| Hi, | | | | A ball that is hit coming up off the bounce is called |
| Before we talk about hitting on the rise you need to | | | | hitting on the rise, and a good way to practice this is |
| know why you should use this strategy. There are a | | | | for you to stand 1 foot inside the baseline and play a |
| many reasons and I will give you a couple of | | | | rally. Your friend can put the ball in by letting the ball |
| examples, the first being that you deny your opponent | | | | bounce and hitting a ground stroke, and playing their |
| time to react to your shot. Secondly you will feel | | | | normal game. You have to make sure you are |
| confident and want to keep employing this type of | | | | impacting around your designated area, your friend |
| play. Especially if you win most of the rallies or even | | | | should aim shots to land over the service line. You will |
| the match. A word of warning though, hitting on the | | | | then be forced into playing the ball on the rise when |
| rise continually is hard to master. The top players | | | | you use these practices, master small achievable |
| make it looks so easy, and of course they are super | | | | steps and progress. An example is for you to stand 3 |
| duper fit and ready for the challenge. | | | | feet in from the baseline, and when you get the feel of |
| Are you ready for the challenge? If so let us begin, | | | | hitting from that area, go and introduce it into a normal |
| when you are focused and enjoying your rallying in a | | | | game. |
| tough match encounter, can you recognise whether | | | | Now is the really hard bit, introducing what you are |
| you are hitting the ball early?, No I hear you say, you | | | | learning into full blown match play? Yes you are going |
| certainly would not be the only person to give that | | | | to require courage and determination. Help yourself by |
| answer. Remember taking the ball early gives your | | | | using cue words like "move" to react, "come on" for |
| opponent less time to get to your next shot; you do | | | | determination, and "fight" for courage. Also ask a friend |
| not have to hit the ball at 100 miles per hour. Take the | | | | to give you feedback on how you are developing. |
| shot early and direct the ball away from your | | | | Have them score your efforts and try and improve on |
| opponent. If you impact the ball earlier it can make the | | | | them. Remember have lots of fun and enjoyment in |
| difference between you hitting a winner or you having | | | | learning your tennis. |
| to hit another shot. | | | | |