The Importance of FootworkTennis players of all levels can forget how important footwork is. You could have the best form and technique, but it doesn’t matter if you can’t put yourself in a good position to hit the ball. Think of your footwork as more of a circular motion, rather than a straight line. Move back and around […]
The Backhand VolleyThe backhand volley is easier than you think. All you’re trying to do is move forward and meet the ball. Keep a continental grip, just like a forehand volley. The back of your hand should face your opponents side of the court, so all you have to do is move forward.
Defensive StanceEvery player knows what it’s like to not hit their best approach and a soft volley. When that happens, don’t assume the point is over, but do prepare for the worst. Back up and get into a defensive stance. Start backing away from the net, when you get to decision area, split back and keep […]
Mid-Court Volley MindsetOften times, people assume that every time they volley, they’re on the attack or in a winning position. That’s not the case for the mid-court volley. The mid-court volley is considered a transition volley because it’s the shot you hit after you serve while you’re on your way to the net. Think about the mid-court […]
Closing the NetThe strategy behind hitting the ball deep is to give you the advantage by forcing your opponent to hit a short ball. To prepare for the short ball, it’s important to know how far to close in on the net. If you anticipate your opponent will produce a short ball and close in too far, […]
Ready PositionIt’s important to stay in motion while playing tennis. If you were taught that ready position meant keeping your feet planted and your body bent over, there’s a better way. Keep your non-dominant foot in front while continuously moving and staying low to the ground. That way you’re prepared for anything that comes your way.
Weak Second ServesEvery player knows what it’s like to miss their first serve, and the pressure that comes with the second serve. When you’re on the receiving end, you can add to the pressure without saying a word. The closer you are to the service box, the more you’ll get into your opponents head. Simply moving your […]
Overheads at the NetThe biggest trick on the overhead is the footing. When you’re in position for a volley but you know an overhead is coming back over the net to you, your first instinct may be to retreat straight backwards. However, you’re more likely to lose your balance this way. Prepare for an overhead shot by moving […]
Volley GripWhen you hold a volley grip, you should start with a continental grip. Then spread your fingers, with your pointer finger about a fingers width apart from the others. This position allows your wrist to do the work for you. Don’t expect this to feel comfortable. If it does, you’re doing it wrong.
Directional ControlIt can be tempting to try to hit the ball straight ahead. But, when you aim straight, you’re actually stopping your swing halfway through. This is called hitting on a rope. It’s important to remember to swing all the way through the ball, bringing the racket across your body. Keep in mind that the width […]
Toss It UpThe key to a powerful serve is to use your entire body. To practice this, try loading your body up and tossing the ball high and over the net. This gets you in the habit of using your bodys momentum instead of relying on the swing of your arm.
Hit the Ball DeepHit the ball deep to give yourself a chance to reset. It does two things. It buys you time to get back into position and it pushes your opponent back. To reset the point, aim for the highest percentage shot, deep and in the middle of the court. If you hit a great deep shot […]
Winning MentalityMentally preparing for a match is just as important as physically practicing in tennis. Before you step foot on the court, try to think about the steps you need to take to achieve your goals!
Deep/Short PatternThe Deep/Short Pattern works for all levels, but is a great strategy for beginners. If you’re opponent is better on the baseline, try to switch it up by hitting your ball deep. Then, when you’re opponent returns the ball, hit one of the short angles.
Hit Your SpotUse your tossing shoulder to point to where you want your serve to go. Your feet stay in the same position, but your hips will adjust to allow your shoulder to go the direction you need it to. When you can control your serve, you can aim for your opponents weakness.
2×1 PatternIt’s important to think ahead in tennis. If you’re returning the serve and need your first shot in a neutral zone to get set up, take that. Pull your opponent to one side by hitting your next two balls to the wide marker. Then open the court up by hitting your next ball to the […]
Watch the BallDon’t make the mistake of looking up for the ball before you’ve tossed it. Follow the ball from your starting position all the way until you hit it over the net.
Advanced PatternsEvery shot you take should have a purpose. Try to hit one of the five X’s on the court. Always be thinking two shots ahead and be looking for the short ball.
The Slice ServeLike any other slice shot in Tennis, to hit a good Slice Serve, toss the ball way out in front of your body and out wide. By the time you swing through to hit the ball, you’ll be hitting it at a lower trajectory. This makes the ball pull away and stay low.
Simple Patterns of PlayIt’s important to learn simple patterns of play to understand how to open up one side of the court. You do this by hitting the ball at least two times to one side. This pulls your opponent to that area of the court without them realizing it. Then hit the ball over to the opposite […]
The Serve FundamentalsThe toss controls where the ball will go once you hit it. Wherever your tossing shoulder is pointed to is where the ball will end up. If your serve is going long, you’re most likely tossing the ball behind you. If your serve is going into the net, you’re likely tossing too low. Don’t stress […]
The Importance of FootworkTennis players of all levels can forget how important footwork is. You could have the best form and technique, but it doesn’t matter if you can’t put yourself in a good position to hit the ball. Think of your footwork as more of a circular motion, rather than a straight line. Move back and around […]
The Backhand VolleyThe backhand volley is easier than you think. All you’re trying to do is move forward and meet the ball. Keep a continental grip, just like a forehand volley. The back of your hand should face your opponents side of the court, so all you have to do is move forward.
Defensive StanceEvery player knows what it’s like to not hit their best approach and a soft volley. When that happens, don’t assume the point is over, but do prepare for the worst. Back up and get into a defensive stance. Start backing away from the net, when you get to decision area, split back and keep […]
Mid-Court Volley MindsetOften times, people assume that every time they volley, they’re on the attack or in a winning position. That’s not the case for the mid-court volley. The mid-court volley is considered a transition volley because it’s the shot you hit after you serve while you’re on your way to the net. Think about the mid-court […]
Closing the NetThe strategy behind hitting the ball deep is to give you the advantage by forcing your opponent to hit a short ball. To prepare for the short ball, it’s important to know how far to close in on the net. If you anticipate your opponent will produce a short ball and close in too far, […]
Ready PositionIt’s important to stay in motion while playing tennis. If you were taught that ready position meant keeping your feet planted and your body bent over, there’s a better way. Keep your non-dominant foot in front while continuously moving and staying low to the ground. That way you’re prepared for anything that comes your way.
Weak Second ServesEvery player knows what it’s like to miss their first serve, and the pressure that comes with the second serve. When you’re on the receiving end, you can add to the pressure without saying a word. The closer you are to the service box, the more you’ll get into your opponents head. Simply moving your […]
Overheads at the NetThe biggest trick on the overhead is the footing. When you’re in position for a volley but you know an overhead is coming back over the net to you, your first instinct may be to retreat straight backwards. However, you’re more likely to lose your balance this way. Prepare for an overhead shot by moving […]
Volley GripWhen you hold a volley grip, you should start with a continental grip. Then spread your fingers, with your pointer finger about a fingers width apart from the others. This position allows your wrist to do the work for you. Don’t expect this to feel comfortable. If it does, you’re doing it wrong.
Directional ControlIt can be tempting to try to hit the ball straight ahead. But, when you aim straight, you’re actually stopping your swing halfway through. This is called hitting on a rope. It’s important to remember to swing all the way through the ball, bringing the racket across your body. Keep in mind that the width […]
Toss It UpThe key to a powerful serve is to use your entire body. To practice this, try loading your body up and tossing the ball high and over the net. This gets you in the habit of using your bodys momentum instead of relying on the swing of your arm.
Hit the Ball DeepHit the ball deep to give yourself a chance to reset. It does two things. It buys you time to get back into position and it pushes your opponent back. To reset the point, aim for the highest percentage shot, deep and in the middle of the court. If you hit a great deep shot […]
Winning MentalityMentally preparing for a match is just as important as physically practicing in tennis. Before you step foot on the court, try to think about the steps you need to take to achieve your goals!
Deep/Short PatternThe Deep/Short Pattern works for all levels, but is a great strategy for beginners. If you’re opponent is better on the baseline, try to switch it up by hitting your ball deep. Then, when you’re opponent returns the ball, hit one of the short angles.
Hit Your SpotUse your tossing shoulder to point to where you want your serve to go. Your feet stay in the same position, but your hips will adjust to allow your shoulder to go the direction you need it to. When you can control your serve, you can aim for your opponents weakness.
2×1 PatternIt’s important to think ahead in tennis. If you’re returning the serve and need your first shot in a neutral zone to get set up, take that. Pull your opponent to one side by hitting your next two balls to the wide marker. Then open the court up by hitting your next ball to the […]
Watch the BallDon’t make the mistake of looking up for the ball before you’ve tossed it. Follow the ball from your starting position all the way until you hit it over the net.
Advanced PatternsEvery shot you take should have a purpose. Try to hit one of the five X’s on the court. Always be thinking two shots ahead and be looking for the short ball.
The Slice ServeLike any other slice shot in Tennis, to hit a good Slice Serve, toss the ball way out in front of your body and out wide. By the time you swing through to hit the ball, you’ll be hitting it at a lower trajectory. This makes the ball pull away and stay low.
Simple Patterns of PlayIt’s important to learn simple patterns of play to understand how to open up one side of the court. You do this by hitting the ball at least two times to one side. This pulls your opponent to that area of the court without them realizing it. Then hit the ball over to the opposite […]
The Serve FundamentalsThe toss controls where the ball will go once you hit it. Wherever your tossing shoulder is pointed to is where the ball will end up. If your serve is going long, you’re most likely tossing the ball behind you. If your serve is going into the net, you’re likely tossing too low. Don’t stress […]