Update on 6 Tennis Lessons

OK, It's been almost 6 lessons now. And I think my game strategy has changed quite a bit. Instead of hitting with power and speed like I used to, I'm now focusing on more consistency and getting the ball in play so that when the opportunity arises, I will attack the short ball or find an opportunity to go for it!.

So some key points that I've learned ...

Backhand
When setting up the shot, the footwork is key here. I should take multiple small shuffle steps and really allow foots to close in on the shots. My left foot should be the one in lead (but behind), and my right foot should follow. First plant, but loosely my left foot, and then push off the left foot and drive away from it with my body rotation. My right should clearly be rotated, or pointing the the LEFT side of the courts. Both wrists should be completely relaxed, as to promote the racquet head to be dropped down. If the wrist is firm a bit, the racquet head goes up, and when you hit contact, the ball will shoot long, or might possibly be worse, into the net. Another thing to remember is that I should never allow my right foot to cross over the left foot, this might cause my left foot to prematurely lift up, and looks ugly. I should think of hitting the tennis ball like a golf ball. Think about that to hit the ball both feet must be in-line with the trajectory with the ball. In-line will allow my shots to go straight down the line.. When my feet is not in-line but with my right foot (to the right of the left planted foot) will make the ball go cross court. If my right foot has crossed over the left foot, then this will cause me to loose balance, and I will not be prepared for the next shot coming back. An important thing to remember is that after I have swung the ball, I should not look up at where the ball is. I should keep a beat longer at where I have hit contact. Before contact, I my feet should take 2 short skip steps, and after contact btake 2 more skip steps. This will keep me balanced and ready for the next shot.

Forehand
Alrighty forehand is a bit easier. But b/c I have wrist pain. Ouch!. The only thing I need to remember is to have my right wrist relaxed, and not firm. Let the racquet head drop, and keep it like that till I have followed through on my swing. It's imporant to not follow the ball, but to be like Federer, and look at the contact point for a beat longer.

Volleying
I think I've improved a lot since taking one lesson. They key here is to make the racquet head point to the opponent, and track him. Don't allow the racquet to drop below your waist level, and always keep the racquet in front of you. Kind of like keep racquet like "I" but not resting "\" or "/". I used to always do "\", which would cause me to always have late contact on hitting. Imagine making the racquet with quiet swings, and short compact movements. Very Impt. to keep the racquet in front of you and above the waist and like "I". This will totally improve my volleying. If I want more pace or speed with the volley, I simply use my feet and push off the ground and put the ball onto the strings, which gives it pace!.

Approach Shots
Still working on this, but 2 things I should remember is that 1) when I receive a short ball I should keep eye contact on ball impact for a beat longer, after I have swung, and then I can look up. 2) Also when no time to look at the impact of ball, don't just plant the feet and not move, you gotta move your feet and move forward/follow through feet.

Approach Shot Finish.
When the ball is kind of short near the service line, instead of returning it with a loopy long shot, i should return it with like a slice or put it down the line to somewhere in service line area. If I give a deep shot, that is the returner's comfort zone and they can pass me easily. Since I put the ball kind of short, this will make the guy try to pass me or at least put the ball up so that I can easily put away the shot with a volley.