Controlling the ball

[BSousa]

This may sound weird, but I can make the ball go cross court, down the line, or if im in the middle of the court, to one of the corners. I just think where I want to hit it, and I do it.

Now, if I try these motions in slow mo, I see no difference between them. I just don't seem to be able to 'send the ball' where I want it IF I don't actually contact the ball.

With the ball, I think my sub conscious is controlling my arm without me being able to figure out what is going on.

I was just wondering what you guys and gals do to change the direction of the ball, I know the racquet face will dictate it, but do you bend your wrist? Extend your arm (so racquet faces a bit more parallel to the baseline)? What?

Thanks
Bruno

[Agent Smith]

Hmm for me when I have time to set up I generally turn my body in the direction im gonna hit the ball (as late as possible of course, since I wanna disguise it a bit). That way my racket face is more or less parallel to my body at contact.

When I am on the run or something I have to bend my wrist to change the racket face angle. It's harder to control though.

[Frank Silbermann]

I have found that what works best for me is to imagine that I'm using the string bed to catch the ball and throw it back over the net in the desired direction. When I do that, I unconscously line up my body, arm and wrist to get the racquet oriented propertly, and adjust to any miscalculation of the oncoming ball's path.

[Rickson]

For my inside out forehand, I close my stance more and send the ball to the right much easier. I fool my opponents often because they get used to seeing the ball go to my right and play that side, but I can also send the ball crosscourt with a closed stance.

[joebedford]

I aim with my shoulder.

[Skinny Dip]

I have the same problem. I'm able to get better results on more aggressive extreme shots. When I try to hit safer forehands they plop in the net or sail long too often. Especially when returning low pace balls.

Now that I've learned about grips a bit more, I'm going to try opening the face of the raquet a notch to see if that helps. My forehand grip I notice is very closed with my palm on the flat part of grip (two notches over from continental).