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"Tennis Tips" by
Charlotte |
| 2009/December NICE GIRLS FINISH In a doubles' match, a playere chased dowen a ball, returned it with a sitter, and then stumbled and fell on the court. The opposing player, who was ready to put away the weak return, stopped to see if the fallen opponent was OK. Should the point have been replayed since it was stopped out of concern for a fellow players' health, or does the team who stopped play early lose the point? (G. Smith, Wexford, PA) Answer: Though the opponent who stopped playing obviously did so with the best of intentions, kindness doesn't score points in tennis. She loses the point. A player falling on the court, not an uncommon occurrence, isn't considered a hindrance (Rule 26, Case 2). Still, it would have been a nice gesture, and also within the rules, if the opponent had repaid the opposing team's concern by conceding the point. SERVE TO THE BODY During a recent match, my opponent hit a serve so long that it missed the service box and hit my foot before bouncing. (I was standing six inches inside the baseline.) I immediately called to replay the point, but my opponent said it was his because the ball made contact with me before it bounced. I would have called the serve out if it hadn't hit me. Who had the right to claim the point? (K. Fierro, La Habra, CA) Answer: This is one of those rare moments when a terrible serve becomes a weapon. According to Rule24, Case 7, the server wins the point when "a ball that has just been served hits the receiver, or in doubles, the receiver's partner before it hits the ground," unless it's a service let. Next time, get out of the way if you can. LET IT STAND In a league match, a woman on our team hit a ground stroke just before a stray ball rolled onto her court. She finished her stroke, then noticed the ball and called a let. Her shot went wide. Is a let allowed in a case like this, or should she have lost the point? (Andy Durham,. Auburndale, FL) Answer: As The Code, Item 19, states, "When a ball from an adjacent court enters the playing area, any player on the court affected may call a let as soon as the player becomes aware of the ball." If the stray ball affected your teammates' swing in any way, she has the right to call a let, which she should do immediately, and replay the point. Once her shot was on its way, however, she wasn't entitled to a let unless her shot landed in. Since she didn't become aware of the ball until after she had hit her shot, she must accept that her errore--hitting the ball wide--counts. DOUBLE BOUNCE In a match where players make the line calls, whose responsibility is it to call double bounces: Some double bounces are almost impossible to call. (Don Skaggs, Dallas, TX) Answer: As the first principle of The Code states, "Tennis is a game that requires cooperation and courtesy from all participants" That's especially true on double bounces, which are left to the offending party to call on himself. (The Code, Item 20, says, "The opponent is not entitled to make these calls.") If you're uncertain whether a ball in your court bounced twice, you must give the point to your opponent under The Code, Item 6. |
| 2009/November HOW TO HIT A BOUNCE OVERHEAD Sometimes it's better to wait before you whale away at an overhead. Here are four steps to help you hit a bounce overhead: 1. When your opponent throws up a lob that it is so high it seems like it will be difficult to time, or if you are struggling with the sun or wind, let the ball bounce. Start as you would with an ordinary overhead and track the ball by pointing at it with your off hand. Bring your racquet up as you get into position and stay on your toes so that you can make small adjustments with your feet as the ball falls to the court. 2. As the ball bounces and comes back up, keep your head, off hand and racquet up. Your legs should be slightly bent so you can move upward into the shot. 3. Since you often hit bounce overheads far away from the net, you need to treat them more like serves. Go up after the ball, extend fully, don't collapse at the waist and attack the ball at the same contact point where you hit your serve. Step in with your left foot (if you're right-handed) so that you can uncoil into the shot. Consider slicing the ball as you would on a serve to add control. 4. Snap your wrist as you follow through and keep your head up. If you are closer to the baseline than the net, don't snap down as much as you would on an ordinary overhead because you need more length to ensure that the ball travels over the net. Your left foot (if you're right-handed) should be firmly planted to keep you balanced as your right side comes through the stroke. (By Katrina Adams, Tennis Channel Commentator) |
| 2009/October KNOCKOUT In a doubles' match , I hit a short shot high in the air that barely cleared the net. The opposing net man took a big swing and struck a winner, but on his follow-through, his racquet crossed the net and hit my partner, who had rushed forward when I threw up my soft shot. Our opponents took the point, but the contact happened before the ball hit the court twice. Did we deserve the point? ANSWER: NO. The opposing net player committed no infraction when his racquet hit your partner because, as you said, he hit a winner. If the racquet had prevented your partner from making a play, you should have played a let under Rule 26, "Hinderance". It made no difference that the ball had yet to bounce a second time when your opponent's racquet broke the plane of the net, which is legal unless the racquet hits the net. Pete Tseng, Port Huron, Michigan WHAT'S THE SCORE? In a recent USTA League match, our opponents refused to call the score before serving.When we repeatedly asked them for the score, they would give it, but grudgingly and in soft voices that were barely audible. I know the rules say that the server must announce the score before each serve, but are there penalties if a server doesn't comply? Nancy Sneed, Sarasota, Florida ANSWER: The server is required to announce the score before she serves (The Code, Item 31 and USTA Comment 5.3). If your match has an official, he can instruct the team to announce the score when serving. If the team doesn't follow the rules, and do as the official says, the official can give them a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct. It's probably best to take matters into your own hands and call the score yourselves if your opponents refuse to do so. |
| 2009/September DISORDER IN THE COURT In a recent doubles match, the same person served twice in a row for the opposing team, but we didn't realize it until the score was 40-0. Everyone agreed that the serving order had inadvertently been mixed up, but we couldn't agree on what to do next. Our opponents switched servers and completed the game with the new server, starting at 40-0. We pro-tested that the game should start over. Who was correct? (M. O'Dwyer, Conn.) Answer: Your opponents had it right under Rule 27 ("Correcting Errors"). As USTA Comment 27.1 notes, the guiding philosophy for serving out of turn, failing to change ends, or similar mistakes, is this: "Any such error shall be rectified as soon as discovered, but not while the ball is in play, and any points completed under the erroneous condition shall be counted." The Code, Item 2, also offers clear guidance. "All points played in good faith stand." Note that, under Rule 27(c), if you had completed that game before noticing the error, the altered serving order would stand for the rest of the match. COLLATERAL DAMAGE My opponent hit a lob over my head that caused me to race back toward the fence. I got there in time and took a swipe at the ball, but my racquet hit the fence first, then the ball. The ball landed in, and never hit the fence. My opponent claimed the point was his because hitting the fence was just like hitting the net. I gave him the point. Was that the right call? (Shad Giles, Polson, Montana) Answer: No. If the ball hit the fence, you would have lost the point. Otherwise, when the ball is in play, you are only prohibited from having your racquet touch the net, net posts, singles sticks, net strap, netcord, or your opponent's court, according to Rule 24(g). CHOKING UP I have developed the habit of sliding my left hand up above the grip to the throat of the racquet on backhand volleys. It helps me punch through the shot, but is it legal? (Patrick Casey, Lombard, Illinois) Answer: While the rules of tennis place many restrictions on the racquet, such as its size and string pattern, they won't stop you from volleying this way (Rule 4 and Appendix II). There is no rule that addresses unique grips or hand placement. But your grip may come at a risk: If a ball in play makes contact with your hand rather than the racquet, you lose the point under Rule 24 (i). |
| 2009/August SWING FASTER (1) SWING QUICKLY NOT VIOLENTLY When people hear that they need to swing their racquets faster, they tend to do too much. Violence doesn't produce racquet-head speed. You need to think about swinging quickly and smoothly, not forcefully. (Just watch Roger Federer!) (2) SIT FOR SUCCESS Here's a drill that will make your strokes faster and more fluid, yet teach you about balance and control. Sit on a bucket inside the baseline, facing the court as you would in a semi-open forehand stance and have a partner feed balls slowly to your forehand. When you hit forehands like this, you'll better understand that your shoulders must remain level at all times. You'll see the importance of hitting through the ball and following through, and you'll know why good posture (which helps you maintain balance) is essential for racquet-head speed. (3) FORGET YOUR WRIST Your wrist is an important component of every stroke in tennis, but it will do its job without any effort if the rest of your swing is sound. Make sure you hold the racquet with a semi-western grip, which places your palm behind the handle for support and allows for plenty of topspin. Think of a whip: it's strong, yet limber, and when you snap it, it accelerates and cracks. That's the essence of racquet-head speed, and the foundation of a great forehand. (4) AIM YOUR BUTT CAP Here's a tip to make sure your racquet is in the right position as you line up a forehand. When you turn your hips and shouldes as you start your backswing, the butt cap of your handle will point toward the ball. This will give you plenty of time to accelerate as the racquet moves toward the contact point. (5) THINK BOTTOM UP, NOT TOP DOWN A strong foundation is the key to everything you do on the tennis court. Make sure you spread your feet apart to at least the width of your shoulders and keep your weight slightly forward and your knees relaxed. Both arms should extend away from your body. This ready position will help you maintain your balance for any shot that comes your way. |
2009/July Answer: You
had every right to object, but you didn't deserve
the point. Nothing prevents
your opponent from serving with an extra ball in his hand, but discarding
the ball during play is considered a hindrance (USTA Comment 26.4).
Since you objected immediately and during the point, it was correct
to play a let. From there on, "any continued discarding of the
ball constitutes a deliberate hindrance, and the server loses the
point." If you object after the point ends, the point stands,
but it puts your opponent on notice that another casually dis-carded
ball will cost him a point. |
| 2009/May-June MIX IT UP IN DOUBLES The cross-court return is a safe bet in doubles, but sometimes it pays to take a risk: You've been told to return serve cross-court in doubles to keep the ball away from the opponent at the net. This is good advice, but you shouldn't return cross-court every time. If you do, your opponent will poach more confidently and volley the ball past your partner. A few times a set, keep your opponents honest with a down-the-line return. Here's one play that works well: On a second serve or a serve in your strike zone, hit a forceful return low and right at your opponent at the net. As soon as you finish your stroke, move a few steps inside the baseline in anticipation of a short volley from your handcuffed opponent. Line up an approach shot down the middle or cross-court, let it rip and charge the net. This tactic allows you to take the offensive during your return game, rather that hitting predictably cross-court all the time. (by Lisa Raymond, former #1 Doubles Player) |
| 2009/April MAKE YOU SLICE BITE Follow these five steps to transform your soft, floating under-spin backhand into a penetrating weapon: 1. For a strong slice, use a continental grip. 2. Turn your shoulderes and bring the racquet back with the face slightly open. Your off hand should remain on the throat of the racquet to steady your take-back. The head of your racquet should start slightly above the contact point (if it's too high, you'll chomp down on the ball and either dump it into the net, or hit a softly spinning pop-up). With yhour weight on yor back foot, begin to push forward into the shot. 3. As you swing forward, your arm will extend and straighten. Hit slightly down and through the ball ("carve it"). Transfer your weight onto your front foot before impact. Your knees should have some bend as you move forward. 4. With the face slightly open at contact, hit the lower part of the ball. (Your elbow should remain straight). The ideal contact point is slightly above, and in front of your lead knee.Your off arm should mirror your hitting arm and move backward to help you keep your balance. 5. On your follow-through, your non-dominant arm should travel as far back as your lead arm travels forward. This will keep you balanced and help you hit through the shot. (by Elke Juul, Manager of USTA Elite-Pl;ayer Development Facility, Boca Raton, FL) |
| 2009/March FREE SWINGER QUESTION: In a heated league match, I approached the net at full speed and crushed a swinging volley for a winner. I made contact with the ball on my side of the court, but my follow-through ended on my opponents side. I didn't touch the net but my opponent claimed that no part of my racquet could cross to the other side. We decided to play a let. Did we make the right choice? ANSWER: According to Rule 25(e) which defines legal shots, states: It is a good return if: the player's racquet passes over the net after hitting the ball on the player's own side of the net and the ball hits the ground in the correct court. REACH FOR THE SKY Do you often hit overheads into the net? If so, you may have forgotten an old, but useful, piece of advice. The next time you hit an overhead, reach for the sky with your non hitting arm, point at the ball and keep your arm up until a few moments before you make contact with the ball, as you would on a serve. This prevents you from dropping your head or your shoulder too early and should ensure that your overheads clear the net. |
2009/January-February |
2008/November-December |
2008/October |
2008/September |
| 2008/August FOLLOW THE BALL When going to the net after either a serve or an approach shot, follow the path of your shot so you cover more of the court in a shorter time. For example, if you hit an inside-out approach and need to prepare for a down-the-line return from your opponent, it's better to run diagonally in a straight line rather than towards the middle of the net and then to the right. By following the ball, you cut off your opponent's angles, making it more difficult for him to pass you. (Alan Cutler, USPTA Master Pro, Whittier, CA) SHADOW DRILL A successful poach can win a point in doubles, but you can also win a lot of points by acting as if you're going to poach even if you don't intend to. Quickly move your shoulders, while keeping your feet in the ready position, can attract attention and disrupt the returner's motion, possibly causing an error or making him hit the return right to you. The key is shoulder fake. To improve yours, find a partner and take turns guarding each other, much the same way basketball players do. Alternate fakes and actual movements, trying to get free from your partner. (Ann Hobbs Roosevelt Island Racquet Club, NY) BOTTOM VIEW We’ve all heard that you should bend at the knees and not at the waist when hitting ground strokes. To learn to do this, try watching the bottom half of the ball as it moves toward you. When you’re looking for the lower half of the ball, you’ll find that you naturally lower your body by bending your knees. You alsomay find that you see the ball more clearly. This will help you set up for your shot and properly distribute your weight, so your strokes should gain some power, too. (Dave Hegler, USPTA Master Pr, PTR, Los Angeles) VOLLEY LURCH Do you lurch forward on your volleys and finish them off-balance? When you quickly stop your feet, the rest of your body continues forward. To prevent this, practice moving to the ball in small steps. Many players stop moving too soon and lunge forward or sideways in a last-second attempt to put the racquet on the ball. Don’t be afraid to take an extra-small step or two to adjust your feet until you’re balanced and ready to step forward naturally and punch the volley. (KenDeHart, USPTA Master Pro, San Jose, CA) |
| 2008/July LOW BLOW If you are playing a tall or quick opponent who come to net often, you might have better luck aiming at his belly button than trying to pass him. A low blow shot will give your opponent limited angles for volley winners. The more spin you use, the better. Heavy spin will cause the ball to pop up off your opponent's racquet and give you a better chance to pass or lob on the second ball. ( Ken DeHart USPTA Pro, PTR, Master Pro) TIME OUT Many tennis players, when under pressure, make the mistake of speeding up after they commit errors. Rather then rushing after a lost point, call a timeout on yourself. Take a walk behing the baseline, breathe deeply and give yourself a chance to regroup. Be sure to adhere to time rules, but don't allow the momentum to swing any further in your opponent's favor. A few timeouts could help avoid disaster and minimize your opponent's effectiveness. (Dave Hegler, USPTA, Master Pro, PTR, L.A.) PINPOINT YOUR STANCE Do you own most of the makings of a good serve (smooth service motion, a good toss, and decent accuracy) but find that you can't generate enough power? Your problem may be that you don't shift your weight forward. Adding a step to your serve might help. To master the technique, called the "pinpoint" stance, put thin rubber targets (polyspots) at the baseline where you normally put your feet to serve. Stand on the targets to serve, and after you toss the ball, move your back foot onto the target next to your front foot. The forward movement will shift more of your weight into the stroke. (Mike O'Connell, Head Tennis Pro at IU in Indiana) |