Hello everyone, this page is for learning new moves, and new strategies to improve your performance on the courts. If there are errors on this page, please give me a message by clicking here.
Grip:
Continental-Simple explanation, hold your racket as you would when shaking hands. turn the racket to the point where the middle section of your thumb and index finger is aligned with the racket head. This is your neutral position, used widely for serves and overhead smash.
Western-Place the racket flat on the ground. Then pick it up with one hand. Surprise! This is your western grip. The forehand is used to create a massive amount of topspin, giving the ball a high bounce. But, the backhand is quite a different story. Not recommended for starting players.
Eastern-Pretend you're holding a gun or shaking someone's hand. This is the eastern grip. Highly recommended for beginning players. Your forehand and backhand may not create much topspin, but it will all come naturally.
It really is difficult to explain the use of these grips in words. All that can be said is hold your racket in a position that is comfortable. If you need any help with your grip, you can ask me, or any so called "veteran" to the game.
Service:
Flat Serve (Alias: "The Cannonball")
This form of the serve is the most commonly used, and also, one of the strongest forms. The ball will travel quite fast, and will have a low bounce, due to the lack of spin.
Steps:
1. Grip the racket with a Continental grip, not a forehand grip.
2. Stand near the center mark for hitting down the centerline. Stand farther from the center mark for a wide, flat serve.
3. Assume the normal posture for a serve, with a sideways stance and your hands down.
4. Throw the racket to the "back-scratch" position as you toss the ball in front of you.
5. Toss the ball farther in front than you would for a slice, topspin or kick serve and farther to your right for right-handed hitters.
6. Throw your racket out of the back-scratch position, with your palm facing the net at contact with the ball.
7. Hit the ball with your arm fully extended.
8. Let your arm finish the serve on either the right or left side of your body.
Tip: If you are just starting, it is recommended that you follow the basic movements before creating your own style. Know your mechanics.
Slice Serve:
This form of the serve is mostly used as a second serve. It is very reliable when hit correctly. The amount of spin you can create can guarantee higher percentage in service. Also, it will actually curve in the air (to your left if you are right-handed, and vice versa).
Steps:
1. Hold the racket in a continental grip (see "How to Grip a Tennis Racket," under Related eHows).
2. Stand anywhere from the center mark to about 6 or 8 feet from it.
3. Assume the regular serve posture, standing sideways to the net. If you were to draw a line across your toe tips and extend it, it would indicate the direction of the ball.
4. Keep your arms down and relaxed to begin with.
5. Hold the racket at the throat with the nonhitting hand. Your hitting hand should be as loose as possible on the grip.
6. Shift about 80 percent of your body weight to the back leg to start.
7. Shift your weight forward simultaneously with your hands as they go up.
8. Toss the ball and throw the racket to the back-scratch position.
9. Dip your hip in toward the net as the upper body rotates.
10. Throw the racket head aggressively up and over your shoulder, hitting the ball out and in front of you, to the right.
11. Transfer your body weight, uncoiling your upper body, and thrust upward from the legs as you hit the ball.
12. Fold in your tossing arm (which is your brake arm) quickly toward the chest as you make contact with the ball; this stops the shoulder rotation. The weight transfer carries the body forward onto the court.
13. Allow your feet to come off the ground or nearly off the ground.
