My forehand/backhand keeps missing wide?

1. Select a target rather than just cross court.
2. Select a safer target 2-3 feet inside the lines.
3. Keep you eyes still until you see the blur of your racquet go past your eyes – looking up re-directs your shot.
4. Align your feet to get better position so your swing is more in line with your target.
5. Focus on the part of the ball you want to hit to make the ball go toward your target (outside, behind or inside of the ball.)
6. You may be contacting the ball too early – be patient or too late – prepare for an earlier contact point.

My forehand/backhand keeps going in the net?

1. Pick out an aim point that is about the height of your opponents head above the net, about 3-4 feet above the net.
2. Be sure to allow your racquet head to get under the ball so you can “lift the ball” over the net instead of driving it the same height as the net.
3. You may be contacting the ball too late – shorten your backswing and meet the ball sooner to get the upward arc.
4. You looked at the net – so your hand guided the ball to your target.
5. Extend the finish of your stroke – up and out.
6. Release the tension in your hand as you finish your stroke to avoid pulling the racquet down before the complete finish of the stroke.

My forehand/backhand keeps going long?

1. You are not applying enough topspin to bring the ball down.
2. Keep your eyes still while contacting the ball – looking up will make the fence become a target.
3. Finish your swing – pulling off will make the ball sail.
4. Take more adjusting steps to get better position – out of position can cause you to alter your swing pattern and lift the ball too high.
5. Stay down, keep a wider stance so you can rotate into the shot instead of lifting with the legs too early in the swing.

My grip is incorrect?

1. Mark the correct position for the index knuckle and the heal of the hand for a forehand and backhand.
2. Hold the racquet by the throat with the non-hitting hand and keep the grip hand relaxed so the non-hitting hand can turn the racquet to the correct grip position for you -forehand or backhand.
3. Study your opponent and lock in on their pattern of shots so you can anticipate whether they will most likely hit to your forehand or backhand.  This “anticipation” will give you a head start to getting the grip position early.
4. Start with the grip that is most difficult to get to – it’s always easy to get to your favorite grip.

My timing is off?

1. Timing is an eye function – usually you are not seeing the ball well.  Look for the shadow of light and darkness on the ball, say “bounce” when the ball touches the court and “touch” when you make contact As more balls are lost between the bounce and contact.
2. Take more adjusting steps (8-10 steps – the pros average 10-12 steps between their shots) between each shot you make.  The extra movement will raise your attention level and your focus level.
3. The adjusting steps help you to establish a better position to meet the ball and produce a better quality shot.
4. Soften your grip.  When your timing is off, your grip may be way to tight.  This tension greatly affects your ability to time your movement, swing and relaxed eye focus.
5. When you feed the ball back to your opponent so they can serve, use the drop and hit effort to practice the “feel” of how you want the stroke to feel in the up-coming point.

Photo Credits: 1

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1.  Lob with a Purpose – there are two main reasons to lob:

1. To win the point

2. To get out of trouble

The Offensive Lob

Offensive Lob is designed to win the point.

1. Aim point – about 10 feet over the opponents head – hit quickly so they have little chance to run it down or react to the sudden elevation of the shot.

2. Location – best placed over their backhand side of your opponent – be aware of lefties when you plan your lob.

3. Disguise – prepare for the lob as though you are going to hit a drive then at the last moment lift the shot into a lob.

The Defensive Lob

The Defensive Lob is designed to get you out of trouble buy time and keep you in the point.

Height is the key factor in this shot – high to buy extra time to recover. It also forces the opponent to decide to play a difficult shot out of the air or let it bounce.

2. 5 Tips on how to Set up the Lob –

1. Offensive - Get your opponents looking for the passing shot by hitting crosscourt and down the line with shots aimed about waist to chest high above the net with lots of topspin.
2. This strategy should draw your opponents closer to the net so as to be able to cut off the angles you have been using to pass them.
3. Use your first offensive lob on a shot when they least expect it a little later in the game, set or critical situation.
4. This “surprise” will make them a little hesitant to close in so tight and open up your passing shots once again.
5. Defensive – anytime you are in an awkward position, forced wider than the alley, force to retreat well behind the baseline or facing players that charges quickly to the net – Lob high and deep. This height and depth will give you recovery time while forcing your opponents back deeper into their court. This deeper court position will make it less likely they can put the ball away quickly – buying you time to get into a sound defensive position.

Photo Credits: 1

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