Jay Devilliers’ Serve Drill: In a recent instructional video, pickleball star Jay Devilliers shared one of his favorite drills for refining a tennis serve. Devilliers, known for his expertise on the court, emphasizes the importance of targeting and consistency. To start, players should choose a specific target on the court, preferably placed deep, and aim to serve into this target repeatedly. The objective is to achieve a reliable level of precision by consistently hitting the target.
Focus Areas for Improvement
Devilliers outlines three critical aspects to focus on during this drill:
- Follow-Through: The key to an accurate serve is ensuring that the follow-through aligns with the target. Devilliers advises players to direct their follow-through towards the target, with a proper rotation of the shoulder and hip. This alignment helps in achieving greater accuracy.
- Hand Speed and Arc: Another vital element is the speed of the hand during the serve. Devilliers suggests that if players are struggling with power, they should work on increasing the arc of their serve. A higher arc can help the ball travel further without requiring additional force, making it easier to clear the net.
- Impact Point: Devilliers stresses that the impact of the ball should occur in front of the player. Hitting the ball too close can lead to errors and more frequent net faults. Ensuring the impact is in the correct position helps in maintaining control and accuracy.
Applying the Drill
Devilliers demonstrates the drill in practice, noting that his initial follow-through was close but needed slight adjustment. He recommends rotating the shoulder more towards the left to fine-tune the aim. As players become proficient in hitting their initial target, Devilliers advises selecting new targets to continue challenging their consistency.
Building Confidence
Devilliers also addresses a common issue: players often become overly cautious during critical moments, simply aiming to get the serve in. Regular practice with this drill can help players overcome this hesitation, making targeting second nature and boosting confidence in high-pressure situations.
News in Brief : Jay Devilliers’ Serve Drill for Ultimate Accuracy and Precision
Pickleball Pro Jay Devilliers demonstrates a key drill for improving serve accuracy, focusing on targeting, follow-through, hand speed, and impact point. By practicing these elements, players can enhance their serving precision and build confidence for crucial points in matches. Devilliers’ drill highlights the importance of technique and consistent practice for achieving reliable performance on the court.
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