Tennis Serve Swing Trainer

Tennis Technology and Training

A recent Wall Street Journal column recommended a tennis swing training device for developing a smooth service motion. Of all the gadgets recommended in that piece, the most clearly useful item is a tennis service swing trainer. The commercial version of the device is made of molded rubber into the form of a racquet handle connected to three tennis ball sized lumps via a cord. A correct serving motion keeps the tennis “balls” in continuous motion.

People have been using homemade versions of the service swing trainer long before it was “invented” by the company that is currently hocking it. In my junior tennis playing days, we constructed our own swing trainers using the sawed off handle of a wooden racquet, a knee length tube sock, and used tennis balls. The balls were stuffed into the sock and screwed directly into the handle. When my kids started playing tennis, I built a homemade device using an old soccer uniform sock.

I was first alerted to the existence of the commercial version after observing a senior player using one to warm up at a tournament. I bought it based on the idea that I was more likely to use it than my scruffy DIY version to warm up for my own matches. In true Fiend at Court spirit, have no idea where it is at the moment.

While a correct serving motion keeps the “balls” of the training device in continuous motion, poor form produces negative reinforcement for the practicing player. Specifically, the player will likely whack themself with it. Our family enjoyed hours of fun watching the (then non-playing) Fiend at Court spousal unit bludgeon himself trying to master the motion. The sheer entertainment value alone was probably worth the purchase price.

Unlike the other devices mentioned in the WSJ article, the Tennis Serve Swing Trainer is likely to lead to improvement for players with an issue in their service motion. It is also useful to gently loosen up the arm before hitting serves in a match or practice session.

I balk a little bit at the price of the commercial version. It is really easy and inexpensive to construct the DIY version. However, the price is considerably less than an hour long tennis lesson which puts the cost into perspective.