The Basic Principles
Date Added: May 26, 2008 02:28:06 PM
Well, laughable though the idea is, the fact remains that a lot of us go through the motions of any game without bothering about the very basics. And then remain baffled about why the guy who beats us effortlessly has the grace of a professional tennis player. A clear understanding of the basics is the pillar on which your whole game stands. If you ignore these, you'll be the person who'll always be an also-ran, never the one with that gleaming trophy. Even if you are careful about your basics, it won't hurt to go over them once again. Here are the secrets to really improve the quality of your game. The five basic principles are:
- Watch the ball
- Have good footwork
- Have good balance
- Control the racquet head
- Control the racquet face
If you follow these, rest assured that your strokes will be sound and effective. However, if most of the shots you hit for the opponent land up in the spectators' lap, then maybe, you need to check your basics. Let’s take a little more elaborate look at these rules.
Watching the ball
All tennis players are sure they do this, but the ones who actually watch the ball are set apart by the finesse of their game. As your tennis skills develop, you hit the ball harder and it travels faster and even spins a little. This means that if your opponent is an advanced player, you need to watch the ball very closely from the moment he hits it. You must also try to anticipate how the ball is going to react from the way he strikes it. Watching the ball at all times can give you valuable information and help you to judge its movement more effectively.
Good footwork
It is vital that both your movement around the court and your footwork positioning as you hit the ball are quick. Generally speaking, several small steps are better than one large one. Keep your feet underneath yourself if you possibly can so that you can change direction quickly. Remember, if your feet are apart you will find it difficult to change direction or even move.
Good balance
This is probably the most critical input for executing good strokes. If your body is balanced as you strike the ball then you stand a better chance of hitting it well. Again, as your game improves, it becomes more difficult to get your feet in the right position because of the faster pace of the returned ball. It thus becomes even more crucial to keep your body balanced. A good balance allows you to move faster and abruptly and also enables you to regain your stance quickly. It also ensures that you can execute a wide variety of strokes with the maximum precision.
Control of the racquet head
When you play tennis well, or watch good players, you get the feeling that the racquet is completely under control. The player has an exact idea with regard to the reach of the racquet and the racquet seems to obey each and every command of the player. The secret is that a seasoned player uses the racquet correctly. The beginner, on the other hand, often 'snatches' at the volley or, 'pushes' his serve. As you improve, the number of occasions when the stroke feels right will increase. Taking care of the correct grip will help considerably.
Control of the racquet face
As you swing, throw, or punch the stroke, not only should the racquet be under your control but also the face (the strings) must hit the ball at exactly the right angle. To ensure this, your grip on the racquet should be firm and your wrist must maintain control over the racquet face while playing the stroke. If you lose control over the racquet face, the ball will whiz into the direction you never intended it to.
These are the nuances of a better game. Integrate them into your tennis game and you'll always have an 'advantage' over your opponent.
Watching the ball
All tennis players are sure they do this, but the ones who actually watch the ball are set apart by the finesse of their game. As your tennis skills develop, you hit the ball harder and it travels faster and even spins a little. This means that if your opponent is an advanced player, you need to watch the ball very closely from the moment he hits it. You must also try to anticipate how the ball is going to react from the way he strikes it. Watching the ball at all times can give you valuable information and help you to judge its movement more effectively.
Good footwork
It is vital that both your movement around the court and your footwork positioning as you hit the ball are quick. Generally speaking, several small steps are better than one large one. Keep your feet underneath yourself if you possibly can so that you can change direction quickly. Remember, if your feet are apart you will find it difficult to change direction or even move.
Good balance
This is probably the most critical input for executing good strokes. If your body is balanced as you strike the ball then you stand a better chance of hitting it well. Again, as your game improves, it becomes more difficult to get your feet in the right position because of the faster pace of the returned ball. It thus becomes even more crucial to keep your body balanced. A good balance allows you to move faster and abruptly and also enables you to regain your stance quickly. It also ensures that you can execute a wide variety of strokes with the maximum precision.
Control of the racquet head
When you play tennis well, or watch good players, you get the feeling that the racquet is completely under control. The player has an exact idea with regard to the reach of the racquet and the racquet seems to obey each and every command of the player. The secret is that a seasoned player uses the racquet correctly. The beginner, on the other hand, often 'snatches' at the volley or, 'pushes' his serve. As you improve, the number of occasions when the stroke feels right will increase. Taking care of the correct grip will help considerably.
Control of the racquet face
As you swing, throw, or punch the stroke, not only should the racquet be under your control but also the face (the strings) must hit the ball at exactly the right angle. To ensure this, your grip on the racquet should be firm and your wrist must maintain control over the racquet face while playing the stroke. If you lose control over the racquet face, the ball will whiz into the direction you never intended it to.
These are the nuances of a better game. Integrate them into your tennis game and you'll always have an 'advantage' over your opponent.
