Optimum way to hit a stroke?

[nagan]

hi all,

1. After years of loving to blast all balls, getting tired fast and losing tons of matches, I've come to the thinking that the best way to hit any tennis stroke is like using a hammer: a fast and smooth swing with enough pace, but mainly letting the hammer head drive into the nail (at least at the lower level). That way, one can have consistency, not getting tired fast and having the reserved strength to run up and blast short balls. What do you guys think?

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2. (This is a little tip for lower-level players like me). It was always hard for me to hit a crosscourt FH, not consistent and weak. Now I simply drive to the side of the ball (say, like 3 o'clock) and am getting it go crosscourt great and easy, opening up the court for the blast down the line...Of course, you still should try to hit a bit from low to high, not just parallel to the court and angling it...Same thing with the other side, BH. (Now for the nitpickers, of course, even though you think it's 3 o'clock, it's weird, the reality is, most of the time you barely can hit at 4 o'clock anyway (due to time restraint and the other guy's pace/spin, ect.)

3. A bit of question for the upper level: I think one of the biggest reason Federer is who he is is his ability to blast the FH down the line from his inside-out FH position (in other words, he's running around his BH.) That shot was, has been, and remains my hardest shot. I think it's the same with everyone, including the pros since we are trying to hit big while moving back and sideways to the left side (most people's weak side); also, the ball is coming towards you diagonally awkwardly most of the time, jamming you at the chest...) Allmost all of the times after the Fed hit it, it's a winner (or just a pure reply for him to finish the next shot). People used to, still are, talking about the down-the-line BH that can kill you off. Well, how about a massive FH down the same area, eh? Plus, this kind of FH can have the a bit of sidespin to spin away from you too. I've looked at some old Sampras clips on Youtube and it seems he had that shot too. Federer just takes something good from his idol and makes it bigger, the best ever, in my opinion

 

[Deleted member 25923]

When you say 3 o' clock, do you mean hit the ball at that point as if it's a clock face?

 

[i8myshirt]

1. I guess it depends on what level you're playing. At a high school level, that kind of play is perfectly fine. However, at highly levels, I would think that the players would be fit enough to exert energy without getting tired and staying consistent.

2. Which type of ball are you returning? Down the line or crosscourt?

3. I see this shot a lot as a passing shot or a return winner from a serve. I think that may be why they are usually winners.

 

[FedererISBetter]

1) Sounds like something I hold onto... let the body and the rac do the work and it will connect : )

2) I usually do cross court cross court cross court, down the line, and come up to the net if I'm playing consistant players or when I want a good pace game. Sounds like you want that consistant game,, nice!

3) I believe its all about the footwork, it takes a lot of practice and talent to run around the ball and hit that forehand inside out.. especially when the ball is cannoned to you with loads of top

 

[nagan]

hi, Mansewers

By 3 o'clock, let me put it this way: for a down-the-line FH, the racquet should be parallel with the baseline, for a crosscourt, the racquet should be pointing towards the right net post or your opponent's BH side, assumed everyone is right-handed here (a normal world, according to Federer. After he lost last year's French Open 2007, he lamented that he wished he'd played somebody right-handed in the final "where everything happens in a normal fashion...")

 

[wihamilton]

Um, too much thinking, imo. Hit the ball cross / hit it down the line / whatever. But the 3 o'clock / 4 o'clock / whatever o'clock is counterproductive. Focus on the correct mechanics. Make sure you technique is sound. Then you will be able to control where you hit the ball.

Strange as it may sound, one of the best pieces of advice I ever got was to "stop thinking." Sometimes, it just gets in the way.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Um, too much thinking, imo. Hit the ball cross / hit it down the line / whatever. But the 3 o'clock / 4 o'clock / whatever o'clock is counterproductive. Focus on the correct mechanics. Make sure you technique is sound. Then you will be able to control where you hit the ball.

Strange as it may sound, one of the best pieces of advice I ever got was to "stop thinking." Sometimes, it just gets in the way.

Ummm no. Controlling the ball and allowing you to hit the ball with the least chance of making an error takes some insight on what to do with the ball you receive.

Further, it will help you not make a shot selection mistake if you are under pressure.

The basics in knowing where to send the ball back starts with understanding Wardlaws Directionals. From there, I will agree that a player will develop and learn what they are capable of doing with the ball. However, they will also learn their limitations which will contribute to patience and working the point.