Closing and opening racket face

[Delzac]

Hi all,

How much(Angle wise) can we open or close the racket face when we are making our shot before the ball goes long or hits the net.

I know it all depends on how lightly or strongly you hit the ball, but can u give an approximation of the angle.

Thx.

[papa]

Actually the answer to this depends on many factors such as where your hitting the ball on the court, height of ball at the time your hitting it, pace of the incoming shot, if your taking the ball on the rise or fall, how much spin is on the ball, etc.

For "normal" groundstokes, the racquet face should be vertical (or close to it) in most instances. Some seem to think that the racquet face can be at 15 - 20 degress off vertical but they are sadly mistaken - the ball is going to either fly or be neted.

I think its one of the things you have to play around with to increase you level of confidence in where the face of the racquet should be when you strike the ball - I think you'll discover that on most good hits the face is vertical to the court surface or a few degrees closed.

[Sagittar]

Actually the answer to this depends on many factors such as where your hitting the ball on the court, height of ball at the time your hitting it, pace of the incoming shot, if your taking the ball on the rise or fall, how much spin is on the ball, etc.

For "normal" groundstokes, the racquet face should be vertical (or close to it) in most instances. Some seem to think that the racquet face can be at 15 - 20 degress off vertical but they are sadly mistaken - the ball is going to either fly or be neted.

I think its one of the things you have to play around with to increase you level of confidence in where the face of the racquet should be when you strike the ball - I think you'll discover that on most good hits the face is vertical to the court surface or a few degrees closed.

exactly what i needed to say ,
great post ..