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The serve is the most important stroke in the game of tennis because it is used to start every point. Players need to learn to hit serves from the baseline using the proper grip. Players should use a continental grip and use the proper stance, backswing and toss, contact point, and follow-through. Players should develop a pre-serve ritual to help them relax and focus.

Use the following progression to teach the full-swing serve:

1. Stance- Stand sideways to the net with left foot pointed towards right net post.
2. Grip- Hold the racquet up on edge toward the net with the non-dominant hand and grip it like a hammer with the racquet hand.
3. Backswing- Drop both arms together and raise the racquet arm to shoulder height with the knuckles pointed up and the racquet pointed toward the back fence.
4. Backswing, Bend, and Extend- Take a backswing, bend the racquet arm at the elbow, and then extend upward with the racquet hand facing the net.
5. Backswing, Bend, Extend and Shift- Repeat the extension and add weight transfer from the back to the front foot by opening the hips toward the net and leaving only the toe of the back foot touching the ground.
6. Backswing, Toss, and Tap- Standing near the fence, take a backswing, toss a ball, bend the arm, and extend the racquet, tapping the ball against the fence. Check for proper grip and full extension.
7. Backswing, Toss, Tap and Follow-Through- "Tap-Serve" balls over the net, following through slowly across the body to the opposite hip.
8. Full Swing- Slowly perform the toss and full backswing, tap, and follow-through. The full swing on a serve should have the same motion as a pitcher throwing a baseball.

On important points, all points, it is important to keep the pressure on your opponent. The initial way to do this on serve is to get the first serve in. It is psychologically very important in practice to warm up and maintain consistency on first serves. It is quite intimidating to face a player that hits relaxed first serves in five or six times in a row. You (the opponent) are consciously aware that you will not get free points. When serving, you want to act like a pitcher. As the server you should constantly be changing your speed, spots and direction of the ball in order to keep your opponent (the batter) off balance.