Want to be the next Andre Agassi? Wait a minute, it might take a long time. However, if you have realistic goals, tennis can be fun and not too difficult to learn. There are some basic strokes that beginners can learn: forehand, backhand, and overhead. While these basic strokes have many variations and ways to be used at a professional level, it's a good idea to start by learning the easiest method of each stroke first.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Hitting the Forehand
Step 1. Understand when to use forehand strokes
Each tennis stroke has a specific way of using it and the best time to use it.
- The forehand, which is considered the most basic stroke, is executed on the same side of the body as the hand holding the racket.
- Forehand strokes can be used to generate maximum power or provide topspin (forward twist) on the ball, thereby helping to keep the ball on the court.
Step 2. Take the correct position
To hit the forehand, you must first get into the right position.
- When the opponent is about to hit, do it split step.
- The split step is done by jumping about 2.5 cm from the ground and landing on tiptoe when the opponent is ready to hit the ball.
Step 3. Ready to swing the racket
Keep your head straight and your shoulders parallel to the net.
- As the ball approaches, bring your shoulders to a 90-degree angle from the net and extend your other hand across your body.
- Reach behind the arm holding the racket as the ball approaches you.
- Shift your weight onto your back leg, then bring it to the sideline.
Step 4. Do a good grip
There are at least 3 different ways to hold the racket when making a forehand shot. The most common, and easiest to start with, is the Eastern Forehand grip.
- To do this grip, place your knuckles and the pad of your palm under your pinky on the 3rd bevel (3 o'clock racket grip notch) and with the pad of your hand on the bottom of the racket.
- An easy way to do this grip is to imagine shaking hands with a racket.
Step 5. Hit the ball
Keep the racket straight and the face of the racket facing the net when making contact with the ball.
- Swing straight ahead when making contact with the ball.
- Add a little downward movement as you hit the ball for a hard, flat hit.
- Use your whole body to generate power in your strokes. Just before hitting the ball, take your feet off the ground. This is the beginning of a series of kinetic energy that is implanted in your stroke. Increase the power of hitting the ball by twisting your upper body as you hit.
Step 6. Complete the follow through
The follow through movement is an important component in the forehand stroke because it has an effect on the speed and spin of the ball. There are several types of follow-throughs that produce different effects, as detailed below.
- Out-front finish the easiest to learn and help control the direction of the stroke. The racket head swings straight and does not twist.
- Downward finish is the full force follow through produced when hitting the ball hard, around waist height, and following through across the body downwards to the other side of the waist.
Method 2 of 3: Hitting the Backhand
Step 1. Understand when to use the backhand stroke
A backhand stroke is made when a person swings the racket around the body with the back of the hand facing forward. This punch isn't as powerful as a forehand shot, but it's still quite useful.
- Backhand strokes are especially useful when the ball is on the other side of the body or the hand holding the racket.
- The backhand is more difficult to master, especially for beginners or young players whose hands and arms are not very strong. Try practicing a two-handed backhand first, as detailed below, before trying a one-handed backhand.
Step 2. Take the ready position
When preparing to receive the ball from your opponent, point both feet towards the net and keep both legs bent at all times; Hold the racket with both hands while facing the net.
- Do a split step before your opponent hits the ball by jumping about 2.5 cm from the ground. Divide the weight evenly on each leg.
- After doing the split step, pivot with your left foot, take a step forward with your right, and rotate your shoulders. All of your body weight should now be on the back foot, which in turn helps generate power and speed when hitting.
Step 3. Holding it properly
The two-handed backhand uses a combination of two types of grip.
- For dominant hand (right for right-handed hit), use grip Continental. Point the handle to the right and extend your hand out as if shaking hands with a racket.
- For non-dominant hand, use grip Semi-Western. To perform this grip, place the inside of the knuckle of your non-dominant hand at the 8th bevel (1 o'clock grip notch), so that the fingers are pointing at an angle, crossing the palm toward the pad of the hand under the little finger.
Step 4. Swing the racket and hit the ball
Swing your arms and racket to make contact with the ball in front of your body.
Step 5. Do a follow through
Extend the racket while swinging in the direction of being hit in one smooth motion, and then twist your upper body toward the net as you hit. After hitting, the racket should be over the right shoulder.
Method 3 of 3: Hitting Overhead
Step 1. Understand when to swing an overhead punch
The overhead stroke is an important shot, although it is not used as much as the forehand and backhand. If the ball is hit or bounces overhead, this is a good time to use this shot.
Step 2. Get ready
As soon as you see an overhead shot, use the hand that is not holding the racket to point at the ball. This move may sound funny or unnecessary, but it will help keep track of the ball's direction, especially for beginners.
- Move along with the ball and position yourself under it.
- Pull the racket back early so you have more time to hit the ball.
Step 3. Swing from the top of your head and down towards the ground
Try hitting the ball about 30 cm in front of your body, the same as serving. You don't have to swing so hard; even a slow swing will help in better placement of the ball.
Tips
- A number of tennis courts provide a special wall for hitting as a place to practice swing.
- Don't take your eyes off the ball. If you do that, the head will turn and so will the face of the racket which will make you lose your position.
- Once you've mastered the three basic strokes, you can practice higher-level shots: the forehand slice and the backhand slice.
- Hold the racket tightly. A tight grip will eliminate the chance for the racket to spin and hit inconsequentially.
