- Move Your Feet.
- Track the Ball.
- Bend Your Knees.
Tennis Character – “One’s character may be quite different from one’s reputation. Your character is what you really are. Your reputation is only what others think you are.” – John Wooden
Treat others the way you would like to be treated – Show up on time; try your best; and avoid stalling, gamesmanship, negative comments and yelling during play.
Play fair – Absolute honesty with line calls, score keeping, foot faults, lets and skill-level evaluations: time management between points and games.
Respect others – Listen to and give special attention to parents, teachers, coaches, opponents and yourself. You represent family, church, school, team, city, state and country. Giving your best effort in practice and match play shows good self-esteem and respect toward opponents and the game.
Keep trying – Keep trying even when things aren’t going well. No moaning, groaning or giving up. Resolve to keep trying, regardless of the score or previous mistakes. In addition avoiding excuses (even if valid) helps develop a healthy competitive mindset.
Confront challenges – Treat surprises or unexpected circumstances such as weather, court surfaces, tactics, spectators and your own emotions as challenges to overcome.
STANCE:
You have heard a lot of discussion about ‘open stance’, ‘closed stance’, and the ‘diagonal stance’ when hitting a forehand. Each stance has its advantages depending on the situation and the specific shot being hit.
There is one constant for all three stances and that is “shoulder turn”. The hips and shoulders rotating into the ball is the base for power. Of course you cannot do this unless you turn the shoulders first. The best way to assure hip and shoulder rotation is to push the racket back with your non-dominate hand. If you are right handed push the racket back with your left hand. This move will force you to turn your hips and shoulders.
ROGER FEDERER AND THE FOREHAND STANCE
Federer hits his forehand from three different positions: open stance, semi-open stance and square stance.
The open stance forehand is effective in dealing with power or generating power. Very good for return of serve, being pulled wide and allows for a quick recovery.
The semi-open stance forehand offers greater versatility and can be used in offensive, defensive or neutral positions.
The square stance forehand is typically an offensive shot and is frequently used when moving forward and attacking.
How should you hit your forehand? Consider how you would like to improve your game and modify your forehand to help accomplish your goal. Keep in mind that the open stance forehand is hit with a semi- western grip, which also helps a player hit with more topspin. ‘Loading’ up on the outside leg, rotating the shoulders to increase torque, and rapidly increasing racket acceleration through the contact point generates force. Let me help you turn your forehand into a weapon of mass destruction!