Becoming a successful tennis player entails mastering various shots that require different forms of practice and focus to enhance your gameplay and achieve your full potential.
To help you on your journey to becoming the best tennis player possible, OnCourt OffCourt has designed a Quick Stroke Fix Guide that provides comprehensive coverage of every tennis shot, its importance, and the most effective kinesthetic training aids that can help you quickly master each shot and improve your game.
Topspin Forehand
The topspin forehand is a fundamental shot in tennis. The player swings the racket upward and forward, brushing the ball from low to high. This imparts topspin on the ball, causing it to dip down quickly after crossing the net. Topspin helps control and accuracy, allowing the player to hit with power while keeping the ball in play.
A few problems prevent players from hitting topspin with their forehand, such as having too large a backswing, poor timing, and not having the right power.
These training aids will help you improve your timing, teach you the proper grip, and refine better mechanics that become second nature.
PROBLEM
Backswing too big
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Grip problems
PROBLEM
Late preparation
PROBLEM
Need more power
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Need more upper body rotation
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Need to hit more cleanly
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Need to learn topspin
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Not getting under ball enough
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Timing and rhythm problems
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Too tense and tight
PROBLEM
Backswing too big
Grip problems
Late preparation
Need more power
Need more upper body rotation
Need to hit more cleanly
Need to learn topspin
Not getting under ball enough
Timing and rhythm problems
Too tense and tight
Topspin Backhand
Similar to the topspin forehand, the topspin backhand involves hitting the ball with topspin using the backhand side. Players use a semi-western or eastern grip to generate topspin, which adds control and depth to the shot. Mastering this shot is crucial for a well-rounded game, as it allows players to handle high-bouncing balls and create angles.
Problems that prevent people from hitting the backswing with topspin include grip problems, being too tense, and not hitting the ball clean enough.
These kinesthetic training aids will help you with your topspin backhand by improving your ball contact skills, correcting your grip, and teaching you the right timings.
PROBLEM
Backswing too big
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Grip problems
PROBLEM
Late preparation
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Need to hit more cleanly
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Not enough topspin
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Not getting under ball enough
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Timing and rhythm problems
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Too tense and tight
PROBLEM
Backswing too big
Grip problems
Late preparation
Need to hit more cleanly
Not enough topspin
Not getting under ball enough
Timing and rhythm problems
Too tense and tight
Miscellaneous
There are a few qualities in tennis that don’t go into any specific category, so we’re putting them under miscellaneous. These things include hitting in the net too much, not having enough net clearance, trouble making decisions on the fly, and having poor targeting.
These training aids are great for refining your decision-making skills, improving your accuracy, and helping you clear the net with your shots and returns.
PROBLEM
Hitting in the net too much
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Not enough net clearance
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Trouble making decisions
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Poor targeting
PROBLEM
Hitting in the net too much
Not enough net clearance
Trouble making decisions
Poor targeting
Slice Backhand
The slice backhand is a shot where the player strikes the ball with a slicing motion, imparting underspin. This causes the ball to stay low and skid off the court, making it difficult for opponents to attack. The slice backhand is essential for defensive play, changing the pace of the game, and setting up offensive opportunities.
A few reasons players can’t execute the backhand slice are having a droopy wrist, lack of directional control, and over-swinging.
With the right kinesthetic training aids, you can quickly learn how to keep a strong wrist on your backhands with the right grip while making better contact.
PROBLEM
Droopy wrist at finish
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Grip problems
PROBLEM
Lack of directional control
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Need to hit more cleanly
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Swinging around too much
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Timing & rhythm problems
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Droopy wrist at finish
Grip problems
Lack of directional control
Need to hit more cleanly
Swinging around too much
Timing & rhythm problems
Serve
The serve is the shot that starts each point in tennis. Players hit the ball diagonally across the net into the opponent’s service box. A strong serve can earn easy points, apply pressure on opponents, and set up opportunities to dictate play. It’s crucial to develop a variety of serves, including flat, topspin, and slice, to keep opponents guessing.
There are a few reasons players struggle with their tennis serve like not using their legs enough, poor toss motion, and having too tight of a wrist on contact.
Kinesthetic training aids can help you learn the perfect toss, how to hit with solid contact, and put the right spin on your serves.
PROBLEM
Grip problems
PROBLEM
Lack of spin
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Need to hit more cleanly
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Not extending to contact
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Not loading enough in legs
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Throwing motion needs work
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Tight wrist at contact
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Too tense and tight
PROBLEM
Grip problems
Lack of spin
Need to hit more cleanly
Not extending to contact
Not loading enough in legs
Throwing motion needs work
Tight wrist at contact
Too tense and tight
Return of Serve
The return of serve is the shot used to receive an opponent’s serve. It’s vital for returning serves with accuracy, depth, and power to gain control of the point early. Effective returns can put pressure on the server, neutralize their advantage, and set up opportunities to break serve.
A struggling return of serve can be caused by too large a backspin, poor grip, or needing cleaner contact.
Our kinesthetic training aids can help you develop the right grip, make clean contact, and develop the right swing.
PROBLEM
Backswing too big
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Grip problems
PROBLEM
Need to hit more cleanly
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Backswing too big
Grip problems
Need to hit more cleanly
Overhead
The overhead, or smash, is a high-impact shot where the player hits the ball overhead with a downward motion. It’s typically used to put away lobs or high balls near the net. A well-executed overhead is difficult to return and can be a decisive shot in finishing points quickly.
Players struggle with their overheads for several reasons, including not snapping at the wrist, making poor contact with the ball, and having a poor grip.
With these training aids, you can improve your overhead by learning the perfect grip, how to make great contact with the ball, and how to use your elbow and wrist for a great swing motion.
PROBLEM
Grip problems
PROBLEM
Need to hit more cleanly
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Not extending to contact
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Not snapping at wrist
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Trouble finding contact point
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Grip problems
Need to hit more cleanly
Not extending to contact
Not snapping at wrist
Trouble finding contact point
Movement
Movement in tennis refers to the player’s ability to efficiently cover the court, including running, stopping, changing direction, and recovering. Good footwork and anticipation are crucial for getting into position to hit shots effectively and maintain balance and stability during play.
There are many reasons players struggle with poor court movements, like having a slow first step, not closing into a volley, and lacking acceleration on the court.
Our kinesthetic training aids will help you with your movement on the court, improving your footwork skills, foot speed, and strength.
PROBLEM
First step too slow
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Lack of acceleration
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Not bending knees enough
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Not closing in to volley
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Recovery shuffle too low
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Slow footwork
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Split step not precise
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
First step too slow
Lack of acceleration
Not bending knees enough
Not closing in to volley
Recovery shuffle too low
Slow footwork
Split step not precise
Volley
A volley is a shot where the player hits the ball before it bounces on their side of the court. Volleys are usually executed near the net and require quick reflexes and precise timing. Mastering volley technique is essential for aggressive play at the net, including finishing points and intercepting opponent’s shots.
Reasons players have poor volleying skills include grip problems, not having a strong wrist, and having too large of a backswing.
Our kinesthetic training aids will help you with your volley by improving your accuracy, the contact you make, and your accuracy.
PROBLEM
Grip problems
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Need to hit more cleanly
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Lack of directional control
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Droopy wrist at finish
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Backswing too big
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
Grip problems
Need to hit more cleanly
Lack of directional control
Droopy wrist at finish
Backswing too big
Kalindi Dinoffer is trained in multiple aspects of mindfulness in life and in sports, sharing on her blog MindfulKalindi.com. She is also certified to teach yoga, fitness, reiki, and MFR. Kalindi also serves as CMO at OnCourtOffCourt.com, a leading supplier of tennis, pickleball, fitness and yoga training aids and equipment and has been published in Tennis industry Magazine and Pickleball Magazine, and has conducted workshops at conferences around the world. In her spare time, Kalindi plays tennis, pickleball and table tennis and enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and biking and cross country skiing in the winter.
