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Assuming you will hit all your serves with the same grip, the stance will be the same. The angle at which you stand facing the court is directly proportional to your grip (the more your grip is like a backhand, the more your stance will be turned away from the net). The slice serve should be hit at about 30-45 degrees to the side of the flat serve toss (which is close to a direct line from your shoulder to the target). A line drawn through the tips on your shoes will aim in the general direction of the court. This is not mandatory (John McEnroe is a notable exception to this) but it will serve as a good guideline.

As you begin your swing, start coiling your body (twisting). At the proper moment this action is going to provide a large source of your power. You will strive to time your serve in such a way as to propel yourself at the ball as you swing. To do this, bend your knees, coil your torso, arch your back (a little), and cock your arm and wrist (first photo below). When you toss the ball, you should already have begun this process.

The swing will begin its most rapid acceleration just after the knees have begun to straighten. The racquet head will almost be pointed straight down (middle photo below). As the racquet head drops, the elbow should be rising - above the shoulders, soon to be fully extended. Note that your wrist should be cocked so your racquet can dip.

The legs should almost be straight. Your toes should be beginning to leave the ground; your arm should almost be straight. Your racquet head should be approaching the ball as if it will make contact on the edge of the racquet rather than the face. Your wrist should be uncoiling, accelerating the racquet head.



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