Roger Federer has one of the best forehands in the game of tennis. Even though a loss to Rafael Nadal, Roger's forehand display in the 2008 Wimbledon final has to be one of the greatest in history.
The forehand drive is made up of one continuous swing of the racquet that, for the purpose of analysis, may be divided into three parts:
1. The part of the stroke behind the body, which influences the speed of the swing.
2. The segment immediately in front of the body which determines the direction and, in conjunction with weight shift from one foot to the other, the pace of the shot.
3. The follow through which is the portion beyond the body and determines spin, top or slice, imparted on the ball.
In considering tips for the beginner, drives really should be topped. The slice is a different stroke and will not be as penetrating.
Instructions for the drive down the line are different than that of a drive crosscourt. In general, for the down the line shot, the shoulders should be parallel to the sideline. The hitting plane for all ground strokes should be between the knees and shoulders. The most favorable plane is on a line with the waist.
Roger Federer excels at all strokes that can be hit with the forehand. His drives from all positions on the court are particularly lethal. We all may not be able to execute as well as Roger. With tennis lessons or tennis instructions and practice we may able amaze our buddies with our driving abilities.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Volley Basics and Tips
John McEnroe was probably the best volleyer the game has ever known. His lethal volleys destroyed many an opponent. A precise net attack is supposed to crush all defense. As such it must be regarded as a point-winning stroke at all times, no matter whether the shot is volley or smash.
Volleys come in two varieties - low and high. Low volleys are blocked. High volleys can be either hit or blocked. They should not be swung at. You do see the brave attempt the swinging volley. But as a tip, it is not recommended. There is no follow through on a low volley and very little on a high one.
Beware if you try to chop a volley. There is a chance to pop the ball up into the air. Slice volleys if you want to, or hit them flat, for both these shots are made at a very small angle to the flight-line of the ball, the racquet face traveling almost along its plane.
Low volleys should never be hit hard, and owing to the height of the net should usually be sharply angled, to allow distance for the rise. Any ball above the net may be hit hard. The volley should be crisp, snappy, and decisive, but it should stop as it meets the ball. The follow through should be very small. Most low volleys should be soft and short. Most high volleys require speed and length.
A volley known as a "stop" volley is very effective. McEnroe was very good with this shot. There is no force behind the shot. The racquet simply meets the oncoming ball and stops it. The ball rebounds and falls of its own weight. The shot has little bounce.
The drive or deep volley to the opponents open court is what every player strives to execute. Attack with your volleys. Never defend the ball when at the net. The only defensive volley is one at your feet as you come in. It is a mid-court shot. Volleys should win with placement more than speed, although speed may be used on a high volley. McEnroe never was shy about attacking when the situation called for it. He understood that volleying was a key to winning. You should too!
Volleys come in two varieties - low and high. Low volleys are blocked. High volleys can be either hit or blocked. They should not be swung at. You do see the brave attempt the swinging volley. But as a tip, it is not recommended. There is no follow through on a low volley and very little on a high one.
Beware if you try to chop a volley. There is a chance to pop the ball up into the air. Slice volleys if you want to, or hit them flat, for both these shots are made at a very small angle to the flight-line of the ball, the racquet face traveling almost along its plane.
Low volleys should never be hit hard, and owing to the height of the net should usually be sharply angled, to allow distance for the rise. Any ball above the net may be hit hard. The volley should be crisp, snappy, and decisive, but it should stop as it meets the ball. The follow through should be very small. Most low volleys should be soft and short. Most high volleys require speed and length.
A volley known as a "stop" volley is very effective. McEnroe was very good with this shot. There is no force behind the shot. The racquet simply meets the oncoming ball and stops it. The ball rebounds and falls of its own weight. The shot has little bounce.
The drive or deep volley to the opponents open court is what every player strives to execute. Attack with your volleys. Never defend the ball when at the net. The only defensive volley is one at your feet as you come in. It is a mid-court shot. Volleys should win with placement more than speed, although speed may be used on a high volley. McEnroe never was shy about attacking when the situation called for it. He understood that volleying was a key to winning. You should too!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Court Position
We all can't be as gifted in court coverage as Roger Federer. Having said that, Roger understands the importance of court positioning as well as anyone. Hanging around in areas of the court that leave huge alleys for your opponent to hit into is likely a losing formula.
A tennis court is 39 feet long from baseline to net. A player should ideally try to achieve a position in one of two places. One is near the baseline in the middle of the court when hitting ground stroke rallies. The other is around six feet back from the net when striving for net position.
The area from the baseline to about ten feet from the net may be considered as "no-man's-land" or "the blank." Lingering in this area can cause deep trouble since a deep driving shot may catch you at your feet. If you do return a shot from no-man's-land you can return to the baseline or go forward to the net position.
Standing around watching your shot simply means you will be out of position for your next stroke. Strive to attain a position so that you always arrive at the spot the ball is going to before it actually arrives. Do your hard running while the ball is in the air, so you will not be rushed in your stroke after it bounces.
Natural anticipation can play a big role. Some players have an innate ability to know where the next return is going and take position accordingly, while others may never sense it. For people who may lack natural anticipation, it is more crucial to achieve recommended court position.
If your opponent has a short shot, and you are at the net, do not stand still and let him pass you point blank. Choose a side where you think he will hit. If you guess right, you may win the point.
Remember, your location should always strive to be such that you can cover the largest possible area of court without sacrificing safety. Tennis basics demand that proper court positioning be integral part of a players game. Roger Federer knows his opponent will be eager to catch him out of position. That is why one of the best movers of the game still strives for optimal court position.
A tennis court is 39 feet long from baseline to net. A player should ideally try to achieve a position in one of two places. One is near the baseline in the middle of the court when hitting ground stroke rallies. The other is around six feet back from the net when striving for net position.
The area from the baseline to about ten feet from the net may be considered as "no-man's-land" or "the blank." Lingering in this area can cause deep trouble since a deep driving shot may catch you at your feet. If you do return a shot from no-man's-land you can return to the baseline or go forward to the net position.
Standing around watching your shot simply means you will be out of position for your next stroke. Strive to attain a position so that you always arrive at the spot the ball is going to before it actually arrives. Do your hard running while the ball is in the air, so you will not be rushed in your stroke after it bounces.
Natural anticipation can play a big role. Some players have an innate ability to know where the next return is going and take position accordingly, while others may never sense it. For people who may lack natural anticipation, it is more crucial to achieve recommended court position.
If your opponent has a short shot, and you are at the net, do not stand still and let him pass you point blank. Choose a side where you think he will hit. If you guess right, you may win the point.
Remember, your location should always strive to be such that you can cover the largest possible area of court without sacrificing safety. Tennis basics demand that proper court positioning be integral part of a players game. Roger Federer knows his opponent will be eager to catch him out of position. That is why one of the best movers of the game still strives for optimal court position.
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