Adjust your stance to turn your serve into a weapon.

By Paula Scheb

The wide serve in the deuce court—or, if you’re left-handed, in the ad court—can be a maddening shot for many of us. One day you hit it well, but on other days you pull your serves too wide or drop them in the middle of the box, giving your opponent the chance to clobber the return. If you have trouble consistently hitting out wide, try adjusting your stance. Start in your normal position with your front toe pointing toward the right net post (if you’re right-handed). Then take almost a full step toward the right side of the court with your back foot, so your back toes are slightly closer to the sideline than the toes of your front foot. By doing this, your front hip will point to the outside of your opponent’s service box, rather than the middle, making it easier to hit the ball out wide. Don’t worry if you telegraph your intentions. If you can consistently swing your opponents wide, you’ll have the upper hand even if they notice your new stance.

To hit a wide serve, start with your normal stance (inset) and move your back foot toward the sideline (far right).

Paula Scheb, USPTA Master Pro, is director of tennis and fitness at Bonita Bay Club in Bonita Springs, Fla.

Originally published in the November/December 2009 issue of TENNIS magazine.