Simple strokes

[All Court]

I just joined, but have been looking around for a couple weeks.

I hear a lot, including from my coach, on simple strokes. Minimizing errors by keeping the shot simple, serve simple, whatever.

So what do people mean by that? In order to simplify my strokes (particularly the forehand) what do I do? I'd like to say my forehand is a weapon, but while I can rip it there's just so much that can (and does) go wrong during the stroke often.

And how would I apply the same simple strokes to all kinds of balls?

Thanks. I'm a 3.5 player, just to note, and from the level of instruction on this board I'm sure I can get at least a couple tips.

 

[ucd_ace]

I see simple for groundstrokes as good net clearance and cross court so that you give yourself the greatest margin of error. This way you're less apt to make errors and beat yourself. With the serve, I'm guessing he means to get in a high percentage of first serves and avoid double faults like the plague. Sounds like an old school coach.

Under this system you can still use your forehand as a weapon and everything; just make sure you pick the right spots. Wait for short ball that you can catch high to go for your big shots.

At the 3.5 level I think that this style of play can be very effetive because most points wlil end in errors (like all levels but even more so) and the person who makes the least errors is going to come out on top just about everytime.

Anyway, that's what I interpret as what your coach is talking about except he might not want you to go after those short/high balls aggressively as well.

 

[All Court]

I think by simple strokes he meant the stroke itself, not strategy or hitting crosscourt.

Nothing flashy, nothing that can go wrong. He just said we'd work on simplifying strokes in the next lesson. I have a private lesson every two weeks, so I guess I'll find out more then. I just wanted to hear everyone else's opinions on it.

I'm not sure though, if I knew the answer I wouldn't have asked. Thanks very much for your input, it's much appreciated.

 

[tennisboy87]

John McEnroe was the epitome of simple strokes. Straight back and then straight through.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

one thing which you can simplify/reduce is the amplitude of the takeback.

 

[SageOfDeath]

I just joined, but have been looking around for a couple weeks.

I hear a lot, including from my coach, on simple strokes. Minimizing errors by keeping the shot simple, serve simple, whatever.

So what do people mean by that? In order to simplify my strokes (particularly the forehand) what do I do? I'd like to say my forehand is a weapon, but while I can rip it there's just so much that can (and does) go wrong during the stroke often.

And how would I apply the same simple strokes to all kinds of balls?

Thanks. I'm a 3.5 player, just to note, and from the level of instruction on this board I'm sure I can get at least a couple tips.

Heh sounds a little like me. Take a shorter backswing and overall swing slower. You need to be consistant with a slower swing before you can rip forehands. Don't get me wrong I think ripping forehands is great but if you can't do it consistantly then its not a weapon.

 

[gurj_v]

Watch Federer, he has the most simplistic strokes. He does nothing fancy, just hits the ball cleanly-watch him.