P1 Serve Fundamentals: Basic Motion, Toss, and Contact

Your serve sets up the point. At P1, focus on consistency, not power. Start with feet shoulder-width apart, side-on to the net, non-dominant shoulder pointing toward the net. Hold the ball in your non-dominant hand at waist height. Toss: Toss the ball up about 12 inches with a relaxed arm. The toss should be straight up—not out in front. A bad toss ruins your serve. Practice tossing 20 times before hitting. Backswing: As the ball rises, bring the racket back above your shoulder. Your elbow should be bent, racket head pointed down (not back). Swing path: As the ball reaches peak height, start your swing. Your arm extends upward and forward. Contact the ball at the highest point where you can reach. Follow-through: Your arm continues downward after contact, finishing across your body. First serve strategy: Aim for the service box. Speed is secondary to consistency. Hit at 60-70% power. Many P1 players serve too hard and make many errors.