| The forehand drive is the start of every attack in | | | | along your shot and make your typical drive. Don't try |
| tennis, and, as such, should be most thoroughly looked | | | | to "spoon" the ball over with a delayed wrist action, as |
| at. There are certain rules of footwork that apply to all | | | | it tends to slip the ball off your racket. |
| shots. To reach a ball that is a little distance away, | | | | The backhand drive follows closely the rules of the |
| progress the foot that is away from the shot and | | | | forehand, except that the weight shifts a second |
| swing into position to hit. | | | | sooner, and the R or front foot should always be |
| If a ball is close to the body, withdraw the foot closest | | | | advanced closer to the side-line than the L so as to |
| to the shot and drop the weight back on it, again, being | | | | bring the body clear of the swing. |
| in position for the stroke. When rushed and it is not | | | | The ball should be met in front of the right leg, in |
| possible to alter the foot position, throw the weight on | | | | preference to the belt buckle, as the trend in backhand |
| the foot closest to the ball. | | | | shots is to slice them out of the side-line, and this will |
| The receiver should, without exception, wait for the | | | | pull the ball cross court, stopping this mistake. |
| service facing the net. Once the serve has begun on | | | | The racket head must be marginally ahead of the |
| the way to court, the receiver should at once arrive at | | | | hand to assist in bringing the ball in the court. Do not try |
| the position to receive it with the body at right angles | | | | for too much top spin on your backhand. |
| to the net. | | | | Try to progress both forehand and backhand, and do |
| The forehand drive is made up of one complete swing | | | | not "run around" your backhand, especially in return of |
| of the racket. | | | | service. This would only open your court. If you should |
| All drives should be topped. The slice shot is a | | | | do so, try to ace your returns. |
| completely different stroke. | | | | Keep in mind that the fast shot is the straight shot. The |
| The hitting plane for all ground strokes should be | | | | cross drive must be slow, for it has not the room |
| between the knees and shoulders. The most positive | | | | because of the increased angle and height of the net. |
| plane is on a line with the waist. | | | | Pass down the line with your drive, but open the court |
| Driving across court from the right (or No. 1) court, | | | | with your cross-court shot. |
| move the L or front foot a little in the direction of the | | | | If possible, drive deep against a baseliner, but short |
| the side-line and transfer weight a fraction of a bit | | | | against a net player. |
| sooner. | | | | Play your drive: |
| As the weight shifts, pivot slightly on the L foot and | | | | 1. With the body sideways to the net. |
| drive flat diagonally across the court. Do not "pull" your | | | | 2. The swing flat, with long follow through. |
| cross-court drive unless with the express purpose of | | | | 3. The weight shifting just as the ball is hit. |
| passing the net person using that method to disguise | | | | Do not try for top speed at first. The most important |
| your shot. | | | | thing about a drive is to put the ball in play. |
| The forehand drive from the left court is the same for | | | | Put the ball over the net into the other court. Accuracy |
| the straight shot down your opponent's forehand. For | | | | first, and then put on your speed, for if your shot is |
| the cross drive to the backhand line up your body | | | | right you can afterwards learn, to hit hard. |