Tennis Correction

I had a student who had a difficult time controlling the racquet swing on the backhand; others have trouble not completing the stroke on the serve.

It's important to note that all tennis strokes have a beginning and and ending.  For example, the racquet swings 180 degrees and the body: hips and shoulders swing 90 degrees from the racquet back position; however, this particular student would swing the racquet 180 degrees.  How you asked?  She generated a lot of momentum and was unable to control the racquet head.

Rather than finish, or complete the swing with a follow through towards the target, thus keeping the racquet and ball together longer resulting in more control, the client would swing the racquet a full 360 degrees.  Coming off the ball without the necessary feeeeel!

The Cure?  I gave the student an old racquet--well, I should have given the student and old racquet, instead,  I stood her along side a cement wall surrounding the court, and fed her forehands, demonstrating beforehand, of course, the consequences of swinging further than 180 degrees.

After all that, the swing while standing next to the wall resulted in her chipping her new racquet. However, needless to say she never overswung her racquet on the forehand, or backhand again.  No other instructions to control the racquet speed or follow through were needed thereafter.

I'm just sorry I didn't, in fact, let her use an old racquet for this demonstration.  You should however.

My student who would "stop the racquet," as a means of controling the serve immediately after the service contact, was cured by my standing behind him, and asking the player to hand me the racquet as they served the ball.  Some players follow through but hit themselves on the shin.

Folks you must pronate the racquet so you see the back of your hand in the contact position, then the racquet will rotate over, and come down along side of your front leg, whether you are lefthanded, or righthanded.

Just remember that all strokes have a beginning and an ending.  Finish each stroke for consistency and control.