Forehand

The forehand is frequently called the most basic shot in tennis. To execute this stroke you simply swing the tennis racquet across your body toward the opposite side of the court.

In order to help the beginner establish ball judgment position, playing at a slower rate and using a half swing instead are suggested. The student should simply stand in one position and bounce a ball that they will have to strike. This very basic step will help create rhythm and improve hand eye coordination.

Additional ball position moves and strokes can be added as confidence improves.

As you get into position to execute the forehand, the body is relaxed, and weight is positioned over the balls of the feet. The racquet is gripped firmly, but not too tight and held in front of the body with the free hand slightly holding the racquet throat.

As the ball comes towards you, a body adjustment must be made to be in the proper position to execute the stroke. The chest being perpendicular to the oncoming balls is usually best holding the racquet slightly behind.

The hips and lower body start the swing, with the racquet raised slightly behind. Keeping your eye on a the ball until struck by the racquet, then keeping the racquet moving toward the opposite shoulder completing the follow through.

Learning the proper weight transfer, called dynamic balance, is paramount in establishing the Sequence of Motion required in most Tennis strokes. Dynamic Balance is defined as body weight shifting from one foot to the other with full control of balance during the transfer.

Top Spin Power is a training aid that gives the player instant feedback when weight is properly shifted forward. The auditory “Click” gives the player instant confirmation that weight has shifted along with a ‘Feel” of proper position to replicate. Creating muscle memory to shift weight properly will improve all tennis strokes.

Backhand

The backhand is hit on the non-dominant side of your body, making it a more difficult shot for tennis players to master. While most players are more comfortable hitting the forehand, the backhand is just as important.

The backhand is frequently used in baseline rallies and approach shots. Your opponent will target your backhand frequently if it is determined that is a weak part of your game.

For starters, the racquet needs to be gripped firmly, but not too tight. A tight grip hinders racquet angle which is responsible for ball flight direction. While using the backhand, the ball should be struck slightly to the player’s side, not head on. After striking the ball, it’s very important to complete the stroke with follow through.

A training technique that has been used successfully with beginners is simply letting the ball bounce two times before the return. This extra bounce will allow the new player additional time to get into position for the return and give more time to practice and establish swing rhythm.

While most players use the single hand grip method, some players find more control and power with the backhand by using two hands. When using two hands, the dominant hand is positioned at the bottom of the handle while the non-dominant hand is positioned more toward the top.

Top Spin Power can help create the muscle memory to shift weight properly so the player is in the best position to execute the backhand.

Serving

There are several types of serve, but for the purpose of our overview we will concentrate on the flat serve. The flat serve is focused on power and placement, not spin. The flat serve is the beginning of your point.

Position yourself the right side of the court if serving to the opponent’s left service box. Foot position is on the outside of the baseline.

Holding the ball in the fingers, not the palm of the left hand, the right hand is holding the racquet.

Bounce the ball several times to relax the body and feel a tempo. Toss the ball about 12 inches above your head as you slightly learn forward with the racquet hitting down striking the ball on a slight downward angle the opponent’s service box. You want to make contact with the ball as high as possible.

NOTE: The serve is significantly more complicated than the forehand and backhand. The serve requires tossing the ball before the racquet’s downward force strike towards the opponent’s service box. There is balance, rhythm, leg thrust, hand eye coordination etc. to successfully execute a serve. We recommend the beginner seek a tennis professional to demonstrate and instruct the proper sequence of motion to establish a serve. After the beginner is instructed how to properly execute a serve, Top Spin Power can help establish the required muscle memory to deliver the desired serve more consistently.