Technique

Overview

On the most basic level, you will want to learn to execute these strokes:

1. Serve
2. Return of Serve
3. Groundstrokes (Forehand and Backhand)
4. Volleys (Forehand and Backhand)
5. Overhead

However, that is just the beginning. If you go to our Skills List page you will see a comprehenisive list of strokes, spins, and abilities in which you will want to gain proficiency as you progress toward being a highly skilled tennis player.

Your challenge, as a student of the game, is to systematically develop all your skills so when the situation arises in match play that requires a certain reply, such as a sharp crosscourt topspin passing shot which dips as it is crossing the net, you have this shot in your arsenal, ready to deploy for just this occasion.

Path to Mastery

1. Gain basic proficiency in each of the basic strokes above.
2. Focus on repetition and consistency. At a minimum, you should be able to hit ten shots in a row of each of the basic strokes with a conservative target.
3. Work on hitting increasingly narrower targets with varied height and pace.
4. Integrate intentional topspin and backspin into your strokes.
5. Learn the 12 basic footwork patterns.
6. Tackle each of the advanced techniques in the Skills List.
7. Study the shot combination patterns and practice putting these patterns together in match play situations.

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