Tennis Rackets

k, Grip and Strokesquestion is the position of the body and the order of
Footwork is weight control. It is correct body positiondeveloping strokes.
for strokes, and out of it all strokes should grow.All tennis strokes, should be made with the body at
The tennis racket grip is a very essential part of aright angles to the net, with the shoulders lined up
stroke, because a faultygrip will ruin the finest serving.parallel to the line of flight of the ball. The weight should
The Western Grip is a natural grip for a top forehandalways travel forward. It should pass from the back
drive. It is inherently weak for the backhand, as thefoot to the front foot at the moment of striking the ball.
only natural shot is a chop stroke.Never allow the weight to be going away from the
The English grip, with the low wrist on all groundstroke. It is weight that determines the "pace" of a
strokes, has proved very successful in the past, butstroke, swing that, decides the "speed."
the broken line of the arm and hand is weak underThe definitions of "speed" and "pace".
stress."Speed" is the actual rate with which a ball travels
The Eastern American grip, is the English grip withoutthrough the air.
the low wrist and broken line."Pace" is the momentum with which it comes off the
To acquire the forehand grip, hold the racket with theground.
edge of the frame towards the ground and the facePace is weight. It is the "sting" the ball carries when it
perpendicular, the handle towards the body,and "shakecomes off the ground, giving the inexperienced or
hands" with it, just as if you were greeting a friend. Theunsuspecting player a shock of force which the stroke
handle settled comfortably and naturally into the hand,in no way showed.
the line of the arm, hand, and racket are one.A great many players have both "speed" and "pace."
The swing brings the racket head on a line with theSome shots maycarry both.
arm, and the whole racket is merely an extension of it.The order of learning strokes should be:
The backhand grip is a quarter circle turn of hand onThe Drive. Forehand and Backhand. This is the
the handle, bringing the hand on top of the handle andfoundation of all tennis, for you cannot build up a net
the knuckles directly up. The shot travels across theattack unless you have the ground stroke to open the
wrist.way. Nor can you meet a net attack successfully
This is the best basis for a grip. Model your natural gripunless you can drive, as that is the only successful
as closely as possible on these lines without sacrificingpassing shot.
your own comfort or individuality.The service.
Having once settled the racket in the hand, the next