We all know that there are four common mistakes in tennis. In the net, long, wide to the right or wide to the left. Let's finish this issue of Fast Lane Tennis by solving what are by far the two most common of these four errors. Hitting in the net or long.
Some of you may find this overly simplistic, but it really works. First take a look at a simple approach to taking the mystery out of how to fix the error of hitting the ball into the net.
The first step is to recognize her error and try to avoid making the same mistake two times in a row. To correct it she is now intentionally swinging more from low to high. In other words, she is slightly increasing the upward path of her racket hit. Of course, as she advances I will also ask her to bend more in the knees, an adjustment that effectively accomplishes the same thing.
The second major mistake in tennis is to hit the ball long. Assuming she is hitting a topspin forehand, a simple approach will be to create more topspin. You see we all know that gravity is the primary force that brings the ball down into the court, but the secondary force or effect is spin. Topspin creates high air pressure above the ball and low air pressure beneath it, effectively pulling or pushing the ball down into the court increasing the effective gravity, but how can you get a beginner to add more topspin?
Here is one simple approach. As you just saw Calindy just hit her topspin forehand long. Now notice her subtle, but effective correction. She uses her non-racket hand in the ready position and in the take back to slightly close the angle of the racket face and create more topspin. It's fast, easy, and a simple reference for players of all abilities. Even beginners.
Final Words
Remember, start them young and start them right, so they can become the best they want to be. Thank you for joining us for this segment of the series, we call Fast Lane Tennis.
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