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Original source: Your Online Tennis Coach
This video from Your Online Tennis Coach covered a lot of ground. Streamed.News selected 4 key moments and summarises them here. Everything below links directly to the timestamp in the original video.
Returning a strong serve to your backhand on the deuce side can be intimidating. This drill shows you how to turn it into a tactical advantage by focusing on placement, not power.
Drill Focuses on Inside-Out Backhand to Neutralise Serve Returns on Deuce Side
To master one of the most difficult shots, the backhand serve return on the deuce side, a specific drill simulates game conditions. By placing a ball machine a meter behind the baseline, players practice hitting an inside-out backhand, focusing on waiting until contact before opening up. If an opponent's net player begins to poach, the player then adjusts to hit a sharp crosscourt shot.
This is the key to turning a defensive situation into a tactical advantage. Your goal is not to hit a powerful winner, but to achieve precise placement with a slow beginning, a short forward swing, and a quick finish. This technique keeps the ball low and takes the net player out of the point.
"The key here is slow beginning, very short forward swing, and a quick end. We're not trying to add a lot of power to this stroke. This is more about placement."
Master the Ad-Side Return with Crosscourt and Down-the-Line Backhands
For returning serve on the ad side, a drill focuses on two tactical shots to counter the server and an aggressive net player. The primary return is a crosscourt backhand aimed between the server and the doubles alley. If the net player starts to poach, the player must transition to a precise down-the-line shot, keeping the ball low.
It is super important that the down-the-line shot prioritises precision over speed. To execute it, aim for the net tape and create a slight inside-out angle on the ball. Using the singles sideline as a visual guide ensures the ball travels straight and neutralises the poaching opponent.
"You want to give it a little bit of an inside-out angle. Use that line, the single side line as a reference and aim for that line."
Exaggerated Knee Bend Drill Prevents Pulling Out of Shots Early
To correct the common tendency of pulling out of a shot too soon, a slow-motion drill focuses on the lower body. Using a soft feed from a ball machine, players must consciously exaggerate how long they keep their legs bent. The legs should only begin to straighten up and move forward after contact with the ball has been made.
It is super important to master this timing, as players often get nervous or tired and rise up prematurely, leading to mishits. By intentionally keeping a stable, low base through contact, you train your body to complete the full rotational sequence and maintain balance throughout the stroke.
"I want you to purposely wait, keeping the legs bent until you make contact. Because in my opinion, what happens when we get nervous or when we get tired... is we pull out of the stroke."
Prioritize Accuracy and Stroke Completion Over Power for Consistent Results
To build a reliable and effective game, players must prioritise precision and mechanics over raw power. It is super important to start every practice drill slowly and concentrate on finishing the stroke completely. A long, full follow-through provides the time needed to correct any small mistakes made during the swing's initial preparation phase.
Your goal is not to force a powerful shot; your goal is to build a foundation of accuracy and sound court positioning first. Power will emerge as a natural consequence once the body has mastered a consistent and mechanically correct stroke.
"A long stroke is a stroke where you can fix any mistakes that you have started building in the beginning. So, let it go. Let it finish."
Also mentioned in this video
- The one-handed backhand as a simple stroke in tennis that requires correct body… (0:00)
- The first key concept for the one-handed backhand is the intention to use the… (0:27)
- The importance of a comfortable grip for the one-handed backhand, suggesting… (1:53)
- The first drill involves placing the ball machine behind the net to hit soft… (3:27)
- The presenter clarifies the function of the forearm and shoulder in the… (4:48)
- The presenter advises players to loosen their grip at the end of the stroke to… (7:42)
- The second drill keeps the ball machine in the same position, but the player… (8:34)
- The critical role of the lower body in the one-handed backhand for positioning… (10:25)
- Timing as the final concept, stressing a slow to fast motion for every stroke… (13:00)
- The next drill, 'smash shot', moves the ball machine closer to the service line… (14:16)
Summarised from Your Online Tennis Coach · 24:44. All credit belongs to the original creators. Streamed.News summarises publicly available video content.
