How to Hit a Kick Serve (Your Reliable Second Serve)
Quick answer
To hit a kick serve, use a continental grip (rotate slightly toward an eastern backhand for more bite), toss the ball over your head and slightly to your non-dominant side, arch your back, and brush up the back of the ball from about 7 o'clock to 1 o'clock. The heavy topspin clears the net high and kicks up after the bounce, which is why it is the standard reliable second serve. The most common mistake is tossing too far in front, which flattens the swing.
On this page
Why the kick serve is the best second serve
A kick serve clears the net with margin, dips into the box, and jumps up out of your opponent's strike zone. That combination of safety and bite is why pros and college players build their second serve around it. Learn it and double faults stop costing you the big points.
How to hit it
- 1Set a continental grip, or rotate slightly toward an eastern backhand for more spin.
- 2Toss over your head and slightly to your non-dominant side, around 11 o'clock.
- 3Load your legs and arch your back into the trophy position.
- 4Let the racket drop, then brush up the back of the ball from 7 o'clock to 1 o'clock.
- 5Finish across your body and land balanced inside the court.
Common kick serve mistakes
- Tossing too far to the right or in front, which kills the kick. Fix: toss over the head, slightly left.
- Rushing from the arch into contact, which flattens the swing. Fix: slow the motion down.
- Smacking instead of brushing. Fix: feel the racket brush up the back of the ball.
- Over-rotating early. Fix: stay sideways and let the shoulder-over-shoulder action happen.
Drills
- Shadow swings to groove the upward brush with no ball.
- Toss-placement reps until the ball lands consistently over your head.
- Kick from the service line, then move back to the baseline as it improves.
Be patient
The kick rewards reps and a slow build. Compare it with the other serves in flat vs slice vs kick, and use it to fix your second serve under pressure.
Frequently asked
Where do you toss the ball for a kick serve?
Over your head and slightly to your non-dominant side, around 11 o'clock for a right-hander. Tossing too far right or in front flattens the serve.
What grip is used for a kick serve?
A continental grip. Rotating slightly toward an eastern backhand grip exposes the edge of the racket for more spin and bite.
Why does my kick serve have no kick?
Usually your toss is too far to the right or you are hitting through the ball instead of brushing up. Toss over your head and brush from 7 to 1 o'clock.
Is the kick serve a good second serve?
Yes. The heavy topspin gives net clearance and a high bounce, making it the most reliable second serve at every level.
Sources and further reading
Written by
Bolor Enkhbayar
Tennis coach and founder of CoachesNote
Bolor coaches serious juniors and adult competitors. She builds every weekly plan, reviews the video and match notes, and decides the next job, in person and remotely through CoachesNote.
Keep reading