November 8, 2009
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Platform or Pinpoint, Where do You Stand? Coach Dan McCain Players underestimate the importance of how the feet are used on the serve. But executing proper footwork on the serve can foster greater balance before, during, and after contact, and when performed correctly, can enhance power and control. On the pro tour we see predominately two types of footwork, Platform and Pinpoint stances. While the trend now, especially among the women, seems to be in favor of the pinpoint stance, where the back foot slides up next to the front foot just before jumping up and into the contact, studies seem to indicate that it offers no real advantage. So, whichever method you choose, it is best to maintain consistency in order to have a better chance at perfecting it. The Pinpoint Stance
The first type of footwork, the pinpoint stance, is seen more often on the pro tour. But that doesn't mean it's a better method, just more common. This method begins with the right foot significantly spaced behind the left foot. Before we begin to describe either of these methods, let's assume that before the jump on the serve, the left foot should never move. While there are exceptions to this rule (Tommy Haas for one), most pros keep the left foot still before jumping into the serve. The right foot (right-handed servers) starts at least 12 inches behind the left foot, although for some players, it can be as much as 24 to 36 inches behind the left foot. As the player begins the service motion and executes the ball toss, the right foot slides up to the left foot and pauses directly next to it. Once this very brief pause occurs, the player will use both right and left toes to push off the ground, jumping up and into the court while the racquet swings up into the hit.
After the jump, the player will land inside the court on the left foot, and kick out and back with the right foot so that the right heel can finish the landing facing up to the sky. Landing on the left foot with the right knee bent and right heel finishing up fosters a good shoulder turn and enables the player to counter balance the force of the swing. By starting the right foot further back, then bringing it up beside the left before jumping into the hit, players believe this transferring of their weight from the back foot to the front foot creates a more easy and natural movement, and generates maximum forward momentum into the court during contact. Once again, high speed footage seems to indicate that bringing the feet together like this adds very little, if any, additional upward thrust into the ball. In addition, problems can occur if the right foot moves too far to the right of, or even past the left foot. This can compromise balance as well as shoulder turn, and is a common cause of foot faulting, especially at the club level. The Platform Stance
The second type of footwork is seen a little less often in today's game, but is just as effective. Sampras, Agassi, Federer, and Roddick all use this method. Instead of moving the right foot up to the left, these players simply begin their stance with both feet closer together. While the space between right and left foot may vary in distance for each of these players, the general rule is to begin the service motion with both feet relatively close together. Roddick seems to have his feet only a few inches apart, while Sampras, Agassi, and Federer maintain slightly more spacing, but still, far less space between their feet than users of the first type of serve footwork. With this method, both feet remain motionless before jumping up as the racquet swings upward to contact. With the feet beginning closer together, these players transfer their weight not by moving the right foot toward the court, but rather by simply leaning back and forth in a rocking motion. These players land on their left foot with the right knee bent at or near a ninety degree angle and the right heel facing up – essentially the same as players using the pinpoint stance footwork.
The platform stance is a bit simpler than the pinpoint stance, since less movement is involved, and therefore, less can go wrong. These players have less balance issues and there are fewer chances of their feet inhibiting their shoulder turn. Summary The majority of the players on the tour have adopted the pinpoint stance. They feel this generates a more natural movement and accelerates their momentum into the court on contact. High-speed analysis of the pinpoint serve, however, doesn't seem to substantiate these advantages, but it obviously can be effective. The simplicity of the platform serve seems to give it advantages over the pinpoint serve, yet many players feel that this stance inhibits their weight transfer and movement into the court. Which stance should you adopt? Both stances can work, and the only way to decide which type of service is best for you is trial and error. For most, it comes down to "it just feels better." And that reason is as good as any. As always, we would love to hear from you! Questions, comments, personal experiences all create helpful dialogue for everyone! Please click here to send us your email.
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