Tennis Serve Keeps Going Into the Net: 9 Fixes Fast

Tennis Serve Keeps Going Into the Net: 9 Causes and Fixes

If your tennis serve keeps going into the net, it usually isn’t a power problem. It is a margin problem. The ball leaves your racquet on a low line, so it never gets the height it needs.

The good news is simple. Most net serves come from a small set of causes, and each cause has a clear fix. This guide gives you a quick self-test, a diagnosis table, and nine fixes you can apply right away.

Why your serve keeps finding the net

When a tennis serve keeps going into the net, one of these is almost always happening:

• The toss is too low or in the wrong place.

• You hit the ball too late, after it drops.

• Your swing path goes forward, not up and over.

• You remove margin by aiming too low or trying to guide the ball.

Therefore, your first goal is not speed. Your first goal is a higher, safer ball flight. Once you have that, you can add pace.

Quick self-test (no video needed)

Use this 2-minute check before you change your whole technique. It helps you choose the right fix instead of guessing.

Step 1: Toss height check (10 seconds)

Stand in your normal serving stance. Toss the ball and let it drop without hitting.

• If the toss peaks around your head, it is too low.

• If the toss peaks above your fully stretched reach, it is usually high enough.

Step 2: Contact point check (30 seconds)

Serve at about 60% speed and notice where you hit the ball.

• If you feel like you reach forward, contact is often too low or too late.

• If you feel like you reach up, contact is closer to correct.

Step 3: Swing direction check (30 seconds)

Do three slow shadow serves without a ball.

• If your racquet path feels like it pushes toward the net, you are pushing.

• If it feels like it goes up and over, you are building net clearance.

Step 4: Grip check (30 seconds)

Hold the racquet in your serving grip and look at your hand position.

• If it looks like your forehand grip, the racquet face often drives low.

• A continental-style grip makes it easier to swing up and add spin.

Step 5: Target check (20 seconds)

Aim for the middle of the service box for the next 10 serves.

If you aim at lines, you remove margin. That increases net errors, even with a decent motion.

If your tennis serve keeps going into the net, this self-test usually points to one main fix. Start there.

Diagnosis table (symptom → likely cause → first fix)

Now let’s fix the real causes that make a tennis serve keep going into the net.

1) Your toss is too low

A low toss forces everything to happen fast. You end up “jabbing” at the ball instead of swinging up. The ball leaves on a low line and meets the net.

Fix: Toss a little higher and let the ball float. You want time to load and reach up.

Quick drill (10 reps):

1. Stand in your serving stance.

2. Toss and catch the ball with your hitting hand at full extension.

3. If you can’t catch it high, your toss is too low.

Keep the drill simple. Your goal is repeatable height, not a perfect toss.

2) Your toss is in the wrong place

Even a good-height toss can cause net errors if it lands too far in front or too far behind you.

• Too far in front makes you chase and hit late and low.

• Too far behind makes you lean back and lose a clean upward path.

Fix: Place the toss in a small, consistent window in front of your hitting shoulder.

Quick drill (15 reps):

1. Put a small towel or cap on the court where you want the toss to land.

2. Toss and let the ball drop. Do not hit.

3. Adjust until most tosses land near the target.

Small improvements here create big changes in net clearance.

3) You hit the ball too late

Late contact is one of the most common reasons a tennis serve keeps going into the net. The ball drops, your contact point drops, and the serve travels lower.

Fix: Commit to contacting the ball at your highest reach. Think “reach up, then swing.”

Simple cue: Hit it earlier than you think.

Quick drill (8 reps):

1. Start slow and balanced.

2. Toss only when you feel steady.

3. Swing with the goal of contacting at full extension.

Do not chase speed. Chase timing.

4) Your grip makes the racquet face drive low

Many beginners serve with a forehand-like grip because it feels natural. That grip often closes the racquet face and encourages a forward push. Both increase net errors.

Fix: Use a serving grip that supports an upward swing path and spin. Most players do best when they shift toward a continental-style grip.

Quick check: If your serve grip looks identical to your forehand grip, you likely need an adjustment.

If changing grip feels hard, expect that. It often takes a few sessions to feel normal.

5) You push the ball instead of swinging up

When your tennis serve keeps going into the net, you may be “guiding” the ball. It feels safe, but it sends the ball low.

Fix: Swing up, not out. Think of the serve as an upward throw with a racquet.

Simple cue: Up and over.

Quick drill (12 reps):

1. Stand on the service line.

2. Serve softly with a smooth upward swing.

3. Focus on clearing the net comfortably, not hitting hard.

Once you can clear the net from closer range, move back to the baseline.

6) Your chest and head drop during contact

A serve needs height. Many players lose height by dipping the head or collapsing the front shoulder. That drop lowers your contact point.

Fix: Keep your chest tall through contact. Keep your eyes up longer than feels natural.

Simple cue: Chest up, finish high.

Quick drill (10 reps):

1. Serve at 70% speed.

2. Hold your finish for two seconds.

3. Keep your eyes up during the hold.

If you can’t hold the finish, you rushed the motion.

7) Your legs stop helping

When the legs don’t contribute, the arm tries to do everything. That often flattens the swing and drives the ball into the net, especially as you tire.

Fix: Use a small, controlled knee bend and an upward push. You don’t need a jump. You need an upward drive.

Quick drill (8 reps):

1. Hit 4 serves with a “tall” stance.

2. Hit 4 serves with a light knee bend and upward push.

3. Compare net clearance.

Keep the version that adds height without losing control.

8) You squeeze the grip and get tight

Tension shortens the swing. A short swing becomes a jab. A jab keeps the ball low.

Fix: Relax your hand and exhale on contact. A long, smooth swing creates height and spin.

Simple cue: Loose hand, long swing.

Quick drill (10 reps):

1. Hold the racquet with medium pressure, not a squeeze.

2. Do 3 slow shadow serves.

3. Hit 1 real serve with the same relaxed feel.

Repeat. This builds a calm serving rhythm.

9) You aim too low and remove your margin

Sometimes the motion is fine. The problem is your target. If you try to “skim” the ball just over the net, the net will win often.

Fix: Aim higher and deeper into the service box first. Then add angles later.

Rule: Build height first, then placement, then speed.

This is the fastest mindset shift for players whose tennis serve keeps going into the net.

Three drills that fix net serves faster

These drills improve net clearance without forcing you to rebuild your entire serve in one day.

Drill 1: The net-clearance ladder

Pick one simple target in the middle of the service box.

1. Hit 5 serves at 60% and clear the net with comfort.

2. Hit 5 serves at 70% and keep the same clearance.

3. Hit 5 serves at 80% only if you stayed consistent.

If you miss into the net twice in a row, drop back one level. This keeps you learning instead of spiraling.

Drill 2: The toss lane

The toss must be consistent before the serve can be consistent.

1. Choose a narrow “lane” in front of your body.

2. Toss 10 balls and catch them without hitting.

3. Then serve 10 balls with the same toss lane.

If the toss drifts, fix the toss first. Do not fix the swing yet.

Drill 3: Service-line spin serves

Many net errors disappear when you add spin.

1. Stand on the service line.

2. Hit soft serves with a brushing path to create slice or topspin.

3. Keep the ball flight higher, then let spin bring it down.

This teaches margin. After that, move back to the baseline.

A simple reset for matches and pressure moments

A tennis serve keeps going into the net more often when you feel rushed. Use this reset to stop the pattern.

1. Slow your first two motions.

2. Toss slightly higher.

3. Aim for the middle of the box.

4. Exhale on contact.

5. Hold your finish.

This works because it restores height and timing. It also calms the body.

Common mistakes to avoid while fixing net serves

These errors slow progress and create confusion.

• Changing three things at once. Pick one fix per session.

• Practicing only flat serves. Add spin for margin.

• Hitting too many serves without rest. Fatigue lowers contact height.

• Chasing power before consistency.

If you feel sharp pain, stop and get professional medical advice. A sore shoulder is not a “push through it” situation.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my tennis serve keep going into the net even when the toss looks fine?

The toss may be fine, but contact can still be late. Many players wait and hit after the ball drops. Focus on contacting at full reach.

Should I hit harder to get the ball over the net?

No. First build height and margin. When you try to hit harder too early, you often drop the chest and push forward.

Is it normal to net more second serves?

Yes. Second serves need more spin and a more upward swing. Practice a brushing path from the service line, then move back.

How much should I change at one time?

Change one variable per session. For example, fix toss height first. Then fix contact timing next session. This prevents confusion and makes improvement measurable.

How long does it take to fix a serve that keeps going into the net?

If the cause is toss height or late contact, many players see improvement the same day. Consistency usually takes a few weeks of focused repetition.

Final thought

If your tennis serve keeps going into the net, treat it like a simple diagnosis problem. Start with toss height and contact timing. Then build an upward swing path, add spin, and aim with more margin.

Once you can clear the net reliably, you can add speed and placement with confidence.