| You generate more power in tennis strokes by | | | | Also, buying a racket with a larger "sweet" spot and a |
| bending your knees and as you swing, push with your | | | | bigger head helps give more power. The biggest trick |
| legs and jump. In watching the pros, when they hit the | | | | is practice, practice, practice. |
| ball, they are at least 6 inches off of the ground. | | | | Controlling your tennis strokes is another question. |
| Power is generated with proper technique. A rule of | | | | Basically, you need to turn your body to face the ball |
| thumb is get ready early, bend low, put your hips in the | | | | (with your shoulders squared with the ball), keep your |
| "swinging motion", keep your head steady and your | | | | eyes on the ball all the way to your racket with your |
| eye on the ball, hit the "sweet" spot, and follow through. | | | | head down, and then swing from low to high finishing |
| By combining all the above elements, and applying | | | | up over your shoulder (follow through). |
| them at the same time you can achieve maximum | | | | You can take lessons, and then apply what you have |
| power. | | | | learned, but the main thing is, again, practice. Also, |
| To create racket speed, make sure you turn your | | | | playing someone on your level of play is beneficial. |
| body; turning your body brings your racket back | | | | Exercise can improve ground strokes. Rubber bands |
| automatically. Don't pull your racket back, turn your | | | | are great for strenghthening your wrists, as well as |
| body with the racket stationary. Moving your racket as | | | | your arms. As you exercise with the bands, copy your |
| you turn, insures your racket will be parallel with your | | | | strokes. Squeezing a tennis ball while watching TV, or |
| shoulders, even when you turn again and meet the ball | | | | doing something that does not require a lot of attention, |
| at contact point. This allows the ball to go where your | | | | can help strengthen your grip. Stretching before playing |
| belly button points when you make impact. Also, hit | | | | tennis is very good for flexibility. Believe it or not, when |
| through the ball by letting your racket follow the ball | | | | you are playing, taking deep, cleansing breaths helps |
| down the court toward the spot where you intended it | | | | you focus, which in turn can improve your strokes, as |
| to go. | | | | well as the rest of your game. |