It is natural to run to where you believe the ball will end up on the tennis court. If a player can move in that direction and also go slightly towards where the ball is (forward), this will take time away from their opponent.
Try to make the last few steps a little more on a diagonal to cut off the shot and to reach the ball at, or before, the peak of the bounce. You will put a lot of pressure on your opponent by getting the ball back to them just a little sooner than they were expecting. This tends to produce more errors as well as making their shot less offensive even if they are able to make it.
Your footwork can be a weapon when used with this idea in mind.
Steve Annacone, USPTA Elite Pro, is the Director of Annacone Tennis (http://www.annaconetennis.com). For details on lessons and clinics at Sag Harbor Park Tennis and throughout the Hamptons contact sannacone@aol.com or management@annaconetennis.com or call 865-300-7323
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Steve Annacone, USPTA Elite Pro, is the Director of Annacone Tennis, www.annaconetennis.com and MyHamptonsPro, www.myhamptonspro.com throughout the Hamptons, NY. In addition, Steve and Miguel Coelho have introduced the JET (Junior Elite Tennis) program at the Tucson Jewish Community Center (Tucson, AZ) for high level players ages 8-18. Please contact Steve at info@annaconetennis.com |