2007/07/30
2007/07/28
How To Win Against Pushers(如何對付很“韌”的對手）
July 24th, 2007
Whisperer《註》此篇文章旨在說明如何對付某些打球韌性十足，或回球慣於用ㄉㄨ的球友，不管你長抽短吊，他都能及時將球回過來，就算回球的質量不高，但就是“打不死”，讓你疲於奔命，失去耐性，最後反而自己造成失誤。
在中興球場就有好幾個實例，事實上你可視這些球友為你的良師，因為他讓你暴露出你打球的弱點，和你需要改進的地方。應球友要求 PO此文借資參考。
Q.：
Hi, I am a 4.0 baseliner, and occasionally move into the net.
My volley skill is not that bad but I feel more comfortable in the baseline.
I hit with a semi-western forehand, with a slice back hand. My opponent is an old man, with a continental forehand.
He had no pace on the ball, and I make a lot of errors trying to hit his ball.
My power forehand seems to be very effective sometimes, but most of the time, he had a soft touch and lure me into the net or move me from side to side with short ball.
He used a lot of old-man game, drop and lob and I feel my baseline game is slipping, and eventually I found myself volley with him at the net and he always had the advantage of that.
Unlike other old man, he had a lot of stamina and move very well.
How can I stick to my baseline game when he can always bring me to the net with one stroke?
Should I stick to my game plan, move him side to side with my strokes, and anticipate a short ball to kill or should I develop a better volley skill to counterattack his volley skill?
A.：
You mention that your opponent hits a no pace ball and that you make a lot of errors when you hit it.
The most probable reason is that you go for too much. You may underestimate the no pace ball.
Don’t do it. Hitting a ball in tennis is a very challenging task, no matter whether the ball has pace or not.
So take the ball seriously with full concentration and attention and find the speed of your strokes where you can still control the ball.
But there is one advantage of playing a no pace ball: you have more time to set up and pick your target.
This enables you to play more accurate shots.
So when you receive a slower ball, look for placement and try to open up the court with short cross court shots when you can.
Since you say your opponent plays with a continental grip, he will very likely return with a low shot and if he is in trouble (moving to the ball, running) he will very likely play short.
Anticipate that and move in to take the ball on top of the bounce and play to the open court.
If his shots are slow but deep then your goal is to prevent him from playing good shots. Your semi-western forehand can surely produce good top spin so play the ball with higher arc deep to the baseline.
He probably doesn’t play the high ball well with his continental grip so try playing to his forehand and see what happens.
And it will be difficult for him to bring you in with a short stroke if you play very deep and high.
If he does bring you in figure out which of his ground-strokes is weaker. If it’s backhand, play deep to backhand and come to the net.
Also learn his patterns (most players have them).
If he likes to lob from his backhand, anticipate that and don’t come to close to the net. You can almost start backpedalling as soon as he hits the ball.
I also suggest you work on your volley since his no pace shots give you a chance to put them away.
He may actually be your best teacher since he shows you your weaknesses and how to improve.
Whisperer《註》此篇文章旨在說明如何對付某些打球韌性十足，或回球慣於用ㄉㄨ的球友，不管你長抽短吊，他都能及時將球回過來，就算回球的質量不高，但就是“打不死”，讓你疲於奔命，失去耐性，最後反而自己造成失誤。
在中興球場就有好幾個實例，事實上你可視這些球友為你的良師，因為他讓你暴露出你打球的弱點，和你需要改進的地方。應球友要求 PO此文借資參考。
Q.：
Hi, I am a 4.0 baseliner, and occasionally move into the net.
My volley skill is not that bad but I feel more comfortable in the baseline.
I hit with a semi-western forehand, with a slice back hand. My opponent is an old man, with a continental forehand.
He had no pace on the ball, and I make a lot of errors trying to hit his ball.
My power forehand seems to be very effective sometimes, but most of the time, he had a soft touch and lure me into the net or move me from side to side with short ball.
He used a lot of old-man game, drop and lob and I feel my baseline game is slipping, and eventually I found myself volley with him at the net and he always had the advantage of that.
Unlike other old man, he had a lot of stamina and move very well.
How can I stick to my baseline game when he can always bring me to the net with one stroke?
Should I stick to my game plan, move him side to side with my strokes, and anticipate a short ball to kill or should I develop a better volley skill to counterattack his volley skill?
A.：
You mention that your opponent hits a no pace ball and that you make a lot of errors when you hit it.
The most probable reason is that you go for too much. You may underestimate the no pace ball.
Don’t do it. Hitting a ball in tennis is a very challenging task, no matter whether the ball has pace or not.
So take the ball seriously with full concentration and attention and find the speed of your strokes where you can still control the ball.
But there is one advantage of playing a no pace ball: you have more time to set up and pick your target.
This enables you to play more accurate shots.
So when you receive a slower ball, look for placement and try to open up the court with short cross court shots when you can.
Since you say your opponent plays with a continental grip, he will very likely return with a low shot and if he is in trouble (moving to the ball, running) he will very likely play short.
Anticipate that and move in to take the ball on top of the bounce and play to the open court.
If his shots are slow but deep then your goal is to prevent him from playing good shots. Your semi-western forehand can surely produce good top spin so play the ball with higher arc deep to the baseline.
He probably doesn’t play the high ball well with his continental grip so try playing to his forehand and see what happens.
And it will be difficult for him to bring you in with a short stroke if you play very deep and high.
If he does bring you in figure out which of his ground-strokes is weaker. If it’s backhand, play deep to backhand and come to the net.
Also learn his patterns (most players have them).
If he likes to lob from his backhand, anticipate that and don’t come to close to the net. You can almost start backpedalling as soon as he hits the ball.
I also suggest you work on your volley since his no pace shots give you a chance to put them away.
He may actually be your best teacher since he shows you your weaknesses and how to improve.
Some Doubles Do's
John Mills
▲When you receive a ball at the net that you can be aggressive with, attack the closest opponent to you.
▲When you are being attacked, try to deflect the ball away from the player who is attacking you.
▲If you or your partner hit a good lob, which goes over your opponent's heads, follow that lob to the net, at least the service line, and do not let their return of your lob bounce.
▲If you get pulled wide outside the court, hit that ball down the line, not cross court, whether you hit a ground stroke or a lob.
▲If you are receiving a high ball when you are at the net, say "Mine" as soon as possible. This will free up your partner to move in to join you and not be wondering behind you while you think about making the shot.
▲If you cannot cover the high ball, forcing your partner to go get it, cross over and move back. This is important because, if your partner hits a weak shot back, you will become the target.
▲Serve more often into the body of the receiver or toward the center of the court. This sets your partner up to poach.
▲Poach only if you think you can win the point.
▲When players are coming at you, keep the ball low.
▲Low is what wins in doubles.
▲Do not lob the ball when you are moving forward.
▲Lob because you are being thrown outside the court wide or deep.
▲Most of your serve returns, approach shots, half volleys and low volleys should go cross court to the deep player.
▲Most of the high floating volleys, easy overheads and easy high bouncing balls (kill shots) that you reach at the net, should be hit at the closest opponent to you. This stops their ability to lob so much.
▲The majority of shots in doubles should and do go down the middle of the court.
▲If you receive a high lob from your opponent when you are on the baseline, try to take it in the air before it bounces. This will prevent you from losing position, give your opponents less time to gain the offensive and possibly allow you to come to the net to gain the offense.
▲As is always true, placement over power.
▲Your number one friend in a match is the "unforced error" from you opponent.
▲If you cannot win the point, try to set your partner up to win the point. It is a team sport.
▲If you are losing to a team that is staying back, pushing and lobbing, pull them toward you with short shots. This will force them into territory that they are not as familiar with.
Good luck on the courts!
▲When you receive a ball at the net that you can be aggressive with, attack the closest opponent to you.
▲When you are being attacked, try to deflect the ball away from the player who is attacking you.
▲If you or your partner hit a good lob, which goes over your opponent's heads, follow that lob to the net, at least the service line, and do not let their return of your lob bounce.
▲If you get pulled wide outside the court, hit that ball down the line, not cross court, whether you hit a ground stroke or a lob.
▲If you are receiving a high ball when you are at the net, say "Mine" as soon as possible. This will free up your partner to move in to join you and not be wondering behind you while you think about making the shot.
▲If you cannot cover the high ball, forcing your partner to go get it, cross over and move back. This is important because, if your partner hits a weak shot back, you will become the target.
▲Serve more often into the body of the receiver or toward the center of the court. This sets your partner up to poach.
▲Poach only if you think you can win the point.
▲When players are coming at you, keep the ball low.
▲Low is what wins in doubles.
▲Do not lob the ball when you are moving forward.
▲Lob because you are being thrown outside the court wide or deep.
▲Most of your serve returns, approach shots, half volleys and low volleys should go cross court to the deep player.
▲Most of the high floating volleys, easy overheads and easy high bouncing balls (kill shots) that you reach at the net, should be hit at the closest opponent to you. This stops their ability to lob so much.
▲The majority of shots in doubles should and do go down the middle of the court.
▲If you receive a high lob from your opponent when you are on the baseline, try to take it in the air before it bounces. This will prevent you from losing position, give your opponents less time to gain the offensive and possibly allow you to come to the net to gain the offense.
▲As is always true, placement over power.
▲Your number one friend in a match is the "unforced error" from you opponent.
▲If you cannot win the point, try to set your partner up to win the point. It is a team sport.
▲If you are losing to a team that is staying back, pushing and lobbing, pull them toward you with short shots. This will force them into territory that they are not as familiar with.
Good luck on the courts!
2007/07/27
How to Hit with Topspin and Control
Tom Avery
Everybody's talking about topspin because it allows the pros to hit the ball with tremendous force, yet clear the net by a safe margin and still pull the ball back down into the court. You don't have to be a nuclear physicist to figure out what imparts topspin to a tennis ball. A clear understanding is all you need.
What is Topspin?
Basically it is a ball that spins forward after the strings strike it. So, what's so great about a ball spinning forward? Once a ball starts to spin forward, it creates air pressure on top of the ball pushing it down. This is the main reason everyone likes topspin. They don't have to be a Las Vegas type player who hits net skimmers, always flirting with danger. They can safely get the ball four to six feet over the net, with power and the ball is still pulled back down before sailing long.
To make a tennis ball spin forward, the racquet must be moving from low to high at contact. The racquet should drop at least one foot below the contact point before swinging forward to meet the ball. This ensures a low to high swing. It's this low to high motion that will cause a brushing up at contact that makes the ball spin forward. The racquet must be in a vertical position (straight up and down) when contact is made. If the racquet is tilted or laid back at contact you do not get this brushing effect.
The strings should make contact at the equator of the ball, that imaginary line around the center of the ball. If you try to come up and over the top and hit above the equator, you will simply drive the ball into the net. This over the top theory is actually a common myth that will really hurt your ability to hit topspin consistently in the court.
Two Key Points To Concentrate On During Your Swing
▲Swing low to high.
▲Keep the racquet vertical through the contact area.
Fig. 1(above) - The racquet face is closed, the palm is down, the racquet is now set to be vertical at contact.
Fig. 2 - The racquet is vertical at contact, striking the “equator” of the ball because the swing was from the shoulder without wrist and forearm rolling.
Fig. 3 - This is a key photo, notice that the ball is gone and the racquet is still continuing on a low-to-high plane, remaining vertical. There has been no rolling over. But topspin has been imparted.
Fig. 4 - The racquet continues on the low-to-high plane, finishing high, the shoulder has been used as the hinge throughout the swing.
Observe Moya: racquet face is closed and well below the ball, then vertical at impact. The finish is low to high.
Everybody's talking about topspin because it allows the pros to hit the ball with tremendous force, yet clear the net by a safe margin and still pull the ball back down into the court. You don't have to be a nuclear physicist to figure out what imparts topspin to a tennis ball. A clear understanding is all you need.
What is Topspin?
Basically it is a ball that spins forward after the strings strike it. So, what's so great about a ball spinning forward? Once a ball starts to spin forward, it creates air pressure on top of the ball pushing it down. This is the main reason everyone likes topspin. They don't have to be a Las Vegas type player who hits net skimmers, always flirting with danger. They can safely get the ball four to six feet over the net, with power and the ball is still pulled back down before sailing long.
To make a tennis ball spin forward, the racquet must be moving from low to high at contact. The racquet should drop at least one foot below the contact point before swinging forward to meet the ball. This ensures a low to high swing. It's this low to high motion that will cause a brushing up at contact that makes the ball spin forward. The racquet must be in a vertical position (straight up and down) when contact is made. If the racquet is tilted or laid back at contact you do not get this brushing effect.
The strings should make contact at the equator of the ball, that imaginary line around the center of the ball. If you try to come up and over the top and hit above the equator, you will simply drive the ball into the net. This over the top theory is actually a common myth that will really hurt your ability to hit topspin consistently in the court.
Two Key Points To Concentrate On During Your Swing
▲Swing low to high.
▲Keep the racquet vertical through the contact area.
Fig. 1(above) - The racquet face is closed, the palm is down, the racquet is now set to be vertical at contact.
Fig. 2 - The racquet is vertical at contact, striking the “equator” of the ball because the swing was from the shoulder without wrist and forearm rolling.
Fig. 3 - This is a key photo, notice that the ball is gone and the racquet is still continuing on a low-to-high plane, remaining vertical. There has been no rolling over. But topspin has been imparted.
Fig. 4 - The racquet continues on the low-to-high plane, finishing high, the shoulder has been used as the hinge throughout the swing.
Observe Moya: racquet face is closed and well below the ball, then vertical at impact. The finish is low to high.
Simple Tennis Strategies
Keep it simple...
The game of singles in tennis is extremely demanding. You are all alone out there, struggling against your opponent, your own emotional swings, bad line calls, the elements, noise from the other courts, spectators, and countless other gremlins. What you don't need is an elaborate, sophisticated strategy.
You need something simple, a plan that is safe and effective, one that allows you to focus on executing your shots without thinking too much about tactics. Below are guidelines to help you keep it simple and still win.
◆One more ball. The secret to tennis is to hit one more ball over the net than your opponent. So rather than try for risky shots, just get the ball back into play. Never mind the spectacular 100-to-1 shot. Just get the ball over the net one more time. Most points in tennis are won because of the opponent's errors, not one's own great shots. Give your opponent one more opportunity to lose the point. This applies to the return of serve as well as ground strokes.
◆Hit cross court. On balls hit to you on a diagonal, hit it back cross court. The net is lower and you have more space in which to hit when you hit cross court. Going down the line is risky: the net's higher, the court's shorter, and you might also pull the ball wide. Further, changing directions on the ball is more difficult, due to the deflection of the ball off your racquet. It is physically easier to send the ball back in the direction in which it came. This is particularly true on the return of serve. Get it back deep cross court and your odds of winning the point have improved remarkably.
◆Deep and down the middle. On balls hit to you straight up the middle, hit it back deep and up the middle. Use topspin to clear the net safely and pin your opponent deep in the back court from where it is difficult to attack. You can change the angle slightly to move your opponent around, but don't go for a low percentage shot into the corner. Aim well inside the side. This is the time you will want to hit to your opponent's weaker side, but don't go for too much.
◆Wait for the short ball. If you are engaged in a rally from the back court, just keep the ball going back deep in the direction from which it came. Don't be the one to change directions. Be patient and wait for the error. The error can be either a point-ending shot into the net or out of bounds by your opponent, or a short ball which you can attack.
◆Attack the short ball and come in. If your opponent hits the ball short (i.e., one that bounces weakly near the service line), come forward and hit the ball down the line. If the ball is below the level of the net when you are ready to hit it, a slice shot is in order; if it bounces above your waist level, then you can hit it flat or with a little topspin. Down the line is the percentage shot because you'll have less court space to cover. Generally, you are not trying for a winner on this shot. You want only to hit it fairly deep into the corner, allowing you time to advance a little closer to the net and await a shot that you can volley cross court for the point. Be alert for the lob.
◆Get your first serve in. Everyone likes to take two giant steps forward and smack the second serve. Don't give your opponent that opportunity. You may need to take the pace off your serve a little to improve your consistency, but that is a small price to pay. Go for a hard serve if you must when you are ahead 40-love. If you can get 60-70 percent of your first serves in, your odds on winning the match are very favorable.
◆Don't go for the lines. Even the pros miss their targets, so give yourself some margin for error. Instead of aiming for the singles line on a cross court shot, aim a foot or so inside the line. If you are slightly off on your shot, chances are it will still land inside the line. This is true for volleys as well as groundstrokes.
◆Bisect your opponent's angle of return. On every ball hit to your opponent, she has an angle of possible returns: down the line on one side, and cross court on the other. The better the opponent the wider this angle of possible returns, because better players hit with topspin and can hit the ball closer to the net on their cross court shots. Your best defensive position anytime your opponent is ready to strike the ball is exactly in the middle of her angle of possible returns. Position yourself so that you bisect that angle and you will have your forehand and your backhand equally covered. This applies to volleys as well. When you come into the net after a short ball, set up so that you again bisect this angle of possible returns.
◆Lob frequently. Most of the advice above relates to playing percentage tennis. That is, playing shots that are likely to result in a successful return of the ball over the net and within the boundaries of the singles court. It is difficult enough to hit a tennis ball properly when you are stationary and well-balanced, so don't go for risky shots when you are running full tilt and are stretched out wide. That said, one of the best shots when in this predicament is the lob. It is relatively easy to hit, it gives you time to get back into position, and it forces your opponent to hit an overhead, which is often a player's weaker stroke.
◆Be zen-like. Zen meditators breathe through their nose and count their breaths. Try this in between points. It will relax you and keep your mind on the match at hand. In you can handle a mantra as well, I recommend "watch the ball."
◆Refer to your notes. Suggest you jot some of these tips down on a 3 x 5 card and put it in your tennis bag. During your change-overs, refer to them to monitor your progress. Don't worry, it's legal.
The game of singles in tennis is extremely demanding. You are all alone out there, struggling against your opponent, your own emotional swings, bad line calls, the elements, noise from the other courts, spectators, and countless other gremlins. What you don't need is an elaborate, sophisticated strategy.
You need something simple, a plan that is safe and effective, one that allows you to focus on executing your shots without thinking too much about tactics. Below are guidelines to help you keep it simple and still win.
◆One more ball. The secret to tennis is to hit one more ball over the net than your opponent. So rather than try for risky shots, just get the ball back into play. Never mind the spectacular 100-to-1 shot. Just get the ball over the net one more time. Most points in tennis are won because of the opponent's errors, not one's own great shots. Give your opponent one more opportunity to lose the point. This applies to the return of serve as well as ground strokes.
◆Hit cross court. On balls hit to you on a diagonal, hit it back cross court. The net is lower and you have more space in which to hit when you hit cross court. Going down the line is risky: the net's higher, the court's shorter, and you might also pull the ball wide. Further, changing directions on the ball is more difficult, due to the deflection of the ball off your racquet. It is physically easier to send the ball back in the direction in which it came. This is particularly true on the return of serve. Get it back deep cross court and your odds of winning the point have improved remarkably.
◆Deep and down the middle. On balls hit to you straight up the middle, hit it back deep and up the middle. Use topspin to clear the net safely and pin your opponent deep in the back court from where it is difficult to attack. You can change the angle slightly to move your opponent around, but don't go for a low percentage shot into the corner. Aim well inside the side. This is the time you will want to hit to your opponent's weaker side, but don't go for too much.
◆Wait for the short ball. If you are engaged in a rally from the back court, just keep the ball going back deep in the direction from which it came. Don't be the one to change directions. Be patient and wait for the error. The error can be either a point-ending shot into the net or out of bounds by your opponent, or a short ball which you can attack.
◆Attack the short ball and come in. If your opponent hits the ball short (i.e., one that bounces weakly near the service line), come forward and hit the ball down the line. If the ball is below the level of the net when you are ready to hit it, a slice shot is in order; if it bounces above your waist level, then you can hit it flat or with a little topspin. Down the line is the percentage shot because you'll have less court space to cover. Generally, you are not trying for a winner on this shot. You want only to hit it fairly deep into the corner, allowing you time to advance a little closer to the net and await a shot that you can volley cross court for the point. Be alert for the lob.
◆Get your first serve in. Everyone likes to take two giant steps forward and smack the second serve. Don't give your opponent that opportunity. You may need to take the pace off your serve a little to improve your consistency, but that is a small price to pay. Go for a hard serve if you must when you are ahead 40-love. If you can get 60-70 percent of your first serves in, your odds on winning the match are very favorable.
◆Don't go for the lines. Even the pros miss their targets, so give yourself some margin for error. Instead of aiming for the singles line on a cross court shot, aim a foot or so inside the line. If you are slightly off on your shot, chances are it will still land inside the line. This is true for volleys as well as groundstrokes.
◆Bisect your opponent's angle of return. On every ball hit to your opponent, she has an angle of possible returns: down the line on one side, and cross court on the other. The better the opponent the wider this angle of possible returns, because better players hit with topspin and can hit the ball closer to the net on their cross court shots. Your best defensive position anytime your opponent is ready to strike the ball is exactly in the middle of her angle of possible returns. Position yourself so that you bisect that angle and you will have your forehand and your backhand equally covered. This applies to volleys as well. When you come into the net after a short ball, set up so that you again bisect this angle of possible returns.
◆Lob frequently. Most of the advice above relates to playing percentage tennis. That is, playing shots that are likely to result in a successful return of the ball over the net and within the boundaries of the singles court. It is difficult enough to hit a tennis ball properly when you are stationary and well-balanced, so don't go for risky shots when you are running full tilt and are stretched out wide. That said, one of the best shots when in this predicament is the lob. It is relatively easy to hit, it gives you time to get back into position, and it forces your opponent to hit an overhead, which is often a player's weaker stroke.
◆Be zen-like. Zen meditators breathe through their nose and count their breaths. Try this in between points. It will relax you and keep your mind on the match at hand. In you can handle a mantra as well, I recommend "watch the ball."
◆Refer to your notes. Suggest you jot some of these tips down on a 3 x 5 card and put it in your tennis bag. During your change-overs, refer to them to monitor your progress. Don't worry, it's legal.
Common Mistakes Made by Club Level Doubles Players
◆Pointing out their partner's mistakes
◆Always returning on the same side of the court.
◆Not having total recall of all the points played in the present game.
◆Not calling the score aloud before each point.
◆Returning serves and ground strokes too high over the center of the court. (Allowing the net player to poach or the serve and volleyer to hit down at your partner.)
◆Failing to make clear which player should go after the floating ball, the set up,the shot down the middle or who should go after the lob over your head.
◆Getting the second serve in weakly, having no regard for your partner's safety or ability to maintain the offensive.
◆Lobbing over your opponents' heads and not following it to the net to intercept the next ball as an offensive shot or overhead.
◆Not having another game or style change when nothing you are doing is working. (Not able to change a losing game.)
◆Staying back on the baseline even when your partner is playing offensively at the net.
◆Not covering the lob over your head in the air as an overhead.
◆Talking too much during the game in progress. (Stalling, not having continuous play.)
◆Refusing to play serve and volley or to return and volley. This is doubles.
◆Hitting too many returns and ground strokes to the outside of the court instead of hitting to the middle.
◆Worrying too much about your alley instead of the middle of the court.
◆Playing with the same partner too much, adapting to their specific weaknesses or strengths and unable to play with a new partner and adapt to them.
◆Warming up too long or stretching on the court rather than off the court before the match.
◆Never having or offering new balls to play with.
◆Failing to play as a team or unit.
◆Playing too much with the same people all the time. (Not allowing for creativity, spontaneity or ability to adapt to other styles.)
◆Failing to play with weaker players thus allowing them to gain confidence and the ability to improve. Remember, at one point in time you were the weaker player.
◆Always returning on the same side of the court.
◆Not having total recall of all the points played in the present game.
◆Not calling the score aloud before each point.
◆Returning serves and ground strokes too high over the center of the court. (Allowing the net player to poach or the serve and volleyer to hit down at your partner.)
◆Failing to make clear which player should go after the floating ball, the set up,the shot down the middle or who should go after the lob over your head.
◆Getting the second serve in weakly, having no regard for your partner's safety or ability to maintain the offensive.
◆Lobbing over your opponents' heads and not following it to the net to intercept the next ball as an offensive shot or overhead.
◆Not having another game or style change when nothing you are doing is working. (Not able to change a losing game.)
◆Staying back on the baseline even when your partner is playing offensively at the net.
◆Not covering the lob over your head in the air as an overhead.
◆Talking too much during the game in progress. (Stalling, not having continuous play.)
◆Refusing to play serve and volley or to return and volley. This is doubles.
◆Hitting too many returns and ground strokes to the outside of the court instead of hitting to the middle.
◆Worrying too much about your alley instead of the middle of the court.
◆Playing with the same partner too much, adapting to their specific weaknesses or strengths and unable to play with a new partner and adapt to them.
◆Warming up too long or stretching on the court rather than off the court before the match.
◆Never having or offering new balls to play with.
◆Failing to play as a team or unit.
◆Playing too much with the same people all the time. (Not allowing for creativity, spontaneity or ability to adapt to other styles.)
◆Failing to play with weaker players thus allowing them to gain confidence and the ability to improve. Remember, at one point in time you were the weaker player.
2007/07/26
Hit the Wall
By Tony Lance,
Brad Gilbert did it when he was trying to break out of a slump in 1983. Evonne Goolagong did it to warm up the morning of her 1980 Wimbledon final with Chris Evert. And just about every other top player has done it often during their formative years. What's their big secret? They all used a practice wall.
Surprised? Don't be, because hitting against a backboard or wall is one of the best ways to work on your strokes. In just 15-30 minutes, you'll hit more balls than you would in an hour and a half of practice with a partner. Plus, you can work on nearly every shot in the game and do it at your pace. And unlike other forms of practice, you don't need anyone else to join you. Many players think an easy, rhythmic hit against a backboard is the perfect way to center their shots and their mind before a match. The next time you're in need of practice and find yourself without a partner or a lot of time, don't forget the wall. One thing to remember: Don't try to hit too hard against a practice wall, because you'll end up rushing yourself. Slow down, let the ball bounce twice if necessary, and focus on technique.
Brad Gilbert did it when he was trying to break out of a slump in 1983. Evonne Goolagong did it to warm up the morning of her 1980 Wimbledon final with Chris Evert. And just about every other top player has done it often during their formative years. What's their big secret? They all used a practice wall.
Surprised? Don't be, because hitting against a backboard or wall is one of the best ways to work on your strokes. In just 15-30 minutes, you'll hit more balls than you would in an hour and a half of practice with a partner. Plus, you can work on nearly every shot in the game and do it at your pace. And unlike other forms of practice, you don't need anyone else to join you. Many players think an easy, rhythmic hit against a backboard is the perfect way to center their shots and their mind before a match. The next time you're in need of practice and find yourself without a partner or a lot of time, don't forget the wall. One thing to remember: Don't try to hit too hard against a practice wall, because you'll end up rushing yourself. Slow down, let the ball bounce twice if necessary, and focus on technique.
Two-handed backhand
Statistics show that the double-handed backhand is now the dominant choice among professional players.
It gives more power and control on return of serve and on high balls, which are two crucial areas in the modern game.
STEP ONE
As you start to move turn your shoulders towards the ball, use your wrists and arms to lay the racquet head back.
Keep turning until your racquet head is pointing towards the back fence and at about waist height.
The further you lay the racket head back the more power you can create.
You will notice that top players turn their shoulders so far that their opponent is able to read what is on the back of their shirt.
Watch out though - the bigger the turn, the more difficult it is to control.
STEP TWO
The key from here is to stay relaxed and feel that you are hitting through the ball with your body.
If you tense up the shot will feel awkward and you'll just end up forcing the ball with your arms and create no power.
A great way to develop this feeling is to practice a few shots just with your left hand (or right hand if you play with your left).
This will help you feel the role that the body plays.
The role of your arms is largely to transfer the power stored in your legs, shoulders and torso into the racquet.
STEP THREE
Your footwork is now crucial.
As you get to the ball, look to load up on the left foot (right hander) and then transfer your weight forwards onto your right just before you hit.
Don't step across with your right foot as this will send you off balance.
STEP FOUR
If you get the footwork right you will feel the shot start from your legs, then rotate the left side of your body through the ball.
Combine this with a low-to-high swing with your arms.
Sometimes the rotation that you create will be so great that you will start to spin around on the follow through.
If this happens you've cracked it, the rotation will create power but will also help you recover back quicker.
Slice Serve
From Jeff Cooper,
A pure slice serve has nothing but sidespin, but most slice serves also have some topspin or, more rarely, backspin.
Topspin-slice serves are often called slice serves, and while there's no sharp line between the two, a serve that is at least 75% sidespin behaves differently enough to deserve the distinctive name . Between 100% topspin and 100% sidespin, any mixture of the two spins can be created. The higher the percentage of sidespin, the lower the bounce and the sharper the curve to the left (from a right-handed server). The extreme slice serve often has some backspin, which further accentuates the low bounce and the leftward curve.
The serve shown here is a pretty heavy slice, having at least 90% sidespin. It would be used primarily as a first serve, because the lack of significant topspin gives it a low margin of error over the net. This serve will pull the receiver wide, opening up the court, and often stretch her too far to hit a solid return. On the ad side in doubles, it can pull the receiver far enough onto the deuce side so that her opponent blocks some of her placement options. If you place a slice slightly to the right-handed receiver's backhand, it will curve into his body to "jam" him.
Key points: Aspects of the toss and windup that are the same as for the topspin-slice serve are covered in more detail in that video lesson.
* Stance: Stand with your right foot parallel to the baseline and your left foot pointing roughly toward the right net post.
* Grip: Use a Continental grip, holding the racquet loosely enough that it will pivot in your hand as you close your outer fingers just before meeting the ball.
* Toss: Toss the ball lower and farther to your right than on your topspin/slice serve and barely forward at all.
* Wind-up: Use your normal wind-up.
* Swing: Use some upward thrust from your legs as you would on any serve, but don't lean into the court.
You'll generate enough forward force through the turning that begins at your feet and continues through your legs and upper body into the rightward swing of your arm.
* Point of contact: Meet the ball 1-2 feet below the full upward extension of your reach, roughly 2 feet to your right, and barely in front of yourself, as measured by where your head is at the time of contact.
* Striking the ball: To hit pure slice, try to brush across the right side of the ball, at what would be 3:00 on its face if it were a clock. Your racquet face will naturally turn toward the net and brush across the back of the ball from its center outward toward that 3:00 point, making the ball spin around a vertical axis, like a perfectly balanced top. If you keep your wrist too tight and force the racquet to stay in its initial edge-forward position, you will hit the ball much too far to your left (if at all).
* Follow-through: Follow through to the left side of your body (for right-handers). You won't step into the court nearly as much as on the typical topspin-slice serve.
A pure slice serve has nothing but sidespin, but most slice serves also have some topspin or, more rarely, backspin.
Topspin-slice serves are often called slice serves, and while there's no sharp line between the two, a serve that is at least 75% sidespin behaves differently enough to deserve the distinctive name . Between 100% topspin and 100% sidespin, any mixture of the two spins can be created. The higher the percentage of sidespin, the lower the bounce and the sharper the curve to the left (from a right-handed server). The extreme slice serve often has some backspin, which further accentuates the low bounce and the leftward curve.
The serve shown here is a pretty heavy slice, having at least 90% sidespin. It would be used primarily as a first serve, because the lack of significant topspin gives it a low margin of error over the net. This serve will pull the receiver wide, opening up the court, and often stretch her too far to hit a solid return. On the ad side in doubles, it can pull the receiver far enough onto the deuce side so that her opponent blocks some of her placement options. If you place a slice slightly to the right-handed receiver's backhand, it will curve into his body to "jam" him.
Key points: Aspects of the toss and windup that are the same as for the topspin-slice serve are covered in more detail in that video lesson.
* Stance: Stand with your right foot parallel to the baseline and your left foot pointing roughly toward the right net post.
* Grip: Use a Continental grip, holding the racquet loosely enough that it will pivot in your hand as you close your outer fingers just before meeting the ball.
* Toss: Toss the ball lower and farther to your right than on your topspin/slice serve and barely forward at all.
* Wind-up: Use your normal wind-up.
* Swing: Use some upward thrust from your legs as you would on any serve, but don't lean into the court.
You'll generate enough forward force through the turning that begins at your feet and continues through your legs and upper body into the rightward swing of your arm.
* Point of contact: Meet the ball 1-2 feet below the full upward extension of your reach, roughly 2 feet to your right, and barely in front of yourself, as measured by where your head is at the time of contact.
* Striking the ball: To hit pure slice, try to brush across the right side of the ball, at what would be 3:00 on its face if it were a clock. Your racquet face will naturally turn toward the net and brush across the back of the ball from its center outward toward that 3:00 point, making the ball spin around a vertical axis, like a perfectly balanced top. If you keep your wrist too tight and force the racquet to stay in its initial edge-forward position, you will hit the ball much too far to your left (if at all).
* Follow-through: Follow through to the left side of your body (for right-handers). You won't step into the court nearly as much as on the typical topspin-slice serve.
How To Learn the Extreme Slice Serve
From Jeff Cooper,
A pure slice serve will skid low and sharply sideways when it hits your opponent's court. You can use it to pull your opponent off the court, curve the ball into her body, or force her to hit a weak, stretch return.
Difficulty: Hard
Time Required: 20 minutes
Here's How:
1. Stand six feet from the net.
2. Hold the racquet by the bottom of its throat, using a continental grip.
3. While holding the ball in your left hand (for righties), practice brushing your strings across the right side of the ball (from the center toward 3:00 on an imaginary clock face).
4. Hold your racquet with your elbow bent so that the racquet head is almost touching your upper back.
5. Toss the ball one foot higher than your head, around 18 inches straight to your right, and strike the ball by brushing across its back, from the center toward 3:00.
6. Practice with this choked-up grip and small toss until you can see the ball spinning around its vertical axis as it goes over the net. Don't worry about getting it into the service box.
7. Take a giant step back.
8. Slide your hand an inch closer to the end of your handle.
9. Toss a few inches higher and an inch or two farther to your right and strike the ball as before.
10. Practice from this position until you can get the ball over the net and see its sidespin.
11. Repeat steps 7-10 until your hand reaches the bottom of your handle, and your toss reaches two to three feet higher than and roughly 2 feet to the right of your head. (You don't stretch way up as you would on other serves.)
12. Without changing your grip or toss any further, continue the stepping back process until you reach the baseline.
13. Now try to get the ball into the service box from the baseline.
14. Add your normal wind-up to your swing.
Tips:
1. If serves fail to go over the net, toss less forward.
2. Use this serve sparingly. The topspin-slice, hit at a higher point of contact, is more powerful and consistent.
3. The features below will tell you how and when to use this new weapon.
A pure slice serve will skid low and sharply sideways when it hits your opponent's court. You can use it to pull your opponent off the court, curve the ball into her body, or force her to hit a weak, stretch return.
Difficulty: Hard
Time Required: 20 minutes
Here's How:
1. Stand six feet from the net.
2. Hold the racquet by the bottom of its throat, using a continental grip.
3. While holding the ball in your left hand (for righties), practice brushing your strings across the right side of the ball (from the center toward 3:00 on an imaginary clock face).
4. Hold your racquet with your elbow bent so that the racquet head is almost touching your upper back.
5. Toss the ball one foot higher than your head, around 18 inches straight to your right, and strike the ball by brushing across its back, from the center toward 3:00.
6. Practice with this choked-up grip and small toss until you can see the ball spinning around its vertical axis as it goes over the net. Don't worry about getting it into the service box.
7. Take a giant step back.
8. Slide your hand an inch closer to the end of your handle.
9. Toss a few inches higher and an inch or two farther to your right and strike the ball as before.
10. Practice from this position until you can get the ball over the net and see its sidespin.
11. Repeat steps 7-10 until your hand reaches the bottom of your handle, and your toss reaches two to three feet higher than and roughly 2 feet to the right of your head. (You don't stretch way up as you would on other serves.)
12. Without changing your grip or toss any further, continue the stepping back process until you reach the baseline.
13. Now try to get the ball into the service box from the baseline.
14. Add your normal wind-up to your swing.
Tips:
1. If serves fail to go over the net, toss less forward.
2. Use this serve sparingly. The topspin-slice, hit at a higher point of contact, is more powerful and consistent.
3. The features below will tell you how and when to use this new weapon.
How to Win on Clay
Clay is the slowest of tennis court surfaces: When a ball hits a clay court, its forward velocity is reduced more than on grass, hard courts, or indoor carpet. This allows more time to get each ball, thus reducing the effectiveness of a power game.
If you can't put a ball away as easily, you need to be more patient. Instead of trying to win points by hitting one big shot, look to win points with a combination of two or more shots. You need to get your opponent farther out of position on clay in order to keep him from getting your next shot. Here are a few tactics to try:
* Pull your opponent wide off the court with the "side pocket" shot, which lands near the outside corner of the cross-court service box. Follow up with a shot into the open court, or, if your opponent is racing back across the court, another side pocket shot to wrong-foot her on the slippery clay.
* Hit deep to your opponent's backhand with heavy topspin. Topspin bites into clay nicely and can produce a bounce well above the comfort zone of many players. This will often force your opponent to give you a weak, short ball that you can put away easily with a volley or aggressive groundstroke.
* Force your opponent to retrieve from well behind his baseline, using deep balls, 8-15 feet high, preferably with topspin, then follow up with a drop shot. Drop shots are much more effective on clay than on hard courts.
If you can't put a ball away as easily, you need to be more patient. Instead of trying to win points by hitting one big shot, look to win points with a combination of two or more shots. You need to get your opponent farther out of position on clay in order to keep him from getting your next shot. Here are a few tactics to try:
* Pull your opponent wide off the court with the "side pocket" shot, which lands near the outside corner of the cross-court service box. Follow up with a shot into the open court, or, if your opponent is racing back across the court, another side pocket shot to wrong-foot her on the slippery clay.
* Hit deep to your opponent's backhand with heavy topspin. Topspin bites into clay nicely and can produce a bounce well above the comfort zone of many players. This will often force your opponent to give you a weak, short ball that you can put away easily with a volley or aggressive groundstroke.
* Force your opponent to retrieve from well behind his baseline, using deep balls, 8-15 feet high, preferably with topspin, then follow up with a drop shot. Drop shots are much more effective on clay than on hard courts.
Which Grip is Best for YOU?
The type of tennis grips you use will have a huge bearing on the types of strokes you develop, and on your overall game. For instance, if you would like to develop an aggressive serve and volley game, you should avoid using the Western grip for the forehand. Likewise, avoid using a grip that limits your serving and smashing ability. There's nothing surer to keep you away from the net than a weak overhead.
Over the years, tennis grips and strokes have changed significantly. Although the semi-Western grip is easily today's most widely used grip, believe it or not, there were players in the early 1900's who used a semi-Western grip. W.M. (Bill) Johnston was one of them. He was the best player in the world in 1919.
Below are the different types of the major tennis grips:
Eastern
To find the Eastern forehand grip, simply "shake hands" with the racquet. To change to the Eastern backhand grip, turn your hand approximately a quarter circle counter-clockwise. (If you're left handed, the reverse applies.)
Continental
This grip is halfway between the Eastern forehand and backhand grip. This grip is virtually obsolete as topspin is severely limited. Any spin that is imparted is done so exclusively with the wrist, which significantly increases the margin for error.
Semi-Western
This is the grip used by the majority of today's tour players. To find the semi-Western forehand grip, lay your tennis racquet face down on the ground, and then pick it up. You should be holding the grip about a quarter turn further clockwise than for the Eastern forehand grip. The semi-Western grip is ideal for generating both tremendous power and topspin.
Western
The full Western is found by holding the grip of your racquet with your knuckles pointing towards the ground. Although used by some players, particularly clay-courters, it isn't a hugely popular grip because of the limitations it imposes on certain shots.
For example, short, low balls are extremely difficult to counter, as are any shots that are hit with real pace, particulary flat or sliced balls on faster courts. Forehand returns-of-serve also pose a huge problem.
Service
For the service grip, the two most commonly used tennis grips are the Eastern forehand grip and the Continental grip (and anywhere in between). While many great champions have possessed great serves with various grips, the vast majority of great servers have tended far more towards the Eastern forehand grip.
Volley
The grip most preferred by great volleyers is, like the serve, the Eastern forehand "shake hands" grip. It's extremely practical to use this grip as it doesn't require a grip change from forehand to backhand volley, and, in many cases, from the serve or to the smash.
Summary
While the above offers a guide to tennis grips, I can't stress enough that tennis is a game of options. If you have unorthodox grips, but you find that they are both natural and effective for you, think long and hard before changing to something else.
Over the years, tennis grips and strokes have changed significantly. Although the semi-Western grip is easily today's most widely used grip, believe it or not, there were players in the early 1900's who used a semi-Western grip. W.M. (Bill) Johnston was one of them. He was the best player in the world in 1919.
Below are the different types of the major tennis grips:
Eastern
To find the Eastern forehand grip, simply "shake hands" with the racquet. To change to the Eastern backhand grip, turn your hand approximately a quarter circle counter-clockwise. (If you're left handed, the reverse applies.)
Continental
This grip is halfway between the Eastern forehand and backhand grip. This grip is virtually obsolete as topspin is severely limited. Any spin that is imparted is done so exclusively with the wrist, which significantly increases the margin for error.
Semi-Western
This is the grip used by the majority of today's tour players. To find the semi-Western forehand grip, lay your tennis racquet face down on the ground, and then pick it up. You should be holding the grip about a quarter turn further clockwise than for the Eastern forehand grip. The semi-Western grip is ideal for generating both tremendous power and topspin.
Western
The full Western is found by holding the grip of your racquet with your knuckles pointing towards the ground. Although used by some players, particularly clay-courters, it isn't a hugely popular grip because of the limitations it imposes on certain shots.
For example, short, low balls are extremely difficult to counter, as are any shots that are hit with real pace, particulary flat or sliced balls on faster courts. Forehand returns-of-serve also pose a huge problem.
Service
For the service grip, the two most commonly used tennis grips are the Eastern forehand grip and the Continental grip (and anywhere in between). While many great champions have possessed great serves with various grips, the vast majority of great servers have tended far more towards the Eastern forehand grip.
Volley
The grip most preferred by great volleyers is, like the serve, the Eastern forehand "shake hands" grip. It's extremely practical to use this grip as it doesn't require a grip change from forehand to backhand volley, and, in many cases, from the serve or to the smash.
Summary
While the above offers a guide to tennis grips, I can't stress enough that tennis is a game of options. If you have unorthodox grips, but you find that they are both natural and effective for you, think long and hard before changing to something else.
Encourage Your Opponent's Unforced Errors
From Jeff Cooper
Part I: Mental Torture, Ethically
Tennis has such a strong psychological component, some players look at a match as a mental war. They'll try anything to upset their opponent: the glare, the sudden shoe-tying emergency, or the convenient temper tantrum. One well known female pro is reputed to have, as a junior, whispered to her opponents on change-overs, "Big b*tch"!
I think such tactics fail the ethics test. As far as I'm concerned, there's only one honorable way to unhinge your opponent: with your shots. Your opponent might get upset if you hit clean winners, but he'll get more frustrated if you make him miss what seems to him to be a perfectly hittable ball. When you win a point this way, you often win a few more as a bonus, because your opponent keeps thinking about the one he "should have had."
Here are my five favorite shots that tend to make opponents miss what seem to them to be easy balls:
1.true slice (sidespin) backhand
If you already know how to hit a backspin backhand, which is what most people mean when they talk about a "slice backhand," you should be able quickly to learn a trueslice backhand, which has sidespin. The advantage of sidespin is that it makes the ball skid left or right on the bounce. If your opponent isn't used to this, she'll find herself suddenly too far, or, better for you, too close to the ball just as she's about to swing. Either way, she'll often hit a weak floater or dump the ball into the net. Learn the slice backhand here.
2. high, deep topspin
During the 1970s, a new type of player emerged who drove everyone nuts. The "moonballers" hit virtually nothing but this high, deep topspin that few players could find a way to attack. When two pro moonballers got matched up for singles, individual points would sometimes go on for several minutes, eventually drawing boos from the crowd. In the pro ranks today, most players have developed effective countermeasures, so the moonball is less often used, but if you're playing below the pro ranks, your opponents might not have an answer. The moonball is a difficult shot to attack because it's deep and it kicks above the height at which most players can hit hard. It's also highly reliable, so you can keep hitting it until your opponent loses patience and risks a low-percentage shot. Learn the high, deep topspin here.
Part II: Alter Space and Time
3. heavy backspin
When you're forced to hit a shot that won't have any power or land very far from your opponent, you can still make your opponent miss by making the shot sufficiently unpredictable. If you're not hitting hard, it's pretty easy to hit a backspin so heavy that the ball nearly bounces straight up instead of continuing forward. The result will often be a major timing and positioning error from your opponent. He'll tend to swing too early and also have to reach too far forward. This usually makes him hit long if he connects with any power, or it will throw him off so much that he'll barely connect at all.
4. extreme slice serve
This serve has the same effects as the true slice backhand, but for many players, it's easier to execute, because serves are the one shot on which you have complete control of the ball.
It's also easier to hit an extreme angle with this serve than with most backhands. You can pull your opponent completely off the court with a well-placed extreme slice serve out wide, or you can curve the ball into her body. The "jamming" serve works especially well against tall opponents. This serve doesn't have much pace on it, so the receiver tends to think of it as "easy" when it can be anything but. Learn the extreme slice serve here.
5. bit-too-high lob
Some opponents will be too smart for this one, but most will fall for it even though they know better. When your opponent is at the net, and you just barely get to the ball, try throwing up a lob around 35 feet high. If you hit your lob nice and deep, you're right back in the point, but even if it ends up shorter than you hoped, you might still luck out. Many players forget how hard it is to time an overhead when the ball is accelerating downward from a significant height, and even when they remember, the temptation, mixed with a little overconfidence, is irresistable. They try to hit your overhead before it bounces, mis-time it, and hand you the point. 35 feet is about the right height not to be obviously too high to hit before the bounce. If you're way out of position, you might want to lob higher to buy more time, and although it's more likely your opponent will let the ball bounce, you might discover that his bounced overhead is another shot to add to your list of those he hates to hit.
Part I: Mental Torture, Ethically
Tennis has such a strong psychological component, some players look at a match as a mental war. They'll try anything to upset their opponent: the glare, the sudden shoe-tying emergency, or the convenient temper tantrum. One well known female pro is reputed to have, as a junior, whispered to her opponents on change-overs, "Big b*tch"!
I think such tactics fail the ethics test. As far as I'm concerned, there's only one honorable way to unhinge your opponent: with your shots. Your opponent might get upset if you hit clean winners, but he'll get more frustrated if you make him miss what seems to him to be a perfectly hittable ball. When you win a point this way, you often win a few more as a bonus, because your opponent keeps thinking about the one he "should have had."
Here are my five favorite shots that tend to make opponents miss what seem to them to be easy balls:
1.true slice (sidespin) backhand
If you already know how to hit a backspin backhand, which is what most people mean when they talk about a "slice backhand," you should be able quickly to learn a trueslice backhand, which has sidespin. The advantage of sidespin is that it makes the ball skid left or right on the bounce. If your opponent isn't used to this, she'll find herself suddenly too far, or, better for you, too close to the ball just as she's about to swing. Either way, she'll often hit a weak floater or dump the ball into the net. Learn the slice backhand here.
2. high, deep topspin
During the 1970s, a new type of player emerged who drove everyone nuts. The "moonballers" hit virtually nothing but this high, deep topspin that few players could find a way to attack. When two pro moonballers got matched up for singles, individual points would sometimes go on for several minutes, eventually drawing boos from the crowd. In the pro ranks today, most players have developed effective countermeasures, so the moonball is less often used, but if you're playing below the pro ranks, your opponents might not have an answer. The moonball is a difficult shot to attack because it's deep and it kicks above the height at which most players can hit hard. It's also highly reliable, so you can keep hitting it until your opponent loses patience and risks a low-percentage shot. Learn the high, deep topspin here.
Part II: Alter Space and Time
3. heavy backspin
When you're forced to hit a shot that won't have any power or land very far from your opponent, you can still make your opponent miss by making the shot sufficiently unpredictable. If you're not hitting hard, it's pretty easy to hit a backspin so heavy that the ball nearly bounces straight up instead of continuing forward. The result will often be a major timing and positioning error from your opponent. He'll tend to swing too early and also have to reach too far forward. This usually makes him hit long if he connects with any power, or it will throw him off so much that he'll barely connect at all.
4. extreme slice serve
This serve has the same effects as the true slice backhand, but for many players, it's easier to execute, because serves are the one shot on which you have complete control of the ball.
It's also easier to hit an extreme angle with this serve than with most backhands. You can pull your opponent completely off the court with a well-placed extreme slice serve out wide, or you can curve the ball into her body. The "jamming" serve works especially well against tall opponents. This serve doesn't have much pace on it, so the receiver tends to think of it as "easy" when it can be anything but. Learn the extreme slice serve here.
5. bit-too-high lob
Some opponents will be too smart for this one, but most will fall for it even though they know better. When your opponent is at the net, and you just barely get to the ball, try throwing up a lob around 35 feet high. If you hit your lob nice and deep, you're right back in the point, but even if it ends up shorter than you hoped, you might still luck out. Many players forget how hard it is to time an overhead when the ball is accelerating downward from a significant height, and even when they remember, the temptation, mixed with a little overconfidence, is irresistable. They try to hit your overhead before it bounces, mis-time it, and hand you the point. 35 feet is about the right height not to be obviously too high to hit before the bounce. If you're way out of position, you might want to lob higher to buy more time, and although it's more likely your opponent will let the ball bounce, you might discover that his bounced overhead is another shot to add to your list of those he hates to hit.
2007/07/23
2007/07/22
2007/07/21
How to return a low ball with topspin
How to return a low ball with topspin
By Jon Levey,
Returning a low, skidding ball is always a challenging proposition, but it becomes even more demanding when you favor hitting your strokes with heavy topspin. Since more players are adopting Western grips, this means that their strike zones are higher and farther out in front of their bodies than they would with an Eastern or Continental grip. The Western grip is good for brushing up and putting lots of topspin on the ball, but not ideal when the shot is around your shins. Still, you can get the job done, and rather effectively, if you keep in mind a few simple things.
Bend your knees: On a topspin swing, the racquet head has to drop below the level of the incoming ball. That’s not easy to do when it isn’t far off the court. So you need to get to the ball quickly and bend your knees during the setup. Many players bend at their waist, instead of with the legs, which makes their swing more of a scoop than a drive.
Think height, not power:When you’re returning a low ball, don’t try any heroics. This isn’t a great opportunity to be aggressive or attempt a high-risk shot. Your primary objective should be to get the ball over the net and deep into the court to neutralize your opponent. Since you’re putting topspin on the ball, which naturally causes it to drop into the court, you’re going to need to give your shot plenty of air underneath it to take the net out of the equation. If you try to get very aggressive, you’re going to find the net a difficult obstacle to overcome.
By Jon Levey,
Returning a low, skidding ball is always a challenging proposition, but it becomes even more demanding when you favor hitting your strokes with heavy topspin. Since more players are adopting Western grips, this means that their strike zones are higher and farther out in front of their bodies than they would with an Eastern or Continental grip. The Western grip is good for brushing up and putting lots of topspin on the ball, but not ideal when the shot is around your shins. Still, you can get the job done, and rather effectively, if you keep in mind a few simple things.
Bend your knees: On a topspin swing, the racquet head has to drop below the level of the incoming ball. That’s not easy to do when it isn’t far off the court. So you need to get to the ball quickly and bend your knees during the setup. Many players bend at their waist, instead of with the legs, which makes their swing more of a scoop than a drive.
Think height, not power:When you’re returning a low ball, don’t try any heroics. This isn’t a great opportunity to be aggressive or attempt a high-risk shot. Your primary objective should be to get the ball over the net and deep into the court to neutralize your opponent. Since you’re putting topspin on the ball, which naturally causes it to drop into the court, you’re going to need to give your shot plenty of air underneath it to take the net out of the equation. If you try to get very aggressive, you’re going to find the net a difficult obstacle to overcome.
2007/07/20
2007/07/19
涵養、道德篇
★對人不尊敬的人，首先就是對自己不尊重。
★對別人述說自己，這是一種天性；認真對待別人向你敘述他自己的事，這是一種教養。
★愛挑剔的人總是得不到滿足，永遠也不會幸福。
★無論你怎樣地表示憤怒，都不要做出任何無法挽回的事來。
★最好的盔甲是躲開射擊。
★人思考越少，話越多。
★掩飾一個缺點，結果會暴露第二個缺點。
★習慣不加以抑制，不久它就會變成你生活上的必需品了。
★要使人成為真正有教養的人，必須具備三個特質：淵博的知識、思維的習慣、和高尚的情操。
★貧賤不能移，富貴不能淫，威武不能屈。
★勞苦之事能爭先，饒樂之事則能讓。
★有過是一過，不肯認過則又是一過。
(待續)
★對別人述說自己，這是一種天性；認真對待別人向你敘述他自己的事，這是一種教養。
★愛挑剔的人總是得不到滿足，永遠也不會幸福。
★無論你怎樣地表示憤怒，都不要做出任何無法挽回的事來。
★最好的盔甲是躲開射擊。
★人思考越少，話越多。
★掩飾一個缺點，結果會暴露第二個缺點。
★習慣不加以抑制，不久它就會變成你生活上的必需品了。
★要使人成為真正有教養的人，必須具備三個特質：淵博的知識、思維的習慣、和高尚的情操。
★貧賤不能移，富貴不能淫，威武不能屈。
★勞苦之事能爭先，饒樂之事則能讓。
★有過是一過，不肯認過則又是一過。
(待續)
家庭、教育篇
★夫婦的體貼在於生活上的細節，情人的體貼則在於一般的行為。
★美婦娛目，供豐世之玩好；良婦娛心，作終身之伴侶。
★家貧思良妻，國亂思良相。
★妻子是青年人的愛人；中年人的伴侶；老年人的保姆。
★一個好妻子，除了處理家務外，她必須兼有慈母、良伴、戀人三種品質。
★假如你的女兒嫁了一個好丈夫，你便找到了一個兒子；否則，你便失去了一個女兒。
★兒子在未婚之前是我的兒子，但女兒卻一生永遠是我的女兒。
★不要過份奢望婚姻生活的快樂。記住，黃鶯只在春天的幾個月裡唱歌，當它們孵卵時常是靜漠的。
★我寧願用一小杯真和美來組織一個美滿的家庭，不願用幾大船家俱組織一個索然無味的家庭。
★如果你想要毀掉自己，那麼娶一個有錢的妻子。
★幸福的家庭都是相似的，不幸的家庭各有各的不幸。
★在達到理智的年齡以前，孩子不能接受觀念，而只接受形象。
★你救了一個老人，你只救了一個單數；但若你救了一個孩子，你便是救了一個乘數表。
★父親的德行是兒子的最好遺產。
★家敗離不得個『奢』字，人敗離不得個『逸』字，討人厭離不得個『驕』字。
★美婦娛目，供豐世之玩好；良婦娛心，作終身之伴侶。
★家貧思良妻，國亂思良相。
★妻子是青年人的愛人；中年人的伴侶；老年人的保姆。
★一個好妻子，除了處理家務外，她必須兼有慈母、良伴、戀人三種品質。
★假如你的女兒嫁了一個好丈夫，你便找到了一個兒子；否則，你便失去了一個女兒。
★兒子在未婚之前是我的兒子，但女兒卻一生永遠是我的女兒。
★不要過份奢望婚姻生活的快樂。記住，黃鶯只在春天的幾個月裡唱歌，當它們孵卵時常是靜漠的。
★我寧願用一小杯真和美來組織一個美滿的家庭，不願用幾大船家俱組織一個索然無味的家庭。
★如果你想要毀掉自己，那麼娶一個有錢的妻子。
★幸福的家庭都是相似的，不幸的家庭各有各的不幸。
★在達到理智的年齡以前，孩子不能接受觀念，而只接受形象。
★你救了一個老人，你只救了一個單數；但若你救了一個孩子，你便是救了一個乘數表。
★父親的德行是兒子的最好遺產。
★家敗離不得個『奢』字，人敗離不得個『逸』字，討人厭離不得個『驕』字。
愛情、婚姻篇
★愛情是青春期開放出的一朵情緒之花。
★愛情是一個人的自我價值在別人身上的反應。
★關於愛，我們可以說：越純潔、越含蓄。
★不能使妳奮發的愛，不如不愛。
★一個惡徒的愛情，比他的憎恨還要危險。
★過度的愛情追求，必然會降低人本身的價值。
★愛情是兩個人的利己主義。
★最熱烈的戀愛，會有最冷漠的結局。
★愛情是無法忍受壓迫的。
★愛是使生命從善或從惡的岔路口。
★愛情是盲目的，但婚姻恢復了它的視力。
★夫婦之爭是沒有勝者的，只能是兩敗俱傷。
★毫無經驗的初戀是迷人的，但經得起考驗的愛情是無價的。
(待續)
★愛情是一個人的自我價值在別人身上的反應。
★關於愛，我們可以說：越純潔、越含蓄。
★不能使妳奮發的愛，不如不愛。
★一個惡徒的愛情，比他的憎恨還要危險。
★過度的愛情追求，必然會降低人本身的價值。
★愛情是兩個人的利己主義。
★最熱烈的戀愛，會有最冷漠的結局。
★愛情是無法忍受壓迫的。
★愛是使生命從善或從惡的岔路口。
★愛情是盲目的，但婚姻恢復了它的視力。
★夫婦之爭是沒有勝者的，只能是兩敗俱傷。
★毫無經驗的初戀是迷人的，但經得起考驗的愛情是無價的。
(待續)
人際、友誼篇
★要替別人尋找藉口，但千萬不要替自己找藉口。
★當一個人能了解別人的痛苦時，他自己也必是已經飽嚐痛苦的人。
★經常談論自己的人常受損。自責往往被人信以為真，自誇絕不會被人相信。
★老木柴最好燒(朽木不可雕？)，老酒最好喝(沉甕底喝不到？)，老作家的著作最值得讀(老生常談？)，老朋友最可靠(借錢難拒絕？)。
★我不受世俗污染的嘴奉承，也不在偶像面前屈膝。
★同意你講的一切的人，不是傻瓜就是準備著要剝你的皮。
★外交家是這樣一個人，他一直讓你說話，而他卻得到了他想要的東西。
★政客是：他一直罵你，最後也得到了他想要的東西。
★那些自以為不需要他人的人們會變得不通情理。
★沉默較言不由衷的話更有益於社交。
★一個被稱為自私自利的人，並不是因為他尋求自己的利益，而是在於他經常忽略了別人的利益。
★記住：惡意的批評通常是變相的恭維。
★別人的罪孽不能使你變成一個聖人。
★勸告朋友要在無人的地方，讚揚朋友可在人多場合。
★大部份的人，不論自己是怎樣自大的人，都討厭別人的自大。
★要想有朋友，自己必須先夠朋友。
★大部份人的感恩，都是暗自希望接受更多的利益。
★兼聽則明，偏信則暗。
★物忌全盛，事忌全美，人忌全名。
★事後論人，局外論人，是學者大病。
★朋友之間用到不自然的禮貌時，就可以知道他們的感情已經開始低落了。
★友誼使歡樂倍增，使痛苦減半。
★在歡樂時，朋友會認識我們，在患難時，我們會認識朋友。
★交友不在多，得一人可勝百人；交友不論久，得一日可逾千古。
★真摯的友誼猶如健康，不到失卻時，無法體味其珍貴。
★憐憫你的人不是你的朋友，幫助你的人才是你的朋友。
★人人都能同情朋友在受苦，但是，若要替朋友的成功高興，卻需要極度高潔的天性。
★從來沒有敵人的人，也不會有朋友。
★友誼是靈魂的結合。
★做生意時沒有友誼，交朋友時也不應做生意。
★不要靠饋贈去獲得朋友。你需貢獻你誠摯的愛，學會怎樣用正當的方法來嬴得一個人的心。
★縱然在玩笑時也不能損傷朋友。
★你的敵人要和你的朋友一起才能傷害你，一個譭謗你，另一個把消息告訴你。
★沒有人可以愛或者沒有人可以吐露心曲的人，也沒有什麼希望。他缺乏幸福的基本原則。
★大量的友誼使生命堅強。愛與被愛是生活中最大的幸福。
★君子先擇而後交，小人先交而後擇。
★萬兩黃金容易得，知心一人也難求。
★當一個人能了解別人的痛苦時，他自己也必是已經飽嚐痛苦的人。
★經常談論自己的人常受損。自責往往被人信以為真，自誇絕不會被人相信。
★老木柴最好燒(朽木不可雕？)，老酒最好喝(沉甕底喝不到？)，老作家的著作最值得讀(老生常談？)，老朋友最可靠(借錢難拒絕？)。
★我不受世俗污染的嘴奉承，也不在偶像面前屈膝。
★同意你講的一切的人，不是傻瓜就是準備著要剝你的皮。
★外交家是這樣一個人，他一直讓你說話，而他卻得到了他想要的東西。
★政客是：他一直罵你，最後也得到了他想要的東西。
★那些自以為不需要他人的人們會變得不通情理。
★沉默較言不由衷的話更有益於社交。
★一個被稱為自私自利的人，並不是因為他尋求自己的利益，而是在於他經常忽略了別人的利益。
★記住：惡意的批評通常是變相的恭維。
★別人的罪孽不能使你變成一個聖人。
★勸告朋友要在無人的地方，讚揚朋友可在人多場合。
★大部份的人，不論自己是怎樣自大的人，都討厭別人的自大。
★要想有朋友，自己必須先夠朋友。
★大部份人的感恩，都是暗自希望接受更多的利益。
★兼聽則明，偏信則暗。
★物忌全盛，事忌全美，人忌全名。
★事後論人，局外論人，是學者大病。
★朋友之間用到不自然的禮貌時，就可以知道他們的感情已經開始低落了。
★友誼使歡樂倍增，使痛苦減半。
★在歡樂時，朋友會認識我們，在患難時，我們會認識朋友。
★交友不在多，得一人可勝百人；交友不論久，得一日可逾千古。
★真摯的友誼猶如健康，不到失卻時，無法體味其珍貴。
★憐憫你的人不是你的朋友，幫助你的人才是你的朋友。
★人人都能同情朋友在受苦，但是，若要替朋友的成功高興，卻需要極度高潔的天性。
★從來沒有敵人的人，也不會有朋友。
★友誼是靈魂的結合。
★做生意時沒有友誼，交朋友時也不應做生意。
★不要靠饋贈去獲得朋友。你需貢獻你誠摯的愛，學會怎樣用正當的方法來嬴得一個人的心。
★縱然在玩笑時也不能損傷朋友。
★你的敵人要和你的朋友一起才能傷害你，一個譭謗你，另一個把消息告訴你。
★沒有人可以愛或者沒有人可以吐露心曲的人，也沒有什麼希望。他缺乏幸福的基本原則。
★大量的友誼使生命堅強。愛與被愛是生活中最大的幸福。
★君子先擇而後交，小人先交而後擇。
★萬兩黃金容易得，知心一人也難求。
男人、女人篇
★女人過了40歲就像隱形人，沒有人會注意妳的存在。
★女人40一枝花，我想將它插在我的心田中。
★男人花心容易，癡心難。留情容易，守情難。
★男人身上最受重視的是男子氣概，女人身上最受重視的是女性溫柔。
★女人失去男人的陪伴會變得憔悴，男人失去女人的陪伴會變得愚蠢。
★女人的甜言蜜語能牽著壯士的鼻子跑。
★女人的猜測要比男人的肯定準確的多。
★詩人可能會贊美許多他不敢與之結婚的女性。
★男性的武器是輕率粗心，女性的武器則是懷恨報復。
★當女人的美眸被淚水蒙住時，看不清楚的是男人。
★慎重和檢點就是女人的最好才智。
★把身心交給一個你甚至並不尊重的人，這是可怕的。
★在體會愛情以前，女人還算不得女人，男人也算不得男人。
(待續)
★女人40一枝花，我想將它插在我的心田中。
★男人花心容易，癡心難。留情容易，守情難。
★男人身上最受重視的是男子氣概，女人身上最受重視的是女性溫柔。
★女人失去男人的陪伴會變得憔悴，男人失去女人的陪伴會變得愚蠢。
★女人的甜言蜜語能牽著壯士的鼻子跑。
★女人的猜測要比男人的肯定準確的多。
★詩人可能會贊美許多他不敢與之結婚的女性。
★男性的武器是輕率粗心，女性的武器則是懷恨報復。
★當女人的美眸被淚水蒙住時，看不清楚的是男人。
★慎重和檢點就是女人的最好才智。
★把身心交給一個你甚至並不尊重的人，這是可怕的。
★在體會愛情以前，女人還算不得女人，男人也算不得男人。
(待續)
情趣、才智篇
★心情愉快是肉體和精神的最佳衛生方法。
★你可以偽裝嚴肅，卻無法偽裝詼諧。
★感情往往能使一個最聰明的人成為狂人，使一個最愚蠢的人聰明起來。
★不與感情相呼應的同情，只不過是偽裝的自私。
★人們煩惱、迷惑，實因看得太近，而又想得太多。
★熱情有極大的價值，只要我們不因此而忘乎所以。
★天才不過是一種高超的觀察能力而已。
★所有的天才都是憂鬱的。
★明智者創造的機會比他發現的要多。
★智慧、勤勞和天才，高於顯貴和富有。
★為別人的事比為自己的事容易有智慧。
★才智是人的精神武器。
(待續)
★你可以偽裝嚴肅，卻無法偽裝詼諧。
★感情往往能使一個最聰明的人成為狂人，使一個最愚蠢的人聰明起來。
★不與感情相呼應的同情，只不過是偽裝的自私。
★人們煩惱、迷惑，實因看得太近，而又想得太多。
★熱情有極大的價值，只要我們不因此而忘乎所以。
★天才不過是一種高超的觀察能力而已。
★所有的天才都是憂鬱的。
★明智者創造的機會比他發現的要多。
★智慧、勤勞和天才，高於顯貴和富有。
★為別人的事比為自己的事容易有智慧。
★才智是人的精神武器。
(待續)
個人、修養篇
★名馬皆有癖。
★以同等寧靜的心靈來承受恥辱與光榮。
★及時行樂，無待太遲。
★寧學斟酒意，莫學下棋心。
★我思，故我在。
★使我們快樂的日子，也使我們聰明。
★日月如懷憂、黯然失光輝。
★如果你是鐵砧，靜靜支住自己。如果你是鐵錘，盡量發揮自己。
★不遭人忌是庸才。
★樹大招風、位高樹敵。
★40歲以上的人都該對自己的相貌負責。
★征途永遠比客棧好。
★從一粒細砂看大千世界，從一朵野花看渾沌乾坤。
★在手掌中把握無限，在一小時把握永恆。
★喪失財產相當重大，喪失勇氣一切報銷。
★大人者，不失赤子之心。
★年華或許使皮膚起皺，但是放棄了熱忱使靈魂收縮。
★只顧說話的人決不會思索。
★絕對不要絕望，不過如果你絕望了，在絕望中幹下去。
★天空最黑的時候，才看得到星辰。
★盡是陽光會造成沙漠。
★如果上帝關了這一扇門，他會打開另一扇門。
★每一分鐘是一小時的開始。
★且看烏龜，它只在伸出頭來的時候才能往前進。
★君子和而不同，小人同而不和。
★君子周而不比，小人比而不周。
★君子同道小人同利。
★以同等寧靜的心靈來承受恥辱與光榮。
★及時行樂，無待太遲。
★寧學斟酒意，莫學下棋心。
★我思，故我在。
★使我們快樂的日子，也使我們聰明。
★日月如懷憂、黯然失光輝。
★如果你是鐵砧，靜靜支住自己。如果你是鐵錘，盡量發揮自己。
★不遭人忌是庸才。
★樹大招風、位高樹敵。
★40歲以上的人都該對自己的相貌負責。
★征途永遠比客棧好。
★從一粒細砂看大千世界，從一朵野花看渾沌乾坤。
★在手掌中把握無限，在一小時把握永恆。
★喪失財產相當重大，喪失勇氣一切報銷。
★大人者，不失赤子之心。
★年華或許使皮膚起皺，但是放棄了熱忱使靈魂收縮。
★只顧說話的人決不會思索。
★絕對不要絕望，不過如果你絕望了，在絕望中幹下去。
★天空最黑的時候，才看得到星辰。
★盡是陽光會造成沙漠。
★如果上帝關了這一扇門，他會打開另一扇門。
★每一分鐘是一小時的開始。
★且看烏龜，它只在伸出頭來的時候才能往前進。
★君子和而不同，小人同而不和。
★君子周而不比，小人比而不周。
★君子同道小人同利。
2007/07/17
The Points of Contact for Five Spin Serves
The Points of Contact for Five Spin Serves
From Jeff Cooper,
◆ Topspin Slice Serve Point of Contact
◆ Topspin Serve Point of Contact
◆ Slice Serve Point of Contact
◆ Twist Serve Point of Contact
◆ Underhand Sidespin Serve Point of Contact
1.Topspin Slice Serve Point of Contact
* Grip: A Continental grip works best for most players, but you can shift a bit toward the Eastern forehand for less spin or toward the Eastern backhand for more spin.
* Point of contact: Meet the ball at the full upward extension of your reach, 1-2 feet to your right, and 1-2 feet in front of yourself, as measured by where your head is at the time of contact. Where you toss the ball will be influenced by how much you lean forward and how much you jump upward before swinging.
* Striking the ball: Strike the ball diagonally upward and to the right, from its center toward what would be 1:30 on its face if it were a clock. The upward part of this racquet path creates topspin; the rightward part, slice.
2.Topspin Serve Point of Contact
* Grip: Use the grip closest to the Eastern backhand (moving from Continental) that still allows you to make clean contact with the ball. Moving toward Eastern backhand gives you stronger spin, toward Continental easier contact.
* Point of contact: Meet the ball slightly below the full upward extension of your reach so that the racquet can still be moving upward as it brushes against the ball. The ball should be just about directly overhead at the time of contact. Where you toss the ball will be influenced by how much you lean forward and how much you jump upward before swinging.
* Striking the ball: Try to brush straight up the back of the ball from what would be 6:00 on its face if it were a clock to 12:00. You would have to let the ball drop more than it's worth to hit an absolutely pure topspin, but the inevitable, slight left-to-right slant at higher points of contact won't produce any significant twist bounce.
3.Slice Serve Point of Contact
* Grip: A Continental grip works best for most players, but you can shift a bit toward the Eastern backhand for more spin.
* Point of contact: Meet the ball 1-2 feet below the full upward extension of your reach, roughly 2 feet to your right, and barely in front of yourself, as measured by where your head is at the time of contact.
* Striking the ball: To hit pure slice, try to brush across the right side of the ball, at what would be 3:00 on its face if it were a clock. Your racquet face will naturally turn toward the net and brush across the back of the ball from its center outward toward that 3:00 point, making the ball spin around a vertical axis, like a perfectly balanced top. If you keep your wrist too tight and force the racquet to stay in its initial edge-forward position, you will hit the ball much too far to your left (if you hit it at all).
4.Twist Serve Point of Contact
* Grip: Use the grip closest to the Eastern backhand (moving from Continental) that still allows you to make clean contact with the ball. Moving toward Eastern backhand gives you stronger spin, toward Continental easier contact.
* Point of contact: Meet the ball 6-12 inches below the full upward extension of your reach, 6-12 inches to your left, and 3-6 inches behind yourself, as measured by where your head is at the time of contact. Where you toss the ball will be influenced by how much you arch backward and how much you jump upward before swinging.
* Striking the ball: Strike the ball with your racquet moving upward from left to right -- from what would be 7:00 toward 1:00 on the face of the ball if it were a clock.
5.Underhand Sidespin Serve Point of Contact
* Note: Because the ball is so much brighter than the court in this photo, it appears to be on top of the strings. You're actually seeing it through the strings, and the upper edge of the frame is closer to the camera than the lower edge.
* Grip: A Continental grip will probably work best, but you can move your grip toward the Eastern backhand for more spin or toward the Eastern forehand for more impact.
* Point of contact: Meet the ball a foot or so above the ground, roughly three feet to your right, and approximately even with your front foot.
* Striking the ball: Strike the ball diagonally downward, forward, and right to left. The leftward part of this racquet path creates sidespin; the downward and forward parts, backspin.
From Jeff Cooper,
◆ Topspin Slice Serve Point of Contact
◆ Topspin Serve Point of Contact
◆ Slice Serve Point of Contact
◆ Twist Serve Point of Contact
◆ Underhand Sidespin Serve Point of Contact
1.Topspin Slice Serve Point of Contact
* Grip: A Continental grip works best for most players, but you can shift a bit toward the Eastern forehand for less spin or toward the Eastern backhand for more spin.
* Point of contact: Meet the ball at the full upward extension of your reach, 1-2 feet to your right, and 1-2 feet in front of yourself, as measured by where your head is at the time of contact. Where you toss the ball will be influenced by how much you lean forward and how much you jump upward before swinging.
* Striking the ball: Strike the ball diagonally upward and to the right, from its center toward what would be 1:30 on its face if it were a clock. The upward part of this racquet path creates topspin; the rightward part, slice.
2.Topspin Serve Point of Contact
* Grip: Use the grip closest to the Eastern backhand (moving from Continental) that still allows you to make clean contact with the ball. Moving toward Eastern backhand gives you stronger spin, toward Continental easier contact.
* Point of contact: Meet the ball slightly below the full upward extension of your reach so that the racquet can still be moving upward as it brushes against the ball. The ball should be just about directly overhead at the time of contact. Where you toss the ball will be influenced by how much you lean forward and how much you jump upward before swinging.
* Striking the ball: Try to brush straight up the back of the ball from what would be 6:00 on its face if it were a clock to 12:00. You would have to let the ball drop more than it's worth to hit an absolutely pure topspin, but the inevitable, slight left-to-right slant at higher points of contact won't produce any significant twist bounce.
3.Slice Serve Point of Contact
* Grip: A Continental grip works best for most players, but you can shift a bit toward the Eastern backhand for more spin.
* Point of contact: Meet the ball 1-2 feet below the full upward extension of your reach, roughly 2 feet to your right, and barely in front of yourself, as measured by where your head is at the time of contact.
* Striking the ball: To hit pure slice, try to brush across the right side of the ball, at what would be 3:00 on its face if it were a clock. Your racquet face will naturally turn toward the net and brush across the back of the ball from its center outward toward that 3:00 point, making the ball spin around a vertical axis, like a perfectly balanced top. If you keep your wrist too tight and force the racquet to stay in its initial edge-forward position, you will hit the ball much too far to your left (if you hit it at all).
4.Twist Serve Point of Contact
* Grip: Use the grip closest to the Eastern backhand (moving from Continental) that still allows you to make clean contact with the ball. Moving toward Eastern backhand gives you stronger spin, toward Continental easier contact.
* Point of contact: Meet the ball 6-12 inches below the full upward extension of your reach, 6-12 inches to your left, and 3-6 inches behind yourself, as measured by where your head is at the time of contact. Where you toss the ball will be influenced by how much you arch backward and how much you jump upward before swinging.
* Striking the ball: Strike the ball with your racquet moving upward from left to right -- from what would be 7:00 toward 1:00 on the face of the ball if it were a clock.
5.Underhand Sidespin Serve Point of Contact
* Note: Because the ball is so much brighter than the court in this photo, it appears to be on top of the strings. You're actually seeing it through the strings, and the upper edge of the frame is closer to the camera than the lower edge.
* Grip: A Continental grip will probably work best, but you can move your grip toward the Eastern backhand for more spin or toward the Eastern forehand for more impact.
* Point of contact: Meet the ball a foot or so above the ground, roughly three feet to your right, and approximately even with your front foot.
* Striking the ball: Strike the ball diagonally downward, forward, and right to left. The leftward part of this racquet path creates sidespin; the downward and forward parts, backspin.
命理、星象篇
▲窮算命，富燒香。
▲心思不定，看相算命。
▲卜世三十，卜年八百。
▲一命、二運、三風水、四讀書、五積德。
▲科學用以解釋已知的，哲學用以探討未知的，宗教用以體悟不可知的。
▲春有百花秋有月，夏有涼風冬有雪，若無閒事掛心頭，便是人間好時節。
▲以靜坐獲得能量，以修行學得放下，以拜佛、誦經、禱告取得感應。這乃是人類回到宇宙故鄉的三大法寶。
▲真理不因宗教而生，真理卻因宗教而顯。
▲宗教是科學的前身，而科學是宗教的實現。
▲猜對的也是八卦，猜錯的也是八卦。
▲心思不定，看相算命。
▲卜世三十，卜年八百。
▲一命、二運、三風水、四讀書、五積德。
▲科學用以解釋已知的，哲學用以探討未知的，宗教用以體悟不可知的。
▲春有百花秋有月，夏有涼風冬有雪，若無閒事掛心頭，便是人間好時節。
▲以靜坐獲得能量，以修行學得放下，以拜佛、誦經、禱告取得感應。這乃是人類回到宇宙故鄉的三大法寶。
▲真理不因宗教而生，真理卻因宗教而顯。
▲宗教是科學的前身，而科學是宗教的實現。
▲猜對的也是八卦，猜錯的也是八卦。
美醜、善惡篇
1. 心靈美是靈魂內在的選擇，外在的美是個人特質的顯明。
2. 沒有真實的關係，不會有真實的學習。
3. 不要依靠別人，更不要依靠自己，你只能依靠現在的學習。
4. 用一輩子的渴望去看今天，用只有今天的態度去活一輩子。
5. 經歷使人謙卑，意外使人寬廣。
6. 信心是你放下多少，不是你會做多少。
7. 葉子掉落才找到安息之所，種子撒出去才找到新生的地方。
8. 實驗的人生會很美，競賽的人生會很累。
9. 有心的人本身是別人的出路。
10.嘗試表達，認識自己的特質，服務別人，瞭解自己的極限。
(待續)
2. 沒有真實的關係，不會有真實的學習。
3. 不要依靠別人，更不要依靠自己，你只能依靠現在的學習。
4. 用一輩子的渴望去看今天，用只有今天的態度去活一輩子。
5. 經歷使人謙卑，意外使人寬廣。
6. 信心是你放下多少，不是你會做多少。
7. 葉子掉落才找到安息之所，種子撒出去才找到新生的地方。
8. 實驗的人生會很美，競賽的人生會很累。
9. 有心的人本身是別人的出路。
10.嘗試表達，認識自己的特質，服務別人，瞭解自己的極限。
(待續)
Tennis playing tips
Tennis playing tips
From warm up to match point
There are probably thousands of tennis playing tips, but here are 10 great ones that begin at the warm up and end at the match point.
Tennis playing tip #1
When you start your warm up before the match you first need to get used to the conditions and your feel and form for that day. It's not realistic to expect that you'll be feeling superbly well every day.
So check the conditions - windy, sunny, hot or something else and adapt your shots and tactics accordingly. Then check your feel for the ball and racquet, your general mood and look to improve on them.
Tennis playing tip #2
When you start the match you furthermore need to get used to your opponent's play. Most of the players don't play the same in the warm up as they do in the match. So you are very likely to see and feel new speeds and spins of the ball.
Don't panic if you can't adapt in the first minute. Your brain is getting the information, unless you're too emotional. Remember previous matches, how you found your timing on returns or volleys or whatever caused problems at first.
Just watch the ball well and notice what is happening - are you late, too far, is the ball too high and then gradually adapt. Don't force it - it will happen if you are relaxed.
Tennis playing tip #3
playing tips The most important shots which define how the point will be played are the serve and the return. If you have a weak serve and return, then you'll be on defense the whole point.
A good serving tip is to first find your serve. Don't blast your first serves in the match at your full power. Start at 75%, then increase the speed and see where is the best feeling and percentage of shots.
The same rule applies to returns - start with medium paced returns down the middle and then add speed and placement when the match progresses. The main goal of the return on the first serve is to get it back deep down the middle and on the second serve to make your opponent run - so preferably a cross court return.
Tennis playing tip #4
The game is obviously based on forehands and backhands - hence "groundstrokes". You need to find them also when you start the match. Start with long cross courts 2-5 feet over the net and aim 5 feet from both side and baseline.
When you find good length, start utilizing short cross court and down the lines shots to make your opponent run.
Tennis playing tip #5
tennis tips The same principle applies to volleys and overheads. It may take you 10 or 20 minutes before you play your first volley or overhead, so don't expect a perfect shot. Or maybe you can expect it but don't get too upset if it doesn't happen.
Actually if you often play at the net you're maybe aware of this fact: you need to develop the feel and timing for your volleys too. You might play a couple of poor volleys or overheads first but don't let that discourage you.
You're showing your opponent that you are not afraid to come to the net and you are also adapting to his shots. Imagine how good it will feel when you hit excellent volleys and overheads towards the end of the set.
Tennis playing tip #6
This is actually a summary of the above mentioned tips: first deal with the tennis game and conditions on a given day. And when you get reasonably comfortable with the tennis game and conditions, start thinking and dealing with your opponent. This is my primary tennis playing tip whenever I start the match.
Tennis playing tip #7
Now you are trying to figure out how to outplay your opponent. Ask your self - where are his weaknesses and where are his strengths? Look to exploit his weaknesses with your strengths and try to avoid your weakness against his/her strength.
It sounds so logical but in my experience I don't see many players actually thinking logically on court. They are usually too emotional. By the way Mental Manual for Tennis Winners shows you how to get out of emotional states quickly and start thinking smartly and positively for the next point.
Tennis playing tip #8
When you finally see what your opponent's weaknesses are you must first check with yourself whether your level of play realistically allows you to play certain shots. If you your opponent moves very slowly towards the net, is you drop shot reliable enough to use it?
Don't change your game too much or into areas that you don't master. Adapt your game so it is very difficult for your opponent, but stay in your limits.
Tennis playing tip #9
If you did a good job using the above mentioned tips, you are now probably ahead in the match. This is one of the biggest traps in the game. You might try to defend the lead. You'll start thinking: "I don't want to lose this lead now. ".
And since our brain does not understand the word NO, it hears: "I want to lose this lead now. " and it will help you do it.
Does this sound familiar? You need to think what you want: " I want to finish the set. " OR "I want to extend the lead. "
Tennis playing tip #10
You are now at match point having played masterfully through the whole match. There are many mind traps here. See if you fall into one of them:
- If I miss this opportunity, I won't get another one
- If I win this, it won't be fair. He/she is actually a better player.
- I don't want to make a double fault now.
- This is it. (and you make a historic event in your mind about one point in a tennis game)
If any of these thoughts enters your consciousness, smile at them, say: "Yeah, right. " and then play your match point decisively and with courage. Then go shake the hand of your opponent. :)
From warm up to match point
There are probably thousands of tennis playing tips, but here are 10 great ones that begin at the warm up and end at the match point.
Tennis playing tip #1
When you start your warm up before the match you first need to get used to the conditions and your feel and form for that day. It's not realistic to expect that you'll be feeling superbly well every day.
So check the conditions - windy, sunny, hot or something else and adapt your shots and tactics accordingly. Then check your feel for the ball and racquet, your general mood and look to improve on them.
Tennis playing tip #2
When you start the match you furthermore need to get used to your opponent's play. Most of the players don't play the same in the warm up as they do in the match. So you are very likely to see and feel new speeds and spins of the ball.
Don't panic if you can't adapt in the first minute. Your brain is getting the information, unless you're too emotional. Remember previous matches, how you found your timing on returns or volleys or whatever caused problems at first.
Just watch the ball well and notice what is happening - are you late, too far, is the ball too high and then gradually adapt. Don't force it - it will happen if you are relaxed.
Tennis playing tip #3
playing tips The most important shots which define how the point will be played are the serve and the return. If you have a weak serve and return, then you'll be on defense the whole point.
A good serving tip is to first find your serve. Don't blast your first serves in the match at your full power. Start at 75%, then increase the speed and see where is the best feeling and percentage of shots.
The same rule applies to returns - start with medium paced returns down the middle and then add speed and placement when the match progresses. The main goal of the return on the first serve is to get it back deep down the middle and on the second serve to make your opponent run - so preferably a cross court return.
Tennis playing tip #4
The game is obviously based on forehands and backhands - hence "groundstrokes". You need to find them also when you start the match. Start with long cross courts 2-5 feet over the net and aim 5 feet from both side and baseline.
When you find good length, start utilizing short cross court and down the lines shots to make your opponent run.
Tennis playing tip #5
tennis tips The same principle applies to volleys and overheads. It may take you 10 or 20 minutes before you play your first volley or overhead, so don't expect a perfect shot. Or maybe you can expect it but don't get too upset if it doesn't happen.
Actually if you often play at the net you're maybe aware of this fact: you need to develop the feel and timing for your volleys too. You might play a couple of poor volleys or overheads first but don't let that discourage you.
You're showing your opponent that you are not afraid to come to the net and you are also adapting to his shots. Imagine how good it will feel when you hit excellent volleys and overheads towards the end of the set.
Tennis playing tip #6
This is actually a summary of the above mentioned tips: first deal with the tennis game and conditions on a given day. And when you get reasonably comfortable with the tennis game and conditions, start thinking and dealing with your opponent. This is my primary tennis playing tip whenever I start the match.
Tennis playing tip #7
Now you are trying to figure out how to outplay your opponent. Ask your self - where are his weaknesses and where are his strengths? Look to exploit his weaknesses with your strengths and try to avoid your weakness against his/her strength.
It sounds so logical but in my experience I don't see many players actually thinking logically on court. They are usually too emotional. By the way Mental Manual for Tennis Winners shows you how to get out of emotional states quickly and start thinking smartly and positively for the next point.
Tennis playing tip #8
When you finally see what your opponent's weaknesses are you must first check with yourself whether your level of play realistically allows you to play certain shots. If you your opponent moves very slowly towards the net, is you drop shot reliable enough to use it?
Don't change your game too much or into areas that you don't master. Adapt your game so it is very difficult for your opponent, but stay in your limits.
Tennis playing tip #9
If you did a good job using the above mentioned tips, you are now probably ahead in the match. This is one of the biggest traps in the game. You might try to defend the lead. You'll start thinking: "I don't want to lose this lead now. ".
And since our brain does not understand the word NO, it hears: "I want to lose this lead now. " and it will help you do it.
Does this sound familiar? You need to think what you want: " I want to finish the set. " OR "I want to extend the lead. "
Tennis playing tip #10
You are now at match point having played masterfully through the whole match. There are many mind traps here. See if you fall into one of them:
- If I miss this opportunity, I won't get another one
- If I win this, it won't be fair. He/she is actually a better player.
- I don't want to make a double fault now.
- This is it. (and you make a historic event in your mind about one point in a tennis game)
If any of these thoughts enters your consciousness, smile at them, say: "Yeah, right. " and then play your match point decisively and with courage. Then go shake the hand of your opponent. :)
世事、人情篇
1. 人類既非天使亦非野獸；不幸的是任何一心想扮演天使的人都表現得像野獸。
2. 掌權者從來不喜歡那些比他們聰明的人，這就是所有統治者的奴性特徵。
3. 創造歷史的人沒有時間去寫歷史。
4. 假如完全沒有壞人的話，恐怕就不必要好律師了。
5. 對民眾來說，唯一的權力是法律，對個人來說，唯一的權力是良心。
6. 為了替自己煮蛋燒掉一棟房子而毫不後悔的人，乃是極端的利己主義者。
7. 沒有受過傷害的人，才會譏笑別人身上的傷。
8. 不要信賴對任何人都說好話的人。
9. 每一個人都像是一個月亮，他有一個陰暗面，從來不讓任何人看見。
10.衡量一個人真正的為人，要看他在知道永遠也不會被人發現的情況下做些什麼。
11.人人都在出賣某種東西討生活。
12.人類總是高估了自己所沒有的東西的價值。
13.當一個人想謀殺一隻虎時，他說那是遊戲，但當這隻虎要殘害他時，他便說那是殘暴了。
14.老年人什麼都信，中年人什麼都懷疑，青年人什麼都知道。
15.清醒的人膽小時會變成醉漢，勇敢的人喝醉時會變得很懦弱。
16.年輕人因心血來潮而隨意改變興趣，老年人因習慣勢力而竭力維護興趣。
17.人在社會中是能夠求教別人的，但要得到靈感，卻須處在孤獨中。
18.最不瞭解自己的人總認為自己最了不起。
19.壞人因畏懼而服從，好人因愛而服從。
20.人在最完美的時候是動物中的佼佼者，但是，當他與法律與正義隔絕以後，他便是動物中最壞的東西。
21.二十歲時起支配作用的是意志，三十歲時是機智，四十歲時是判斷。
22.平庸的人最大的缺點是常常覺得自己比別人強。
(待續)
2. 掌權者從來不喜歡那些比他們聰明的人，這就是所有統治者的奴性特徵。
3. 創造歷史的人沒有時間去寫歷史。
4. 假如完全沒有壞人的話，恐怕就不必要好律師了。
5. 對民眾來說，唯一的權力是法律，對個人來說，唯一的權力是良心。
6. 為了替自己煮蛋燒掉一棟房子而毫不後悔的人，乃是極端的利己主義者。
7. 沒有受過傷害的人，才會譏笑別人身上的傷。
8. 不要信賴對任何人都說好話的人。
9. 每一個人都像是一個月亮，他有一個陰暗面，從來不讓任何人看見。
10.衡量一個人真正的為人，要看他在知道永遠也不會被人發現的情況下做些什麼。
11.人人都在出賣某種東西討生活。
12.人類總是高估了自己所沒有的東西的價值。
13.當一個人想謀殺一隻虎時，他說那是遊戲，但當這隻虎要殘害他時，他便說那是殘暴了。
14.老年人什麼都信，中年人什麼都懷疑，青年人什麼都知道。
15.清醒的人膽小時會變成醉漢，勇敢的人喝醉時會變得很懦弱。
16.年輕人因心血來潮而隨意改變興趣，老年人因習慣勢力而竭力維護興趣。
17.人在社會中是能夠求教別人的，但要得到靈感，卻須處在孤獨中。
18.最不瞭解自己的人總認為自己最了不起。
19.壞人因畏懼而服從，好人因愛而服從。
20.人在最完美的時候是動物中的佼佼者，但是，當他與法律與正義隔絕以後，他便是動物中最壞的東西。
21.二十歲時起支配作用的是意志，三十歲時是機智，四十歲時是判斷。
22.平庸的人最大的缺點是常常覺得自己比別人強。
(待續)
自愛、自制篇
1. 如果你關心一個人、愛一個人，就要記的她的生日。
2. 看不起的人愈多，生活的情趣愈少。活到最後就只好剩下一個孤獨的自我。
3. 我們虛榮到如此地步：甚至會計較那些我們不屑一顧的人們的看法。
4. 世界上最空虛的，就是那些滿腦子只裝著自己的人。
5. 不要感嘆自己缺少什麼，能夠欣賞自己手裡擁有的東西的人，才是聰明人。
6. 當你不認為自己有弱點時，別人也不會察覺你有弱點。
7. 我們有雙重的自我，我不明白是什麼緣故。所以我們才會相信我們不信的東西，才會無法與受到我們譴責的那部分自我決裂。
8. 記憶說「我作過那事」，驕傲卻說「我怎麼會作那種事」。兩者互不相讓。最後記憶屈服了。
9. 一次小小的失足也許會防止重重的跌落。
10.人應當相信自己說的話，他才可以說自己想說的話。
11.被人揭下面具是一種失敗，自己揭下面具卻是一種勝利。
12.人類天性中最根深蒂固的本性就是渴望被人賞識。
13.對一件事唯一知道最多的，往往是那個不露聲色的人。
14.我們明知諂媚是毒藥，但是它的芬芳仍然使我們陶醉。
15當我們感到自己對某人缺乏應有的尊重時，我們對他的感情就已經接近於憎恨了。
16在孤獨中，你可以獲得一切，除了品格。
17.妒忌是對優越者的恐懼，羨慕是我們內心的不安。
18.讓自己被人牽著鼻子走要比獨立思考容易得多。
2. 看不起的人愈多，生活的情趣愈少。活到最後就只好剩下一個孤獨的自我。
3. 我們虛榮到如此地步：甚至會計較那些我們不屑一顧的人們的看法。
4. 世界上最空虛的，就是那些滿腦子只裝著自己的人。
5. 不要感嘆自己缺少什麼，能夠欣賞自己手裡擁有的東西的人，才是聰明人。
6. 當你不認為自己有弱點時，別人也不會察覺你有弱點。
7. 我們有雙重的自我，我不明白是什麼緣故。所以我們才會相信我們不信的東西，才會無法與受到我們譴責的那部分自我決裂。
8. 記憶說「我作過那事」，驕傲卻說「我怎麼會作那種事」。兩者互不相讓。最後記憶屈服了。
9. 一次小小的失足也許會防止重重的跌落。
10.人應當相信自己說的話，他才可以說自己想說的話。
11.被人揭下面具是一種失敗，自己揭下面具卻是一種勝利。
12.人類天性中最根深蒂固的本性就是渴望被人賞識。
13.對一件事唯一知道最多的，往往是那個不露聲色的人。
14.我們明知諂媚是毒藥，但是它的芬芳仍然使我們陶醉。
15當我們感到自己對某人缺乏應有的尊重時，我們對他的感情就已經接近於憎恨了。
16在孤獨中，你可以獲得一切，除了品格。
17.妒忌是對優越者的恐懼，羨慕是我們內心的不安。
18.讓自己被人牽著鼻子走要比獨立思考容易得多。
The Most Important Strategies in the Game
The Most Important Strategies in the Game
Just remember to practice according to these principles. In this manner, you have an "autopilot" that will work effectively. This frees you to be mindless during the points.
1. GET THE FIRST SERVE IN
We all wish we were blessed with an Andy Roddick serve. "Free points" that are derived by aces are always a welcomed sight. However at Roland Garros, the serve is significantly diminished in pace by the surface. The pros don’t get as many "free points." But they still strive to get that first serve in. Why? Well, I did some informal record keeping during my season with the team that I coach and our opponents. Guess what? A player who gets his first serve in will win the point about 70% of the time! The keys with respect to first serves are depth and placement.
Pace is an added benefit, but even slow serves that land deep in the box force the opponent to stay back on the return. If the serve is placed to the opponent’s weaker wing, the likelihood of a winning return diminishes significantly. Practice serving with targets that are located deep and at each corner of the box. As the season progresses, try to add the ingredient of pace. Remember that if you always get your first serve in the box, you will never double fault.
2. POUND THE OPPONENT'S WEAKER SIDE
This is the most basic strategy in the game of tennis. Yet, it is one that many players neglect to even consider as they compete. Each of us has stronger and weaker shots. Usually, we are cursed with a weaker forehand or backhand wing. In observing many college and recreational matches, it amazes me how often a player will serve and hit to an opponent’s better side. Sometimes, I have seen players "wake up" in the middle of the match. However, this frequently is an awakening that is too late or forces a longer match than is necessary. During the warm up, you need to assess which side is the stronger side for your opponent. I suggest that you hit a hard groundstroke directly at the opponent. Whichever side (forehand or backhand) she/he moves to use in her/his reply will tell be the stronger wing 95% of the time.
3. RALLY CROSSCOURT AND APPROACH DOWN THE LINE
These two principles are critical to percentage tennis. The geometry of the game dictates that, more often than not, these are the best shot selections. Certainly, you will see these principles in effect at Roland Garros, and subsequently, at Wimbledon. Rather than give you a lengthy explanation in this column as to why these principles are so important, I will refer those who are interested to one of my previous articles: Euclidean Tennis: A Geometry of the Game The narrative and diagrams in this previous column will make the benefits of these principles clear, I assure you.
4. HIT HIGH MORE THAN HARD
Getting your groundstrokes to land deep in the opponent’s court forces him/her to stay back. Their angles and shot selections become more limited. There are two ways to get the ball to land deep: hit it hard and low to the net or hit it with less pace but much higher over the net. The latter approach is, far more often than not, the better choice. First, it allows you to hit with a more relaxed stroke. Second, it provides for a greater margin of error…especially if directed cross court. Third, the bounce is higher, and this can sometimes prevent an opponent from pounding a reply. Fourth, this approach affords you more time to recover and get into better court position. Lastly, the overall effect of this approach takes less energy. Thus, you become less fatigued. So, when you are rallying, do as the Aussies suggest…give the ball some air.
5. NEVER CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF A DIFFICULT BALL
It never ceases to amaze me how daring players will be. A ball that is hit hard, with lots of slice will be hit to a player. She/he will immediately try to change the direction of the ball…sending it down the line if it came crosscourt and vice versa. Players will be way out of the court and attempt the down the line winning shot…usually without success. Each of us has limitations. Some shots (given pace, spin or direction) are just difficult for us. When these situations arise, send the ball back from where it came and hope that the next shot is more manageable. If this is not possible, lob! Sure, some of these lobs will be put away by the savvy and skilled player. But, some won’t. Remember to always force the opponent to hit another shot. Don’t give your opponent a "free point" by making an error. Tennis is a game of which player makes the fewest errors. It is not a game of which player makes the most winners. This is true at every level of the game!
6. CLOSE THE NET WHEN YOUR OPPONENT IS OUT OF COURT
I realize that for many of us the only time we come to the net is when it is time to shake hands. I realize that many of us lack confidence in our volleys. But, the simple truth is, that when your opponent is running back or pulled out wide, you want to rush to the net. Usually, a simple volley or an easy overhead will present themselves. So often, I see the groundstroke-oriented player stay at the baseline when there is an opportunity to get to the net. Volleys and overheads are essential strokes on every surface and at every level of the game. Work on these strokes. Practice them regularly. Equally important, give yourself a chance to use them with less risk when competing in a match.
7. VARY YOUR SPIN
This simple strategic approach can pay big dividends. Mixing up the spins on the strokes you give your opponent can upset his/her rhythm. In addition, you may discover a particular spin, delivered to a specific part of the court that the opponent finds difficult. Pushers instinctively know the value of this approach. They are simply looking for a way to help you lose. Well, most of us have been taken to the cleaners by a pusher at one time or another. This aspect of their strategy is one we can all apply and one that will provide benefits in many situations.
8. PLAY IN/OUT TENNIS
Generally, we tend to think of tennis as a game of angles, which it is. We think of moving our opponents left to right, then, right to left (coast to coast). Well, another way of looking at the game is by moving your opponent in (close to the net) and out (back behind the baseline). Again, this is a technique that pushers often utilize. Better players will usually counter with crushing or angled volleys when they are moved into the net. But if you are playing the classic baseline king/queen, this strategy may win you some points. It is not a strategic approach that will win you a match, but it can get you some critical points when used judiciously.
These eight strategic principles are the foundation of my game. Over many years, I have learned hard lessons when I have deviated from this "core." Depending on your skills, fitness and weaknesses, some of these may not be completely applicable to your game. But in time, I assure you that they will be.
Just remember to practice according to these principles. In this manner, you have an "autopilot" that will work effectively. This frees you to be mindless during the points.
1. GET THE FIRST SERVE IN
We all wish we were blessed with an Andy Roddick serve. "Free points" that are derived by aces are always a welcomed sight. However at Roland Garros, the serve is significantly diminished in pace by the surface. The pros don’t get as many "free points." But they still strive to get that first serve in. Why? Well, I did some informal record keeping during my season with the team that I coach and our opponents. Guess what? A player who gets his first serve in will win the point about 70% of the time! The keys with respect to first serves are depth and placement.
Pace is an added benefit, but even slow serves that land deep in the box force the opponent to stay back on the return. If the serve is placed to the opponent’s weaker wing, the likelihood of a winning return diminishes significantly. Practice serving with targets that are located deep and at each corner of the box. As the season progresses, try to add the ingredient of pace. Remember that if you always get your first serve in the box, you will never double fault.
2. POUND THE OPPONENT'S WEAKER SIDE
This is the most basic strategy in the game of tennis. Yet, it is one that many players neglect to even consider as they compete. Each of us has stronger and weaker shots. Usually, we are cursed with a weaker forehand or backhand wing. In observing many college and recreational matches, it amazes me how often a player will serve and hit to an opponent’s better side. Sometimes, I have seen players "wake up" in the middle of the match. However, this frequently is an awakening that is too late or forces a longer match than is necessary. During the warm up, you need to assess which side is the stronger side for your opponent. I suggest that you hit a hard groundstroke directly at the opponent. Whichever side (forehand or backhand) she/he moves to use in her/his reply will tell be the stronger wing 95% of the time.
3. RALLY CROSSCOURT AND APPROACH DOWN THE LINE
These two principles are critical to percentage tennis. The geometry of the game dictates that, more often than not, these are the best shot selections. Certainly, you will see these principles in effect at Roland Garros, and subsequently, at Wimbledon. Rather than give you a lengthy explanation in this column as to why these principles are so important, I will refer those who are interested to one of my previous articles: Euclidean Tennis: A Geometry of the Game The narrative and diagrams in this previous column will make the benefits of these principles clear, I assure you.
4. HIT HIGH MORE THAN HARD
Getting your groundstrokes to land deep in the opponent’s court forces him/her to stay back. Their angles and shot selections become more limited. There are two ways to get the ball to land deep: hit it hard and low to the net or hit it with less pace but much higher over the net. The latter approach is, far more often than not, the better choice. First, it allows you to hit with a more relaxed stroke. Second, it provides for a greater margin of error…especially if directed cross court. Third, the bounce is higher, and this can sometimes prevent an opponent from pounding a reply. Fourth, this approach affords you more time to recover and get into better court position. Lastly, the overall effect of this approach takes less energy. Thus, you become less fatigued. So, when you are rallying, do as the Aussies suggest…give the ball some air.
5. NEVER CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF A DIFFICULT BALL
It never ceases to amaze me how daring players will be. A ball that is hit hard, with lots of slice will be hit to a player. She/he will immediately try to change the direction of the ball…sending it down the line if it came crosscourt and vice versa. Players will be way out of the court and attempt the down the line winning shot…usually without success. Each of us has limitations. Some shots (given pace, spin or direction) are just difficult for us. When these situations arise, send the ball back from where it came and hope that the next shot is more manageable. If this is not possible, lob! Sure, some of these lobs will be put away by the savvy and skilled player. But, some won’t. Remember to always force the opponent to hit another shot. Don’t give your opponent a "free point" by making an error. Tennis is a game of which player makes the fewest errors. It is not a game of which player makes the most winners. This is true at every level of the game!
6. CLOSE THE NET WHEN YOUR OPPONENT IS OUT OF COURT
I realize that for many of us the only time we come to the net is when it is time to shake hands. I realize that many of us lack confidence in our volleys. But, the simple truth is, that when your opponent is running back or pulled out wide, you want to rush to the net. Usually, a simple volley or an easy overhead will present themselves. So often, I see the groundstroke-oriented player stay at the baseline when there is an opportunity to get to the net. Volleys and overheads are essential strokes on every surface and at every level of the game. Work on these strokes. Practice them regularly. Equally important, give yourself a chance to use them with less risk when competing in a match.
7. VARY YOUR SPIN
This simple strategic approach can pay big dividends. Mixing up the spins on the strokes you give your opponent can upset his/her rhythm. In addition, you may discover a particular spin, delivered to a specific part of the court that the opponent finds difficult. Pushers instinctively know the value of this approach. They are simply looking for a way to help you lose. Well, most of us have been taken to the cleaners by a pusher at one time or another. This aspect of their strategy is one we can all apply and one that will provide benefits in many situations.
8. PLAY IN/OUT TENNIS
Generally, we tend to think of tennis as a game of angles, which it is. We think of moving our opponents left to right, then, right to left (coast to coast). Well, another way of looking at the game is by moving your opponent in (close to the net) and out (back behind the baseline). Again, this is a technique that pushers often utilize. Better players will usually counter with crushing or angled volleys when they are moved into the net. But if you are playing the classic baseline king/queen, this strategy may win you some points. It is not a strategic approach that will win you a match, but it can get you some critical points when used judiciously.
These eight strategic principles are the foundation of my game. Over many years, I have learned hard lessons when I have deviated from this "core." Depending on your skills, fitness and weaknesses, some of these may not be completely applicable to your game. But in time, I assure you that they will be.
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