| Playing better tennis is something many people want | | | | move the way you want it to move, whatever it takes |
| to achieve. In this article I've tried my best to explain a | | | | for you to perform the shot. If you watch a pro playing |
| few tennis myths and their actual truth. | | | | tennis on TV you'll see that they bounce and jump |
| Bend your knees on all of your shots | | | | when they hit the ball just as much as you want to. So |
| Truth - Do what you feel is necessary for each | | | | you see this "planting your feet" thing might not be the |
| particular shot. If the ball comes in low, bend your | | | | way to go. |
| knees a bit more. If the ball comes in high, bend your | | | | Keep your wrist firm on each individual stroke |
| knees a bit less. Some players even strike the ball | | | | Truth - It's actually only the volleys at the net that |
| upwards instead of bending their knees. Do what you | | | | requires a firm wrist. Pros twist and snap their wrist on |
| feel comfortable with and you should be fine. | | | | overheads and serves to produce a nice spin on the |
| Keep your eyes focused on the ball to strike the ball | | | | ball. As for groundstrokes they roll their wrist upwards |
| correctly | | | | together with their entire body to produce maximum |
| Truth - It doesn't have anything to do with how much | | | | topspin. Again you should make your strokes as |
| you look at the ball, only your judgment of where the | | | | comfortable for you as possible, just do what it takes. |
| ball is going to come. You can often hear tennis | | | | Don't ever hit a groundstroke with your body facing |
| coaches say "keep your eyes on the ball!", but that | | | | the net |
| won't help you hit the ball correctly, will it? | | | | Truth - Again, just watch the pros as they often face |
| Plant your feet to the ground when you hit most of | | | | the net when they strike the ball from the baseline. |
| your shots | | | | Don't feel forced to strike with your body sideways to |
| Truth - To have your feet planted to the ground isn't | | | | the net, whatever your coach says. Hit the ball the |
| the best idea for tennis, maybe for golf or weightlifting, | | | | way that feels the most natural and comfortable to |
| but not for tennis. That certainly won't result in you | | | | you and that will result in you playing better tennis. |
| playing better tennis. You should just let your body | | | | |