Forehand DTL

[The3.5Ceiling]

Hello all,

I am a 3.0 level player. I am trying to work on moving it around with some, sporadic, success. I am finding it easier to hit both my forehand and backhand cross court. Actually, I find it easiest (and most common) to hit the ball right back to my opponent still standing in the center, so that one can play me AND eat a ham sandwich at the same time.....Anyway, the shot down the line is a little more difficult....

As a general rule, what would you say are some of the basic fundamentals of the DTL shot from either side really, but especially from the forehand side? Thanks in advance for any thoughts....

[rafazx10]

Your timing is much more important when hitting down the line. If you hit a little late it going to go wide.
The net is also higher than at the center, so you have to put more top spin.

Down the line shots are much more difficult to make.

[LeeD]

Don't aim for DTL.
Instead, aim for a point on the net cord about 4' from the center tape if you're standing at the center, and wider if you're in your own alley.
Like bowling, a target closer to you is much easier to hit.
Depth is taken care of with topspin.

[Bagumbawalla]

Watch the ball, get into position early, visualize the path your racket is going totake through the ball, follow through toward your intended placement.

Then, go to the practice wall. Make a target for yourself (with masking tape) about 2 feet (or so, depending on your style) above the net-line and practice driving the ball to that point. When you get to the point where the ball bounces back to you, and you can repeat this over and over, you should feel more confident on those tdown-the -line shots.

[Larrysümmers]

Listen to post 3.

[xFullCourtTenniSx]

Maybe you should work on crosscourt shots that your opponent actually has to take 2 steps to hit before you work on down the line, because as it is now, he can basically camp between the middle and down the line and cover all your possible angles in 2-3 steps even if you master the down the line shot.