> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thestrongbaseline.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Serve: The finish doesn't matter
- URL: https://www.thestrongbaseline.com/serve-in-brief/
- Published: 2026-09-20T08:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-24T13:14:01.000Z
- Description: Why the racket shouldn't swing across your body right after contact.
- Author: Martin Baroch
- Tags: Serve, Free, #en

Many players are taught to finish the serve with the racket swinging across the body towards the opposite leg. Martin Baroch considers this dangerous advice: that finishing position is pure relaxation and has nothing to do with the ball any more.

*Summary by The Strong Baseline. Original article:* [*The most dangerous coaching advice towards stroke production – Serve (1)*](https://cpta-tennis.org/the-most-dangerous-coaching-advice-towards-stroke-production-serve-1/?ref=thestrongbaseline.com) *by Dr. Martin G. Baroch on cpta-tennis.org.*

What counts is the moment right after contact. With the best servers, the arm keeps working towards the target for a while, the forearm turns inwards (pronation) and the elbow stays far away from the upper body.

> **Key point:** Let your arm keep working towards the target after contact – where the racket ends up is secondary.