tennis technique

Class 1

forehand

• grip racquet in right hand, as if picking it up from the ground. hand at bottom of handle. Grip the flat side of the handle with the index knuckle right at the edge. LOOSE grip
• point forward with left hand. energy goes out through that hand
• right hand with racquet back, racquet "flashlight" points forward
• low to high
• bend with knees, not with back
• swivel hips forward to swing the racquet, contact the ball at the sweet spot on the racquet, just in front of front knee
• then bring racquet up across body over left shoulder, catch with the left hand (on the grip above the right hand)

backhand

• hold with both hands, right hand on bottom. rotate grip so that right hand is gripping the narrow side of the handle ("Continental" grip)
• low to high, keeping racquet angled downwards even as it swings upwards
• from ready position, step around

Ready position

Class 2

hit slow. no rush stay loose. loose grip

both patterns:

• start with "flashlight" pointing towards the ball
• swing with hips, not arms
• hit the ball as it's rising or at the peak
• racquet is angled down but rising as it hits ball
• swing is kind of two parts: first rotate hips, then bring racquet up over the opposite shoulder
• look at where you're gonna hit the ball. not forward

volley

• generally want to be either behind the baseline (hitting forehand/backhand) or in front of the service line (hitting volleys). area in between is no man's land
• start in ready position. Continental grip
• feet shoulder width facing the net
• forehand or backhand: step forward with corresponding foot (rotate slightly?)
• racquet up and forward
• like a date you want to go on: step forward to hit the ball
• racquet never hits the "door frame" (if you're standing in a doorway, you don't bring the racquet back, it's all forward)
• tension in the elbow, as if you're holding a ball against someone else's racquet also held up

homework: practice a lot wrist exercises: grip a tennis ball, arm forward with elbow at 90deg, forearm vertical, grip forearm with opposite hand, rotate wrist both directions. it will click but that's fine. also, same thing with arm just straight pointing forward

move with feet. light frequent steps (cha-cha). the swings should be consistent - instead of fucking up your swing to hit a close ball, use your feet to position yourself so the ball is in a good place for the proper swing. further away from the ball than you think!

Overhead slam:

• Continental grip
• left shoulder to the net
• point forward and up with left arm
• bring the racquet back w right hand to scratch your left shoulder
• then pull the left arm down as the racquet comes up (imagine a string between them)
• no need to hit hard