A tennis stroke is a refined action of the racket hitting the ball. It can be best developed by (a) observation (b) imitating the swing (c) finding the right grip (d) practice hitting.
At the net you catch the ball and follow through.
There are three basic actions involved in hitting a tennis ball: (1) swinging, (2) throwing and (3) catching. These three basic actions produce three main types of tennis stroke and variations.
The swinging action is used to produce ground strokes, the strokes used to hit the ball after it has struck the ground and usually played from the back court during rallies or when returning the serve.
The overarm throwing action is used to propel the racket against the ball to produce the serve or overhead when the ball is tossed in the air and struck over the head. The catching action is used to produce the volley or stroke applied to a ball before it bounces and usually played closed to the net.
Developing consistent and effortless stroke-making is the basis of good tennis. The three main types of stroke will now be fully described in latter articles. The expression “different strokes for different folks” is applicable to the how you may proceed.
Three additional factors will be indicators of your mastery: comfort; consistency; and control.
In working to develop your stroke allow the palm of your hand or the butt of the racket handle to be cocked back instead of taking a big swing. Starting off when you first play it is good to hit short court or on the middle line of the court so you can warm up and develop your timing. Easy simple swings low to high catching the ball right after it bounces in optimal. This is called half volleying even though your allowing the ball to hit the ground.
This simple exercise can be valuable for not just your ground strokes (forehands and backhands) but also sharpening your serve return skills.
Three things you can work on. 1) Taking your racket back low with your racket grip leading your stroke. 2) Developing exactly where you contact point is so you may hit the ball in the center of your racket strings. 3) Following through as it you were throwing your racket to the exact target or place you wish the ball to go.
The simpler your swing the greater chance for success. So work on a shorter back swing, exact contact point and defined follow through to achieve higher percent shot making.
Advertisement
