Doc's Tip of the Day -- FH Volley

It is generally a good benchmark when preparing or moving the racquet into position for the forehand volley to not let the racquet go past your shoulder.
So remember, if the ball is hit to you, pivot your feet and body for good balance and simultaneously keep the racquet face open but don't take it past your shoulder. ay

Doc's Tip of the Evening -- Serve

Always have a starting point on your service motion. There are two distinct start styles in regards to the tossing arm when serving.
The two start styles are the upwards and then the downwards then upwards.
The upwards refers to the tossing arm/hand starting low (should be on your front leg) then ascending straight up to toss and then the downwards then upwards where you start at approximately waist level then the tossing arm drops to your front leg then ascends straight up.
Please know which style you use. I often see hybrid styles, which can greatly affect the timing and rhythm of one's service motion. hvs

Doc's Tip of the Day -- BH

Whether you have a one handed or two handed backhand, the key to a deep shot is the follow through! Always extend your arm and feel the shoulder stretch through after you hit the ball.
If you have a one handed backhand, your racket arm should extend completely straight out on the follow through until you feel the shoulder stretch.
If you have a two handed backhand, the non dominant arm would do the straight arm extension on the follow through and then the non dominant shoulder would stretch. ay

Doc's Tip of the Night -- Serve (toss)

If you are having difficulty maintaining proper balance with your body on your serve it might well be initially addressed by letting your tossing arm extend straight up after releasing the ball. Most of the time I see the arm stop too soon after releasing the ball toss. By continuing to let the tossing arm extend straight upward it will keep your front shoulder high. Also, it will help keep too much weight shifting forward onto the front foot prior to loading. ho

Doc's Tip of the Night -- Return of Serve

When establishing your stance on the return of serve, you want to angle your stance where the outside foot is higher than the inside foot. This is true for both sides of the court when returning. The angle of stance should be approximately 12 degrees +/- 5 to the baseline in the duece court to approximately 168 degrees +/- 5 to the baseline in the ad court.
The purpose of this angled stance is so you will move at an angle to the ball on the wide serves. Also, since your stance turns your shoulders to the inside of the service box you will have an advantage in turning early if the serve is hit down the center or 'T'. hd

DOC'S TIP OF THE DAY -- GROUNDSTROKE TECHNIQUE

As a general tenet, if you hit a groundstroke when the ball is above the top of the net (ie, at the top of the bounce), try to limit the amount of travel the racquet moves upward on the follow through. It is imperative you stay on on the same plane on the follow through and wrap around. AND you can actually follow through slightly downwards, the higher the contact point is above the net. ay

Doc's Tip of the Evening -- FH Volley

Whenever you hit a forehand volley try to keep the elbow close to the side of your body for the most effective leverage when hitting the shot.
Of course, there will be times when this is not possible, but try to move your feet into the best position to make it possible.
High balls and fast wide balls will preclude you from keeping the elbow in but try to position your feet so you can do it for all other forehand volleys.
And always try to keep a firm wrist on all your volleys. oi