| How to hit it is described in tennis as 'technique' | | | | area where you want to contact the ball (see below |
| Technique is learnt so you will be better in a match. | | | | for where that is!). The throw-up is also called the |
| The first thing you will need in a match is to get the ball | | | | 'placement' coz that's what it should really be. |
| over the net and into the court. | | | | - The action of hitting the ball should be very much like |
| The following basic advice will help you get the ball | | | | a throw. |
| over and in when you are hitting forehands and | | | | - Try to contact the ball in the middle of your throwing |
| backhands - otherwise known as ground strokes. | | | | action at full stretch, slightly in front of you, and above |
| 1. Hold the racket in a way that is comfortable for you. | | | | your hitting shoulder. This sounds easy! Trouble is you |
| On the forehand, a good way is to hold it with the | | | | can't do it if you've just thrown.... or even placed (!) the |
| palm behind the handle (imagine you were hitting the | | | | ball backwards and three feet away! |
| ball with your palm, then put the racket there). | | | | If you get to the net, volleys are without hitting the ball, |
| On the backhand, you can use two hands or one | | | | and the action should be a simple blocking action. |
| hand. If you use two hands, probably best to have | | | | Because you are at the net, you can use the power. |
| your dominant hand at the bottom and your supporting | | | | Where to hit it |
| hand just above it on the handle, though not | | | | A 'tactic' is a plan to win the point. |
| overlapping. | | | | There are five basic tactics. |
| 2. Watch the flight of the ball. Move to where it will be | | | | First is to keep the ball in play - by getting the ball over |
| after it has bounced and after it has stopped rising. | | | | the net into court. If your opponent can't do this and |
| Reading the flight path of the ball is vital to move to | | | | you can...you will win. If they can though... |
| the right place. ...The right place involves the following... | | | | .... Try to make your opponent move in order to hit the |
| 3. Stance - for beginners on the forehand and | | | | ball. Try to get them off balance or at least hitting on |
| backhand, sideways on is good enough.........tennis is a | | | | the move and test their skill on the move. |
| moving game so try to get your shoulders sideways | | | | Whilst doing this...you will be better placed to hit each |
| to the ball, even if you can't get your feet sorted out! | | | | ball if you maintain a good position on the court before |
| 4. Contact point - try to hit the ball ...a) comfortably at | | | | and after each shot. Be like a goalie defending the |
| the side of your body,b) slightly in front of your bodyc) | | | | gaps - do not get caught out of position to one side of |
| between waist and shoulder high | | | | the court or stuck half way between the baseline and |
| 5. Swing the racket at the ball .........from low along to | | | | the net. |
| high...make sure the strings are pointing where you | | | | Once you can do the above tactics successfully, try |
| want the ball to go as you swing - it is a bat and ball | | | | to play to the weakness of your opponent ...this might |
| game, so use the bat to direct the ball! | | | | be their forehand, but is usually their backhand. |
| To serve, the following advice is the basic stuff: | | | | Equally, use your own strength/s as much as possible. |
| - Stand sideways on to the net. | | | | If you can use your strengths against their |
| - Throw the ball into the air so that it hangs nicely in the | | | | weaknesses... would be a fiendish plan to bring off. |