How to do the Vladimir Samsonov serve
Serving
Julio Torres Asked 14 years ago
I'm a great fan of Vladimir Samsonov and Kalinikos Kreanga and i have a lot of curiosity about how he does this serve...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuBOG13oqGM
0:29
Alois Rosario Answered 14 years ago
Hi Julio,
It is a high toss Pendulum serve. The serve that he does at 0:29 is a topspin serve so he is coming up the back of the ball on contact.
The serve comes with a lot of training. It is important to get the toss correct first so that you then have the confidence to swing through on the contact.
Question actions
Recommended Video
The Kicker Serve
The kicker serve is one of our "must learn" serves. It's fast, fun, and has lots of topspin. It can be dangerous because if it's not fast enough and if you don't surprise your opponent then they may be able to attack it forcefully putting you on the defensive straight away. Used well though, and sparingly, it can be a great weapon. It can win you a point outright and it will stop your opponent from standing over the table waiting for your short serves since they need to be ready for anything.
Watch NowThoughts on this question (12)
Become a free member to post a comment about this question.
Julio Torres Posted 14 years ago
M V Posted 14 years ago
i think another great thing about his serve is that unlike the traditional pendulum serve, where you have your left foot in front and right foot behind while doing the serve and you move your right leg across to get into a ready position, with Samsonov serve, his movement after the serve puts him into the ready position immediately after the serve.
i am voting for a video response to this.
and i know Samsonov is one of Alois's favourite players :)
Ian Costello Posted 14 years ago
My brother serves the FH tomahawk serve, but always serves it with side-top. :[
NOT A GOOD IDEA!
Julio Torres Posted 14 years ago
Hi Julio,
You make a good point. If you asked the question and we end up making a video response then I think you should be able to see the answer as a special bonus for asking the question! Give me a couple of weeks and I'll see if I can figure out how to make this work on the website.
Julio Torres Posted 14 years ago
Hey Julio,
We've updated the website. Now you should be able to see this video!
For any of our exclusive video responses, the person who asked the question will be able to watch the answer regardless of whether they are a premium member.
Julio Torres Posted 14 years ago
Siddhartha Raja Posted 13 years ago
i am not a premium member so i cant see the video
Yap Zhi De Posted 10 years ago
Hi Alois
You said that it is good to have a variety of serves in the serving secrets introduction videos, but why you ask me to just focus on one serve now?