If you try and toss a tennis ball up into the air and swing your racket as hard as possible, you will most certainly be inconsistent in your serve. Your contact point will vary greatly, and your timing will be un-timely. As you try to meet the airborne ball with your racket, you will probably sway wildly trying to adjust to the ball’s position.

Coaching little kids over the summer, when we taught little kids how to serve a tennis ball, the first thing we have had them do has nothing to do with a racket. The first day comprises of time with just the ball, tossing it straight and fluidly into the air, focusing on tossing with an open palm, a stable stance, and simplified arm mechanics.

Then, when your toss is consistent, the serving almost begins to take care of itself. Your racket will naturally meet the ball at its apex, and it being in the right spot relative to the server, you won’t need to make so many accommodations with the rest of your body.

When we want to get good at serving a tennis ball, we are better off first getting good at tossing. When we aspire for remarkable outputs, we look to refine the process, be methodical in the work.

Inspiration:
Seth Godin: https://seths.blog/2018/07/throwingcatching