Tennis Strokes

All tennis strokes should be made with the body at right angles to the net, with the shoulders lined up parallel to the line of flight of the tennis ball.

The weight should always travel forward. It should pass from the back foot to the front foot at the moment of striking the ball.

Never allow the weight to be going away from the stroke. It is weight that determines the "pace" of a stroke, swing that, decides the "speed."

The definitions of "speed" and "pace".

Speed

Is the actual rate with which a ball travels through the air.

Pace

Is the momentum with which it comes off the ground.

Pace is weight.

It is the "sting" the ball carries when it comes off the ground, giving the inexperienced or unsuspecting player a shock of force.

A great many players have both "speed" and "pace." Some shots may carry both.

The order of learning strokes should be:

The Drive

This is the foundation of all tennis, for you cannot build up a net attack unless you have the ground stroke to open the way. Nor can you meet a net attack successfully unless you can drive, as that is the only successful passing shot.

Forehand and Backhand are the most familiar tennis strokes.

The forehand stroke is performed by the player pivoting the body so the non racquet arm faces the net, and swings the racquet to meet the tennis ball. With the backhand stroke the player brings the racquet forward across the body to meet the ball.

Forehand

A tennis forehand is a groundstroke that is often executed in a game, set or match.

Try to develop your own tennis technique, one that you feel most comfortable with.

The forehand is a vital groundstroke for both beginner and advanced player, and your main weapon in a rally.

Practice is the only way for you to reach the full potential of your forehand.

Backhand

The backhand is one of the least practised tennis strokes,  and generally much more fragile than the forehand.

Most tennis players tend to rely on the forehand, but it is just as important to sharpen the skills of the backhand technique.

It is used in baseline rallies and approach shots.

Develop your tennis backhand through lots of practice and repetition.