How to Hit a Tennis Ball on the Rise

How to hit a tennis ball on the rise is a common question I get from tennis students. Here are some pointers on how to do it.

Introduction

When you hit a tennis ball on the rise, you’re taking advantage of its natural trajectory. The ball is already moving up when you make contact, so your job is to keep it moving in that direction. This can be a difficult task, as the ball is also moving sideways and rotating. However, with a little practice, you can develop the skills necessary to hit the ball on the rise consistently.

The Grip

One-Handed Backhand
The grip for a one-handed backhand is similar to that of a forehand, but the hand is turned slightly more to the right. The racket face should be pointing up more than it is for a forehand as well. The grip can be continental or eastern, but most people holding a one-handed backhand have an eastern grip.

Two-Handed Backhand
Most people hit a two-handed backhand with an eastern forehand grip. To do this, simply take your forehand grip and place your left hand below your right hand on the grip. Make sure that both hands are touching each other and the racket face is still pointing up.

The Stance

Assuming you are right-handed, start by placing your feet about shoulder width apart and turned so that your left foot is slightly behind your right. For a backhand, your feet will be parallel to the baseline. For a forehand, open your stance so that your right foot is closer to the net than your left. Now grip the racket with an eastern or continental grip (explained below).

Now bring the racket back in preparation for the shot. For a backhand, keep your racket hand close to your hip and swing the racket back across your body. The butt of the racket should point at roughly a 45 degree angle towards the ground. For a forehand, swing the racket hand up and point the butt of the racket towards the sky. The swing should go up and across your body as well, but not quite as much as for a backhand.

The Backswing

On the backswing, keep your racquet head up and swing the racket back and up. At the top of your backswing, your elbow should be pointing directly at the ball, and your racket should be high above your head and behind your ear. (If you’re a righty,reverse these positions for a lefty.) Remember to keep your grip firm but relaxed as you swing.

The Forward Swing and Follow Through

The basic idea of hitting a tennis ball on the rise is similar to hitting any other shot in tennis. You want to make contact with the ball in the sweet spot of your racket, and then follow through with your swing. However, there are some specific things you need to do in order to be successful at hitting a rising ball.

One of the most important things is to make sure that you don’t slow down your swing just because the ball is coming at you faster. Many players make the mistake of trying to hit the ball too hard, and this often results in them missing the shot altogether. Instead, focus on making a smooth, consistent swing and let the speed of the ball increase your shot’s power.

In addition, you’ll need to be prepared to hit the ball earlier than you would for a groundstroke. This means you’ll need to take a shorter backswing so that you can make contact with the ball in front of you. It can be helpful to practice this shot by using a lower-bouncing ball, such as a practice balloon or foam ball. This will help you get used to hitting the ball earlier and making adjustments to your swing accordingly.

Finally, make sure to follow through with your swing after making contact with the ball. This will ensure that you generate enough power and spin to keep your shot from going long or sailing wide. A good follow-through will also help keep you balanced so that you can stay on your feet and stay in position for your next shot.

Conclusion

As you can see, hitting a tennis ball on the rise is not as difficult as it may seem. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can become a master of this valuable skill. Try it out the next time you’re on the court and see for yourself how much easier it is to hit those balls that seem to be constantly coming at you.