Steven White's Articles – May 2010 Archive (5)

The “hitting…

Just before your opponent hits the ball, take a little hop, then come down with your weight evenly distributed on the balls of your feet, ready to move in any direction with the correct foot. Taking this hop, called a split-step, enables you to stop and read his shot. Don’t just take a hop, land on your heels and turn off your engine. You have to be ready to…

Make contact with the ball just in front of your forward foot and keep the ball on the strings as long as possible. The racquet face should travel on a straight upward line through the hitting zone in the direction you want the ball to go. If you’re trying to hit the ball crosscourt, make contact a little farther out in front. But if you’re trying to send the ball down the line, make contact a…

You are only as fast on the court as you are on your first step. To move to the ball, your first step should be a thrust out with the foot closest to the ball. That also turns your hips and shoulders slightly and starts your racquet back. You drive off your far foot and move the center of your body toward the ball. If you lean with your head and shoulders first, your legs are always trying to catch up with your…