How to Hit Better Ground Strokes in Tennis
Unless you have solid and reliable ground strokes, you're likely to be an erratic and inconsistent tennis player. You can't rely on flashy shots to grind out a victory against a steady opponent.Working on the fundamentals of your ground strokes will give you more consistency on the court, and you won't have to rely on risky shots to get the results you want.
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Instructions
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Footwork is key, so make sure that you're constantly in motion, bouncing on the balls of your feet. Standing flat-footed on the court puts you at a disadvantage from the start.Make sure that the steps you take are small ones, so that you're able to move to the ball more efficiently. Taking big steps will make it difficult to play your shots without being off-balance.
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Don't wait to see where the ball goes before beginning your backswing. You'll rush your swing, hit the shot too late and be off-balance.Try to get into a groove where you're anticipating your opponent's shots and beginning the backswing early. When you get into this rhythm, you'll know it, because your racket will be ready and waiting as soon as the ball bounces.
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Staying low in a compact stance improves your balance and helps your movement. Hitting a low ball while standing straight means bending at the waist, which is bad for the accuracy of the shot and also carries the risk of back strain.
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Whether hitting a backhand or a forehand, make sure you get a good shoulder turn on the backswing. This way the power will come from your torso as you turn into the shot with your swing. If you try to generate the pace with your arm, you'll only have a severe case of tennis elbow to show for it.
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Ideally, you should be hitting the ball slightly out in front of you, transferring your weight forward and into the shot. This forward motion will make for smooth and efficient movement to the net in the event that your shot is deep and aggressive enough to serve as an approach shot.
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After making contact with the ball, make sure the racket head continues through the line of the ball's intended flight. A sure follow-through will improve the accuracy of your ground strokes and harness the power generated by your shoulder rotation.
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Readjust. If you're not following a shot to the net, keep your feet moving and get back on the balls of your feet with your racket held out in front of you.
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Tips & Warnings
Work on your conditioning. The fitter you are, the more chances there are of maintaining your form and the consistent execution of shots. As you tire, your strokes become more erratic.
Make running as much a part of your fitness regimen as the foot-speed drills that help improve your court coverage. Running 3 miles three or four times a week will increase your stamina, helping you to avoid sloppy play in the later stages of a match.
Practice with a partner and play rallies with the intention of simply keeping the ball in play. Don't try to hit winners, just consistent strokes until you get into a groove. This will help both players find a rhythm and flow between the backswing, contact and follow-through.
Try working on hitting the ball earlier after its bounce. When you take a ball as it's on the rise, you harness the power of your opponent's shot, which leads to a more aggressive return that gets back to them quicker, applying more pressure. Waiting for the ball to drop after the apex of its bounce means that you have to generate more of the power yourself, and you'll be hitting the ball on an upward trajectory. This feeds your opponent more time to be ready for your return.
A competitive match is no time to work on the mechanics of your strokes. Make sure you put in the time on the practice courts first. If you hit a rough patch in the heat of a match you'll likely be overly concerned with the score and the final outcome, and will usually retreat to your comfort zone. When your comfort zone consists of smooth, controlled and accurate ground strokes, the score will take care of itself.
