One of the most common strategies that professional players use these days is to hit their forehand either inside out or inside in. This is a very effective strategy because a player with a good forehand can set up pretty much the same way with their feet, and hit the ball in either direction. The…
It is very easy to get wrapped up in how well you are hitting the ball when playing a tennis match. However, one of the things that will have the most impact on your level of success is your percentage of made shots. If your serve is decent, making 70 or 80 percent of first…
Things always seem to happen faster in the heat of a tennis match. This makes it extremely important to organize your thoughts in between points. Start with a clean slate. Anything that has already happened is beyond your control. Remind yourself of a few basic technique ideas: watch the ball, take your normal swing whenever…
When I learned to play tennis, my coaches always repeated the “watch the ball” mantra. In my mind, I assumed that my racquet should be making contact with the back center of the ball for the best possible hit. However, if you are trying to hit the ball to a specific area of the court…
It is extremely important to watch the ball all the way from your opponent’s racquet contacting the ball, through your strings contacting the ball. After you hit your shot, shift the focus to what your opponent is doing-watch them. If they are on the run, pushed back or having to react very quickly to your…
There are many ways to get the tennis ball to go in a certain direction. Hitting the ball early or late, adjusting the angle of your racquet face, and positioning your body and shoulders are the most common. Based on my experience, using your shoulder position is the most reliable way to direct the shot….
I have been involved in tennis since I was 10. It has always been special to me. Tennis has taught me a lot about myself, about life, and about what it means to compete. There have been many ups and downs, successes and failures, and a lot of learning. Sounds like life… We need to approach…
Every player has a different service motion. The motion can be long and smooth, short and quick, or somewhere in between. They also all tend to have a different routine before serving. This presents a problem for the person trying to return serve. It takes some time to get used to what you are dealing…
Hitting the ball to a big target area is a great strategy. Many of the pros are using this idea on the return of serve and during a rally by hitting the ball right down the middle. This takes the angles away from the opponent and allows them to make more shots. Refining this idea…
Being a tennis coach for a very long time helps me understand a lot of the things that go on in the tennis world. Even so, there are some things that I just don’t get. I have been on both ends of the hiring and firing coaching line. This has taught me to be patient,…