Drop shot
As players hit with more power and more topspin the drop shot has become increasingly effective as a surprise variation. The drop shot is a gentle shot using a lot of backspin, which can confuse your opponent. Use this when you have forced your opponent to the back of the court with a series of deep and powerful shots. Then surprise them with a drop shot that just goes skims the net and bounces back toward you.
The technique you use is, you take your racket head high behind on your backhand side and then bring it forward and down slowly hitting the under side of the ball to reduce the speed of the shot and place where required.
One handed backhand Topspin
The one-handed backhand looks like one of the hardest shots in tennis. But with a bit of practice, it can become one of the most satisfying shots in the book. Not only is it a very useful defensive tool but also the best tennis players use it as a devastating attacking weapon. Pete Sampras spent four years turning his two-fisted backhand into a one-handed shot - and look where it got him!
The technique you use is chopper grip or even a little bit more extreme turning your grip another half inch to the back of the handle, you have to start with your racket head behind you facing the ground, as you do this you feel your shoulder pulling downwards, make contact with the ball slightly in front of you at knee height and follow through your stroke with a straight arm keeping the angle on the racket face the same until you finish high in front and to the right
Two handed backhand topspin
Statistics show that the double-handed backhand is now the dominant choice among professional players. It gives more power and control on return of serve and on strong shots, which are two crucial areas in the modern game.
The technique you use is chopper grip or even a little bit more extreme turning your grip another half inch to the back of the handle you second hand is placed above locking in with your leading hand this hand is kept at right angles to your arm through the whole shot, you have to start with your racket head behind you facing the ground, as you do this you feel your shoulder pulling downwards, make contact with the ball slightly in front of you at knee height and follow through your stroke with a straight arm keeping the angle on the racket face the same until you finish high in front and to the right feeling the whole of your upper body turning with the shot.
Slice backhand
The racket head brushing down the back of the ball creates slice this is traditionally known as a defensive shot getting back strong serves and topspin shots. The spin creates a lower, flatter trajectory over the net and makes the ball stay low off the bounce. Henman is an exception to the rule as he uses his backhand slice to approach the net; the spin keeps the ball low forcing his opponents to hit up giving him an easier volley. The Williams sisters use the backhand slice as a defensive shot when stretched out wide. It's easier to play on the stretch and again the low bounce will make it more difficult for their opponents to attack.
The technique you use is to start with your racket behind and quite high, but not as high as for the drop shot, and finish in front mid height,
Forehand
The forehand is the most used and favoured shot in tennis. With the right timing and technique it can be turned into a devastating weapon. There is far more to it than clattering the ball over the net, it is used as the most popular attacking shot for placing accurately in the corners of the court.
The technique you use is to bring the racket head round and behind you creating a small circle and then hit the ball in front of you following through to finish off at shoulder height, it is important to keep your arm as straight as possible through the whole shot, and to keep the racket face at the same angle through the whole stroke.
Lob shot
You use a lob when your opponent is attacking at the net, they will find it very difficult to retrieve, and this will give you time to get back in position. It is a high looping shot placed at the back off the court.
The technique you use is, you use the same grip as the forehand start with, drop the racket head down follow through keeping your arm straight and the angle of your racket the same through the whole shot, finishing off with the racket on the same side of your body above your head.
Volley
Is an attacking shot angled short or long it is a punch and is used for a winning shot when your opponent has sent a weak short return
The technique you use is chopper grip always keep your racket head up and start at the side, shoulder height and finish in front at chest height. It is a punch and no follow through is required as you execute the shot you step into it taking the shot infront of you leading with the opposite leg to the side of the stroke
Grips
For Forehand shots you should use the customary grip,
One handed backhand use in between a customary grip and a chopper grip so you can get added reach and control
Two-handed backhand This grip gives extra strength and control than a one-handed grip, especially for junior players. It is also easier to hit topspin. On the downside, it gives you less reach and you need more time to prepare than with a single-handed shot.
Serve and volley Is a chopper grip It allows you to swing the racket head faster when serving, which is how to generate power and create spin.
To find the grip, hold the racket as if you were using the edge of the racket frame as an axe, which should be the correct grip.
Planning a lesson
When you are thinking about making a tennis lesson you should think about keeping young people involved and not let anyone get bored or discouraged
5 minutes/ Job round court slowly, person at back runs to front then follows there after
5 minutes/Full stretches from head to feat
5-minutes/Racket warm up incorporating all strokes
10minutes/Head coach demonstrates the two different shots looped and straight then the pupils join in
10minutes/split into smaller groups and try all different grips and discuss who is comfortable with what
10minutes/using targets Introduce a scoring system to keep pupils focused on their task of aiming lobs in certain places
5 minutes/Cool down
5 minutes/Go over where the pupils can improve and where they are doing well
