bcnbdcub

Obviously racquet grip is a very essential part of stroke, because without a proper grip you will ruin the finest strokes. When you learn tennis techniques it is essential to master your grip.

To acquire the forehand grip, hold the racquet with the edge of the frame towards the ground and the face perpendicular, the handle towards the body, and "shake hands" with it, just as if you were greeting a friend. With the handle settled comfortably and naturally into the hand, the line of the arm, hand, and racquet are one. The swing brings the racquet head on a line with the arm, and the whole racquet becomes an extension of your arm.

The backhand grip is a quarter circle turn of hand on the handle, bringing the hand on top of the handle and the knuckles directly up. The shot travels ACROSS the wrist. This is the best basis for a grip. Don't slavishly learn this grip exactly as I say, but rather model your own natural grip as closely as possible to these lines without sacrificing your own comfort or individuality.

Footwork is weight control. It is a question of having the correct body position for strokes, and out of it all strokes should grow. In explaining the various forms of stroke and footwork I am writing as a right-hand player. Left-handers should simply reverse the feet.

Having once settled the racquet in the hand, the next question is the position of the body and the order of developing strokes.

All tennis strokes should be made with the body at right angles to the net, with the shoulders lined up parallel to the line of flight of the ball. The weight should always travel forward. It should pass from the back foot to the front foot at the moment of striking the ball. Never allow the weight to be going away from the stroke. It is weight that determines the pace of a stroke; swing that decides the speed.

Let me explain the definitions of speed and pace. Speed is the actual rate with which a ball travels through the air. Pace is the momentum with which it comes off the ground. Pace is weight. It is the sting the ball carries when it comes off the ground, giving the inexperienced or unsuspecting player a shock of force which the stroke in no way showed.

A great many players have both speed and pace. Some shots may carry both.

The order of learning strokes should be:

1. The Drive. Fore and backhand. This is the foundation of all tennis, for you cannot build up a net attack unless you have the groundstroke to open the way. Nor can you meet a net attack successfully unless you can drive, as that is the only successful passing shot.
2. The Service.
3. The Volley and Overhead Smash.
4. The Chop or Half Volley and other incidental and ornamental strokes.

Without a well-grounded knowledge of grip, footwork, and strokes in tennis you'll undoubtedly lose numerous points, however, when you start to learn tennis techniques you cannot expect to master everything immediately. As with everything in life improvement comes with practice and experience. Stick with it and enjoy your game.

For more articles and information about improving every aspect of your game and many other sports articles please visit www.a1toparticles.com/sports

Paul enjoys playing tennis and would like to help others to improve their techniques and skills

# posted by cgocbjeg : 7:33 AM