Good shot preparation is made up of two key elements: footwork and racket 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 is critical for establishing a solid foundation for a properly timed backswing.
Racket preparation is the backswing taken before the point of contact.
It may not sound like much, but racket preparation is a key to generating power because it is the source of your racket 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 time 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.
Here are some common errors players often encounter with their backswing:
The backswing is started too late or too 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.
- The elbow gets too far away from the body causing excessive wrist movement
- The wrist drags the racket back
- The backswing is too high
- The arm is too straight on the forehand or too bent on the backhand
If you notice that you are having these problems you can seek the advice of a professional coach or, for some problems, practice muscle memory.
If you are having a problem with your arm being too straight, for example, try practicing the correct swing repeatedly without actually hitting a ball. This will re-teach your muscles the correct way of hitting the shot.