Want to improve your tennis game? Our guide covers everything you need to know about different tennis strokes, including forehand, backhand, serve, , and specialty shots like drop shots and lobs. Learn about different grips, techniques, and tips for each stroke.
Forehand Strokes
If you’re just starting to learn how to play tennis, mastering the stroke is crucial. It’s the most basic shot and sets the foundation for your game. There are different types of forehand grips, but the three most common ones are the Eastern grip, Western grip, and Semi-Western grip.
Eastern Grip
The Eastern grip is the most traditional grip used for the . It’s an ideal grip for beginners as it provides more control and accuracy. To use this grip, you need to hold the racquet with your dominant hand and place your hand on the handle with your palm facing downward. Place your index finger on the 3rd bevel of the racquet and your thumb on the opposite side. The other fingers should wrap around the handle.
Western Grip
The Western grip is also known as the “topspin grip” as it allows you to hit the ball with more topspin. This grip is ideal for players who like to hit the ball with a lot of spin and power. To use this grip, you need to place your hand on the handle with your palm facing downward, just like the Eastern grip. But instead of placing your index finger on the 3rd bevel, you need to place it on the 4th bevel. This will cause your hand to rotate, so your thumb is on the same side as your index finger.
Semi-Western Grip
The Semi-Western grip is a hybrid of the Eastern and Western grips. It’s suitable for players who want to hit the ball with spin but also want to maintain some control. To use this grip, you need to place your hand on the handle with your palm facing downward, just like the Eastern grip. But instead of placing your index finger on the 3rd bevel, you need to place it on the 4th bevel. This will cause your hand to rotate, so your thumb is on the opposite side of your index finger.
Backhand Strokes
Are you struggling to master your stroke? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. The backhand shot is one of the most challenging strokes in tennis, but with the right technique, you can improve your game and win more points.
One-Handed Backhand
The one-handed backhand is a classic stroke that requires excellent timing, footwork, and wrist control. To execute a one-handed backhand, start with an Eastern grip and place your non-dominant hand on the throat of the racket. As you swing, rotate your hips and shoulders, and transfer your weight onto your front foot. Keep your eyes on the ball and snap your wrist at the moment of impact to generate topspin.
The one-handed backhand is a versatile shot that allows you to hit winners from all parts of the court. However, it requires more strength and stability than the two-handed , and it’s more susceptible to errors if your timing is off.
Two-Handed Backhand
The two-handed backhand is a popular stroke among beginners, as it provides more stability and power than the one-handed backhand. To execute a two-handed backhand, start with a Continental grip with your non-dominant hand and a Eastern or Semi-Western grip with your dominant hand. As you swing, turn your shoulders and hips, and transfer your weight onto your front foot. Keep your eyes on the ball and maintain a straight arm position at contact to generate topspin.
The two-handed is a reliable shot that allows you to hit with consistency and depth. However, it limits your reach and variety, and it requires more effort to hit low balls and high balls.
Slice Backhand
The slice backhand is a defensive shot that can be used to change the pace and angle of the ball. To execute a slice , start with a Continental grip and slice the racket under the ball with a chopping motion. Keep your eyes on the ball and use your non-dominant hand to guide the racket. The slice backhand should generate underspin and stay low over the net.
The slice backhand is a useful shot to neutralize your opponent’s attack and force them to hit a weaker shot. However, it requires good timing and control, and it’s less effective against aggressive players who can attack the ball easily.
Serve Strokes
If you want to be a great tennis player, you need to master your . The serve is one of the most important strokes in tennis because it starts every point. There are three main types of serves that you should know about: the flat serve, the slice serve, and the .
Flat Serve
The flat serve is the most basic type of . It is hit with a flat racket face and travels in a straight line over the net. This type of serve is usually hit with a lot of power and speed, and it can be difficult for your opponent to return. To hit a flat , you need to use a continental grip and toss the ball in front of you. Then, you need to swing your racket forward and hit the ball at the highest point of your reach.
Slice Serve
The slice is a little more complicated than the flat serve. It is hit with a racket face that is tilted slightly to the side, which causes the ball to spin in a specific direction. This type of serve is great for throwing off your opponent’s timing and making it harder for them to return the ball. To hit a slice serve, you need to use an eastern grip and toss the ball slightly to the side. Then, you need to swing your racket across your body and hit the ball at the highest point of your reach.
Kick Serve
The kick serve is the most advanced type of . It is hit with a racket face that is tilted back, which causes the ball to spin and bounce high over the net. This type of serve is great for setting up an aggressive or forcing your opponent to hit a weak return. To hit a , you need to use a continental grip and toss the ball slightly behind you. Then, you need to swing your racket up and forward and hit the ball at the highest point of your reach.
Volley Strokes
If you want to dominate the net and win more points, mastering your volley strokes is a must. Volley shots require quick reflexes, good footwork and precise hand-eye coordination. Here are three types of volley strokes you should know:
Forehand Volley
The volley is a shot that requires you to use a continental grip, which means holding the racket with your index knuckle on the third bevel. When you receive a ball on your side, move your non-dominant foot forward, rotate your hips and shoulders towards the net, and extend your dominant hand towards the ball. Aim to hit the ball in front of your body and over the net with a firm wrist and a follow-through towards your target. The volley is a great offensive weapon that allows you to cut off your opponent’s passing shots and hit winners from close range.
Backhand Volley
The backhand is a shot that requires you to use a continental or an eastern grip, depending on your preference. When you receive a ball on your backhand side, step forward with your dominant foot, bend your knees, and turn your shoulders towards the net. Use your non-dominant hand to guide the racket and your dominant hand to punch the ball over the net. Aim to hit the ball in front of your body and parallel to the net with a short backswing and a compact follow-through. The volley is a reliable defensive shot that allows you to neutralize your opponent’s attacks and set up your own offensive shots.
Overhead Smash
The overhead smash is a shot that requires you to use a continental or a hammer grip, depending on your preference. When you receive a high ball that bounces inside your service line, move back quickly, position yourself under the ball, and jump up with both feet. Raise your racket behind your head, and swing it down towards the ball with all your power. Aim to hit the ball with a downward angle and a lot of spin, so that it bounces high and deep into your opponent’s court. The overhead smash is a spectacular shot that can intimidate your opponents and earn you easy points.
Specialty Strokes
If you’re a tennis enthusiast, you’re likely familiar with the classic forehand and backhand strokes. But did you know that there are several specialty strokes that can give you an edge on the court? In this section, we’ll explore three of these strokes: the drop shot, lob, and half-volley.
Drop Shot
The drop shot is a low, short shot that lands close to the net, forcing your opponent to run forward to retrieve it. This can be an effective way to catch them off guard and win points. To execute a drop shot, use a gentle touch on the ball and aim for a spot just over the net. It’s important to disguise your intention and not telegraph your shot, as your opponent may anticipate it and be prepared to return it.
Lob
The lob is a high, arcing shot that sends the ball over your opponent’s head and lands deep in their court. It can be used to create space and time to recover from a defensive position, or to surprise your opponent with an unexpected attack. To execute a lob, use a long, sweeping motion and aim for a spot near the baseline. It’s important to hit the ball with enough height and spin to clear the net and land deep in your opponent’s court.
Half-Volley
The half-volley is a challenging shot that involves hitting the ball just after it bounces, before it reaches its full height. This requires quick reflexes and precise timing, but can be a powerful way to turn defense into offense. To execute a half-volley, position yourself close to the net and prepare to hit the ball as it bounces up from the court. Use a short, compact swing and aim for a spot that will surprise your opponent and put them on the defensive.
In conclusion, mastering specialty strokes like the drop shot, lob, and half- can give you a distinct advantage on the tennis court. Practice these shots regularly and incorporate them into your game strategy to keep your opponents guessing and improve your overall performance.
