| There are many simple things that you can do to | | | | This can help you line up your serves and return shots |
| improve your tennis game. Most of these things are | | | | because it ensures that you are looking towards the |
| easy to learn and they can have a huge impact on | | | | other players part of the court whilst returning a shot. |
| how well you perform on the court. This is the case | | | | A good way to remember to do this is to remember |
| because there are lots of things that you can do to | | | | to "Keep your chin up!" while playing. If you keep your |
| improve how well you perform fundamental tasks | | | | chin up during play, it can help you focus your eyes |
| such as ball striking, moving round on the court and | | | | and line of sight above the net while serving or |
| strategy. | | | | returning shots. Try it out and see! |
| With this idea in mind, here are five easy things that | | | | 4. Try to improve your stamina whenever possible |
| you can try to improve your tennis game: | | | | Building up your stamina is important for most tennis |
| 1. Try not to grip the racket so tightly when you play | | | | players because it allows them to play at their |
| This may sound silly but many players grip their | | | | absolute best for longer periods of time. That's why |
| rackets so tightly that it looks like they are holding a | | | | you see many of todays top tennis players use a |
| cat by the scruff of its neck. This can put a lot of | | | | running regime as part of the exercise programmes |
| pressure on your forearm area and force you to work | | | | for the upcoming season. |
| harder to strike the ball cleanly. | | | | You should try to do this too. Many novice tennis |
| A good way to solve this problem is to ease up on | | | | players can benefit from running two or three km |
| your grip on the racket. Most people can remember to | | | | every two or three days to build up their leg strength |
| do this by remembering how gently you squeeze | | | | and their lungs. This enables players to play longer, |
| someones hand while politely shaking hands with | | | | cover more ground and hit their shots with more |
| someone. This gentle amount of pressure is all you | | | | power than players who lounge about during the |
| need to control your racket during play. | | | | week. |
| 2. Try to find a pair of tennis shoes that fit well | | | | 5. Try to remember to "Put your front foot forward!" |
| Many tennis players complain about sore feet and | | | | when you play |
| ankles after a tough day out on the court. These | | | | Many tennis players tend to play the game with their |
| problems usually result from wearing a pair of tennis | | | | feet straddled side by side as if they were walking |
| shoes that neither fit well nor support the arches or | | | | about. This makes it difficult to react to a shot coming |
| ankles. | | | | towards your because it forces you to take an extra |
| As a result, it's a good idea to look for a pair of tennis | | | | step before you can react to the shot. |
| shoes that fit round your ankles, arches and heels well. | | | | One way to solve this problem is to keep your feet |
| The best places to look for these shoes are places | | | | spread apart, your knees bent and your front foot |
| that sell tennis shoes that have a vast selection of | | | | forward. (This is the foot opposite the hand that you |
| sizes, widths and arch lengths that can cater to many | | | | serve with.) Doing this allows you to react faster to a |
| players' needs and budgets. This is true because | | | | shot coming towards you because it makes it easier |
| people who work in these places can help players find | | | | to pivot and run towards the shot. This is true because |
| the right shoes to meet their needs and budgets. | | | | your body weight is spread out more evenly across |
| 3. Try to keep your line of sight above the white line | | | | your body. This makes it easier to run to a shot |
| on the net | | | | without falling down. |