As a self-taught tennis player, I always looked for books that could help me improve my game. Most of the books that I read were long, wordy, and complicated. In college, I had the same problem: books, books, books, but none to my taste, simple but in-depth. I always needed to make outlines to focus on the specific things I wanted to work on. It is true that a good way of learning is to make your own outline, but sometimes we need them ready in order to concentrate on the goals without getting lost in words. This book is written in outline form, and it is simple to follow.
You can even take it down to the court and concentrate on any stroke simply by taking a glimpse at that specific page.
Play Winning Tennis with Perfect Fundamentals is designed for visual learners and students of the game who look for simplicity without cutting corners, but it is not picture-perfect. In this everchanging game, where there are many stances, several ways to take the racquet back, hit the ball, and follow through, it would be impossible for me to include everything. That’s why I laid out this book as a guide, so you can understand how biomechanics work in tennis, and, with the help of your local pro, I hope you can improve your tennis game dramatically.
Even though the drawings and diagrams are shown from a righthanded player’s perspective, any left-handed player can interpret them by using a mirror image view. I included side and front views for most of the strokes so the conversion would be easier. Also, to better understand the court diagrams, place yourself in it or imagine that you are on the court playing that particular pattern (instead of just thinking player A and player B). Finally, when using the terms “he” and “his,” I imply, by all means, “she” and “hers.”
xi ee ee a aaa a aah oe pte area Woaeion jp Sen) fet <8, duller th et A al D at ae ad ia oes fe ee eet a =a : gi & lige ee ti Soi ea ee Dees Ea, =a = Piya] oF is, ake ane (i of a Cee ee ee oe i a is es eee wim “Fc tne ee ATE ae ae ee eral sig erteaatl bang ie ate] iy ae amas | sieaenk iediiel a a is <
I must mention that without the help of many people I would not be the person and player that | am today. J would like to thank my mentors, Nick Bollettieri, Vic Braden, and Dennis Van Der Meer, for their continuous contributions to the game and my tennis life.
A special thanks to Jack Groppel and Jim Lochr, who enlightened me to the reaims of sport psychology and biomechanics (when they talk...J listen!). | would also like to extend my warmest gratitude to my first coach Ron Steele, former head coach of the Israeli Davis Cup team, for taking me under his wing when I was nothing. Thanks to the USTA High
Performance Coaching Program team, especially to Nick Saviano and
Paul Lubbers, for raising the stakes in American coaching. Sincere appreciation to my friends John Lapham and Claudio Yamus...and to all my students for sticking with me all these years...you have been the source of my inspiration.
Finally, and most importantly, | would like to thank my family, especially my wife Maura and my mother Henche Silberstein, without whose contributions and support this book would be just a fantasy.
This book belongs to the instructional tennis series “Play Winning
Tennis,” which covers every aspect of the complete competitive player.
* Book 1: Playing Winning Tennis with Perfect Fundamentals
* Book 2: Playing Winning Tennis with Perfect Basic Strokes
* Book 3: Playing Winning Tennis with Perfect Specialty Shots
* Book 4: Playing Winning Tennis with Perfect Strategy
* Book 5: If] Play Better Tennis, Why Cant I Win?
Order of shots and shot description.
Bounce and direction of the shot after the bounce.
auccavese > Player’s movement.
Player A (your shot).
Player B (your opponent).
Target or zone.
Player’s position.
All diagrams are shown from a right-handed player’s perspective, and, unless mentioned, all patterns are identical from the ad or deuce courts, consequently, easily convertible for left-handed players as well as for planning a strategy from both courts. (Patterns are based on geometry of the court and percentage, not player’s strength or weakness).
All “order of shots and shot description” boxes are border coded with the respective shot (line) for easy recognition.
All stances derive from an athletic, ready position. From this neutral position, not only will you be ready to move in any direction with quickness and effectiveness (balanced start), but most importantly, the “kinetic body chain” will be maximized (rhythm and power production as well as control enhancement and injury prevention).
While most professional players choose the open stance (mostly for forehands) because of its quick preparation and recovery, you should balance the specs of each stance, experiment with them, and choose your own. Keep in mind that a good player is flexible enough to adapt to any tactical situation, and, therefore, proficiency in all stances is a good asset.
The kinetic body chain refers to the segments of the body that act as a chain (body links) in order to produce energy. Starting with the knee extension, ground forces are generated (“for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”) and successfully transferred from link to link until they reach the ball.
The body link system consists of (in order of execution):
. Elbow extension (internal rotation)
In order to generate with efficiency (avoiding injury) the maximum amount of power and control, the body links must be in coordination (timing), meaning that the body link system should be kept in sequence for all strokes starting from the ground up (knees to wrist), without omitting any segment, and without the use of extra body parts (unnecessary elbow motion or too much wrist).
WITH PERFECT FUNDAMENTALS rere ee er ese nese
* Feet shoulder-width apart.
® Knees bent about 30 degrees. Lowering your body (center of gravity) will prepare your leg muscles to react quicker as well as set you up into a balanced position.
* Head up and body weight slightly forward (on the balls of your feet).
* Racquet is held at the center of your body, out in front, high but below eye level.
* Free hand holds the racquet at its throat.
Be relaxed but alert and aware of opponent’s next shot.
* Quicker preparation (for groundstrokes, and especially needed for quick return of serves).
* Quicker recovery (back foot is ready to push to the “Recovery Site”).!
Better court coverage.
* Excellent deception of shot aiming (keeps opponent guessing).
* Ease on crosscourt shots.
* Enables you to keep the front side of the body clear throughout the shot (no restrictions in rotating the shoulders and hips).
* Easy to slide and reach on clay courts, especially on stretch shots.
* Excellent racquet head acceleration.
* Requires upper body flexibility to rotate the shoulders while keeping the hips open (especially for backhands).
* Requires powerful leg action due to the reduced weight transfer (no step into the ball like the square stance).
* Requires quicker footwork to get closer to the ball. A two-handed open stance shot requires you to get closer to the ball to make contact, compared to a square or closed stance. This makes a big difference on running wide shots.
* Difficult to hit down-the-line shots.
* Requires a strong arm and wrist for a good swing and snap.
* Lower percentage shot because of the extra use of arm and wrist.
* Excellent weight transfer due to the forward step.
* Good power production (use of kin body chain).
* Better aiming by ease to follow through forward to the target
* Easy to set up the backhand lly the one-handed).
* One extra step needed for recovery
* Easy to hit running wide shots and passing shots.
* Ease of defensive slice.
Inefficient weight transfer.
* Loss of energy (power) due to sideways-locked hips (no hip rotation).
* Harder to maintain balance due to the weak foundation (foot position).
* Diminished racquet head acceleration.
* Slower to recover.
® Difficult to hit crosscourt shots.
'See Recovering in chapter “Anticipation and Footwork”
Backswing should be considered a style of play, and each player should develop his own as it is practiced. All backswing styles, however, have the same basic and simple foundation: from the ready position! / split step / react, turn your shoulders (unit turn), and the racquet automatically goes back. The difference lies in the size of the backswing loop, or whether there is a loop at all.
1. Split Step 2. Shoulder Turn 3. Backswing Style
1. Split Step 2. Shoulder Turn 3. Backswing Style
The most common backswings are:
* Easy and quick backswing, but not much spin production. Racquet head acceleration is generated mostly from the forward arm swing. Therefore, a strong arm is needed. Used mostly for quick return of serves and shots hit on the run, like passing shots.
* Just like the straight-back backswing, this one is quick and fairly easy. Good topspin production, but if hit late it could become a scoop (racquet hits under the ball, leaving with an upward trajectory and no spin). Make sure, if you use this kind of backswing, not to continue further back than necessary (tip of the racquet should point back), otherwise, the racquet will come up behind you, and a slice
(underspin) shot will be produced.
* Choice of most of the pros. Excellent rhythm, acceleration, and topspin production. Racquet is taken back with a high loop. As you are getting ready for the forward swing, the racquet drops down easily, thanks to gravity (racquet weight), and accelerates to the point of contact.
* Compact “C” Loop (On the backhand, looks like an inverted “C”)
| To the point | _ ofcontact. , --—
Great racquet head acceleration due to high racquet head backswing.
Vera ieee ; fo the point i of contact. |
* Swing under the level of the coming ball for good topspin production (see
“Spins” in Chapter 1).
'See Ready Position in chapter “Stances” il ; 7 ; 2; 7 - : Lae ; : | eee Foes oir erage fi
Realizing where your opponent intends to aim his next shot is a big weapon against his strategy. Anticipation will neutralize his attack (keeping the ball in play effectively)!
and might force him into a defensive plan, shifting the percentage to your side (offensive or attacking game has a higher percentage rate of success than defensive game).?
1. Recovering to the “Recovery Site.”
2. Watching the opponent’s racquet face (reacting quicker).
3. Understanding the next possible shot.
4, Footwork. Getting to the ball early.
* Understanding the effects of spin.*
* Opponent’s pattern of play (especially under pressure).
In the example shown to the left, there are two patterns of play.
Player “A” keeps the ball crosscourt, rallying patiently (high percentage), and Player “B” hits a more aggressive shot without realizing that his opponent reacts
. Crosscourt under pressure with another forchand rally crosscourt shot (automatically). As and a shorter in any other case, every player shot. should be ready for any shot, but having a feel for a possible next shot (anticipation), will quicken your reaction time and, this way, you will reach the ball sooner.
attacking down : the line shot.
3. Player “A” high percentage under pressure crosscourt backhand shot.
Some players have a tendency to have specific patterns of rallies and a particular shot when under pressure. Recognizing those shots and patterns of play will help you anticipate your opponent’s next shot and, therefore, control the point.
* Sound of opponent’s shot (brush for spin).
* Speed and height of the ball.
1. RECOVERING (and Covering the Court)
Your position in the court depends on your executed shot. For this reason, after every shot you will need to know where is the best place on the court to position yourself
(recovering) so you can reach any shot by your opponent.
Because you need to cover only a few yards (from center of the court), you might think that with just speed and acceleration it is possible to cover the whole court well, but:
* Recovering to the “Recovery Site” will make your speed become secondary, and will help you to cover the court easily and effectively. By recovering to the correct spot you will save steps, and, therefore, your tactical plan will become primary (getting to the ball early and hitting the chosen shot).
* Speed and acceleration (as well as quickness of the first step) still are indispensable ingredients for good coverage of the court.
» Most possible » ‘next shot, + next shot.
(not in the center of the court)
* The “Recovery Site” depends on the executed shot.
Aiming to the center of the court. Aiming to the center M7 the court.
Aiming down the Aiming line. crosscourt. =|
The “Recovery Site” is located in the center of reach for any possible opponent’s shot.
* Recover to site 1 (center) after a straight shot to the center of the court to reach the best possible return.
* Recover to site 2 (left from center) after a down-the-line shot to reach the best possible return.
* Recover to site 3 (right from center) after a crosscourt shot to reach the best possible return.
For a quick and efficient recovery, the back foot on every square and closed stance shot steps to the outside and pushes off to shuffle to the “Recovery Site,” or cross steps to run to the next shot.
Push off from outside foot to recover.
The back foot steps out to stop the body inertia and pushes off to recover.
Recover. Open stance players are ready to push off | 3 from the outside foot.
Shuffle when the “Recovery Site” is not far away, as in a crosscourt rally.
Cross step when you are far from the “Recovery Site” and a quick recovery is necessary.
2. WATCHING THE OPPONENT’S RACQUET FACE
As the split step is in progress (feet off the ground), your eyes should be on the opponent’s racquet face as he strikes the ball. This action will provide your brain with enough information, as you land on the ground, to start moving early (or at least reacting) toward the opponent’s intended target area as well as helping you to read speed, spin, and height of the shot (i.e. an open racquet face signals a lob).
As the opponent’s ball crosses the net, you should be already in position to hit the shot
(early preparation) at opponent’s target area, waiting for the ball to bounce on your side.
1, Opponent’s * After your opponent point of hits the ball, never stand contact. : still, As the ball leaves es el oe ha your opponent’s strings, anticipate where that ball will land on your
| court and move to cover the shot early.
Racquet back, waiting for the ball to bounce. 4. Ready and behind the ball before the ball bounces.
* Also, be aware of your opponent’s position on the court (next possible shot), clues from his grip, stance, backswing, and the position of the toss when serving.
3. UNDERSTANDING THE NEXT POSSIBLE SHOT
Understanding the next possible shot will not only help you get to the ball early, but it will let you play on “automatic pilot,” which, consequently, will lead you to play in
“the zone.” Playing in “the zone” is an expression that professional players use when they are playing in a comfort zone (perfect points of contact), where every shot works, footwork is quick and agile (light-footed), and an overall good feel is perceived. Note that all the examples can be reversed.
® When you are attacking with a deep corner shot and moving in to the net, your opponent might get out of trouble with a lob.
deep shot or lob, and move in.
* On a crosscourt rally, the first shorter ball might be a down-the-line + follow to the net.
> 2. Attacking down = the line followed + to the net.
1. Crosscourt rally and a shallow shot.
* When you are pushed deep behind the baseline, expect a drop shot (especially on slow courts like clay).
: 3. Drop shot.
2. Defensive shot.
* If your movement is not the best, or you are not recovering well, your opponent might try to move you around the court, going for the open court.
* Most of the time, high percentage chance of put-away shots will go to the open court.
; down the line ?
followed to the net. set ori player.
Court 4) 2. Weaker center of the
| court.
* After hitting a passing shot down the line, move in diagonally forward as though following the ball, cutting off the angle, covering any possible opponent’s volley (usually if the passing shot is a forcing shot, your opponent will return a weak, short voiley or fall into an “under pressure” pattern of play).
1. Passing shot down the line 1. Passing shot cross court and move in diagonally. and move in diagonally.
* When hitting a drop shot, move in to cover your opponent’s drop shot or angle shot return.
' 2, Next possible shot, another drop shot.
ee shot and move in diagonally.
* Also consider what your opponent might not do on each particular situation (cutting off possibilities).
Footwork is a major factor for success in practically every sport, but in tennis, highperformance footwork is particularly essential. Tennis is a game of constant emergencies, where every shot can be hit at different speeds, spins, heights, and placements.
Therefore, being agile and quick (as well as being able to keep dynamic balance) is a must in order to do all the sorts of specific steps and movements required to reach the ball early.
How do the pros make it look so easy to run and get to every ball? How do they manage to be always in the right place at the right time? The answer is that they anticipate the next shot, and they are never flat-footed while the point is in play. They maintain constant movement: split step/react, get to the ball, recover.
Quick reaction (quick decision-making and quick reaction speed)
* Split step builds a foundation to react to the next ball, taking yourself from a balanced position to a spring-like position. This reaction should follow with an explosive first step. It starts as a little hop in the air. It should be done every time during the point, just before your opponent’s racquet makes contact with the ball.
| with the racquet Feet ready out shoulder in front. || width ee . apart.
* The timing is the most important ingredient of the split step. When the ball is struck on your opponent’s strings, you should be off the ground (1). As you land on the ground (2), your body stores energy (and gets into a balanced position) and so you can move quickly in any direction, according to your opponent’s shot (including moving back for overheads and forward for volleys).
Note: Make sure that the split step is not done after the ball leaves the opponent’s strings. That is why it is recommended you do the split just before your opponent’s actual point of contact.
* As you land, you should not fall on both feet at the same time. It is more effective to land with the opposite foot first for the desired shot. For example, for a forehand a right handed player should land first with the left toes, so the foot will push off, facilitating and preparing the shoulder rotation for the coming shot (first thing right after the split step), and vice versa for the backhand.
This foot touches the ground first.
Using a split step also helps you keep your eyes on the ball, especially at the opponent’s point of contact, maximizing your anticipation (as well as helping you keep good rhythm with the ball) and balance, and therefore helps you move well.
® You do not have to be on the balls of your feet all the time, but an efficient split step starts and finishes on the toes.
Remember: The reason you split is to get to the next shot more quickly, so don’t split and stay —t split and react (move).
If the ball is short, attack by moving forward quickly and hitting the ball off your front foot. For a more aggressive shot, advanced players can jump off the front foot
(dynamic balance must be maintained), falling on the same front foot and continuing to move forward.
Jump off the front Fall on foot. the front a foot and
"giorno move eee | forward.
If the ball is deep into the court and behind you, hit a defensive shot off your back foot but transfer your weight to your front foot. For a more aggressive defensive shot, advanced players can jump off the back foot (dynamic balance must be maintained), landing on the same back foot, and then transferring the weight forward to the front foot (usually forehands).
Open stance. Jump off the back foot.
1. Early Preparation 2. Point of Contact
Fall on the back foot. Push off the back foot. 3. Follow Through 4. Recovery
If the ball is close to you, a side step shuffle is the most effective movement, because once you get to the ball you will be ready to hit an open stance shot, or a square shot if you step forward. After shuffling, your shoulders must turn accordingly (forehand or backhand). Shuffling also is an easy and natural movement that allows you to watch your opponent (especially at his point of contact) as you move toward the ball or recovery.
On clay courts, there is always some degree of sliding. If you play with a square stance, instead of stepping forward as you would do on hard courts, slide the front foot, thereby creating a more stable stance. Also, on -groundstrokes, as you get close to the ball, always make little adjustment steps to fine tune the distance between you and the ball in order to have a consistent point of contact.
If the ball is far from you, right after the split step (1), first turn your shoulders accordingly by loading weight onto the outside foot or the side you are running to (2), and simultaneously slide that foot towards the center of your body weight (Drop Step).
As you get sideways, using a cross step, run to the ball with wide steps, moving both hands in order to accelerate to the ball (3). Use the racquet to maintain balance as you move the hands. Once you get to the ball, small fine-tuning steps are required to make a perfect point of contact. Eyes must be locked on the ball and head kept steady throughout the shot.
For an explosive forward reaction on clay courts, slide the back foot to set up the front foot (loading the front foot).
An inside-out forehand is a forehand hit from a backhand position (running around the backhand). It is a very aggressive shot, but requires agile footwork and quick backpedaling to set the shoulders and get ready to strike the ball. It is usually placed deep in the opponent’s backhand corner (right-handed player) or close to the intersection of the singles sideline and the service line to open up the court.
USDA EIS es: ee ee Early Preparation
WITH PERFECT FUNDAMENTALS a ao ee el ee ee
On clay courts, reaching for a wide ball is more complex than on hard courts. Sliding is a must for the obvious reason that you cannot stop your body’s inertia as you can on hard courts. The point of contact should be executed at the end of the slide: otherwise you will get too far from the “Recovery Site.”
End of Slide / Point of Contact
Back foot e controls the ie length of the slide (break).
Open stance shots create a solid foundation for sliding. Square stances take longer to recover from due to the need for the extra step (back foot steps to the outside). For either stance, in order to slide efficiently, your weight should be distributed evenly at your center of balance, keeping your body fairly low to cover more ground without sacrificing balance. The control factor for the length of the slide is how your weight ts transferred onto the back foot. The more weight you place on the back foot, the more you break. If your weight is on the front foot, you won’t be able to slide (loss of dynamic balance). It is important to keep the head still throughout the slide so your eyes can stay locked on the ball and you can maintain dynamic balance.
Ideally, you should work on quick, explosive footwork (especially the very first step) to get to the ball early and have time to stop and hit the ball in balance. Today, top players are very powerful thanks to cross training, proper diet, and racquet technology, so some shots can be hit on full run while still keeping dynamic balance and producing a very aggressive shot (even on closed stances, whenever it is required). Under very hard situations, when power cannot be greatly produced, a lob is a good way out.
Running strokes should be hit off the front foot for many reasons:
* On the full run, inertia will carry you one or more steps, so having the point of contact off the front foot, the following step will be with the back foot. This leaves you in a perfect position to get to your “Recovery Site” using the back foot for a cross step. It also helps to stop your body from further running (inertia).
* Hitting off your front foot will transfer most of your potential energy (weight) into the shot. The hips will rotate only with the extra step (back foot steps to the outside), generating some more power and acceleration on the follow-through.
* When the point of contact is late or behind, hitting off the back foot is still very effective on the forehand side (especially aiming down the line) due to the position of the dominant shoulder (right shoulder is behind for a right-handed player).
* Players with open stance forehands will find it much harder to hit the ball and to transfer the weight forward (open stance needs to be closer to the ball compared to a closed or square stance).
* One or two-handed backhands are much tougher to hit off the back foot because of the position of the dominant shoulder (right shoulder is in front for a righthanded player). As the ball is struck off the back foot, the weight cannot be transferred forward.
For an aggressive punch volley, step to the apex of the triangle according to the volley (left foot for a right-handed forehand, right foot for a backhand) before making contact.
(one foot out in front).
5. Recover with the back foot stepping to the outside.
4. Step up in front according to the particular volley. Use a cross step only for shots that are too far to reach or when you are late.
3. Move right after the oy split with the outside foot | 4 towards the intended point of contact, cutting off the | angle (Jab Step). | j rc:
2. SPLIT STEP | eae off the angle.
When a ball is too far from your reach, and good footwork cannot make a difference, the last resort is a stab volley, which most likely will produce a drop volley.*
For a quick and effective lunge, after the split step, move first with the outside foot towards the shot (large Jab Step) as you push off with the other foot, and then cross over with it to finally reach the ball or to control your body balance. Racquet face remains as vertical as possible throughout the point of contact. The free hand always helps to control the body balance (forehand and backhand).
Note: Recovering footwork patterns and positioning (recovering to the “Recovery
Site”) for all volleys are performed as groundstrokes.”
There are many footwork options on how to start the serve, and all of them are acceptable. What you choose is a matter of preference, and, eventually, if it is consistent, it will become part of your style. The most common footwork patterns are:
Pushing off the front foot and landing with it inside the court, following with the back (right) foot forward, getting ready to do a split step or to keep running forward for a “serve & volley” game.
* Simple and effective for all game styles.
* Excellent for “serve & volley” type of game (easy to get well inside the court, therefore, easy to reach the net) or for aggressive serves (good angular and forward momentum production).
Push off : : - Fall on the front 3 = | ‘ [ the back foot. ] Off the ; . foot. ground.
Pushing off the front foot and landing with the back foot first inside the court, following with the left, getting ready to do a split step.
* Good angular (trunk) rotation.
* Effective if staying back for baseline type of game.
Push off the front foot.
Fall on the back foot.
Dragging the back foot to the back of the front foot and pushing off from the front foot, \anding first with the front foot inside the court, and following with the back
(right) foot forward, getting ready to do a split step or to continue to run forward for a
“serve & volley” game.
* Excellent spin production thanks to both feet aggressively pushing upward in synch with the arm.
* Excellent for “serve & volley” type of game. Not only can it create aggressive topspin, but by falling on the front foot well inside the court followed by the back (right) foot, you can also create angular and forward momentum, which, consequently, allows you to reach the net quickly.
* The only drawback is lack of balance due to the small base formed when the back foot is dragged to the back of the front foot.
Weight off . ~ Drag the back the front . i 3 foot forward foot. ts \ . and push off the front foot.
Off the ground.
Fall on the back foot.
Although the return of serve is a completely different stroke from the volley, the footwork patterns are similar.
1. Split step. : 2. 1f the ball is right 3. Step up in front at you, load the and make contact.
outside foot as you set the racquct.
2. If the ball is away or shallow, cut off the angle by stepping diagonally
(forward to the side) with the outside foot as you set , 2. Move diagonally the Tacauet to cut off the angle. e racque oe eae nie |
1. Split step.
* By stepping back with the right foot (the same foot that holds the racquet) right after the split step, not only are you getting away from the net more quickly, but because you are turned sideways you are also setting up for quick, back-stepping footwork.
Front foot pushes back. Back foot steps back.
* Once you are faced sideways, use side step shuffles or cross steps to move back.
* If the ball is still too high by the time you need to make contact, use a scissorskick jump or a straight-up jump. The straight-up jump is more often used with the side step shuffle, and it is hard to maintain dynamic balance throughout the stroke
(no angular rotation and difficult to transfer the weight forward).
Back foot. Jump off the Fall on the ——— back foot. front foot.
Because you need to get to the ball at the maximum height of its bounce, and so you can reach the net as early as possible to cut down on the reaction time of your opponent, footwork efficiency is the most important ingredient factor for a good approach shot.
JUMPING OFF THE FRONT FOOT?
* Very aggressive approach shots.
* Best for topspin shots and two-handed backhands.
* Best for one hand backhand slice shots.
* The carrioca step (back foot steps behind front foot) happens right affer the point of contact, allowing the hips to stay sideways throughout the slice stroke on the one hand backhand, and therefore allowing you to hit through the shot (without completely stopping), imparting good underspin with accuracy.
* On the one-handed backhand slice, do the carrioca step after the point of contact
(as follow through is performed).
* On the forehand slice and the two-handed backhand (slice and topspin), the back foot steps in front of the front foot. This step happens before the point of contact, helping you move through and move quicker towards the net.
* Right after the split step, recognize that is a lob (unreachable overhead smash).
Use a back step to turn.
* Quickly turn backward using a back step (same foot that holds the racquet) for the lobs directed over your head or over the forehand side of your body, and run the lob down along the side of the ball (not right under it) while still watching the ball. If the ball goes over the backhand side, just turn around and run the ball down.
* Run guicker than the flight of ball in order to get behind it (beat the ball).
* Always run back a step more than necessary because is much easier to adjust forward on the last split second than to hit it late.
Watch the ball while running.
Run on either side of the ball to get in position to hit it.
* Hit the ball accordingly (depending on which side of the ball you are on), rotating your body 180 degrees (facing forward to the net), pivoting on the back foot
(forehand and backhand).
* Racquet face should be slightly open to hit back a deep lob.%7 fa =
| Pivot otf the back foot. aces
* Follow through as body keeps rotating.
* Weight should be transferred to the front foot.
* Finish high in order to get good height and depth.
WITH PERFECT FUNDAMENTALS ee EE ee ee ee ee
Back foot steps to the outside.
Do not hit the drop shot at a full run. Before point of contact, slow down your speed, as the arm, wrist, and racquet absorb most of the energy to produce an effective drop shot.
On clay courts, contact the ball at the end of the slide.
' See book 4, chapter “Groundstroke Strategy”
2 See book 4, chapter, “Different Players”
4 See book 2, chapter “Volleys”
> See If the Ball is Short in chapter “Anticipation & Footwork”
’ See book 4, chapter “Lob Strategy”
Spin can be used for a number of reasons. By utilizing topspin, some players can be more aggressive. Others, like retrievers, use more defensive tactics, exploiting the underspin. But there is more than that when the ball spins. The ball rotation can tell you how the ball is going to bounce when it touches the ground. The amount of revolutions on the ball also can tell you about its flight and depth (together with the speed and height of your opponent’s shot). You can anticipate the shot better if you understand the spin as it flies to your side and, therefore, you can be better prepared for the next shot.
Also, a combination of heavy spin (topspin), power and mass (your body and racquet weight transferred into the ball at striking time) creates a heavy ball. This kind of shot is an advanced shot, much harder to return than a flat or light-spanned shot.
So, if spin controls the flight of the ball, and you control spin, you control the point.
Energy Vectors Bounce of Ball Racquet face should follow the direction (Side View) of the vectors, brushing the backside of a the ball, ow to high, without changing its angle. The more upward the black vectors (and faster the acceleration), the more pronounced the spin created (as with a topspin lob).
* Increases air pressure on top of the ball, causing the ball to drop quickly.
* Ball rebounds off the court surface quicker, higher, and farther (kicks up) than a flat shot.
* A shot with extreme topspin can kick over the head level, making a tough shot to return, as well as keeping your opponent deep.
* Aggressive shot that can force your opponent to return weakly.
* Easy to clear the net, as the ball tends to stay in the court.
* The opponent’s topspin shot will push you to the back of the court, so make sure that your shots do not get short, return deep with pace; otherwise, your opponent will attack your shallow shots.
* Try to take the ball on the rise. This way, you can stay close or inside the baseline and maintain your offense.
* Be aware of how spin affects the bounce of the ball (angle of incidence). If the opponent’s shots land short (2-3 feet behind the service line) but with heavy topspin, those shots can still push you back well behind the baseline.
Racquet face should follow the direction of the vectors, brushing the backside of the ball, high to low and through, without changing its angle. The more downward the black vector (and faster the acceleration), the more pronounced the spin created.
* Increases air pressure under the ball, causing the ball to float.
* Ball rebounds off the court surface slower, lower, and straighter up (sits) than a flat shot.
* Natural backhand motion. Low energy expenditure thanks to gravity.
* Keeps the bounce of the volleys /ow, forcing the opponent to hit up.
* Use on drop shots, floaters, and defensive game (backhand slice, lobs).
Playing against an Underspinner:
* Because the underspin rotation of your opponent’s shot as it comes to you has the same rotation of your topspin, be careful (hit through the ball, making a solid contact) and lift the ball well, otherwise it might end up in the net.
Me, O t’s x Your Same Underspin Say Topspin Rotation
* Be aware of how spin affects the bounce of the ball. You will need to get closer than normal to the bounce of a ball hit with heavy underspin because that shot will “sit up” and stay low.
SIDESPIN (Back View) a f Ball Ge Backhand Bounce 0 a (Top View)
Racquet face should follow the direction O of the vector, brushing the backside of the ball sideways, without changing its angle.
* Increases air pressure on the outside of ball, causing the ball to shift (curve) right or left according to the brush.
* Ball rebounds off the court surface with a pronounced side curve.
* Opens up the court.
* Jams or gets away from opponent. When hitting a sidespin forehand to your opponent’s right (forehand), you can jam the player, and when hitting to his left
(backhand), the ball gets away from him (same principles apply when hitting sidespin backhands).
* Effective use for inside out forehands.
The sidespin affects the ball flight, creating an outside curvature and making this offensive shot practically out of reach. per out forehand.
Racquet face should follow the direction of the vectors, hitting the backside of the ball straight on, without brushing or changing its angle (some topspin creation), Effect of Spin:
* Even though the ball is hit flat, there is always a small amount of spin on the ball.
* There is little or no effect on the angle of incidence after the bounce of the ball.
* Quick, sharp, and aggressive shots.
* Good to put away short and high shots (well over the net level).
Racquet face should follow the direction of the vector (gray arrow), extending upward with the body and arm, and brushing the
O backside of the ball 7 to J (black arrow) with the wrist. After contact, the wrist snaps and 7 racquet follows straight forward (hollow arrow) to the target.
Recommended Grips:!
® Eastern backhand.
* Continental.
® Semi- Western backhand.
® Over the head (the back arches panera backwards to produce good topspin). oo Ball (solid black) and head. Most Effective:
LA roa Deuce C | Deuce Court |
Open Up the Court High Kick to the Backhand
Racquet face should follow the direction of the vector (gray arrow), extending upward with the body and
(Top View) arm, and brushing the backside of the ball 9 to 3 (black arrow) with the wrist. After contact, the wrist snaps and racquet follows straight forward j (hollow arrow) to the target.
Recommended Grips: !
Eastern backhand.
® Continental.
: ‘ Ball (solid * Out in front to the right. oS an aa
Open Up the Court Away from Player Into the Body (Deuce Side) (Ad Side) (Deuce Side)
MIX (Back View) y ey 3@) i Ball): Energy Vectors
Rotation + ac Face c / the - @ : ee should follow the Rounceotlall pee Ee AE ee fi o aA yer ore « Yy . s = d irection of the vector (gray arrow) (Top View) 0 extending upward with the body and arm, and brushing the backside of the ball 8 to 2 (black arrow) with the wrist. After contact, the wrist snaps and racquet follows straight forward
(hollow arrow) to the target.
Recommended Grips: !
* Eastern backhand.
* Continental.
Toss Placement: 5 Top View * Out in front to the right, but not as Cr Ball (solid far to the right as the slice serve. black) and head.
* The mix serve is a combination of the topspin and the slice. It is easy to produce and very effective in any situation (good amount of spin and power).
Ball Rotation Energy Vector (black dot) gets right into (Top View) the ball. Racquet face should follow the direction of the vector, hitting flat into the ball as the body, arm, and wrist extends upward (gray arrow). After contact, the wrist snaps and racquet follows straight forward (hollow arrow) to the target.
Recommended Grips:!
* Continental.
* Eastern forehand (beginners only).
* Well out in front and slightly to the right. o@ Ball (solid black) and head.
Low part of the net.
* Tn addition to mastering spins, in order to maximize control, use more leg extension and shoulder rotation, and less arm and wrist movements. When joints of the playing arm and wrist are used with excess of motion (or too loosely), especially at point of contact, control will be diminished. The wrist is a good source of power and spin, but it must be used in moderation and in a controlled manner.
The grip of the racquet is the foundation of all tennis strokes. How you hold the racquet will influence the angle of the racquet face and placement of the point of contact in relation to your body (the striking zone).
Grip selection is flexible and will depend on many factors, such as height of the player
(comfort zone), game styles (type of player),' and the intention of placement and spin
(tactics). Other factors are height of the bounce and court surface.
Note: A\l| grip references are intended for right-handed players. Lefty players can easily convert these notes by using a mirror view (opposite without changing the specifics).
1. Locate the diagonal part of your palm from the base knuckle of the index finger, through the center of the palm, to the heel.
Place this area on the racquet grip, holding the racquet on edge, according to the illustrations.
* Holding the racquet on edge (perpendicular) with the left hand, shake hands with the grip.
* Holding the racquet on edge from its throat, place the right palm flat on the strings and slide it down to the grip.
*V” formed from the index finger and thumb on edge #2.
* Versatility on all surfaces.
* Easy to generate power.
* Good feel of strength (majority of palm is behind the grip).
* Good topspin development.
* Allows the feel of prolonged ball contact due to vertical racquet face.
* Offers flexibility for different game styles to develop.
* Comfortable striking zone. Point of contact just in front of the front knee at waist level (between mid-trunk and mid-thigh).
* Hitting low balls.
* Generating a slice shot without wrist adjustment.
* No spin production 1f used on serves.
* Place racquet under the left armpit and grip the racquet with your right hand.
* Hold the racquet on the left side of your body by the pocket, as if it were a sword, and grip the racquet with your right hand.
**“V” formed from the index finger and thumb on edge #7.
* Versatility on all surfaces.
* Good topspin development.
* Allows the feel of prolonged ball contact due to the vertical racquet face.
* Imparts excellent spin on serves (especially for 2nd serve).
* Comfortable striking zone. Point of contact out in front of the front knee at waist level (between mid-trunk and mid-thigh).
* Hitting low balls.
* Generating a slice shot without wrist adjustment.
® Weaker than the two-handed backhand (only fingertips behind the grip).
* Need strong forearm muscles to generate a firm shot and spin.
* Holding the racquet on edge (perpendicular), place your right palm under the grip.
“Vv” formed from the index finger and thumb on edge #3.
(close racquet face on backswing).
* Comfortable high point of contact for high bouncing balls
(especially from open stance).
* Point of contact must be well out in front of body and above waist level.
* Need for excellent timing.
* Need to flex the wrist (to open the racquet face) on low balls.
® Using the same grip for the backhand puts extreme tension on the elbow and arm, which can lead to tennis elbow.
* In between Eastern and Western forehand grips.
*V” formed from the index finger and thumb centered on panel #2.
* Imparts good topspin.
Western (less stress on the forearm and wrist).
* Point of contact at waist level or above, and out in front of the body.
® Difficult for low shots.
* Holding the racquet on edge but facing you (parallel to you) at shoulder level, grip the handle right on.
“Vv” formed from the index finger and thumb centered on panel #4.
* Excellent topspin production.
* Point of contact at waist level or above, and out in front of the body.
* Difficult for low shots.
WITH PERFECT FUNDAMENTALS ee ee ee CONTINENTAL
* Holding the racquet on edge, grip the handle like a hammer.
* Holding the racquet on edge from its throat, place your right palm over the racquet head and slide it all the way down to the grip.
“Vv” formed trom the index finger and thumb on edge
Point of * Same grip for forehand and backhand. contact at é waist level or 2 Good for low shots. Pie, * Ease on late (slightly behind) and ee closer-to-the-body shots. the front knee or slightly * Excellent for imparting slice (natural open behind (very racquet face). little weight transfer). * Easy to impart spin on the serve.
* Easy for quick exchange at the net (volleys).
* Easy for serves, volleys, and overheads (transitional and net game).
* Difficult to gain good racquet face control on groundstrokes.
* Except for low balls, all other shots need a strong forearm and wrist.
Though many combinations can be utilized, holding the racquet with the bottom hand
(right) in a Continental grip has an advantage over the other combinations. Continental grip is the grip used for the one-hand slice, so in an emergency, a two-handed player can easily release the top hand and slice the shot. Point of contact will vary according to the top hand (left), grip preference, and height of striking zone (comfort zone).
* Increased power.
* Advantage on late point of contacts (slightly behind).
* More acute spin and angles generated by the wrists.
* Better support for manipulating the racquet.
* Restraint from excess rotation, which could lead to tennis elbow.
* Shorter reach.
* Difficulty on balls close to the body.
* Needs quicker and more precise footwork.
* Requires good upper body flexibility.
* Difficulty on low balls.
1. EASTERN FOREHAND (Top Left Hand) EASTERN FOREHAND (Bottom Right Hand)
* Good for beginners (quick grip when switching forehand to backhand and vice versa).
* Good support from the top hand, but difficult to control the racquet face due to the wrist position of the bottom hand.
* Hard to produce underspin (slice) due to the bottom hand grip.
2. SEMI-WESTERN FOREHAND (Top Left Hand) EASTERN FOREHAND (Bottom Right Hand)
* Same pros and cons of the previous grip (Semi-Western/Eastern forehand).
® Easy on high shots but difficult on low shots due to the top hand grip.
3. EASTERN FOREHAND (Top Left Hand) CONTINENTAL (Bottom Right Hand)
® Versatile grip commonly used by most top professionals.
* Excellent support from the top hand and good racquet face control thanks to the wrist position of the bottom hand.
® Easy to produce underspin shots by releasing the top hand (slice backhand, volleys, drop shots, defensive lobs, as well as stretched emergency shots).
4. SEMI-WESTERN FOREHAND (Top Left Hand) CONTINENTAL (Bottom Right Hand)
* Same qualities as previous grip (Eastern forehand/Continental) plus pronounced topspin production due to the top hand grip.
* Similar to the previous grip (Semi-Western forehand/Continental) but tougher on low shots.
5. SEMI-WESTERN FOREHAND (Top Left Hand) EASTERN BACKHAND (Bottom Right Hand)
* Excellent topspin production due to the combination of grips, but limited underspin shots.
* Similar to previous grip (Semi-Western forehand/Eastern backhand) but tougher on high shots.
Though not many top players would use a two-handed forehand because of the lack of reach, it is still a powerful, versatile shot. Weak players as well as ambidextrous players can benefit from this shot. Grips are as variable as the two-handed backhand and should be chosen according to preference and height of striking zone. Also, some players change hands when switching from forehand to backhand (top and bottom hands), but some will hold the same grip as the backhand (no switch).
* Powerful.
* Deceiving.
* Good spin production.
* Need for extremely quick footwork.
* Requires great upper trunk flexibility.
* Need for excellent fitness.
* If you switch hands from forehand to backhand, it can slow down the preparation face of the stroke, and if you do not switch hands, your hands get crisscrossed, making it a difficult shot to control.
The change of grips during the point is done automatically with the free hand (the left hand for right-handed players), as the shoulders turn to prepare for the shot. The variation is when time is limited, like when moving to the net (to volley) and returning a serve. The change of grip is done as soon as you realize what shot you are getting
(forehand side or backhand) as you split step.*
Using one grip, the Continental, for the net game (volleys, overhead, serve & volley game, etc.) is an advantage. Even though there is enough time to make grip changes, the Continental will maintain good wrist position for volleys and apply the necessary