Shot preparation is as important to making good shots as the actual execution itself. Without good preparation, your body isn’t as easily (if possible at all) able to get the power, balance, and control needed to hit an effective shot.

Good shot preparation is made up of two key elements- footwork and racquet preparation.

Footwork in shot preparation is basically getting to the ball. Most coaches will tell you that you should split-step, pivot the foot that is in the direction where the ball is heading, and get to the ball as soon as possible.

This article is about racquet preparation. Racquet preparation is the backswing taken before the point of contact.

It may not sound like much, but racquet preparation is a key to generating power because it is the source of your racquet head speed- an essential to a hard ball. Here are the keys of getting the most out of your racket preparation.

For your shot to become the most effective, timing is critical. Late and early backswings lead to misplacement of your shots.

After the split-step, your racket should be taken back at the same time as you pivot your foot and move to the ball. In other words, your racket should be back by the ball has gotten to your side of the net.

After mastering the basic timing of the backswing, you should decide which kind of backswing you want to take. Most tennis players use two different types, whether they know or not.

Straight Backswing
The simplicity of taking the racket back in a straight line is attractive to many players, especially beginners. The racket should be parallel to the ground at waist level, with the tip of the racket-head back first.

When hitting your forehand, your elbow should be comfortably close to your body and slightly bent as the arm extends back. (If you are struggling to get out of the habit of having your elbow away from your body, try keeping a tennis ball in between your body and elbow.)

The left hand is used to direct the racket head into ready position. The hitting arm should be slightly bent.

Circular Backswing
Most professionals use a circular backswing which provides a continuous and rhythmic motion. The tip of the racket head still goes back first, with the arm and wrist following.

The racket head ascends to eye level, the arm bends at the elbow (not wrist), and the body rotates to the side. Near the end of the backswing, the racket head starts to drop down as the arm straightens somewhat at the elbow (not by dropping the wrist) to the ready position.  The arc of this swing should appear like a large oval.

Many players often run into trouble with their backswing. Here are some common errors:

1.  The backswing is started too late or early. This leads to misplacement of the ball. This can be caused by having to run out to get a ball, or simply a bad habit.

2.    The elbow gets too far away from the body, causing excessive wrist movement.

3.    The wrist drags the racket back.

4.    The backswing is too high.

5.    The arm is too straight on the forehand or too bent on the backhand.

If you notice that you are having these problems, go to a professional coach or, for some problems, practice muscle memory.

For example, if you are having a problem with your arm being too straight, go home and practice the correct swing without hitting a real ball for at least five minutes a day. This will re-teach your muscles the correct way of hitting the shot.

Thanks to Alexander Claussen for this article!

Related posts:


• Tennis Forehand Technique Dillema – Full Extension Or Not
• Tennis Serve And Pronation
• Timing The Racquet Drop And Knee Bend When Serving
• Hitting on the Run And Fast Balls With A Western Forehand
• 5 Tennis Tips On Serving, Returning and Mental Toughness

This entry was posted on Sunday, March 1st, 2009 at 3:58 pm and is filed under Alexander Claussen, Tennis Instruction. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.