Having practised the ground strokes till the swing feels easy, the
beginner should go on the court with a number of balls. Standing
sideways to the net, behind the baseline, she should make a half circle
back, with arm and racket extended, bringing the racket up over the
head. Here the racket is dropped behind the head and swung in a small
circle from left to right--much as an Indian club is swung--then up
and out in the follow through. The ball is tossed high in the air and
struck as the racket reaches the top of its swing. Then the racket
follows out with the ball just as far as possible, as in the ground
strokes. The various cut services depend on the way the face of the
racket meets the ball, how it cuts around or over the ball. It is best,
however, for the beginner to practise a straight service until she is
well grounded in the fundamentals. Meanwhile she should try to place
the serve not only in the correct court but also in some definite part
of that court. A well-placed service will prove as effective as any
fancy serve for ordinary play.
Remember these points while practising: get a full swing, hit the ball
at the highest point possible, and follow through as in the drive,
here, too, getting the weight of the body into the stroke.