| Everyone can always use tips to improve their game. At least we know we can always use them. The same certified instructors that provide the articles in our articles section and answer the user questions submitted, provide many quick, helpful tips on different aspects of the game. We hope you find something that improves your play. |
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Featured Tip - Attacking the Second Serv
When your opponent is missing their first serves, put some extra pressure on them by attacking the net on their second serves.
Your opponent feels pressure when they miss a high number of first serves, but once the serve is in play the pressure is gone.
To keep the pressure on, return the ball wide cross court and come to the net. Your opponent doesn't have time to relax after getting the serve in, because you are rushing at them.
Your opponent will feel more pressure to get that first serve in and feel a lot of pressure if they don't. |
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- Tip provided by Scott Mitchell.
Scott is the Director and Owner of Extreme Tennis,
a complete tennis service company. |
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Browse Some Past Tips
Below are many of the tips that have come through our Tips section.
Browse through to see what knowledge you can gain to help your game.
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Deep Court Tennis
Why do I seem to have trouble from deep in the court? Why do I always miss in the net from back there? What can I change to be more consistent from the rear of the court?
1. Recognize that the ball is coming in deep by focusing on the ball as it comes off of your opponent’s racquet strings. Beat the ball to into position by moving back prior to the bounce of the ball. This will allow you to play the ball rather than the ball playing you.
2. Set your rear foot. Setting your rear foot will allow you to hit from a balanced position even if you cannot step into the shot. If you cannot move back quickly enough, getting your rear foot set gives you an anchor point to hit from.
3. Get the ball over the net. This sounds obvious. And it is. However, missing into the net is the most common error in this situation. The distance to the net from the baseline is 40 feet. You are already deep in the court and have a long way to go. Take the net out of play by aiming high and deep.
Recognize the depth of the ball, Set your rear foot, and clear the net. These three tips are easy for you to practice, they are specific, and they will help you to be more consistent. |
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- provided by Jim Harp, USPTR Certified Instructor |
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Good Volleys
When it comes to your volleys balance is more important than court position. Try to split step prior to your opponent making contact or if you feel like you need more time when the ball bounces in the service box.
After contact is made by the returnee attack the ball. When you complete your volley look down. I bet you are getting close to the service line and making better volleys. Good luck! |
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- provided by Bobby Schindler, USPTA Certified Instructor, Director of Tennis, White Columns CC |
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When do I get My Racquet Restrung?
When do I get my racquet restrung? That is one of the most asked questions the pros get.
The United States Professional Racquet Stringing Association recommends to string your racquet as many times a year as you play in a week.
Another idea is to string after every season. Since we are heading out of the winter season, this is a great time to do it. |
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- provided by Ronnie Haas, USPTA Professional, Director of Tennis, Ansley Golf Club |
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When to Split Step
When I was growing up, my coaches told me "split step at the service line" whenever I was headed forward.
If you follow this rule, you may see more balls behind you then you hit forward. The ideal time to split step is just as your opponents are hitting the ball.
Where the split step actually takes place will always change. There are many variables to consider, how fast you served, how fast you close to the net, where your opponent stands to return serve, how hard did they hit the ball back... and so on.
If you always tried to get to the service line, your opponents return may have hit the back fence before you got there. So remember, your split step won't always be in the same spot.
Split step when your opponents hit the ball and you'll be able to get to almost all of their returns. |
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- provided by Scott Mitchell, Director and Owner of Extreme Tennis |
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Approach and Volley
Your success at the net will depend on the quality of your approach shot or first volley.
With the approach shot your goal is to get in a good volley position and force your opponent to play a defensive shot. |
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- provided by Paul Bartholomai, USPTA and USPTR Certified Instructor |
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Tennis is a Game About Time, Yes, Time.
The lack of time is what keeps most players from improving. Most players get to a certain level, but then never really improve.
In some ways, the game becomes more difficult as you get better. A bit ironic, isn’t it? You will play stronger players, who take the ball earlier, hit the ball harder, deeper, and faster. All of which contribute to giving you a smaller time frame in which to respond.
Does your game adapt well to having less time? Think about it. Do you feel constant time pressure against better players?
Watch most recreational players. When the ball comes faster, they swing faster, and their strokes get larger as they try to offset this forceful shot.
Generally, it’s not long before the errors creep in. In contrast, watch professional players play under pressure.
Those who play the best get quieter, slower, and smoother against a faster ball and a pressing time clock. Would more time on each and every shot enable you to play better tennis?
If so, how and where will you find this time? Time is a mental perception. To find more time on the court, you will need to change your thoughts.
From contact to contact…that’s your available time. The sooner you recognize the ball, the more time you have to play it. The shorter your preparation time, the more time you have to move.
Your game needs to compress within a shorter time frame, not get larger. |
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- provided by Alan Van Vliet, USPTR Certified Instructor, Head Tennis Pro, CC of North Carolina |
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