need advice on groundstrokes

[Circa]

Here's my problem in a nutshell: my groundstrokes aren't getting enough arc. I can hit with plenty of topspin, but the trajectory of my shots is flat. So I have little margin for error. Either I hit the net chord or my shots sail a little long. Even when I do get a nice, hard shot in the court, my opponent is able to hit it back with relative ease...I'm guessing because I hit to their strikezone - hip level. Shoulder level balls are much harder to return.

So how can I hit with more arc?

I generate a lot of racquet head speed and topspin, but I can't get my groundies to clear the net at a safe height and arc down.

Please tell me this is something easy to correct.

 

[dricas24]

Sounds like you just need to work on giving the ball some topspin. Brush up on the ball from 6 0 clock to 12 o clock whenever you hit it. Remember to bend your knees as well, that is important for elevation.

 

[mark rodgers]

Sometimes I have that problem. Basically I've determined that I'm trying to control both the take off (from my racquet) and landing of the ball in the same motion. I may do that by hitting up (the takeoff part) and then roll my wrist downward in a futal attempt to control the landing. At that point the ball does not get the trajectory I want and for me, in usually means a ball going long, though I can see how it would also go into the net.

What I do is to correct my thinking by saying to myself that I only have control of the take off. Hit up the ball as usual by finishing with a "windshield wipe" follow through. Hopefully that will give you the added height you're looking for. Unfortunately it's just one of the mechanical flaws that you just have to really work on to eliminate that tendency.

Good Luck.

 

[fibresupex]

Try keeping your head down and brushing up the ball this will help you not to miss remember to bend your knees also ^^^^^^^^^ . Try hitting slowly then when you get more confident hit harder but if you start missing hit slow again to find your rythem

Hope this helps

 

[fibresupex]

also try different string tensions and also to finish with your rackets over your shoulder.

 

[quicken]

I dont get it... How can balls have top spin and have a flat trajectory? Make sure you swing low to high to produce topspin. Dont wrist the spin.

 

[Circa]

I dont get it... How can balls have top spin and have a flat trajectory? Make sure you swing low to high to produce topspin. Dont wrist the spin.

I don't know. I mean, it does have some arch, but I'm not getting the clearance of the net that I want.

I swing low to high, and I brush up on the ball.

I use a LM Radical MP though...would a racquet with a more open string pattern help me?

Gosh, I wish I had a video camera. It's hard trying to figure out what you're doing wrong when you can't really observe your strokes.

 

[user92626]

circa,
Topspin strokes, usually done by full/semi western grips, are meant for relatively high balls. The racquet starts at at least elbow height, if not higher. Bend your knees if you have to. If a ball's too low, I would just try to get it over the net with an eastern FH and live to fight another day.

You can't be swinging "low to high" with topspins, and it sounds like you are trying too hard to artificially correct the stroke as it comes, ie brushing.

Most of my crappy FH and BH are results of trying to correct it, instead of following good form and having faith in the swing and follow thru.

That's my understanding.