hitting the ball in consistently that would be perfect, because once you grow and start growing muscles you will already have the proper form and you'll just continue to hit the baller with more and more pace.

Answer 5

I don't think your height has much to do with your serve. At your age you'll be great by the time you taller. You just have to keep practicing your arm will get stronger and your serve will better and faster because of how strong you are not how tall you are. good luck.

Answer 6

Schools only give out information on how the body works. They do not share ANYTHING about having sex. Parents should be there for there kids and explain to them the information. When I was little and the permission slip to take that class came home, my mom took me on a car drive and explained it to me. I liked how she told me a little bit at a time instead of shocking me by spilling out all he information at once- and she was honest with me and I think that is the best method. But I don't think lots of girls have education anymore in other countries- which is just sad. I remember I used to think that a girl could get pregnant if she loved someone but she didn't have to do anything physically, so I was afraid to have crushes. I think that younger girls think similar and if there parents don't take action and tell them then they will think the same. ======================================... ~Chocolate Dream

Answer 7

LOL height does not have to do ne thing with tennis
chibi-chan. At the age of nine you can not put so much power due to the lack of male testotrone. But try practicing your smash and try doing more push ups for arm power! And also use your legs to give you that "push" of force that helps you give massive power!

Answer 8

Try bending your knees more. Make sure you get a good jump, and have the right contact point. Don't worry, at your age, as long as you're consistent, you'll be fine. Speed and power will come later with getting taller.

Answer 9

No its not your height.... you just need to practice and practice.... get a trainer to help you with your problem.... some pro tennis player are small but they are great (ex. female world no. 1 Justine Henin and Olivier Rochus...)

Remember its not your height !!!

Answer 10

of course your height is a small factor. But it is nothing according to the timing of when you strike the ball upon launching the ball in the air.