Ground Strokes

It is very important to maintain a good shape and structure to your ground strokes. Vary your target area and pace of each stroke, not allowing your opponent to get into a returning groove.
 

Early preparation is all important. Get the racket back to the start of the stroke before moving to the ball.

Always hit the ball out in front of you. Hitting the ball along side of you makes a weak shot and can result in giving you Tennis Elbow.

Hit through the ball and don’t stop the swing at contact with the ball but complete the follow-through.

	Hit the ball with good structure and minimum effort to achieve maximum results, not maximum effort for a minimum result.
	Don’t play a shot that is going to leave you out of position unless its an out right winner.
	Go for depth when hitting to a player on the base line. Hitting a short ball is an invitation for him to come to the net.
	Attempt to force your opponent to play a short ball by using depth, angles and power.
	When hitting forehands, get good shoulder rotation. Catching the racket over your shoulder with your non-hitting hand when completing the follow through can help.
	When hitting a single-handed backhand, hold the racket with both hands, only releasing the non-hitting hand at the start of the stroke. Unlike the forehand there should be no, or a very limited, rotation of the shoulders.

When hitting double handed back-hands, rotate your shoulders until they are parallel with the base line, with both elbows pointing towards your opponent.

	After hitting the ball, return to a comfortable ready position getting both hands on your racket out in front of you, with the strings about waist height.
	When you have made a mistake, don’t just walk away, but try to visualise the correction.

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