Joe Dinoffer: Sitting down gets them balanced and helps them feel the arm and the wrist. At this point, it is very important to ask certain questions to continue to lead them in the right direction. Let's listen in. Alright. How did your wrist feel Colindy(ph) on that, did it feel really tight or very loose?
Colindy: Very loose.
Joe Dinoffer: Good job. Most beginners can perform this exercise since the motion is modified and the toss is low. For adults, you can also have them sit in a chair if needed for comfort. In between sitting and standing is kneeling which many will find very helpful. She gets a feel for the toss, a feel for hitting up and a loose wrist.
As far as grips are concerned, it is at this stage that you need to observe and then guide them towards a Continental grip. Reinforce the importance of the relaxed hand and loose wrist that they decided was important for this type of throwing motion. You will be surprised how easy it will be if they start right off with the solid understanding and feel for the action of the wrist.
Even at this early stage, the right grip will automatically give them a feel for creating a little side spin or slice. If they need some help you can employ the use of a rotating ball on a pole called the spin doctor along with the two tone foam ball. Devices like these tap directly into their kinesthetic and visual senses and definitely speed up the learning process.
At this stage move them to a standing position and gradually move them back, add a small challenge, such as if they serve the ball into the service box, they take one step backwards, but if they miss two in a row they sit or kneel down again. It is important that they feel successful as they are getting a feel for the importance of the wrist and the serve in general. Good job, well done.
Now most people will argue that a beginner particularly a young child does not have enough wrist strength to hold the Continental grip. I might modify it a little if they were three or four years old for example, and use hand rackets and foam balls. But if five or six and older, I suggest giving these progressions a try. You might be surprised. With my own daughter it was never a question of strength. It was a question of getting her to relax. We even had her drop her little finger off the grip. A correction that loosens the grip and immediately relaxes the wrist.
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