1) Don't miss serves and don't put too much energy in serving hard. If you grunt when you serve, you're serving too hard. You're also wearing yourself out. Try to go a full day without missing a serve. Then make it two days. Then make it a week.
2) Don't just charge to the NVZ after the third ball is hit. Read the shot first. If you or your partner pop the ball up high enough that your opponent is striking it at shoulder height or above, don't close. Wait until you can drop one in the kitchen. And if it's a really good drop - say low to your opponent's backhand - get in there as fast as you can and look for a high ball coming back that you can put away.
3) Don't drive your returns. The return of serve has only one purpose - to allow you time to get to the NVZ and to get settled before you have to hit your next shot. The 4th shot is much easier if you're not still on the move. So return deep and slow with more loop than your drives. And get to the line.
4) If you pop up a lot of balls, it could be your grip. It could also be your paddle. You may be playing with a paddle that has more power than you can effectively control. Try something lighter with a little more feel and control and see if it helps you keep the ball down. If it doesn't, take a lesson and have the pro look at your grip and swing plane.
Commentaires