| People who don't play tennis or even people who do | | | | line shot. |
| play tennis often look at the game too simply. They | | | | The cross court shot does two things. What was |
| think that all there is to the game is sheer athleticism | | | | mentioned above, which is that it requires a longer |
| and body coordination. One of the overlooked aspects | | | | distance to get to the ball in order to the return. |
| of the game of tennis is about how to play the game | | | | Secondly what this also does is create more time for |
| in a smart way. The following tips should help you start | | | | you to get in position to get ready for the next ball. On |
| to think differently about how you approach the game | | | | top of that, the split second longer it takes to the ball |
| of tennis and give you a slight edge over your lazy | | | | makes it harder to get at for the opponent and |
| and inexperienced opponents. | | | | therefore puts him on the defensive. He will likely have |
| The majority of players just think about getting to the | | | | to hit a weaker, defensive, sometimes slicing shot that |
| ball and returning back in play somehow. This is fine | | | | will give you more of an opportunity to go for a power |
| but it lacks any strategic value. Good players know | | | | shot. |
| where they want to put the ball on every shot and | | | | Having said that, it makes sense that you should hit the |
| why. One of the easiest examples to illustrate is the | | | | majority of your shots cross court, no matter if it is a |
| cross court shot. Ninety percent of the shots in tennis | | | | backhand or a forehand. Watch this on TV next time |
| should be cross court. Most people will try to just hit it | | | | and you will see most pros get into these kinds of |
| away from where the other player is currently located. | | | | rallies. Once you have your opponent on the defensive, |
| Here is the fault in that. The down the line shot is much | | | | you can then go for a power shot down the line. You |
| easier for an opponent to get to than a cross court | | | | only want to try and hit power shots or winners down |
| shot. This is simple geometry. A shot down the line is | | | | the line. As mentioned earlier your opponent will be |
| traveling perpendicular to the opponent running | | | | able to get to a down the line shot quicker so you |
| sideways to get to the ball. A cross court shot is hit on | | | | need that extra power on it. |
| an angle and the ball is moving further away from the | | | | This is the easiest thing you can do to play smarter on |
| player. Therefore a greater distance must be covered | | | | the tennis court. Watch for more articles about how |
| to get to the cross court shot than to the down the | | | | you can improve your tennis strategy. |