The world’s leading tennis authorities do agree on one point—Rodney Laver is one of the greatest players in the history of the game, if not the greatest.
He has ruled supreme on the center courts of the globe as no man before and the red-headed lefthander from Australia shows no signs of relinquishing his leading position.
In 1959, just three years after his first trip outside Australia, he became a world class player by reaching the finals at Wimbledon. During each of the three succeeding Wimbledon events, he was a finalist, winning the prestigious titles in 1961 and 1962.
Rod’s accomplishments in 1962 astounded the tennis world. The four major championships of the world are
Australia, France, England (Wimbledon) and the United States (Forest Hills). Only two players have been able to win all four in one year and complete the
“‘“Grand Slam.’’ Don Budge did it in 1938—the year Laver was born. Rod has swept the four major courts clean twice, first as an amateur in 1962 and, then, in
1969 as a contract professional with World Championship Tennis.
He turned professional following his spectacular 1962 season. By 1965, he was dominating the professional ranks as totally as he previously had dominated the amateurs. Moreover, by this time he had assumed his position as the game’s No. | all-time player. During
1971, Laver became tennis’ first millionaire, as his lifetime winnings at that point were boosted to $1,006,947.
In characterizing the game which Rod has utilized to complete his incredible record, one thinks of the term
“‘versatility.’’ To put it simply, Rod has a greater command over a wider assortment of shots, angles, spans and speeds than anyone who has ever played the game.
He can rely on either aggressive, overpowering style or a tactful, defensive, manipulative game. He is able to adjust to his opponent’s style quickly, and to counter it with a style that will most effectively combat it. As a result of his flexibility, it is not a rarity to see him drop the first—possibly even the first two—sets of a match and then come back to destroy his rival.
__ Instruction by Rod Laver Illustrations by Jim Jonson Cover Photos by Arthur Shay
‘ Editorial Production by Pamela J. Johnson — ___ Associate Publisher: Sheldon L. Factor reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior writ-
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Are You Sure That You're Hitting Through The Ball? .. . . 48
LET'S TAKE A FIRM GRIP ON THE RACKET! If you relax your grip, you cannot control the ball. When a firmly hit ball strikes the strings of your racket it will rebound wildly if your grip is relaxed. Do not use wrist snap except on the serve and overhead—practice hitting ground strokes with a locked wrist. Wrist and fingers are firm but the arm is relaxed.
STOP RUNNING AROUND YOUR BACKHAND! The backhand action is in many ways the more natural side. It is definitely more comfortable to swing away from the body rather than across the body, as you do with a forehand. Get sideways to the net. Get your racket back early. Get your weight into the shot. Get over your bloody inferiority complex about this shot!
RACKET! Your volley will improve if you keep your elbow tucked in slightly and bend forward putting your head closer to the trajectory of the ball. Now punch directly through the ball with a tight grip and firm wrist.
Move your weight onto the front foot.
BE CAREFUL OF WRISTY SHOTS! I suggest that you practice hitting groundstrokes with a locked wrist. Concentrate on the idea that once your racket starts forward to meet the ball, your wrist will be absolutely firm! You must first learn to stroke both forehand and backhand groundstrokes with firm fingers and wrist before adding wrist shots to your arsenal.
NEED HELP ON THOSE MOVING FOREHANDS?
Shorten your backswing and as you go to the ball keep your head down closer to the trajectory of the approaching ball. Bring the racket through without flicking your wrist and extend in the direction you wish to direct the shot. Do not pull up with your head!
YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO MORE THAN JUST HITTING THE BALL—Probe for your opponent’s weakness and when you discover it zero in on it. Move him around the court then hit to his weakness and move in for the kill. Maintain this pattern as long as it is winning for you.
OK, GALS, LET’S WIN THE NEXT ONE WITH SOME WELL-HIT LOBS! The lob is a dangerous weapon, even against polished players. It makes them insecure at the net and brings on errors—hit the ball gently, but with a full stroke. Come up through the ball with the face open. Keep it deep!
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE ON A COURT TO PRACTICE! Get out in your yard with a fellow player who wants to improve. Find a fairly level area and position yourselves 10 yards apart. Now to improve your racket feel and volleying technique.
Play the ball back and forth, carefully placing the ball to your f= partner on the fly. Mind your footwork and keep your wrist firm to develop good control!
CAN YOU HIT AN EFFECTIVE SMASH WHILE BACKING UP? On deep lobs you will often have to hit while mgving backwards and jumping into the air. Practice stepping quickly to the rear with your right foot.
Next push off your right foot and jump up and back, landing on the left foot as you swing. This scissors kick action will allow you to be much more effective as a doubles partner.
MAYBE FOOTWORK IS YOUR BIG PROBLEM? In reacting to a moving ball it is absolutely essential to be quick footed. The better players are never flat-footed as they approach the ball. If the ball takes a funny bounce or skids into you or away from you, be nimble and move your tired body quickly. It can make the difference!
WHEN YOU APPROACH THE NET—Do not wait for the ball to cross over the net to prepare for the volley! Read the angle of the ball as it leaves your opponent’s racket and immediately start to move your racket into position for the volley.
SPEED—This does not imply using half a stroke. Stroke the ball fully but slow down the swing. Work on the rhythm and timing of the shot. Attempt to get perfect footwork. Mis-hitting can usually be overcome at this slower tempo. Watch the trajectory of the ball and set up accordingly.
LET’S GET THAT ELBOW UP! I see a lot of sidearm overheads at the various clubs I frequent Very few are either accurate or consistent. Note how the better tournament players get their elbows up as they bring the racket up from behind them.
SURENESS ON RETURN OF SERVE RATHER THAN SPEED!
In doubles, try to keep the server guessing and hesitant—a soft chip shot at the server’s feet, a lob over his partner’s head, a sharply angled crosscourt will keep the other team guessing. An occasional blast right at the net man or down his alley will keep him from poaching.
IF YOU ARE COACHING A YOUNGSTER—start him serving with that racket held down his back in the back-scratching attitude. The ball should be held lightly in the fingertips. Release the ball gently, directly in front of the left shoulder. Be sure the ball goes high enough so as to allow it to be struck with the arm fully extended!
DON’T JUST STAND THERE WAITING FOR IT! Try to keep moving forward on all those volleys. It will get your weight into the shot, prevent the ball from dropping too low, and generally intimidate your opponent by such an aggressive display of confidence.
BETWEEN THE EASTERN AND THE CONTINEN- TAL, you will find what is called the Australian grip. It allows for hitting the greatest variety of shots—you can drive it, slice it, lob it or, with the same preparation, lay in a beautiful dropshot with this grip.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO REACH! There are times when a good lunge will do the trick—make up your mind that you’re going to get the ball back over the net no matter how far you have to sprint and reach. If it’s a fast serve and wide, be content to just block the ball back.
—as the ball approaches to within a few feet of the striking zone, get your leading shoulder to point at the ball.
If you observe the better players, you will note that an arrow extending through their shoulders would point at the approaching target. Try it!
petitor.
HERE’S A TRICK to help you stay sideways and keep from opening your shoulders too soon causing you to pull the ball instead of stroking it. Extend your hand forward in the direction of the net during your backswing. Swing your racket through the ball extending forward until handle reaches other hand.
SOMETIMES, GALS, YOU HAVE TO SCRAMBLE!
Despite all the grooming you’ve done on your strokes there will be times when only a burst of energy and a lunge will save the point. Conditioning then will make the difference. You had better spend some time running and doing calisthenics if you want to be a good comx
WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR OVERHEAD? One requisite to a good overhead is that your body’s left side is to the net. Another is to be sure the feet are comfortably apart. Do not use much backswing. Imagine the ball is a nail at the highest point you can reach. Pound it with a hard downward stroke. If it’s a short lob, end the point!
DON’T ALWAYS PLAY THE SAME SHOT! If you find yourself always hitting the same shot in a particular situation, even the slowest witted opponent will catch on to your game. Use some changeups. Vary your tactics. Use some imagination, it will pay off.
WHY DON’T YOU WATCH THE BALL? Do you watch it all the way to the point of contact? It’s the ball that demands your attention. The court is not moving!
Defeat that desire to grab a quick look at the last moment to see where your opponent is going. It will only cause a lot of wood shots. Who needs these, right?
GET YOUR HEAD DOWN CLOSER TO THE BALL!
You can’t bring the racket head consistently into the ball unless you bring your eyes down closer to the plane of the ball’s trajectory. Get down to better sight the target. There is a strong influence on good timing brought about by visual concentration.
FOR YOU TWO-HANDED STROKEMAKERS— because of the very compact swing demanded by using both hands, you may find your reach restricted on wide shots. Figure on having to take one more step than usual to get up to the ball. This will require reading the ball as soon as it leaves your opponent’s racket.
DEEP LOBS—try to reach out when you catch up with them andwith some wrist action throw up a deep high trajectory ball that will give you time to recover good court position and get on the offense.
LET’S PUT SOME GROWL IN THOSE VOLLEYS! A good punch in the nose—that’s the volley. A short swift jab with almost no backswing. The wrist is firm when you punch and you use the pace from your opponent’s shot. You want to bevel the racket slightly so that you’re hitting slightly under the ball to create some underspin which will give you more control. Step forward for extra punch!
CERTAIN POINTS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN OTHERS! If the match is even, or you’re ahead—but tiring—you won’t try so hard for a 40-0 point, or a 0-40 point. But the point in a close match that will take you to game point—such as 15-30—must be played with great determination. Try hard to win the first game of every set.
IF YOU HAVE A GOOD SHOULDER TURN ON YOUR BACKSWING, IT WILL BE UNDER YOUR CHIN. As you turn and take the racket back, pull the shoulder around with your hands so as to be very aware of your shoulder under your chin while you watch the approaching ball.
LOOSEN UP! REALLY GET IT UP HIGH! As you start to bring the racket through on your serve you must get your elbow high to allow for the whip action that gives the snap to your movement. Delay uncocking your wrist ’till the /ast moment!
FOR JUNIOR PLAYERS—most youngsters try to hit the ball too hard—it is essential to develop control, depth and accuracy. To develop this, one should work to acquire a long, smooth, easy swing from a solid stance sideways to the net. Effective ground strokes demand a long follow-through.
LADIES, IF YOU WANT TO PLAY GOOD DOUBLES, VOLLEY CRISPLY! Weight forward, meet ball out front—when a heavy ball hits the strings of the racket, it will fly off wildly if the grip is relaxed. The wrist should be as firm as the fingers.
front and extend your forearm in the direction you wish to direct the ball. Only in this way will you attain accuracy as well as pace. Learn to check yourself by noting the position of the racket at the completion of the stroke.
LET’S DEVELOP AN ALI- COURT GAME! Why limit yourself to being a “‘B”’’ or “‘C”’ level player? Expand your potential now! This requires mastering ail the standard strokes; service, both slice and twist—drive, top spin and slice—dropshot, lob, volley and smash—you must also learn to vary the depth—now you’ re ready!
DON’T ALWAYS HIT TO THE OPEN COURT SIDE! That’s probably right where your opponent is heading. If you can catch them with all their weight going one way, hit back to the side they are busy leaving. This tactic is called wrong-footing your opponent and better players use it often.
GET YOUR WEIGHT INTO THE SHOT—=< docs?
take ereat streneth to hii backhands that have depth and pace, just the ability to set up quickly so 2s 10 allow for a good transfer onto the fromt foot 2s you mect the ball. Keep your dbow down and you will be more api 10 sw-
IF YOU WANT THE BALL TO DROP QUITE SHORT «b= you move im to volley, ty pulime the racket face down throwzh the ball with a sheit wrist acon. Keep the face open and use wey tile arm movement. Use thas shot when your opponent Is dzep.
LET'S DO SOME WORK ON YOUR LOB—a 2000 lob is a necessity for top-level play. Remember these two things: you must use a lone smooth stroke, keeping the ball on the racket as long as possible, and set maximum shot off a ball machine.
HAND—the preparation is especially important. The shoulder is well turned and the head is down. Watch the ball over your shoulder—the wrist is higher than the ball O and the racket head is laid open and held with the support hand higher than the wrist. Go crosscourt at first until you gain control!
STOP AND SET UP! Many of you dash headlong to net volleying in the middle of your sprint and then overs shoot the baseline. You should move in quickly, stop, move to left or right for the volley and then proceed to close off the return.
POINT AT THE BALL! To get your shoulders into the correct attitude for hitting good overheads. The motion resembles that of a serve, but the backswing should be shorter. Hit the ball fairly flat and swing through the ball. Think of trying to throw the racket over the net as your right side comes through. Meet the ball with your arm fully extended! Keep it smooth!
WORK FOR GRACE AND BALANCE WHEN MOV- ING! Watch how the tournament players cover court— the better players float around the court making the most difficult shots look easy. Stay down, keep your knees bent and use your left arm for balance. Don’t overhit on the running shots!
HAVING PROBLEMS SERVING? It’s probably your toss—many of you spend quite a few hours weekly on the court attempting to discover why your serves vary so during play. You never seem to find that grooved swing that you observe in the better players—the toss is the critical part in a consistent service action. Try to move the left arm straight down from the starting position and then up, keeping it extended as you toss. Do not let it float to the left or right. Leave the palm upward!
DON’T ALWAYS HIT THE SAME SHOT FROM THE SAME COURT POSITION! Train yourself to be very aware of your opponent’s position as you approach the ball. Is he too deep? Is he moving in? Is he recovering from outside the sideline? Awareness is what court sense is all about. Develop it!
APPROACHING THE NET—eetting to the net successfully depends upon an approach shot that is deep and accurately placed to force a weak return. Most good volleyers prefer the continental or backhand grip which allows for a slightly open face, necessary to lift low balls. This first volley should be placed deep in court! Go for depth and accuracy on the first volley!
ACROSS THE COURT FROM YOUR PARTNER. When he backs up from the net to hit an overhead smash, back up with him or there will be a gap between you and your partner where the opponent facing your partner can put away an angled shot. Both of you should return to a good net position immediately after the overhead is hit.
WHERE’S YOUR OVERHEAD? You should have a good overhead smash if you intend to attack the net and be able to end the point with it! Get a good wrist action at the top of the swing. Bring the head forward and down. Check to see if handle is pointing up as you finish. It would help if you watched the ball a bit longer!
GOOD FOOTWORK IS THE KEY to success in almost all sports. In tennis there is a split second when ball and body are in the correct juxtaposition to impart speed and pace to the stroke. Spend time developing your footwork and the more difficult shots will become
A COMFORTABLE READY PO- SITION—A_ good_ comfortable ready position means standing with feet apart about shoulder width and your weight on the balls of your feet. Knees are flexed. The racket is held in front, pointing at the opponent, and can be drawn to either side quickly. The ready position is especially important in receiving service and in playing net. Watch the pros get into position. Your problem may be just laziness—keep your weight up! Be ready to move.
POSITION—don’t go for a high-risk shot. Train yourself to think percentage tennis. If your opponent has moved into the net, throw up a high deep lob. Lob towards the backhand corner. It’s much more difficult to back up and move across to the backhand side to hit an overhead. If your opponent has stayed back, stroke a deep fairly high trajectory shot to give yourself time to recover good court position.
WHEN YOU MOVE IN TO PUNCH THAT | VOLLEY, get your elbow and wrist well out in front! This will prevent the racket head from getting out in front of the hand before contact and being hit outside the court to the left.
GO UP AND GET THE BALL! If you can’t get back, get up for those deep lobs. Leap up in the air with a scissors kick and hit the ball at the full extent of your reach. Feel that you are throwing the racket head at the ball. This shot takes fine timing, but it’s worth the effort required to acquire this smash!
GO DOWN THE LINE! Most beginners and intermediate players I see hit most of their ground strokes cross-court. If you turn sideways to the net faster and practice hitting out through the ball more, you will not pull everything cross-court.
UNWEIGHT YOUR FRONT FOOT Come on, gals, you have to unweight your front foot if you want to be able to step into the ball! As you quickly turn sideways and take the racket back on the forehand side, place the weight on the right foot, thereby unweighting the left foot. Now you are ready to step toward the net and move your weight into the shot. Try practicing this move in front of a mirror until it is conditioned.
DERS DOWN AND FORWARD IF YOU WANT TO GET THERE FAST! Why do you insist on moving as if your waist and knees won’t bend? Get down and stay down as you move to the ball. Practice moving on the balls of your feet. Do a lot of short sprints.
< ICE RETURN! When receiving, stand in a relaxed crouch, weight forward, racket pointing at server and feet shoulder width apart. Hop just as server strikes the ball, thus getting your body ready to move quickly in either direction. Use a short flat backswing.
SOMETIMES IT’S ENOUGH TO JUST STAY IN THE POINT! Let’s face it, you will get caught out of position and off balance. These are the times to keep the ball in play and not try for an outright winner. By far the most points won are won on errors, so give your opponent every chance to make that error. Be patient!
TWO-HANDED BACKHAND FOR KIDS— Nowadays children are taking up tennis at a very early age and many find it natural to assist at first with the other hand. The backhand requires a very firm wrist because there is little behind the racket to brace the impact; therefore many youngsters start using the twohanded backhand. As the wrist gains strength the assist hand can drop away before contact and a full, free swing will result. This type shot limits the reach of a player.
ELBOW FIRST, THEN THE RACKET! On your service backswing, as the racket drops down behind your back, start to bring your elbow up and forward, then bring the racket up and uncock your wrist at the top to give more rackethead speed at the point of contact with the ball.
ELBOW TROUBLE? If you are hitting most of your shots off the trailing shoulder and standing flat-footed, neglecting to transfer your weight to the front foot, you are pulling the ball, causing too much strain on the elbow. Try preparing faster. Meet the ball up front!
TOWARD THE OPPOSITE COURT—when you position your racket for the beginning of the forward stroke. I would like you to be pointing the racket handle at the ap- . : proximate spot on the court to which you will direct the ball. Too much backswing is probably making you late quite often.
LISTEN, GALS DO NOT RUSH THE NET WITH
YOUR BODY OUT OF CONTROL! Your chance of making an effective volley when you arrive there is quite remote. Take the short ball from your opponent and coordinate your approach to the net with assuming the correct volleying position!
Rod Laver’s Tennis Tips/25 pet
WHY DON’T I EVER SEE YOU DROPSHOT? This shot, if done correctly can be disguised right up to the last moment. It is most effective on a slow surface. If the ball coming to you bounces inside the service court ’ and is low, aim for a drop shot that lands only several 4 feet over the net.
DON’T TRY TO TOPSPIN THOSE RUNNING BACKHANDS! Unless your game is quite advanced, I suggest that you play those extremely wide shots with a slice. Attempt to hit a medium pace shot cross-court and keep the ball deep. The depth will allow time for you to recover position and by going cross-court you minimize your opponent’s angle possibilities. Keep the ball trajectory high!
READY GALS—HERE’S A GOOD GUIDE FOR YOUR BACKHAND—On your backswing let the racket handle point in the direction you wish to hit the ball then step in toward the net. Bring the racket face around and through the ball. Keep your wrist firm!
PROACH SHOT—When you’re moving in against a short shot, do not slap at the ball. Keep a firm wrist and firm grip. Bring the head of the racket through the ball in a smooth sweep.
DEVELOP AN EFFECTIVE SERVE! Most service problems can be traced to faulty ball-tossing technique. The ball toss must go consistently to the same exact spot.
Practice carrying ball up until arm is fully extended before releasing ball. Once you have perfected the toss, preferably forward of the baseline, lean out fully extended and uncock the wrist to increase the racquet head speed at impact.
DON’T BE SO BLOODY LAZY! I notice so many of you at the clubs and parks spending hours hitting the ball back and forth from the basecourt, making no attempt to get the short balls on the first bounce. This is a decidedly poor way to practice for competition.
Juniors in particular tend to stand too deep and wait for the ball to come to them. Wake up!
‘BALANCE AND POISE’—THE EXPERT’S STYLE! One thing you should notice in observing most top tournament players is the grace with which they execute the most difficult shots. You should start now to make an effort to stop stumbling and lurching around the court. Glide over early, set up and stroke the ball.
GET THAT RACKET DOWN YOUR BACK! The back-scratching action with the right elbow high, eyes on the ball, weight forward on the ball of the left foot is the classic attitude for a great serve. Your body is arched as you lean out over the court ready to bring your right side through to aid power and control.
LET’S UNDERSTAND PER- CENTAGE TENNIS! Matches are won by players who stay in the point. This is the essence of percentage tennis! Do not attempt to employ shotmaking beyond your capabilities. Don’t go for the line when a yard inside will get the job done. You must make your opponent earn every bloody point.
Forget being spectacular!
HITTING FIRMLY? If you’re really watching the ball all the way into the point of contact you will find there is a second or two directly after striking the ball when you are still looking at the spot where the ball was just as you struck it.
GET THAT SHOULDER AROUND! On the backhand both feet should be pointing toward the alley although you have not taken a step, merely pivoted to the left. If your position is right, you will be watching the ball over your shoulder. As your body starts to uncoil, step toward the net and transfer your weight to the front foot. The shoulder acts as a pivot for the arm.
PLAY HOPSCOTCH ON THE FIRST VOLLEY! If you remember how you played hopscotch, it will help Y £o ilaa ——— you make that first volley. Just assume the split-step attitude illustrated here as your opponent’s racket meets the ball. From this position you can push off diagonally to meet the ball on either side. Then continue in for the next volley. eee
NOW RELAX THAT ARM-—children and most novices, when told to hold the racket with a firm grip, often tense up their entire arm. They should just squeeze the racket handle with firm wrist and fingers while keeping the arm relaxed. Attempt a slightly tucked-in elbow through the contact point. This means the arm is slightly bent.
ARE YOU A BIT FOOT LAZY? The tendency to hit from the back foot prevents the player from moving his weight into the shot, thereby demanding much more arm energy to get pace and depth. It also causes the shoulders to open a little sooner with an inclination to pull the shot cross-court. Try to set up faster and step forward onto your front foot.
THE LOB—THE RIGHT STROKE ,THE RIGHT TIME—Good tennis is not necessarily synonymous with constant speed. I feel most club-level players do not spend nearly enough practice time on their lobbing technique.
ARE YOU ALWAYS LATE? If you find many times you are hitting off your back foot, you are probably going to the ball with the racquet still held in front of you. To improve, begin to take the racquet back as you turn and move in the direction of the ball. Now move your weight onto your front foot as you start to swing!
MOVE IN! MOVE IN! What are you waiting for? Close in and make that volley before you have to make a tough half-volley. Keep the pressure on your opponent all the time you’re at the net. Flexed knees help in getting a fast start and in getting down quickly for a low shot.
GALS, KEEP YOUR HANDS TOGETHER ON TWO-
HANDED SHOTS! If you gals who prefer to hit a twohanded shot want to have more success, keep your hands close as you can to each other and your trailing forearm directly behind the handle. On the followthrough, the weight comes forward, the right arm will be bent and the left arm straight. Let your shoulder come through.
HAVE YOU MASTERED THE DROP VOLLEY? It is a difficult stroke, requiring perfection to become an asset. The racket must be tilted back and a small amount of wrist used to sweep the racket under the ball at contact. This shot requires great touch and artistry.
POINT THE HANDLE AT THE TARGET—turn sideways and take the racket back quickly. Lay your wrist back and try to restrict the backswing to the point where the end of the handle points at the spot on the court to which you are directing the ball. Stay down!
EXTEND YOUR OTHER HAND FOR BALANCE when you move across to make that volley. It will give you a better body twist from which to punch the ball.
Don’t forget to maintain the wrist lay-back throughout the entire volley action. Do not flick the racket!
AT THE TOP OF THE BOUNCE and keep the face of the racket vertical, the handle parallel to the ground as you shift your weight into the shot. Drive the racket face through the ball, extending your arm as you come through. Have a target in mind which will move your opponent!
USE YOUR LEFT HAND TO TAKE THE RACKET WELL AROUND ON THE BACK SWING—this will insure a good shoulder turn and position the racket correctly for an effective stroke. Do not roll your right elbow up, but keep it pointing down and slightly flexed. Allow it to straighten as you come through.
IF YOU HAVE TO DASH IN TO PICK UP A DROP SHOT—keep the racket out in front and lay your wrist back. Punch the ball deep to your opponent’s backhand. Now move into the net slightly to the right of the center line. Be prepared for a possible lob.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL! Gals, when I say, keep your eye on the ball | mean watch that ball from the time you toss it up to serve until the end of the point and stop worrying about where your opponent is going. Most players watch the ball until it bounces and then look away as they start to swing causing a great number of mis-hits.
A FULL WRIST ACTION IN THE SERVE is required to move the ball forward with any speed. The racket continues to follow through, crossing the body from right to left. The momentum from the full swing will carry you forward into the court—your arm will finish on the left of your body.
WATCH THE BALL AS YOU BACK UP! If you don’t keep following the trajectory of the lob as it soars over the net and you dance back to set up under the ball, you will unfortunately most likely find yourself unable to produce an effective smash!
LET’S MAKE THOSE VOLLEYS —you’ll have time for only a short backswing but by keeping your weight forward and wrist firm you will get sufficient power and depth.
Play the ball in front with knees bent. Move forward to catch ball higher in flight thus giving you better angles into your opponent’s court!
BE SURE THE RACKET MOVES INTO THE BALL ON THE SAME PLANE AS THE BALL! Try to make contact just in front of your right hip. Guide the racket face through the ball in the direction you wish the ball to go. Finish with the racket head high, but extended toward the opposite court.
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO HIT A TOPSPIN LOB? A good weapon against an overpowering net man is the heavily topspinning lob. The shot whips sharply over his head, drips sharply and then snaps off toward the back fence. This shot requires a high degree of stroking expertise. You should have a good topspin ground stroke before attempting the lob. I find it best to contact the ball just behind my front foot and about waist high.
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DO YOU SPEND TIME PRACTICING YOUR LOB? With both types of lobs, offensive and defensive, you stroke through the ball just as you do ona drive. Do not hit the ball with a jerk, stopping the racket too soon. Keep the ball on the racket as long as possible. Highest point of lob should be directly above your opponent.
LEARN TO DISGUISE YOUR SHOT EFFECTIVE- LY! When you move in on a short ball, do you telegraph your shot as to direction, speed and depth by your body attitude? If your opponent can read the shot before you deliver it, it will have lost the very important element of surprise. Set up the same way for all shots!
THE SLICE BACKHAND HAS MANY USES—it can give you a drop shot, as well as a sharp cross-court angle shot. You can dig up a low ball with a slice and use it to return a fast serve. Pull down through the ball and be sure to follow through all the way or you will hit a chip shot.
AS YOUR ARM TAKES THE BALL UP—GET YOUR WEIGHT ONTO YOUR FRONT FOOT! This does not mean to simply move your head forward : toward the net. Quite to the contrary, move your body weight through the hips, establishing a curve to the body which allows the front shoulder to stay up as long as possible.
IN RETURNING SERVICE IN DOUBLES, THE MOST IMPORi TANT FACTOR IS TO GET THE
BALL IN PLAY AWAY FROM THE NET MAN! Send your return cross-court, low and shallow at the feet of the server as he comes in behind his serve. If the net man plays too close and tends to poach, hit over him down the alley.
LAY YOUR WRIST BACK AND GET YOUR FOREARM BEHIND THE VOLLEY! Whenever i possible for strength and punch, spend time developing this pictured volleying stance. Of course when you have to extend to cover a very wide shot this arm attitude will be minimal, but on a set volley you should be compact and firm. Punch through the ball.
WHEN YOUR OPPONENT IS DESTROYING YOU WITH HARD DRIVES AND A SOLID NET GAME . —don’t attempt to play his game. Instead of trying to | outhit him, change the tempo and you may be able to | upset his rhythm—slow him down! He probably enjoys hitting off your pace. Give him high-bouncing slow ra deep balls and floaters!
TURN SHOULDER AND MOVE IN! Let’s close off \ / \, those weak high returns with a few fast strides forward and a crisp put-away. The backhand volley is similar to a karate cut made in front from the elbow.
PLAYER SCOOPING UP A BUNT—pivot quickly and get your shoulders around parallel to the line of flight of the ball. If you’re rushed, skip any backswing! Get down as close to the ground as you can, but maintain good balance. Don’t lift as you make the shot. Open the face of the racket slightly for some lift.
MANY INTERMEDIATE PLAYERS LET THE BALL DROP FAR TOO LOW OFF THE BOUNCE! Especially on slow surfaces, move in and catch the ball keep your opponent on the defense and allow you to maneuver him into an error. You also will be able to hit O this shot with more pace!
GET A LITTLE ZIP IN THOSE DRIVES! In order to impart some pace to your forehands and still be consistent, I suggest the use of a moderate amount of topspin. Be sure that your racket is moving forward, about parallel to the ground. Brush up on the ball slightly at contact, continue your swing out and up.
IS QUICKLY! As you make your turn take the racket straight back without any flourish or frills with the left hand guiding the racket into proper position. Attempt to meet the ball 12 to 18 inches in front of your right leg. Try to hit the ball on the rise at waist level for maximum power.
Rod Laver’s Tennis Tips/39 before it drops below net height. This procedure will
YOUR KNEES WILL BEND! In my travels I notice many club players have never learned the good athletes’ habit of moving with their knees bent. From the ready position through the completed stroke, move with knees flexed!
IN ORDER TO INSURE CON- TROL, USE A FULL FOLLOW- THROUGH! The follow-through permits the racket strings to stay on the ball longer and guarantees being able to direct your shot to any spot on the court. Finish with the racket held high and forward. You will note that it is not necessary to straighten the knees in order to finish with a high follow-through— stay down!
START RIGHT—FINISH RIGHT! Begin with the = hands waist high, hold the ball in the fingers, not in the palm. As the left hand rises slowly and straightens, the racket hand drops down past the right leg. The motion should be smooth and relaxed. Watch the ball all the way up, until it is hit. Do not slide the front foot!
LET’S STRAIGHTEN YOUR BACK A BIT—if you observe most better players, you will see that they keep their backs quite straight as they make contact. The bend is in the knees. Do not hump over the ball! You can get down to the lowest balls even if your knees almost touch the ground.
WOULD YOU LIKE MORE BACKHAND POWER? Once you have learned to keep the ball in play and direct it to various spots on the court, you will want to develop some power. You must maintain an effortless swing so as not to sacrifice accuracy. Power comes from: hitting in the center of the racket, meeting ball in front of the body, a good shoulder turn on backswing, a firm wrist, body weight moves forward, and a fine follow-through!
PUNCH THAT VOLLEY, DON’T WHIP IT! If you find you are having trouble going down the line with your volleys, you probably are not punching through the ball with a firm wrist. I observe many players swing-
" ing at the volley and flicking their wrists, causing far too much racket head speed through the ball contact point.
MOVING SHOTS ARE BY FAR THE MOST DIF- FICULT! Every player’s error percentage increases as he is forced to run to reach the ball. Therefore, spend more time with your practice partners, moving each other around the court, side to side, up and back. Do not spend so much practice time simply feeding the ball back and forth in the center of the baseline. Practice to improve your weakest link!
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE SOUND STROKES WITHOUT GOOD RACKET HEAD CON- TROL AT ALL TIMES! It is much more difficult to have racket head control if your arm gets too far away from your body. Keep your upper arm down and elbow pulled in on the backswing.
USE YOUR LEFT HAND TO KEEP FROM OVERSWINGING ON THE VOLLEY PREPARA- TION—many players take the racket too far back on their backhand volley. You must meet the ball out in front of your body. By keeping your left close to your ribs, your right arm will stop shorter on the backswing and you will volley out front!
A BACKHAND TIP! Draw the racket back quickly with your left hand. At the finish of the backswing, the shoulders have turned and you are watching the ball over your right shoulder. The left hand is still at the neck of the racket and will drop free as you start the forward swing.
LAY YOUR WRIST BACK AND PUNCH THE VOLLEY! Too many of you gals have your arm too extended on the volley. Get in closer to the ball and stay compact. Now punch forward. No wrist flick! Try to get the feel of keeping your elbow in and your forearm behind the racket.
DON’T SET UP TOO CLOSE TO THE BALL OR YOU WILL HAVE TO LEAN AWAY TO GET THE SHOT OFF! Try checking your swing in front of a mirror. Note as you bring the racket through, the distance between your body and the center of the racket face. This will give you a better idea as to how far to set up from the line of the ball.
IF YOU WANT A GOOD BODY ARCH, BEND YOUR KNEES! As the racket starts to drop down into the back-scratching attitude, go up on your toes and bend your knees slightly forward. As the racket comes up on the ball, your elbow must straighten and your wrist snap while you come up out of the arch. Now everything, legs, body, shoulder, arm, wrist and racket, add to the force of the serve.
MARGIN! Most average players have the mistaken idea that they’re supposed to hit every ball hard and low to the net tape. To keep the ball deep in your opponent’s court, hit the ball three to four feet above the net at average speed and direct the shot.
LIFT THE RACKET HEAD NOT YOUR ELBOW! When attempting the shoulder-high volley, lean forward, flex your elbow, stiffen your wrist, and lift the racket face.
Now punch through the ball.
THE VERY HIGH BACKHAND VOLLEY REQUIRES GREAT SKILL! Most club-level players blow many points attempting this shot with a flick of the wrist. You must rotate your shoulders slightly as you bring the head into the ball, keeping the wrist firm. Do not close the racket face!
PREPARE FAST ENOUGH TO MEET THE BALL OUT IN FRONT OF YOUR BODY! It takes many months of practice before you even begin to acquire the ability to time your swing so as to meet the ball smoothly out front. You can’t develop pace if you are always late and forced to pull the shot off your trailing hip. Practice makes the player!
THE BACKHAND BACKSWING—at the completion ; of the backswing, be prepared to move your weight onto
4 the front foot. Right shoulder is forward, racket is still
") held near throat by left hand, racket face laid slightly back, elbow relaxed and pointing down into court. As y you move onto your front foot, your arm starts forward and straightens slightly, wrist is firm!
LADIES, TRY TO MEET THE BALL HIGHER THAN THE NET—as soon as you see to which side the ball is coming, move forward and to the ball. Try to stroke the ball waist high, it offers maximum power and control. If the ball is high, extend your legs, add a little more height by getting up on your toes. The exact moment that you start toward the ball, take the racket back to a position just behind the rear foot. This will turn the body in the direction of the intended stroke. A quick racket preparation is absolutely essential.
VOLLEYS, BUT KEEP YOUR HEAD FORWARD! Take advantage of your full height on both high volleys and ground strokes.
There may be a strong tendency as you straighten up to pull your head back. This will cause your front shoulder to open too soon, causing the racket face to pull off the ball.
EXTEND THROUGH THE BALL! Even when you can’t get your feet planted to take a step towards the net, you can add pace to your shot by being sure to extend fully through the ball in the direction of the opposite court. Don’t be timid!
STAY DOWN TO THE BALL! Get in close enough to the flight of the ball so you can keep your head down and your shoulders forward. Stay over the shot and you will be more consistent. The closer your eyes are to the point of contact, the easier it will be to place the ball on the center of the racket.
OCCASIONALLY YOU WILL HAVE TO FLICK YOUR WRIST! When you get caught by that deep ball that gets behind you, you must resort to the squash players’ shot and reach back and flick the ball back into play.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO PUT THIS SHOT AWAY FOR A WINNER? As you move in to volley that lovely high ball you’ve been waiting for, don’t slap at it like you were swatting a fly. As it approaches, move your weight forward. If you’re in fairly close, pull the ball cross-court by curling the racket face around the outside edge like peeling an orange.
ARE YOU SURE THAT YOU’RE HITTING THROUGH THE BALL? It is vital that you carry the ball on your racket for as long as possible and try for as complete a follow-through as you can execute. A good trick is to imagine each ball coming to you as having three balls directly behind it. Think of threading all four balls through the racket as you move it forward.
ARM EXTENDED, WRIST FIRM, MINIMUM BACKSWING FOR THOSE WIDE VOLLEYS—don’t throw the racket head at the ball. Push the racket hand forward and the head will move forward in unison. Use very little follow-through. Get it back deep and get set in the ready position for the next volley. It may take several volleys to open the court for a winning volley. Be patient!
THE TWO-HANDED BACKHAND REQUIRES MORE SHOULDER TURN! In order to achieve a good extension through the hitting area and into the natural follow-through you must allow for a full shoulder pivot. Without this the back-up hand could not extend out front and would abort the swing. This extreme shoulder action is not necessary in a one-hand backhand.
STANCE—try to keep your arm flexed and your elbow comfortably close to your body. Drop the racket head slightly. Attempt to meet the ball in front of your position in relation to the net so as to get the strength of your forearm behind the shot. y
MOVE YOUR HIP TOWARD THE SERVICE COURT—many of you are too stiff through the trunk as you serve. As you lay the ball up to serve with a full arm extension, try to move your weight toward the net by pushing your hip forward— not your head! At this point you should feel the muscles of your left side pulled taut.
LET YOUR TORSO START TO UNCOIL! As you bring the racket into the ball you will feel a tension in your lower back as you uncoil. Don’t crowd the ball.
Move sideways and into the ball with the arm now fully extended. Hit the ball confidently and with some power, but do not sacrifice control.
TRY POINTING AT THE BALL! In order to get a good extension to your follow-through and avoid pulling up off the ball too soon, try reaching out in the direction of the flight of the ball you have just hit. You will find that you are now probably pointing at the receding ball. This should end those shots that seem to go dead on your racket.
CROSS OVER AND MOVE DIAGONALLY FORWARD! For those wide volleys on the forehand side, cross over with your left foot, but slightly forward toward the net.
Pivot quickly on the right foot as you step out and you’! find that you cannot only reach farther but can easily stay down for those difficult low volleys.
ON YOUR BACKHAND TRY TO MEET THE BALL OUT IN FRONT-—t is the only way to get power in the shot and to avoid pulling the ball. Get your shoulders sideways to the net. When your weight moves forward onto your right foot, your right side firms up and takes the thrust of the forward swing just as a baseball player hitting left-handed.
STEP ACROSS WITH YOUR RIGHT FOOT TO MAKE THAT WIDE BACKHAND VOLLEY! You’ll find that you have much greater reach using this technique, rather than stepping with the near foot. This method allows the right shoulder to come across and extends the reach possibility by three or four feet.
WISHING WON’T MAKE IT HAPPEN! PRACTICE WILL—to master that low backhand volley, you are going to have to devote the many hours necessary to practicing bending your knees, getting your head down, keeping your wrist firm and watching the ball like a hawk.
PLAYING HIGH BOUNDING BALLS! Quite often, it’s true, you will see top tournament players making shots with their legs straight and up on their toes. This is to enable them to meet the ball sooner by playing it higher on the bounce and still use a more natural swing in the general area of their midriff. Better players do not let the higher bounding balls force them too deep in the court.
SHORTEN BACKSWING ON SHORT, WIDE BALLS! When you move in to pick up those short, wide balls—shorten your backswing! Get the racket back as you move in to meet the ball, but do not let your elbow get too far from your hip. Keep the handle parallel to the ground and do not overhit. Remember, if you are well into the court, you haven’t the depth to hit to.
LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR SLICE BACKHAND! All top level players are able to slice their backhands particularly against high kicking balls. Raise the racket during the backswing so as to start the forward swing above the point of contact. Keep a slightly open face at contact and pull firmly down through the ball with firm wrist.
DO NOT ROLL YOUR WRIST WHEN HITTING TOPSPIN FOREHAND SHOTS! Try to brush up on the ball as it is on the racket face. Keep your wrist back as you pull up and finish high. Your head stays back and your extension is shorter than on a flat shot. For maximum topspin, pull up from the elbow while the racket is in contact with the ball.
C’MON GALS, GET DOWN TO THOSE VOLLEYS
—bend your knees, bend from the waist and get your head over the ball. You’ll find you are hitting with more pace and accuracy as well as being able to recover faster for the next shot.
HOW ABOUT PUTTING SOME HOP ON YOUR SERVE? The American twist is only good if it is served well! Otherwise it will be an easy set-up. It must be deep and have a high kick to the backhand. Toss is to the left as you bring the racket up and across ball from left to right. Concentrate on bringing arm through past the right leg.
SURE, YOU SEE SOME TOP PLAYERS WHO HIT OFF THEIR BACK FOOT—usually they’re hitting extreme topspin and want to catch the ball farther back toward their right hip and are then able to keep the ball on their racket longer, imparting extreme spin as they wipe up on the ball.
a Cy ae ees _e $ tee re 7: ‘ a, =; ‘a F : THIS TYPE OF OVERSWING IS A DEFINITE ‘NO-|
NO’! I see a lot of what I call ‘strangle shot’ finishes. These players usually feel they have great followthrough and are surprised when I inform them that they have a terrible case of over-swing. Follow-through refers to driving the face of the racket out through the flight of the ball.
BALL WHEN DASHING WIDE FOR A SHOT! A lot of errors are made by otherwise steady players when they fail to judge correctly the distance they must move to the ball and overrun the shot. Spend more time during practice periods moving to wide balls, thus improving your judgment.
A GOOD LEAN TOWARD THE NET WILL HELP FOOTWORK! If you gals will strive to get your head out front toward the opposite court as you prepare to strike the ball, you will be forced to step into the shot as you swing to regain your balance or else fall over onto your side. This will stop your tendency to hit off your back foot. Give ita try!
PREPARE EARLY! HIT IN FRONT! You will get more power in your shot with far less effort. The player who always hits late will develop a wristy kind of stroke.
Meet the ball well in front on the backhand with firm grip and set wrist!
VOLLEY! Get low in order to see the ball clearly. Flex your knees and keep your back straight. Extend arm forward—popping up before you complete the volley will cost you control.
GOT ENOUGH PACE AND DEPTH ON YOUR SERVE? When you start the racket up from the back-scratching position, make yourself think of throwing the racket head at the ball. The correct serve motion is up and over with the wrist action determining the speed with which the racket head moves through the ball. To get depth, be sure to bring the right leg forward.
ROLL YOUR WRIST FOR TOPSPIN! When you play the ball on the rise—and want some topspin you may have to roll your wrist slightly in order to put the top edge of your racket slightly forward. Now drive the racket through and over the ball, keeping your wrist very firm. Spend a lot of time practicing this shot before attempting it in match play!
DON’T BE SO STIFF ON YOUR SERVE—I see many players afraid to twist their shoulders away from the ball on the backswing. Besides the arching of the back, you must allow some coiling action to take place at the waist. Concentrate on keeping the left shoulder higher than the right until you are ready to uncoil. Think of your body as a whip as you throw your right shoulder and body into the court with the follow-through.
ARE YOU SPRAYING THOSE BACKHANDS EVERYWHERE? Try keeping your wrist firm as you extend your stroke through the ball, giving the feeling of carrying the ball on the face of the racket. On the backswing, keep your elbow in close to the body. Meet the ball with the racket on the rise. On the followthrough, allow the elbow to come out from the body in a full extension.
A WELL-DISGUISED DROP-SHOT IS MONEY IN THE BANK—‘f you can acquire the ability to approach your shot and not telegraph what you are about to do— you will have a real point winner in the drop-shot, especially if you can follow it with a good lob. Gals, try it on some of your more slow-footed opponents.
A DROPPING BALL AND THE TWO-HANDED BACKHAND! When you have to reach forward and low to strike a dropping ball and are using a_ two-handed backhand, you will have to get up fast and open your shoulders to the ball to allow for both hands on the racket at contact.
CROSS OVER TO REACH WIDE SHOTS! If you step out with the foot that’s on the side of the ball you’ll find in many cases you can’t reach those wide volleys. Step across and you’ll get there! Step slightly forward and your weight will add punch.
TO ATTACK, BE MOVING FORWARD AS YOU — STROKE—the better net rushers have developed footwork technique which enables them to hit from an open stance. They move quickly forward onto the foot usually placed to the rear, driving forward onto the other foot after the swing. This generates great momentum.
IF YOU’RE IN TIGHT AND VOLLEYING A LOW BALL—don’t try anthing too spectacular! Remember, from this position you must lift the ball to clear the tape. If your opponent is quite deep, you might try a short volley, otherwise be content to keep the ball deep in court and wait for a higher ball to put away.
ARE YOU SURE THAT YOU’RE USING SOME WRIST SNAP IN YOUR SERVE? To get some bite into that cream-puff serve you have to increase the racket head speed through the contact point, and not by just speeding up the arm. Let your wrist snap the racket head up, forward and over, and note the additional pace your serve takes on.
FOR ACCURACY AND POWER HIT THROUGH THE BALL! Develop the feel of keeping the racket on the ball as long as possible. This requires extending the swing as far as you can toward the net before allowing the face to arc around across the flight of the ball. Do not be tentative!
A SHOT THAT’S NEAR THE SERVICE LINE! Get your racket back, quickly pointed toward the side fence. Move to the ball and punch forward through the ball, being careful not to smother the shot.
If it’s low; keep the racket face open slightly.
4 BETWEEN SHOTS! Try hitting the ball on the rise to 1 cut down your opponent’s recovery time. If you can ? keep them from getting set, they will make far more erud 2 ia rors and will hit a lot of weak returns. Move in on the short balls.
IF YOUR CHILD HAS AN INTEREST IN HITTING | A TENNIS BALL AT A TENDER AGE—the youngster will have more success and more fun if you cut down the length of a junior racket by 5 or 6 inches. Parents, don’t press—it’s just a game!
STILL HAVING TROUBLE GETTING TOPSPIN ON THOSE HIGH BALLS? Take the racket back quickly to allow time for you to be sure the racket head is coming up to the contact point from slightly below. Some of you using a continental grip may have trouble keeping the face from opening. This would balloon the shot.
DON’T PANIC WHEN YOU GO FOR THE HALF- VOLLEY—turn quickly to the side and point the head of the racket to the side of the court. That’s all the backswing you’ll have time for. Get your head down and try to keep the racket handle parallel to the ground.
Sweep forward through the ball. Stay down!
FOR THOSE WIDE LOW BACKHANDS—get moving as soon as you see the ball is coming wide. Allow room in which to hit the ball with the arm extended. Bend your knees and get down to the ball. You want to hit this shot without dropping the racquet head. Stay down as you hit and watch the ball!
HAVING SOME TROUBLE HITTING YOUR BACK- HAND DOWN THE LINE? Try letting the ball come a little deeper into the hitting area and don’t let your shoulders come around on the follow-through. Finish with your chest still facing the side of the court and your arm fully extended in the direction you wish to hit the ball. Don’t flick your wrist on this shot.
IN DOUBLES, THE ACTION IS AT THE NET, FAST DECISIONS AND INSTANT RESPONSES ARE DEMANDED—when all four of you are at net, throw a few surprises at your foe. Take one of their volleys on the fly and loft it over their heads down the center of the court. Chances are they’ll be caught leaning forward anticipating a low volley. Right?
ARE YOU HAVING TROUBLE RETURNING THE HARD SERVE? IS IT SLIDING OUT OF BOUNDS?
Back up a few feet. Shorten your backswing and meet the ball out front. Extend through the ball with a firm wrist. Do not try to flick the ball, rather punch through. Aim back well inside of the sidelines.
STILL MISSING THOSE HALF- VOLLEYS? Shots at your feet are deep trouble. Bend your knees and get your head down. Stay low. Prepare your racket quickly. Backswing is extremely short. Meet the ball with your weight moving forward!
KEEP YOUR SHOULDER DOWN! When you lift your shoulder you contract the trapezius muscle, a large flat muscle of the upper back and neck, impeding the free movement of the shoulder socket. Try keeping your shoulder relaxed and simply raise the racket head to meet those high bounding balls by getting closer to the ball and bending your wrist and elbow slightly.
WHEN YOU MOVE IN TO VOLLEY THAT SHORT Ga BALL—keep your center of gravity low! Head down, ANS) knees bent, racket forward and toes of your front foot ew pointing toward the net. Wrist firm, handle parallel to ' 2 ground. rf
HAND -—this shot has much in its favor: the ball can be hit hard and still land in court, it has control and offers more safety, and is an attacking shot. The racket head is slightly lower than the flight of the ball as the weight is transferred to the right foot. At the moment of impact the wrist is locked as the shoulder rotates forward. The follow-through ends high above shoulder level. This shot requires hard work to master.
TRY TO STEP TOWARDS THE NET! As you turn and draw the racket back preparing to step cross-court to strike a wide ball, get to the position on the back foot, allowing for the last step to be directly toward the net with the front foot.
IS RETURNING THAT HIGH-KICKING SERVE YOUR PROBLEM? Your best bet may be to stand in and play the ball on the rise—use a short backswing, keep your weight forward. Start your forward racket swing from above the ball with the face laid open and with a firm wrist pull down through the ball to impart backspin or slice.
GET READY FOR THAT WIDE SHOT! Take your racket back as you turn to run to that wide shot, then when you get there you’ll be ready to stroke the ball without rushing. This is the trick to good court coverage. The minute you can determine the side your opponent’s shot is going to, turn to the side and take your racket back as you move to the ball. You will not be late!
A VOLLEY TIP! Here’s a tip that will save you when they drive the ball right at you. Volley the ball with your backhand! I see many of you attempting to make this volley with your forehand. It is almost impossible unless you are a contortionist!
UNDERSTAND SPIN! You must understand the effect of your opponent’s spin as it comes off your racket! Your opponent’s slice or backspin will tend to deflect downward on contact with your racket. To counteract this, the racket face should be slightly open and the shot played with a very firm wrist.
LITTLE MORE TOPSPIN ON THAT CROSSCOURT BACK- HAND? Try laying your wrist back a bit more on your backswing. Now bring the racket head forward from below the point of contact and think of striking the ball on the low outside curve as you wipe up through ball.
CAN YOU COME UP WITH THE LOB VOLLEY? It is primarily a doubles shot used when all four are at net and you find it near impossible to volley through. If you can learn to arch it just out of reach as your opponents lean in for the volley, it is almost always a sure winner. It requires a most delicate touch.
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DROP THE HEAD OF YOUR RACKET! Yes, there Lara R ENG are times when you will be forced to drop the head of the racket far below your wrist in order to reach a forcing shot. Just be sure not to scoop the ball and balloon it out of the court. It is extremely important on this shot to keep the face of the racket moving forward and not flick your wrist.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO IM- PROVE? USE THE BACK- BOARD! Practice against a wall grooves your shots, makes you quicker and much steadier. The backboard never misses. Pick a target spot on the wall and stroke the ball with average speed. There is Pee no time to hold your followthrough, prepare quickly for the next stroke. After awhile attempt to play the ball on the rise.
IT’S GREAT FUN TO HIT A TOPSPIN LOB—you should have a good topspin ground-stroke before you attempt this lob. It is easiest to hit this shot on slow surfaces where the ball sets up. I start with the racket head below my wrist and the face vertical. The racket should momentarily grip the ball as I uncock my wrist bringing the face forward and upward with a snap. A deftly hit topspin lob can do wonders for your ego. Why not have a goatit?
CAN YOU SLICE YOUR BACKHAND? Most of the top players have a slice in addition to a drive. It has many good uses: to execute the drop shot and sharp crosscourt angle shots, to retrieve a wide ball and to return a big hopping serve. The racket face is open on the backswing. Bring the racket head forward and slightly down through the ball, keeping the face open. The shoulders pivot forward but the racket head does not move upward!
ATTACK ALL SHORT BALLS! Too many of you club players try to do too much with the deep balls and fail to realize that the short ball is the one to gobble up. Hit deep and move in! If you plan to hit with speed, go crosscourt. The net is six inches lower at the center tape. This is the time to put extreme pressure on your opponent.
ET—by allowing the smaller children to move their hands up on the handle, they will enjoy greater success in meeting the ball on center. Another great aid is to allow them to stand well inside the baseline so as to play a shortened court, thereby increasing their fun. i eee =
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LAY THE FACE OPEN ON ALL THOSE LOW VOL- LEYS! If you’re playing the ball from anywhere below your knees, try to lay the face of the racket back so that the angle of deflection will put the ball back into the same line of flight. This will insure enough height on your shot to clear the net.
HIT WIDE FOREHAND FROM AN OPEN STANCE! Many advanced players hit the wide forehand from an open stance in order to recover fast— this allows them to push off from the right foot, thereby saving a split second in getting to the next shot. The trick is in not letting your hips open to the net before meeting the ball and in bending your right knee so as to ee be ready to spring back towards the center.
POWER! Let’s face it, there will be many times when you will not be ready in time to take that lovely last step into the ball toward the net. If you’ll try in these cases to at least lean in to the net you can accomplish somewhat the same thing.
MOVE IN QUICKLY! HIT THAT SHORT BLOOPER WITH YOUR OVERHEAD! Come on, gals, move your feet. Don’t just stand there letting that weak return of your forcing approach shot drop in front of you. Move up and use your overhead to put the ball away. Too many of you let your opponents off the hook by hanging back on returns that should be easy pickins.
UNLESS YOU ARE A CONTOR- TIONIST—don’t poach at the net in doubles play before your opponent has started his racket forward! Also it’s a good idea to have a signal that indicates to your partner your decision to go across, so he can come in to cover the side you are leaving. Otherwise you may be made to appear quite foolish.
BLE WHEN RETURNING THE SERVE! Do not rely on power alone to get depth on your return. You’re better off using an arching trajectory rather than a low flat drive. Your control will be greater and you will have more time to recover good court position.
LAY THE FACE OPEN ON ALL THOSE LCY VOL- LEYS! If you’re playing the ball from anywh:> below your knees, try to lay the face of the racket bac so that the angle of deflection will put the ball back nto the vi) same line of flight. This will insure enough Jight on . ee your shot to clear the net.
HIT WIDE FOREHAD FROM AN OPEN STANCE! Many advanid players hit the wide forehand from an open sta?e in order to recover fi this allows them to push of from the right foot, th saving a split second in giting to the next shot. trick is in not letting yourtips open to the net befg meeting the ball and in ber _ your right knee ee] be ready to spring back tov rds the center.
POWER! Let’s face it, there will be many times when you will not be ready in time to take that lovely last step into the ball toward the net. If you’ll try in these cases to at least lean in to the net you can accomplish somewhat the same thing.
MOVE IN QUICKLY! HIT BLOOPER WITH YOUR OVERHEAD!
gals, move your feet. Don’t just stand there tin : weak return of your forcing approach shot dropin ft of you. Move up and use your overhead to put the away. Too many of you let your opponents off the 1X by hanging back on returns that should be easy “kin a x s ‘a
UNLESS YOU ARE A CONTOR- TIONIST—don’t poach at the net Mf ; ‘1 doubles play before your oppo- O nent has started his racket forward!
Also it’s a good idea to have a signal that indicates to your partner your decision to go across, SO he can come in to cover the side you are leaving. Otherwise you may be made to appear quite foolish. i racket head as you come into the ball or you will pop up : a lot of sky balls. Try to stroke through the ball with a fairly flat swing. The lob, of course, is the exception. Here you want height to clear the racket of your opponent.
HERE’S A MOVE TO GET YOU INTO THE NET! Hit a high trajectory shot deep to the backhand— you'll have plenty of time to get in and make a volley deep and low to the other corner. Don’t go for a winner on the first volley necessarily. Work your opponent out of position with a sequence of shots.
YOU CAN RETURN THAT OVERHEAD SMASH! Stay fairly erect because you are going to get a high bouncing ball. Your weight is forward. Make a short pivot with your shoulders as the ball comes to you so that your racket points to the side fence. Now, block the shot back.
NET! Minimal backswing, knees bent, arm straight, wrist firm, racket face slightly open, do not take eyes off ball until it strikes the racket. Try to keep the ball low over the net so as not to give your opponent a setup.
ARE YOU GALS GUN-SHY AT THE NET? Try working from a little deeper in the service court. This will afford you a split second longer to set up and move forward into the volley. If your opponent is a soft hitter, move in tighter.
COME ON, LADIES, YOU’VE GOT TO LEARN TO MOVE! Women often have problems in getting to the ball. You simply have to know how to run. If you are sufficiently mobile you should be in good position in time to hit an effective forehand, backhand, or volley. Try skipping rope daily. Running up stairs will help.
KEEP YOUR WRIST LAID BACK WHEN YOU EXual * TEND FORWARD ON A SHORT BALL! If you are smothering a lot of those short balls or hitting a lot of wood shots, possibly you are closing the racket face by not maintaining the wrist attitude, indicated here, through the contact point. With a bit of concentration during practice you can develop great control with this shot.
GALS, IF YOU WILL POINT AT THE LOB YOU WILL GET YOUR SHOULDERS IN THE CORRECT POSITION—watch the tournament players turn quickly sideways, back up under the lob and follow the ball with their left hand. Observe how fast they get the racket up so as to be ready to uncork a crisp overhead.
You should practice this shot several hours each week.
WOULD YOU LIKE MORE SPEED ON YOUR SERVE? As you shift your weight completely forward, try to get enough racket head velocity to carry your arm down across your body, finishing on the opposite side behind your left hip. This is an extremely important element in a fast serve!
IF YOU WANT TO BE A TIGER AT THE NET—you must devote the time required to make you so skilled at volleying that you prefer moving to the net at every opportunity! As long as you continue to hide in the backcourt you will never develop the confidence nor skill needed to be a tiger at the net.
POINT IT AT THAT LOW BALL! This habit will insure your getting your head down to the shot and keep you from scooping the ball. Needless to say you must also watch the ball and keep your wrist firm through the entire stroke.
—NOW HUSTLE BACK IN COURT! No matter how great the shot you make from outside the sideline, if you stay out there admiring it, you’re going to get zapped— the better the level of play, the more you will be aware of the importance of a quick recovery. Practice doing short quick-start speed sprints.
Fi PIVOT AND SWING YOUR IGHT LI WARD AS YOU HIT YOUR SERVE WITH A FULL _ WRIST ACTION! If you find your serve tolack zip, try adding the above movements to your arm action. Be sure to toss the ball far enough into the court to allow for a good body lean.
ABOUT ALL THOSE TWO-HANDED SHOTS —there are some reasons for hitting with two hands. The two wrists reinforce each other adding strength. It prevents the elbow from leading on the backhand. Gripping with two hands will help develop a good shoulder pivot and weight shift.
WHEN YOU THROW UP A DEFENSIVE LOB, USE AN ABSOLUTELY FIRM WRIST! Any wrist action on this shot has a tendency to create too much racket speed, minimizing control and giving too much depth. Work to develop the feel of carrying the ball on’ the face, not flicking at the ball with your wrist.
STRIKE YOUR OVERHEAD DIRECTLY OVER YOUR BODY! Try to make the arc of your swing come through and meet the ball at a point that would be approximately 12 o’clock on the face of a dial. I see too many overheads come through on an arc that meets the ball between 10 and 11. Get your elbow up!
DON’T LET THOSE HIGH BACKHAND SHOTS DESTROY YOUR CONFIDENCE! Two things will help you make this shot: first you must learn to lift the arm in the shoulder socket while maintaining the natural angle between forearm and racket handle. Don’t attempt to lift the elbow to the racket head height. Second, move your weight forward!
GET YOUR WEIGHT FORWARD AND STEPINTO THE COURT! Now that you have a good wrist snap at & CP eee the top of your swing you must allowthemomentumto st carry you forward into the court. There must be no ; hesitation in the forward motion at any point. In this action the left foot serves as a pivot point. Work for a smooth full movement.
THE BIG GUN OF TENNIS— THE TOPSPIN FOREHAND! The topspin drive can carry great pace. As the ball bounces, the topspin causes the ball to shoot forward and to bounce faster and higher. You must brush the racket face upward as well as forward as it meets the ball. Keep the wrist locked while the ball is on the racket and finish with a high follow-through. Weight is forward. Play this shot several feet over the net to get good depth.
ARE YOU SMOTHERING TOO MANY OF THOSE OVERHEADS? If so, you are probably making contact with the ball too far in front of your wrist. Try meeting the ball as your arm and racket are fully extendedina = straight line and slightly in front of your head. If your opponent is lobbing into the wind, the ball will slow up faster, requiring you to hold your wrist flick back slightly.
ED BACKHAND DRIVES—you had better learn to roll that back knee in and forward in order to get the correct hip action. The hips open, allowing the shoulders to come through. Without this action you will never get a good forward extension through the ball with two hands on the racket.
net for the kill! When you can move in front of the baseline to take the ball on the rise, use a short backswing and keep the arm relaxed.
Whatever pressure is applied to the handle comes from the firm grip and wrist. Execute this stroke with a slightly tucked-in elbow. Good extension on follow-through.
LOB OFF OF A VOLLEY? Of course! Sometimes it is the only shot—this requires a finely developed touch. If your opponent has just scrambled in to get your dropshot and you’re at the service line, try volleying his return over his head to the backhand corner.
DON’T JUMP FOR THAT OVERHEAD UNLESS YOU HAVE TO! There will be times when jumping is the only way to pull the overhead off, but if you can get into position to make this shot maintaining contact with the ground, your effectiveness will be greater. The overhead will then more closely relate to the movements used in the serve.