How to Return a Ball in Tennis: The Ultimate Guide
How to Return a Ball in Tennis: The Ultimate Guide – Do you want to learn how to return a ball in tennis like a pro? Check out this ultimate guide and start improving your skills today!
Introduction
Welcome to our guide on how to return a ball in tennis. In this guide, we will go over everything you need to know about returning a ball in tennis, including the different types of returns, how to execute them properly, and what to do if your return goes wrong. We will also provide some tips on how to improve your return game.
We hope that you find this guide helpful and that it gives you the information you need to improve your return game. If you have any questions or feedback, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
The Backhand
There are two main types of backhand: the one-handed backhand and the two-handed backhand. Of the two, the one-handed backhand is generally considered more difficult to execute, but it also gives you more power and reach. The two-handed backhand is generally easier to execute but lacks the power and reach of the one-handed back.
The backhand can be hit either cross-court or down the line. A cross-court backhand is hit diagonally across the court from your opponent’s side of the court to your side. A down-the-line backhand is hit directly down the line from your opponent’s side of the court to yours.
To hit a cross-court backhand, start by positioning yourself so that your body is facing sideways to the net, with your feet shoulder-width apart and your weight evenly distributed on both feet. Take a step forward with your left foot as you swing your racquet across your body and make contact with the ball on the right side of your body. As you swing, snap your wrists so that your racquet hits the ball with a pronated (overhanded) grip.
To hit a down-the-line backhand, start by positioning yourself so that you are facing directly toward the net, with your feet shoulder-width apart and weight evenly distributed on both feet. Take a small step forward with your right foot as you swing your racquet across your body and make contact with the ball just on the left side of your body. As you swing, snap your wrists so that hard racquet hits soft ball for extra topspin.
The Forehand
The forehand is the most common way to return a ball in tennis. To hit a forehand, start by positioning yourNon-dominant foot behind the baseline and your dominant foot perpendicular to it. As the ball comes toward you, use your dominant hand to hit it in an upward motion. The follow-through should end with your arm extended and your racket pointing toward the opposite baseline.
The Volley
The volley is a potent tennis stroke that can be used either as an offensive weapon to put your opponent on the defensive, or as a defensive shot to keep them from attacking.
To hit a volley, the player must make contact with the ball before it bounces. This can be done either by hitting it in mid-air, or by using a backspin to keep the ball from bouncing.
Volleys are typically used when both players are at the net, although they can also be hit from the baseline. When hit from the baseline, volleys are often used as a defensive shot to keep your opponent from attacking.
To execute a volley, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your racket head up. Position your non-hitting hand on the throat of the racket and swing smoothly through the ball. Follow through with your swing so that your racket ends up above your head.
The Overhead Smash
One of the most powerful shots in tennis, the overhead smash is used to finish off a point when your opponent has hit a high ball. The smash is hit with an overhand motion, similar to a serve, and is usually struck near the baseline. This shot can be very effective if executed correctly, but can also be very dangerous if not executed properly.
There are two main types of overhead smashes: the standard overhead smash and the backhand overhead smash. The standard overhead smash is hit with the dominant hand, while the backhand overhead smash is hit with the non-dominant hand. Both shots are executed in essentially the same way, but there are some subtle differences that we will discuss later.
To execute an overhead smash, start by positioning yourself near the baseline on the opposite side of the court from where your opponent has hit the ball. Raise your racquet above your head and slightly behind you, and get ready to swing down on the ball as it comes toward you. As you make contact with the ball, snap your wrist to generate additional power and spin. Follow through with your swing after you make contact, and try to keep your racquet above your head until you have finished swinging.
