How to Hit a Kick Serve in Tennis
A kick serve is a topspin serve that clears the net with margin and then jumps up and away after the bounce, which is what makes it the most reliable second serve in tennis. The secret is not power, it is spin: toss the ball slightly behind you, bend your knees, and brush up the back of the ball from low to high while snapping your wrist. Do that and the ball loops in safely, then kicks high off the court to push your opponent back. Watch the breakdown below, then use the checkpoints and drills in this guide to build a kick serve you can trust.
What is a kick serve and why should you use it?
A kick serve, also called a topspin serve, is a serve hit with heavy forward and side spin so it travels in a high arc, lands inside the box, and then bounces up high and kicks to the side. It is the go-to second serve for almost every pro because the spin gives you a big margin over the net while still forcing a tough return. Players known for heavy topspin, like Rafael Nadal, lean on the kick serve to pin opponents behind the baseline on the second ball.
The reason most club players never develop one is that they try to hit it flat and hard, so it either sails long or dumps into the net. A kick serve is about spin and a clean upward brush, not raw speed. Once you trust the spin, you can swing fast and still keep the ball in, which is exactly the confidence a strong second serve gives you.
How do you hit a kick serve step by step?
The kick serve comes from four moves: a continental grip, a toss placed slightly behind your head, a deep knee bend, and a fast upward brush where the strings travel from low to high across the back of the ball. Picture brushing from seven o'clock up to one o'clock on the ball. The table below shows how the kick serve compares with the flat and slice serves so you know when to use each.
| Serve Type | Spin and Flight | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Flat serve | Little spin, fast and low | First-serve aces down the middle |
| Slice serve | Side spin, curves and stays low | Pulling an opponent wide |
| Kick serve | Topspin, high arc, jumps up after bounce | A safe, heavy second serve |
The big takeaway: the kick serve trades a little speed for a lot of margin and a tough, high bounce. That is why it is the second serve the pros trust under pressure.
What gear helps you spin a heavier kick serve?
A kick serve is all about racquet head speed brushing up the back of the ball, and that upward snap comes from fast, strong hands, wrists and forearms. Training with light finger and hand weights teaches your hand to accelerate quicker through the brush and strengthens the wrist that snaps the spin on. Do a set of shadow serves with weighted gloves, then serve live, and the racquet feels lighter as it rips up the back of the ball for more spin.
S.W.A.G. Adjustable Weighted Gloves
Adjustable finger and hand weights that build the wrist snap and racquet head speed a heavy kick serve runs on.
Which drills groove a reliable kick serve?
Build the spin first, then add speed. Run these in order, two or three times a week.
Kick serve questions players ask
What grip do I use for a kick serve?
Use a continental grip, the same one you would use to hold a hammer. It lets the racquet edge lead so you can brush up the back of the ball instead of hitting through it flat.
Where should I toss for a kick serve?
Slightly behind your head and over your hitting shoulder. That placement lets you arch and brush up the ball from low to high to create topspin.
Why does my kick serve go long?
Usually not enough spin or a toss too far in front. Commit to brushing up the back of the ball and let the topspin pull it down into the box.
Do weighted gloves help a kick serve?
Yes. They build the wrist snap and hand speed that create racquet head speed, so you brush up the ball faster for heavier spin without swinging harder.
How long until my kick serve is match ready?
Most players can groove the spin in two to four weeks of focused reps and trust it as a second serve by about six weeks.
Is a kick serve a first or second serve?
Mostly a second serve, because the heavy topspin gives you a big safety margin when you cannot afford a double fault. Advanced players also mix it in on first serves to change the bounce and keep returners guessing.
Build a second serve you can trust
Faster hands, a sharper wrist snap, heavier spin. Train the kick serve with the right tool.
Tags: tennis, kick serve, topspin serve, second serve, serve technique, racquet head speed
