Tennis

The Challenges Of Overhitting

Overhitting is when a player hits the ball harder than they are capable of controlling. This is common in all age groups, and is often a reoccurring problem as a player’s technique progresses. In overcoming the challenge of overhitting there are a few basic adjustments that can be made which will help you to find a balance between your level of power and level of control.

1. Shorten your backswing. This will help to regain control in both your groundstroke and volley.

2. Prepare your groundstrokes early, but not too early. When swinging, there should not be much pause between the completion of your backswing and the beginning of your forward swing. One swing should lead into the next. When you bring your racket back, the muscles in your arm stretch-out, effectively storing up energy that will help to propel your forward swing. When you pause too long, the energy in your muscles begins to decline.

3. Be aware of your ideal strike zone. For optimum control of your shot, you want to position yourself so that you hit the ball when it is approaching between your chest and your knees, at about an arm’s length away from your body. Keep this in mind when you are strategizing on the court. For example, a ball with a high bounce is bound to pass through the ideal strike zone twice, once on its way up and once more on its way down. If you can return the ball on its way up, your opponent will have less time to react.

Every player is different and faces a unique combination of challenges. Many of these challenges are nearly impossible to overcome without professional training. An experienced tennis coach can diagnose and address each player’s concerns in all their unique complexities. With regards to overhitting, a balance is needed between the level of power and the level of control. This way both abilities can be given an opportunity to progress in tandem.

Tennis

What Is Open Stance?

The open stance forehand has changed the modern game of tennis. Nowadays, most all top professionals are using style as opposed to the traditional closed stance forehand. Players find this stance more comfortable and easier to generate power.

 

So what exactly is the open stance?  The open stance forehand can be described as loading the outside leg; (right leg for right-handers and left leg for left-handers) to the side, which will have both legs parallel to the baseline. Once the outside leg is loaded it will be easier to utilize the increased power reserve in your trunk as you turn into the shot.  Players are using this stance for a variety of reasons, which include:

Ø      more power

Ø      faster recovery

Ø      easier to reach wide balls

Ø      can incorporate your body into the shot

 

Players are finding the open stance necessary due to the changes in the game over the last ten years.  In years past, people were only using the closed stance of stepping into the ball with your front foot.  In today’s game, players are using a combination of both open and closed stance, which will depend upon where they are in the court.

Tennis

Is Your Racket Right For You?

There are several factors to consider when choosing a tennis racket, including head size, thickness of the frame, overall weight, and string tension. Depending on where an individual is at in the progression of their game, each factor must be carefully considered in order to optimize the player’s level of performance and potential.
 
Head size means power. The bigger the racket’s head, the bigger the sweet spot, and the faster the ball will project off the racket. For players who need help hitting the ball, or have a short swing, a bigger head might be essential. Other power-boosting factors include a thicker frame, a lighter racket, and lower tension strings (between 55 and 58 pounds). With a lower tension, the ball actually stays on the strings longer, increasing the power of the hit.  If a player is having a difficult time making a clean connection between the racket and ball, a power racket is probably the best fit, at least until the player’s techniques are further brought under control.
 
It is common, however, for beginners to strike the ball with more power than they have control. In other words, they overhit the ball. In such cases, adjusting the power-boosting factors of the racket is one way to help such players accomplish their goals. One simple solution may be to increase the tension of the strings (between 58 and 65 pounds). Higher tension strings can not only offer more control, but also better spin. Overall, a powerful and effective swing varies depending on the bounce of the ball, whether or not the player is running or ready in stance, and whether or not the racket is an appropriate fit for the player. Beginners who struggle with overhitting should ask themselves the following:
 
Is the head of my racket (the sweet spot) too big for my own good?
Is the frame of my racket too thick?
Is my racket too light?
Are my strings too loose?
 
Deciding on a racket which best compliments the goals you have for yourself is essential if you want to reach your potential. With the help of a tennis coach, you can make sure you are playing with a racket that will accelerate, rather than hold back, the progression of your game.

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