Service and Return (Part-1)
IT is essential to toss your ball well above your head in serving. The height varies according to a player's style of service. It is important not only to toss the ball well up but also to toss it the same way all the time and at the same angle. The player thereby gets the correct timing of the stroke. Keep your eye on the ball.
Start the racquet well back for the stroke. The player's feet should be well apart, but not far enough to disturb his balance. The grip for serving varies, but the fingers should always be spread apart. Do not hold the racquet too tight, as it prevents you from having free wrist play. The more wrist play, the better your chance of keeping the ball in court.
In serving a player follows through on his stroke, that is, the racquet is not checked when it meets the ball. To get power behind the ball it is necessary to avoid having your body and muscles tightened or strained. Undue tension destroys the uniformity of the stroke.
It is better to have your left shoulder face the net in serving, although many players face forward. The standing position also varies, ac-cording to the kind of a serve the player wishes to use. Standing sideways the player meets the ball over his left shoulder. This produces more or less "cut" on the ball. For a fast, straight service the player meets the ball more in front of him. If you want to make a fast cut service it is best not to toss the ball too far on your left. Keep it more to the right and serve off your right shoulder.
In a break or twist service the player throws the ball well back, that is, more directly over his head, to get under the ball. The player should feel the ball on his racquet the same as in a topping stroke, before deciding to twist or pull down on the ball to cause it to "break" when it strikes the ground.
Master one kind of service before starting on another, though of course to play a good game you must use various tactics to confuse the opponent. But in learning take one at a time.
When serving a hard straight ball do not forget to place it, but do not show beforehand where you are going to attempt to place the ball, or your opponent will be there to meet it. A hard straight service is considered easy to return if the opponent knows where it is going to be.
The first service, well placed in court, even if not hit hard, is generally better than even a good second. The server has the striker guessing on his first ball. On the second the opponent seems to gain more confidence for the return.
Try to place the ball so that you will have the advantage and force the opponent to make a weak return. Study your opponent's weakness in returning. If he is weak on backhand, for instance, keep playing to his backhand, and so on.
Try to catch the striker off balance when serving. Make him extend himself to return your service.
Practice makes perfect. There is no reason why a player cannot get his second serve in as hard as his first. It requires only patience, confidence, and will power.
|
