The forehand is one of the 2 biggest weapons that a player can have--the other one is the serve. If a player has a big forehand, it's common to build the game around that shot. So, you end up running around the backhand a lot. Kids with a big forehand don't even have to be taught that; it happens naturally.
The problem sometimes is that many players--such as Roddick--win so much with their forehand (and/or serve) when they are young that they neglect to develop a good solid backhand, or a net game.
This haunts them when they reach the highest levels!
Want to improve your backhand? Watch these tennis videos for tennis tips from yours truly:
http://www.playsportstv.com/box.php?id=6&media_id=387
http://www.playsportstv.com/box.php?id=6&media_id=389
]]>Many young athletes start off hitting with two hands on both sides. This is natural, because they are not strong enough yet to hit with just one hand. Very few young athletes stay with using two hands, and those that do are ambidextrous and develop their own unique style.
There’s no need to pressure your child to go with one hand. Give her the option to do what feels best right now. In all likelihood, she’ll switch to her dominant hand at some point.
Of course, there are certain advantages to playing with two hands on both sides—increased power, crazy angles, and disguise.
At some point, teach your daughter a one-handed forehand—she’ll need it on wide shots. If she does decide to stay with two hands, have her watch great athletes who play this way, such as Monica Seles, Fabrice Santoro, and Jan-Michael Gambill.
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It is a decision that has to be made on a case-by-case basis. Depending on how old the player is. 11 is young enough to switch. I always say if you don't have a great 2-hander you might as well use a 1-hander; it will help your slice and your volley. Also, if you are not athletic and have slow feet or if you are going to be very tall it is recommended to switch to a 1 hander, because the 2-handed backhand requires extra footwork and extra bending down for low balls. The advantage of a 2-hander is on the return of serve and on high looping balls.
]]>Once you do that the serves might go into the net in the beginning. It is recommended to serve from well inside the court until you get the feel and gradually move back until you are ready to serve from the baseline. It is important to snap the wrist up and to the right (or to the left if you are left handed) and to accelerate as you connect. Another source of power can be a deep bending of the knees just before the contact.
You should always serve with targets and a high net, and also practice serving and volleying with only one serve--this will help create more body weight shift into the shot.
]]>It is true that there have been players who rely strictly on a baseline game who have done well on the pro tour, but if we look at the top men and women in the world we will find that in the high levels they all have a variety of shots with which they hurt their oponents.
Roger Federer is the perfect example of a player that has every shot in the book, which allows him to change his game according to the surface and the oponent and to dominate the world ramking. In the women Justin Henin is an example of a player that comes in a lot, about 15-20 times per
match (on hard court).
The reason is that most tournaments in the U.S. are on hard and most coaches don't really know how to move or play on clay themselves. It didn't really matter because they (the girls) were all playing the same hard court-type game anyway. I had a feeling that any mediocre European player who grew up on red clay would have been able to win against those highly-ranked girls.
Kids are reluctant to learn the new stuff, such as what it takes to play well on different surfaces, but i find that the effort will pay off later on in their careers.
]]>It is safe to say that more than 90 percent of the girls play the same exact style, a one-dimensional attacking baseline game with a 2-handed backhand and a semi-western forehand. It is rare to see a girl with a one-handed backhand, a slice, a decent volley or a drop shot. Serving and volleying is not even in their vocabulary, and the only time they come to the net is if they have no choice -- a very short ball -- or to shake hands at the end of the game.
This leads to matches and points that look the same, long rallies between 2 girls that hit the ball very hard and very accurately until someone puts the ball away or misses. The girls that I watched were all very good hitters and atheletes and could easily be taught how to hit a decent volley or a slice.
It is the fault of their coaches that they don't posses more weapons. For this reason most
of them will end up in college or in low-level pro events playing against similar-type players.
When I work with my junior players in my academy I try to work on a variety of shots from an early age and practically force them to come to the net, use the slice and work on "special shots" such as a drop shot and the short angle. It is not very popular and many times the kids are reluctant to learn the new stuff, but I find that the effort will pay off later on in their careers.
]]>Playing a match is almost like playing chess against your opponent; you must always be on guard for your opponent's next move and can never show your emotions or lose your composure.
Being mentally strong means being under control throughout the match. Positive body language is very important too. In my career I realized that fighting for every point regardless of the score without showing signs of giving up will break down opponents many times.
In the high levels all players are technically sound and more or less equal. It's the mental ability to perform under pressure that separates the good from the great.
]]>In general, the exercises should be short but intense; you want to wake your body up and keep it alert for the match but you don't want to get too tired.
]]>Also, his use of the backhand slice is unique in today's game. His ability to change the pace and keep the ball low gives him an edge on his opponents. One of the things that are overlooked -- because of his great shot-making ability -- is his movement and court coverage. Federer is moving effortlessly and covers the court like a tiger. This allows him to get back into points from defensive situations.
But the most important thing that distinguishes Federer from other players is his mental ability, his calmness and focus under pressure, his composure and self control.
]]>Watching tennis on TV can be a great way to learn, looking for patterns, imitating the pros and listening to the commentary can be very useful. Visualization is another way of improving; simply imagine yourself playing perfect shots and winning points, replaying past marches -- only good matches -- in your mind can get you in a zone. It's a good mental exercise.
]]>Doubles in general is more fun and social than singles, and is a great way for kids to play as a team, communicate and enjoy tennis while working on their game in a more relaxing atmosphere.
]]>You must also turn your body sideways and prepare to hit the shot while sprinting backwards in order to hit the ball off the air.
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