Thursday, September 23, 2010

How to hit a Kick Serve

CCH : After watching this video, it becomes clear that to hit a kick-serve

1. You need a Hammer or Continental Grip or even an Eastern Backhand Grip !

2. During set-up, your front foot should point to the Net Post for both Deuce or Ad Courts.

3. Toss the ball behind your head as compared to tossing in front of you for a flat or slice serve

Backhand Ball Machine Drill

Forehand Ball Machine Drill

The Digital Tennis Player Blueprint





Simple Ways to Find Your Grips

Rate yourself based on the NTRP Rating Categories

CCH: Quoted verbatim from http://tennisclub.gsfc.nasa.gov/tennis.ratings.html
 
Of all the descriptions of plaver levels -- from "A, B and C" to "beginner, intermediate, advanced" -- the best system was developed bv the U.S. Tennis Association in 1979. The USTA defines player levels on a scale from 1.0 to 7.0 in its National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP). A condensed version appears below. Take a few moments to determine your likely playing level.
  • 1.0 Just starting to play tennis 
  • 1.5 Has limited experience and is still working primarily on getting the ball into play.
  • 2.0 Needs on-court experience. Has obvious stroke weaknesses but is familiar with basic positions for singles and doubles play.
  • 2.5 Learning to judge where the ball is going although court coverage is weak. Can sustain a short rally of slow pace with other players of the same ability.
  • 3.0 Fairly consistent when hitting medium-paced shots, but is not comfortable with all strokes and lacks execution when trying for directional control, depth or power. Most common doubles formation is one-up and one-back.
  • 3.5 Has achieved improved stroke dependability with directional control on moderate shots, but still lacks depth and variety. Starting to exhibit more aggressive net play, has improved court coverage and is developing teamwork in doubles.
  • 4.0 Has dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on both forehand and backhand sides on moderate shots, plus the ability to use lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys with some success. Occasionally forces errors when serving and teamwork in doubles is evident. Rallies may be lost due to impatience.
  • 4.5 Starting to master the use of power and spins and beginning to handle pace, has sound footwork, can control depth of shots and is beginning to vary game plan according to opponents. Can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve. Tends to overhit on difficult shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles.
  • 5.0 Has good shot anticipation and frequently has an outstanding shot or exceptional consistency around which a game may be structured. Can regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls and can put away volleys, can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys and overhead smashes and has good depth and spin on most second serves.
  • 5.5 Has developed power and/or consistency as a major weapon. Can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation and hit dependable shots in a stress situation.
  • 6.0 Has obtained a sectional and/or national ranking.
  • 6.5 Has extensive satellite tournament experience.
  • 7.0 Makes his living from tournament prize money.

Modern Tennis Footwork with Yann Auzoux

Backhand Progressions









Forehand Progressions












The Continental Grip




How to Hold a Tennis Racquet With a Continental Grip -- powered by eHow.com

How to find your Grip Size

CCH : From http://www.tennisracketbracket.com/training_tips/How_to_Grip_a_Tennis_Racket.php


The Racket Bracket will ensure the proper contact point and the next question is how to grip a tennis racket. The following diagram on how to grip a tennis racket, shows the different grip formats.




Tennis : How to find your Grip Size

Manufactured tennis racquet grip sizes range from less than 4" for juniors to 4 7/8" for the largest adult hands. This might not seem like much of a range, but the difference even 1/8" makes is surprising. Too large a grip can strain your hand, and prolonged use of too small a grip can injure your hand, wrist, and elbow.

The most commonly used method for finding your exact grip size is as follows: On your dominant hand, note that your palm has three main creases. Hold your hand flat, with the fingers alongside one another. Measure from the middle crease of your palm, up the line between your middle and ring fingers, to a point equal to the height of the tip of your ring finger. For most women, this measurement will fall between 4 1/8" and 4 3/8", for most men between 4 3/8" and 4 5/8". Juniors will usually measure less than 4".

Generally, if you're between eighths when you measure, you'll be better off going with the larger grip. A grip 1/16" too large will be comfortable, while a slightly small one might not. On the other hand (no pun intended), a slightly small grip can be fattened up easily with an overwrap, whereas a too-large grip would have to be shaved down at a pro shop. Overwraps can't fatten a grip effectively more than 1/8" though, because each layer of overwrap adds to the rounding off of the bevel edges on your handle.

Grip sizes between 4 1/8" and 4 5/8" are easy to find in adult racquets. Larger and smaller grips are made for some racquets, but not all. Players with unusually small or large hands often have their racquet handles custom-sized at a pro shop, which should cost between $5 and $15. You can also get a do-it-yourself grip enlargement kit.

More at http://tennis.about.com/od/racquetsballsstringing/a/findgripsize.htm

See also http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/LC/Gripsize/Gripsize.html