Tennis Serve Placement: Wide, Body, and T
Quick answer
There are three serve targets: wide, body, and T. Wide pulls your opponent off the court and opens space, the body jams them and forces a weak return, and the T takes away angle and is the safest target on big points. Pick the target before you toss, commit to it, and plan your next ball. That is serve plus one, and it is how you turn a serve into a winning pattern.
The three targets
- Wide: pulls your opponent off the court and opens the other side. Great to the backhand.
- Body: jams the hips and shoulder, which prevents a full swing and produces weak, short returns. Best against aggressive returners.
- T: takes away angle and has the highest margin. The safest choice under pressure.
Patterns that win
- 1Deuce court wide drags a righty into the doubles alley and opens the court for your forehand.
- 2Ad court wide pulls a right-hander to the backhand.
- 3T on big points for the highest margin.
- 4Body to jam a returner who steps in.
- 5First serve to the corners, second serve heavy spin and deep to the backhand.
Commit to the target
Decide your target before you bounce the ball, scan where the returner stands, and take what they give you. Do not change your mind during the toss. That last-second doubt is what wrecks the serve. Pair placement with the right spin from flat vs slice vs kick, and back it with a reliable second serve.
Serve plus one
The serve is the first move, not the whole point. Decide your target, then know the next ball you want to hit off the likely return.
Frequently asked
Where should I serve in tennis?
To one of three targets: wide to open the court, body to jam the returner, or T to take away angle. The T is usually the safest on big points.
What is the safest serve target under pressure?
The T, and often the body. Both reduce the returner's angle and carry a higher margin than a wide serve.
What is serve plus one?
Planning the first ball after your serve. For example, serve wide to pull the opponent off the court, then attack the open side with your next shot.
Where should I aim my second serve?
Heavy spin, deep, and usually to the opponent's backhand. Depth and spin stop them from stepping in and attacking.
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.
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