I have a question regarding how to counter the inside out forehand. I’m a 4.5-5.0 player with an all court game, with a two handed backhand. Lately, I have been having trouble with one high level opponent who grew up on clay courts. Typically, we rally a few strokes and then my opponent starts hitting inside out shots to my backhand from his backhand corner. I typically return the balls cross court trying hit shots to his backhand, but given his position and the fact that I’m hitting while on the move this becomes increasingly difficult and I find myself moving further and further out to my backhand side as he cranks heavier and ever more angled shots. The point usually ends by my hitting a short ball and my opponent hits a winner to the (now) open court.

I have 2 specific questions:

1) If I want to control of the point by hitting a backhand down the line, what key reference points do you suggest for hitting a ball with heavy topspin on the rise with a two-hander?

2) I can change the rhythm of the point and get some more time by hitting a slice. What’s the best way to hit a slice on a ball with heavy topspin?

If you’ve got any other expert tips I’m all ears!

Handing the Inside-Outer

Options:

1. When you get into a situation where your opponent starts going to your backhand and you are still running around to hit your inside out backhand, play the ball “inside in” or down the line to force him to move back to the deuce court so you can get your next shot back into his backhand.

When we work with players and tell them to play an opponent’s backhand, it only means for a few shots.  If they start running around their backhand too far, go to their forehand to open up the backhand again.  They now have to hit their backhand on the run which often produces a weak return that lets you begin to control the point.

When your opponent starts to pull you outside your comfort zone on the backhand side, add height and spin to your recovery shot to buy time and re-establish your position – renegotiate, as he is dictating the deal.

2. If you choose to play a backhand down the line, remember you are changing the direction of the shot (COD – change of direction) and that is best done on a shorter ball not a deeper ball. You need to plan on contacting the back of the ball with lots of upper motion and racquet acceleration to avoid the ball reflecting out into the alley.  A slow or tentative swing will cause the ball to reflect wider off your strings.

It is best to be moving forward into the shot as your hit it on the rise.

3. Slice is king to neutralize the ball and buy time. Just got back from the US Open and watched how often the pros slice on heavy deep balls (Nadal, Federer and Roddick etc).  They force the opponent to wait on the ball to arrive and the underspin makes them really have to pay attention to be able to execute another aggressive topspin (most end up hitting it in the net).

You will make a few errors as you add new shots to your game but remember the idea is to have “Weapons of Mass Confusion” for your opponent.

Ken DeHart
SJSRC Director of Tennis
PTR & USPTA Master Professional

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Roger Federer

The average length of a point in a match is about 4-7 seconds.

The tennis court is 3.5 feet longer cross court than it is down the line – safer shot with more court space and less movement to recover-to the middle of “possible returns”.

The tennis ball travels faster and bounces higher when the temperature is hotter and the air is dryer – like in Phoenix, Arizona.

Tennis balls become heavier when there is more humidity in the air, there is more drag on the ball and it travels slower through the air.

The term “heavy ball” refers to the amount of pace on a ball. It is the kind of ball the pros hit when they play.

“Pace” is the combination of spin and speed – like the pros hit.

“Racquet Back” does not refer to taking the racquet back but moving the outside foot near the ball toward the sideline.  This move opens the hip and the shoulder – which gives the appearance of “taking the racquet back”. It is not an isolated move with the shoulder.

“Ready Position” in tennis is similar to the position of a praying mantis as he prepares to attack his prey.

“The net” wins more points than your opponent.  Most errors in tennis are made into the net.

“Return of serve” should resemble an approach shot more than a ground stroke – especially for club players.  That is achieved by starting back so you can move through the return of serve.

“Footwork” – the pros average 10-12 steps between each shot they hit.

“Grip Tension” – the pros use a very light grip tension when they hold the racquet.  On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the tightest, they typically use about a 2 to 3 grip tension level.

You only play 10-12 minutes in an hour and half tennis match – tired yet???

“Attention Deficit”- most error are a result of lack of attention rather than technical weakness. On a scale of 1-10 your “attention” level should be at 8-9 or 10. Attention levels of 7-6 or 5 will result in “unforced” errors. Attention levels of 4-3-2 or 1 means you will probably hurt yourself or someone else.

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Usually about 20-30 San Jose Swim & Racquet Club members show up beside court #4 with their wooden racquets or select from the racquets Ken brings for them to use and get ready for a visit to how tennis was played in the past. At first they are a little unsure if that white tennis ball will really fit on that wooden racquets strings. After a few hits and misses, they are ready to “let the games begin”.

Match play usually consists of a game with the first to with a prescribed number of games the winner. The winning team moves up one court and the non-winning team moves down a court – then they trade partners with the two new players on the court and go at it again.

There are lots of laughs and excuses but play becomes quite good after an hour or so. Sometimes we keep score and sometimes Ken makes up the scores. At the end of the day there is a raffle with more prizes than participants, strawberries, whipped cream as well as an American tradition – pizza and beer.

It’s a Wimbledon and San Jose Swim & Racquet Club tradition.

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Tax time can be a challenge for Tennis Teaching Professionals. Most pros love to be on the court doing what they do best – teach the game of tennis.

About January of each year we have this distant alarm that goes off in our head – April 15th is approaching. We have this tug at our heart and head that says, “Get your information in order – soon.” Here are some tips that may help you with organizing your information and figuring out what you can and cannot deduct.

Tip #1 Be Prepared when you meet your preparer.

Your tax preparer is usually not a bookkeeper. When you schedule your appointment have receipts and expenses totaled so your preparer does not have to run a calculator tape (and charge you extra.)

Tip #2 Keep categories

Know the titles of you major income and expenses. For example: Tournament Entry Fees, Advertising, Junior Tennis Parties, Awards, Tennis Balls, Marketing, Professional Dues, Tennis Socials, etc. Once these categories are set up get an accordion file folder and label each section to match your categories. When you get a receipt, drop it in the correct section. Come tax time you can pull the receipts out and total them and have the final figures ready for your preparer. Once these categories have been established, it becomes easy to keep them going from year to year and your preparer will have the same categories set up in their computer to match.

Tip #3 Check your records

In addition to checking and totaling your receipts, pull out your check register to be sure you did not forgotten some expenses. Next, pull out your credit card summary and using a yellow highlighter, mark each of your expenses on the report. You may also use several highlighters and color code your expenses. This will make it easy to identify where an expense might go on your summary.

Tip #4 Pay your quarterlies

The biggest surprise, and not a good one, is forgetting to pay your estimated quarterlies on self employed income (1099’s and no withholding.) It is easier to come up with four smaller amounts throughout the year, rather than waiting to pay at the end. Also waiting to pay can be expensive and often includes penalties and interest on top you the taxes you owe on your income.

Tip #5 Deduct only your own expenses

When you travel for tournaments or professional education, it is great you bring your family along – you just cannot deduct your family’s expenses on your Schedule C. Be sure to keep your food, travel and other expenses separate from theirs. It may be a good idea to write your portion of a meal on the receipts as you pay, so you are not guessing when your preparer asks for YOUR expenses.

Tip # 6 You must make a profit or it is considered a hobby.

It is great that you have all those expenses to reduce your total 1099 income but the IRS says you need to show a profit within a period of time (3 of the last 5 years) or it is considered a hobby. A business is in the business of making a profit. Showing a loss every year may reduce what you have to pay the IRS, but the IRS might re-categorize your tennis business as a hobby.

Tip #7 The IRS looks more closely at Schedule C reports

Be diligent in preparing your Schedule C. The IRS knows this is a common place to find inappropriate and bogus expenses. If they audit you, it can be a time consuming experience. They may ask you to provide receipts for each of your deductions in a specific category or all of your schedule C expenses. Play it a little conservative but be fair to yourself and to Uncle Sam.

If you make it a practice to keep on top of your income and expenses throughout the year, it makes tax-time less stressful and ultimately saves you time and money. If your situation changes, be sure to consult your tax advisor on your best course of action to avoid surprises on April 15th.

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