Top 10 Strategic Tennis Techniques

There are quite a few proper and strategic tennis techniques that you should be applying to your game to be an exceptional player. Whether you are a veteran player or just picking up your first racket, there is always room for improvement through plenty of practice. To learn how to play like the pros, follow these helpful and effective tennis techniques.

Footwork And Preparation – It is important to keep your knees bent and always hold your racket in an upward position so that you are prepared to make contact with the ball. The second that the ball is struck by your opponent's racket, you need to turn your body to one side with one foot in front of the other. If you are right-handed and the ball arrives to your right side, you will turn your body to the left while keeping your left foot in front. If the ball comes to your left side, you will turn towards the left while keeping your right foot in front.

Playing Near The Net – When you are playing doubles and your partner is serving, you will stand a couple of feet from the net. While you are waiting for the ball to be returned to you, the racket should be held with your elbow bent and away from your body with its head upward. If the ball is returned to you and it is above your head, bring the racket down on the ball straight and hard. If it is returned at waist level or lower, you will hit the ball back with the racket sideways. One of the most important tennis techniques to remember is to never touch the net while the ball is in play or you will lose a point.

Charging At The Net – If your opponent happens to run towards a corner you will need to charge the net from the baseline. This is because there is a higher chance that your opponent will hit the ball soft rather than hard.

Lobbing – If your opponent hits the ball and then rushes the net, aim to return the ball back to them over their head. You can do this be getting the head of your racket under the ball and pushing up and over. If your opponent chases the ball, charge the net.

Swinging The Racket – When you swing your racket, you need to raise your racket up over your head and then bring the head of the racket toward the ground.

Ball Contact – One of the more important tennis techniques is learning how to evaluate how fast the ball is traveling and make contact at the right time and place. You don't want to connect with the ball when it is too far ahead or too close. The goal is to make contact with the ball when your arm is at a comfortable, full extension.

Slicing – When you want to throw your opponent's timing off or leave them with a shallow shot, slicing is necessary. To do this, you will raise the racket up over the ball and come down on the ball sideways and then pull your racket under the ball. Your backhand slice can be improved with developing your hand and eye coordination.

Increase Speed – One of the most basic tennis techniques is that you need speed to be able to reach shots. It is helpful to take up speed walking or run sprints.

Serving The Ball – To successfully serve the ball, lean your body forward, hold your racket up high and toss the ball high. Before it drops too low, come down hard on the ball. Always be sure to not lift your foot over the baseline or you will make a foot foul.

Strategy – You need to always think one step ahead of your opponent. Hit the ball away and exploit their weaknesses. Avoid being predictable by changing speeds and hitting the ball both hard and soft. You should also hit the ball straight down the court too when playing doubles so the two players aren't sure who will go after the ball.