Tennis Professionals, Coaches and Physical Education Teachers:
The information in H141 Shot Doctor "A Tennis Study Guide" is a valuable tool to supplement your on-court time and work. Feel free to customize the information, for example you can add your name, logo, school or other tips that you think are important.
Also on our web site, you will find handouts to supplement this information such as H108 Tennis Diagram and Scoring that will help explain the scoring system for tennis. There are also Tennis Quizzes that will help tract your students' progress.
Plus don't forget to take advantage of the over 200 diagramed drills and over 100 lesson plans that will make your job easier!
H141 Shot Doctor
"A Tennis Study Guide"
You’ve been through the lessons, the clinics, and the drills. You’ve learned new techniques and improved your game. But sometimes you still find yourself making the same old mistakes. Fear not. That’s just part of the game. Part of becoming a great tennis player is learning how to recognize your mistakes, figure out what you’ve done wrong, and make adjustments to your game. The [shot doctor] is here to help you out with that process. Use the tips below for each of your strokes to help you get rid of the errors in your game and take the next step to becoming a top-notch tennis player.
FOREHAND
Beginner
Quick Tips:
3 keys: Preparation, contact and follow through
1. Preparation: racket back before the ball bounces, keep your arm relaxed
2. Contact: meet the ball in front; think of hitting through an imaginary tunnel the length of six-balls.
3. Follow-thru: finish high and catch your racket with your other hand.
4. Hand-shake grip
Common mistakes:
1. Ball is hit too high. Imagine an arrow coming off your racket.
2. Slapping at the ball (too much wrist): racket back early.
3. Missing the ball: keep your eye on the ball. See the seams on the ball.
Intermediate/Advanced
Quick Tips:
1. Hit balls in the power zone (thigh high) with quick footwork.
2. Semi-western or western grip
3. Accelerate your racket speed through contact with the ball. (brush up on the ball).
4. Think consistency, placement and then power.
Common mistakes:
1. Hitting the ball in the net: use your legs more, bend your knees.
2. Hitting the ball too deep: stay down through contact
3. Feeling tight, missing the pressure shots: Remember to exhale on contact
4. Trying to hit a super shot when you’re in trouble: don’t overhit when you’re out of position.
Notes:
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BACKHAND
Beginner
Quick Tips:
1. Use two hands. Strong hand on the bottom, other hand on top.
2. Remember the 3 keys: preparation, contact, follow-thru
Common Mistakes:
1. Keep both hands on the racket
2. Finishing with the racket down: remember to swing low to high
3. Missing or miss-hitting the ball: see the seams on the ball
Intermediate/Advanced
Quick Tips:
1. Keep a backhand grip in the ready position
2. Extend your swing for depth
3. One-hander: contact is about 18 inches out in front.
Common Mistakes:
1. Hitting the ball in the net: use your legs more, bend your knees.
2. Hitting the ball too deep: stay down through contact
3. Feeling tight, missing the pressure shots: Remember to exhale on contact
4. Trying to hit a super shot when you’re in trouble: don’t overhit when you’re out of position; have ¾ quarter shot to rely on.
Notes:
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VOLLEYS
Beginner
Quick Tips:
1. Hand-shake grip on forehand, two hands on backhand
2. Extend arms out for the ready position
3. Make contact out in front: No Backswing!
Common Mistakes:
1. Missing the ball: no swing, focus on just making contact
2. No footwork: move to the ball instead of reaching for the ball
Intermediate/Advanced
Quick Tips:
1. Use a continental grip (same as serve)
2. Hit through the ball (imagine hitting six balls in a row)
Common Mistakes:
1. Hitting ball in the net: dropping your racket, hit through
2. Hitting the ball long: catch the ball early
3. Not enough power: use your legs
Notes:
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SERVES
Beginner
Quick Tips:
1. Hand-shake grip
2. Toss the ball in front and high enough to reach the top of your racket
3. Follow through across your body
Common Mistakes:
1. Hitting in the net: keep the toss high and out in front
2. Hitting long: remember to follow-through
Intermediate/Advanced
Quick Tips:
1. Use a continental grip
2. Keep a relaxed grip
3. Use your body: generate your power from your legs up
4. Hit up on the ball: accelerate through it
5. Second serve: same acceleration, brush up on the ball for more spin
Common Mistakes:
1. Ball goes long: not enough wrist snap
2. Ball goes in the net: drop your head
3. Lack of power: relax your grip, explode through the ball
Notes:
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OVERHEADS
Beginner
Quick Tips:
1. Turn sideways and get your racket above your head
2. Use your left hand to point at the ball
3. Make contact with your arm extended out in front of you
Common Mistakes:
1. Missing the ball: see the seams (keep your head and eyes up)
2. Hitting into the net: be sure to turn sideways
3. Hitting too long: get behind the ball, extend your racket and hit the ball up high and out in front
Intermediate/Advanced
Quick Tips:
1. Quick steps
2. Snap your wrist
3. Move back quick, get behind the ball, then move into it
Common Mistakes:
1. Late preparation
2. Hitting in the net: don’t drop your head
3. Lack of power: don’t just swing with your arm, use your big muscles, snap your wrist
Notes:
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SPECIALTY SHOTS (for intermediate/advanced players)
Drop-shots
1. Relaxed grip
2. Hit with lots of back spin
3. Make solid contact with the strings, hit in a J-motion
Lobs
a. Defensive:
1. Short backswing
2. Open racket face
3. Follow-thru
b. Offensive:
1. Contact is up and forward
2. Hit with top spin
3. Follow-thru above the same shoulder as your hitting arm
Approach Shots
Quick Tips:
1. Hit down-line or down the middle.
2. Short backswing
3. Hit the ball more out in front
4. Move through the ball with a controlled body.
Notes:
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