Don’t tell your students or players, “Keep your back straight on a kick serve!”
There is actually significant upper spinal extension on the kick serve, and this arching makes learning the kick much easier.
C spine (cervical) and T (thoracic) spine extension are critical. L (lumbar) spine extension should be minimized.
The tossing arm should lead the chest opening up to the ball with good neck arch and extension of c spine.
This leads to good T spine extension.
Most coaches say “keep your back straight” to kids and inadvertently make it really hard to learn this very difficult stroke.
It is more correct to say, “Keep your lower back straight!”
Train personally with Chris Lewit. Visit ChrisLewit.com for details.
