Follow through

 

The follow through happens immediately after then ball is contacted. It is the most vigorous stage of the serve as it requires deceleration eccentric loads in both upper and lower body. The follow through stage is important for the athletes recovery of the contact with the ball as well as preparing them for receiving the ball after the serve.

The quicker an athlete can decelerate after contact, the more enhance the transitory momentum. The declaration of the athlete is influenced by their potential momentum.

Momentum (p) = mass (m) x velocity (v)

Therefore, to increase velocity throughout serve motion, they can increase the rate at which they decelerate to allow a quick transition of play and smooth finish to the serving motion.

The landing is the final stage of the follow through, this does not impact the over all serve, however it is still important as it is here the majority of lower body/core eccentric loading occurs (Kovacs & Ellenbecker, 2011).

 

Figure 5: Pat. (2018). deceleration stage of follow-through, displaying upper and lower body deceleration.