The #1 thing that players do that absolutely sets me off is how they abuse their game when they start off a rally… Down below I’ve got a short video for you.
You know what I mean, you pull a ball out of your pocket, drop the ball on the court ,and then typically hit a forehand groundstroke to start a rally.
I’ve never measured it, but I’ll be that if I did, most players start 95% of the rallies with their forehand groundstroke.
Any wonder why the backhand typically is not as strong as their forehand for beginners?
But that’s not what gets me.
What drives me nuts is to watch players grab a ball out of their pocket, let it drop anywhere in front of them, and then just completely slop over a forehand with zero attention to proper stroke mechanics.
Every time you do that, your brain gets yet one more opportunity to think that’s how you’re supposed to hit that forehand.
And worse, and this really is the one that makes me want to look for a bridge to jump from, players get up to net and start off a rally not with a volley but with a topspin forehand groundstroke.
You’re kidding me right?
Now you’re training your brain to think that volleys are supposed to be topped from below your waist.
Dumb…
Look, this is a golden opportunity to train the exact stroke you want to have.
How many times do you think you drop a ball to start a rally every time you go out on the court?
A ton of times.
Don’t abuse this opportunity.
So, the next time you’re out on the court, to start a rally, please…
- get a ball in your non racket hand,
- start the rally by holding your hands in front of you as if you’re in normal “ready” position,
- turn your shoulders, drop the ball at precisely the spot you want to make contact so your swing won’t be crowded or you won’t have to reach for the ball,
- go through a perfect swing shape for that forehand,
- make sure your swing shape has a tempo you can actually feel,
- keeps your eyes down through contact,
- allow the swing tempo to go all the way to your finish position,
- and then look up…
Do this methodical routine every time you start a rally and your game will get better.
Alternate between forehands and backhands when you start a rally.
You’ll probably look a little awkward those first few times you try to coordinate the ball drop with your backhand, but come one, you’ll get it right, and your backhand will love you for this extra attention.
Work on picking up the ball right after the bounce to improve your skill of taking the ball on the rise.
Create a slightly higher bounce from your ball drop and work on hitting that tough shoulder high forehand.
Hit drives, slice, 3/4 loopers, etc. You get the idea.
This is the best opprotunity you’re going to have to do some mindless tinkering and getting some real “feel” for each of your strokes.
And whne you’re at net and you start the rally, please, please toss up a ball and hit a normal volley. You’ll get good enough to where you can do both forehand and backhand volleys. Think your volleys just might improve if you took this opportunity to hit a volley perfect?
You bet…
Check out this short video.
________________________________________________
Show Your Love for WebTennis.net!
Contribute a small donation to the cause – Click Here!
________________________________________________
Discover How To Get A 40% Discount On Brent’s DVD & Downloadable Tennis Lessons – Click Here!
________________________________________________
Thanks, Brent
Luke Jensen 
Joel Drucker