Focus to Improve Your Tennis
Do you want to take advantage of the new day and make a resolution to improve your tennis game? Focusing squarely on one thing at a time will help you reach your goal!
Too often we want to become great at things as soon as we start doing them. When we are kids and want to be able to multiply we have to learn to add and subtract first. As we get older we start a new job we want to impress and outperform our coworkers. When we learn how to play a card game we think there’s a way we can sneak out wins against superior players, usually the person teaching us the game, conveniently. Even a stroke of beginners luck might get us thinking we have the skill to perform to much higher levels than we are currently displaying.
This is natural, of course. But, reality always sets in and makes us realize we must incrementally improve in order for the improvements to show up as results, which is what we really strive for.
But, how do we get those results? How do we focus on the tiny, incremental improvements necessary to show these positive results? Let’s just focus on one thing at a time, that’s how.
Better Serve it Up
Let’s use the serve as our example. There are more elements to the serve than just hitting the ball in the air to the other side of the net. First, find your position. Choose one, and one only.
Serving Position
Some people might like to change their service position from one serve to the next to throw off their opponent, or to gain an angle on the returner. The downside of doing this to gain angle is you end up showing your hand to the returner, rather than hiding it. As soon as you move into the other position, the returner will recognize the pros and cons of that new position and quickly decipher your intentions.
If you intend to do this to confuse your opponent, you will likely handcuff yourself. It is difficult to master even one consistent serve, let alone multiple serves from multiple angles. The advantages you would have from an adept serve, even one your opponent will recognize and can plan for, will outweigh the occasional point you may win by using surprise tactics. These tactics should be kept to a minimum every match, usually no more than once or twice, to be kept effective.
So, we decide on our most effective serving position, be it right next to the center line or about a foot away from it. Being a foot away opens the service box to a variety of angles that you can use to change speeds and feeds as you improve your serve.
Toss
Next, we must develop a consistent toss. The toss should be done with your non serving hand held straight out with your elbow locked. Some like the toss with your arm pointed at the same angle as your front foot, some a little left, some a little right. Some more out in front, some a bit behind your head. Whatever is best for you, find and use it exclusively. The high point of the toss should be the same with each and every toss, coinciding with the high point of the sweet spot of the racket in your serving stroke. The consistent toss is where the magic of the serve begins to form, so do not overlook this step.
Stroke and Contact Point
Next, a consistent stroke and contact point must be developed. Seemingly similar to throwing a baseball, you actually tend to reach up a bit more on a tennis stroke than you would think to do when throwing any sort of ball. You are trying to reach up and connect with the apex of the toss, timed perfectly with the apex of your stroke, to contact the ball and send it sailing into the opponents service box.
Location
After the stroke and contact point have become comfortable, getting the ball to where you want it to go consistently is the next step. This is done by repetition, but can be assisted by props such as rings, cones, and other objects.
Speed and Spin
As you improve in each of these areas, you will naturally see speed develop, and to an extent, spin as well. To improve on these facets of your tennis game study different grips and strokes. Implement them methodically, trying a new grip for a couple of practice sessions before deciding if it’s for you.
Body movement and control will increase your power. Focus on one portion of the body at a time as it pertains to movement. The shoulders will help aim your shot as well as provide a basis for power. Rotating your hips at the proper time or stepping into the ball will increase your power. Include these elements for improvement and remember to break them down to be able to focus on little improvements.
Focus Isn’t Hocus Pocus
The wonderful thing of using this focus method is as you go through the progression from position to toss, then stroke and contact, then location, and finally speed and spin, you will constantly be improving on all of them at once. The serve is beautiful thing in that it can not function without the use of any single one of the first 5 basics before speed and spin.
There are many strokes in tennis and all need to be learned and improved upon. Resolve to take a few lessons to focus on each element of the stroke, not just the entire stroke itself, and you will be pleased with how much your tennis will improve this year!
