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Tennis Shots

Serves  •  Forehands  •  Backhands •  Volleys  •  Lob •  Drop Shot •  Smash

Serves

Flat Serve

The flat serve is the most powerful and least complicated serve. It also has the most predictable path, so if you hit it flat, hit it hard. The service motion is similar to that of throwing a football, with the added presence of the toss. The toss is the key to getting off a good serve. It should peak just above your full extension in front of your lead foot and slightly on the dominant side. As you take the racket back, bend your knees and begin to shift your weight to your back foot. In its finished position, the back swing should look similar to "scratching your back." Release the ball near the end of the back swing and transfer your weight forward in progression with your racket, rising up to meet the ball. Make contact at full extension, turning your shoulder and hip into the serve and snapping your wrist to add extra power. Finish the swing by following through across your body.

Slice Serve

The slice will take some pace of your serve, but it will cause the ball to bounce lower and curve away from your opponents, and make it difficult for them to execute a good return. It's an effective weapon as a second serve and a good way to keep opponents honest on your first serve. The toss, back swing and swing forward mirror those of a flat serve, but your shoulder and hips will not turn in through the contact. Instead, the racket will brush the ball from right to left (for right-handed players), with your body more perpendicular to the net. After contact, follow through by turning your body toward the shot and bringing your racket across your body

Kick Serve

The kick serve gives you a higher net clearance making it a good shot to help avoid double-faults. It also has a very unpredictable bounce that is known for "taking off" on opponents and resulting in weak returns. The toss should go slightly behind your head, but the back swing and forward motion for the kick serve are identical to that of the flat serve. Brush the racket face across the ball, snapping your wrist in a left to right motion so you hit the ball "up and out." Because your arm and wrist will be moving in opposite directions, this one will take a lot of practice. Finish the swing by following through across your body.

Service Returns

Adaptability and technical versatility are the most important factors involved in returning. You usually have less than one second from the moment the serve leaves your opponent's racket until you make contact. But, if properly anticipated, the return can be executed several ways. Always have your knees bent and be ready to move quickly in either direction. The USPTA outlines five principles to follow. 1) Stand in: do not back away from serves. Try to hit the return on or near the baseline; 2) Move into the ball: Throw your weight into the return to avoid hitting 'floaters'; 3) Learn to play with almost zero backswing: hit it like a volley that has already bounced. A solid follow through adds good pace; 4) Return crosscourt: Give yourself as large a target as possible. Return down the line when there is a chance for a winner or down the middle when you can "jam" your opponent forcing a short ball; 5) Be versatile and resourceful: try different styles to keep your opponent honest.

Forehand shots

Flat Forehand

Hitting flat (with little or no spin) will keep the ball low and make it land deeper on your opponent's side. Begin the backswing the moment the ball leaves your opponent's racket. To keep the ball flat, your racket should remain perpendicular to the ground throughout the swing. Turn your shoulder, transferring your body weight to your right foot (right-handed players), moving your left knee in toward your right. Begin your swing (from low to high) as you shift your body weight to the forward foot. Make sure to bend your front leg as you push off the back leg and allow your hips to turn by raising your back heel. The motion of your swing should be almost parallel to the ground as you hit "through" the ball, finishing the swing by following through until your racket is high in front of your body and pivoting on the ball of your foot.

Slice Forehand

Slice (backspin) is achieved by swinging from high to low, causing the ball to rotate backward. The spin is created by using a quick, "chopping" swing, with little or no follow-through. The more open the face of the racket at the point of contact, the higher the ball will carry. A shot hit with heavy topspin can be more easily returned with backspin due to the fact that the rotation of the ball does not change. This is a good stroke to use when you are running down a shot or wish to change the pace of a rally.

Topspin Forehand

Hitting with topspin will make the ball bounce farther and faster on your opponent's side. Begin the backswing the moment the ball leaves your opponent's racket. Turn your shoulder, transferring your weight to your right foot (right-handed players) and moving your left knee in through the backswing (loop, semi-circular, straight back, hairpin, or tear-drop depending on comfort and skill level). Begin to swing forward (from low to high) shifting your body weight to the forward foot. Make sure to bend your front leg, stay low and allow your hips to turn. Brush upward on the back of the ball at the point of contact and follow through until your racket is high in front of your body, lifting your heel and pivoting on the ball of your foot.

Backhand shots

Flat Backhand

Hitting flat (little or no spin) will keep shots low and land them deep on your opponent's side. Begin the backswing early, keeping your racket perpendicular to the ground throughout. Turn your shoulder, transferring your weight to your left (back) foot, moving your right knee in through the backswing. Begin your swing by transferring your weight forward. Bend your front leg as you push off the back leg and allow your hips to turn. Swing through the ball (almost parallel to the ground) and follow through until your racket is high in front of your body, lifting your heel and pivoting on the ball of your foot.

Slice Backhand

This is an effective, low-risk shot, good for maintaining rallies. Backspin is achieved by swinging from high to low, causing the ball to rotate backward. The spin is created by using a quick, "chopping" swing, with a shorter follow-through. The more open the face of the racket at the point of contact, the higher the ball will carry. A shot hit with heavy topspin is best returned with backspin due to the fact that the rotation of the ball does not change. This is a good stroke to use when you are running down a shot or wish to change the pace of a rally.

Topspin Backhand

Hitting with topspin will make the ball bounce farther and faster on your opponent's side. Begin the backswing (typically more of a straight-back motion) the moment the ball leaves your opponent's racket, turning your right shoulder, transferring your weight to your left (back) foot and moving your right knee in. Begin to swing forward (from low to high) as you shift your body weight to the forward foot. Make sure to bend your front leg, stay low and allow your hips to turn. Brush upward on the back of the ball at the point of contact and follow through until your racket is high in front of your body, lifting your heel and pivoting on the ball of your foot.

Two-Handed Backhand

The two-hander will add power and can allow you to change the direction of your shot at the last moment. The direction and rotation of the ball can be easily altered by simply opening or closing your stance. It is important to avoid committing your right (forward) shoulder too early, thus eliminating your options. Your left hand will be used to pull the racket back and to give the shot its direction, while the right hand, along with the trunk, will generate the shot's power. Keep your knees bent and your body low throughout the backswing, which should be quicker and less looping than on the forehand side. Swing steadily "through the ball," brushing up on the back side and rotating your hips "out" to open your stance for a high follow through.

Volleys

Forehand Volley

The volley is an abbreviated stroke, used most effectively above the net where it can be hit downward for a winner. The closer you are positioned to the net, the higher the chances are of hitting a winner. Standing halfway between the net and the service line, bend at the knees and hold your racket at eye level. Turn your shoulder and transfer your body weight to the back foot, bringing in your back knee. The backswing should be very short, accompanied by a step in the direction of the ball (if time allows). Slight adjustments in the wrist will allow you to position the shot in any direction you wish. Make contact early, hitting the ball high out in front of your body with a short, punching motion. Follow through with a short, compact motion in the direction of the target area.

Backhand Volley

The volley is an abbreviated stroke, used most effectively above the net where it can be hit downward for a winner. The closer you are positioned to the net, the higher the chances are of hitting a winner. Standing halfway between the net and the service line, bend at the knees and hold your racket at eye level. Turn your shoulder and transfer your body weight to the back foot, bringing in your back knee. The backswing should be very short, accompanied by a step in the direction of the ball (if time allows). Raising the elbow away from your body will drop the racket face and position it for a shot down the line. Lowering the elbow will allow you to return cross-court. Make contact early, hitting the ball high out in front of your body with a short, punching motion. Follow through with a short, compact motion in the direction of the target area.

Lobs

The lob is a high shot, used most effectively when your opponent is at the net. It can force an opponent to stretch for shots, creating either errors or weak returns. If executed perfectly, the lob will sail over your opponent's head and result in a winner. The lob is hit in almost the identical manner as a ground stroke, with more of an upward plane and open face at the point of contact. The swing for a lob should be softer and more controlled than a groundstroke; it may even be a steady push rather than a full swing. Lobs can be hit flat, with backspin, or with topspin depending on the amount of time you have to setup and the goal of the shot.

Dropshots

The drop shot requires a delicate touch and precise timing. The goal is to make the ball fall almost vertically in front of the net, forcing your opponent to run in. It should be used against a slow-footed player, or when you have your opponent off balance. Begin the swing as you would a groundstroke (if the motion is different, the shot will be detected and most likely ineffective), slowing the motion just prior to the point of contact. You should also open your racket face quickly before contact, creating backspin that will cause the ball to "drop" just after clearing the net. To follow through, simply extend you arm "steering" the ball toward your target.

Overhead Smash

This shot is similar to a flat serve and is used to return a lob, either before or after it bounces. Turn and carry your racket in a "cocked" position, with a firm grip and a raised elbow. Run or skip into position, depending on where the shot is heading. Quickly dip the racket and bring it forcefully into the ball, making contact at full stretch. Allowing the ball to drop will result in over-hitting or hitting into the net. To avoid this, extend your free arm to "measure" the ball -- always make contact before the ball dips below this point. Very high lobs are difficult to judge; you should let them bounce before hitting.