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| Ask the Pro: How do I get
a consistent service toss? |
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A: M & B have
been having trouble with their serves, and in particular
maintaining a consistent serving motion to build
confidence.
The key to a good serve is a
regular and reliable service toss to allow you build
rhythm in your service motion - irrespective of serving
styles.
For an accurate, consistent
service toss, hold the
ball in your finger tips and simply extend and open your
hand to release the ball a la Venus Williams. This way
allows you to give the ball a gentle ride upward,
lifting it consistently into the same place with your
arm fully extended.
You do not want to hold the ball in
the palm of your hand and have to flick your wrist to
toss the ball.
You can vary the target for the ball toss
depending on whether you want to hit a flat, slice or
kick serve.
(c) Rob Muir, USPTA |
Q: What are the 'keys' to hitting?
A: Regardless of your age, your ability, or your
strokes, there are 3 simple keys to hitting: ball
watching, balance, and rhythm.
And they form a pyramid
on which to build your game -- if you can't watch the
ball, you'll be off balance with your footwork, and
you'll rush your shot. So remember build from the base
of your pyramid and when all else fails, slow down so
you can try to keep your head steady to at least watch
the ball.

(c) Rob Muir, USPTA |
| Q: Are you having trouble
returning booming first serves?
A: If you find yourself getting caught
late on returns, try keeping your elbow tucked into your
side, and turn with your shoulders instead of taking
your racket back. A shortened back swing will also help.
(c) Johnson Brown, PTR
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| Q: Where should I look when I'm at the
net? |
|

Don't look back |

Watch the opposing
net player instead |
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A: The typical doubles pattern is a crosscourt rally between the
two back court players or an advancing server. Until the service
return passes the opposing net player, focus on the net player –
you'll have more time to react if the net player hits a shot at you.
(c) Rob Muir, USPTA
| Q: How do I serve in the sun? |
| A: Whatever you do, try to avoid looking at the sun
else you'll be blind on the next shot. You have 3
choices to move your ball toss out of the sun: 1) move
your toss to the left or right, 2) move your position to
a different spot on the baseline, or 3) change your
stance to move your head away from the sun. Sometimes,
it's better to hit two second serves to ensure you get
the ball in play -- this way you will not give your
opponents free points because of the sun.
(c) Rob Muir, USPTA |
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Index |
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March09 |
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Reading the 'Tells' |
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Tennis After 50 |
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January09 |
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Bad Calls |
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Hydrating for Tennis |
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December |
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Dealing with Layoffs |
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Basic
Tennis Recovery Menu |
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November |
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Tennis Elbow |
|
Poaching in Doubles |
|
ITF Coaching & Science Review Sept 08 |
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April |
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Losing is demoralising |
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When should I attack or defend? |
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March |
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Improving your speed around court |
|
Tennis Elbow |
|
February |
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Reacting to volleys |
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Who should chase the lobs? |
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Is tennis really the sport for a lifetime? |
|
January08 |
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Was Djokovic cheating on his serve? |
|
Serve out of doubles hitting zone |
|
How should I deal with injuries? |
|
December |
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Where should I throw my service toss? |
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Should I throw a low or high service toss? |
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Playing with a weaker partner |
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November |
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Playing a Lefty |
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Surviving in no-man's land |
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How do I fix my serve? |
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October |
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How can I improve my concentration in watching the ball? |
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How can I improve my service return? |
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Why is my forehand better than my backhand? |
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How can I improve my volley? |
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September |
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What's the best thing I can do to improve my game? |
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Why do different surfaces effect my game? |
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How do I stop feeling intimidated? |
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How do I play in the wind? |
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August |
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Where can I find out about US college tennis? |
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Why do I choke on big points? |
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Can balls be
discarded in mid point? |
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Why do I make so
many errors? |
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How do I beat a
pusher? |
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Archives |
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A consistent
service toss |
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Keys to hitting |
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Returning booming serves |
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Where to look when at the net? |
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Serving in the sun |
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Ask the Pro |
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If you are a MLTC member, solve
your tennis dilemma and 'Ask the Pro' using the link. |
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Email |
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