Tennis Tips - Overhead
 |
 |
 |
 |
OK - you're in the middle of a tough point.
You've been trading groundies with your opponent, and finally, you hit a couple of deep returns and make your way toward the net.
Your approach shot is so tough and close to the baseline that your opponent's only shot is a short, desperation lob right to you.
You move in for the kill, smack your lips, and,... oops, you frame it into the net or over the back fence!!!!
Sound familiar?
Relax - EVERYONE, and I mean EVERYONE (including the pros who practice this stuff for hours every day) has made a fool of
themselves on overheads before.
As much as I hate to admit it and as hard as you, dear reader, may find it to believe, even Ace has flubbed an overhead or two!
Just follow the tips below, and never worry about hitting an overhead again - I guarantee it!!!
You've been trading groundies with your opponent, and finally, you hit a couple of deep returns and make your way toward the net.
Your approach shot is so tough and close to the baseline that your opponent's only shot is a short, desperation lob right to you.
You move in for the kill, smack your lips, and,... oops, you frame it into the net or over the back fence!!!!
Sound familiar?
Relax - EVERYONE, and I mean EVERYONE (including the pros who practice this stuff for hours every day) has made a fool of
themselves on overheads before.
As much as I hate to admit it and as hard as you, dear reader, may find it to believe, even Ace has flubbed an overhead or two!
Just follow the tips below, and never worry about hitting an overhead again - I guarantee it!!!
Symptom 1: "Ok Ace, what's the secret to hitting my overhead and not making a fool of myself?
I just can't seem to get a solid hit - I always mis-hit it and the ball never hits my strings solidly!"
Cure: The cures to a poor overhead are so simple, that most people refuse to do them.
This is especially true for advanced players who think they know it all!
I think the reason (at least partially) is that they think it makes them look "uncool!"
Like I said before, Ace plays tennis, in part, because it's the coolest sport.
And as far as Ace is concerned, hitting a strong, smooth, and solid overhead is VERY cool.
So what do you do? Read on and you'll be hitting overheads with ease!
I just can't seem to get a solid hit - I always mis-hit it and the ball never hits my strings solidly!"
Cure: The cures to a poor overhead are so simple, that most people refuse to do them.
This is especially true for advanced players who think they know it all!
I think the reason (at least partially) is that they think it makes them look "uncool!"
Like I said before, Ace plays tennis, in part, because it's the coolest sport.
And as far as Ace is concerned, hitting a strong, smooth, and solid overhead is VERY cool.
So what do you do? Read on and you'll be hitting overheads with ease!
Overhead Tips:
Never turn around and run toward where you think the lob is going!
this so you don't lose track of the ball.
Too many people hit the ball when it is right on top of them, or even behind them!
Get your racket up in the air, and, with your other hand, point at the ball as it comes toward you.
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!! If you remember nothing at all, remember this - POINT AT THE BALL.
Trust Ace on this, it works.
You don't need to worry about getting spin to bring the ball down into the service box - you have the entire court to hit into.
Using a Continental grip gives you just enough control to still hit crushing smashes. (See my Grip Page for more details!)
With a serve, you're practically teeing up the ball with your toss.
But a lob is going up, coming down, you may be running after it, the wind may be blowing, etc.
In short, you don't have the time to take a big backswing.
Enjoy the power!!! Why do you think they call it an overhead SMASH?
This is your chance to intimidate the other guy - don't pass it up!
P.S. - One final recommendation:
7. If you're standing near the baseline, don't try to hit an overhead from there.
Most people either screw it up or the overhead loses steam by the time it reaches your opponent.
Let the ball bounce and hit a safe groundstroke.
Never turn around and run toward where you think the lob is going!
this so you don't lose track of the ball.
Too many people hit the ball when it is right on top of them, or even behind them!
Get your racket up in the air, and, with your other hand, point at the ball as it comes toward you.
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!! If you remember nothing at all, remember this - POINT AT THE BALL.
Trust Ace on this, it works.
You don't need to worry about getting spin to bring the ball down into the service box - you have the entire court to hit into.
Using a Continental grip gives you just enough control to still hit crushing smashes. (See my Grip Page for more details!)
With a serve, you're practically teeing up the ball with your toss.
But a lob is going up, coming down, you may be running after it, the wind may be blowing, etc.
In short, you don't have the time to take a big backswing.
Enjoy the power!!! Why do you think they call it an overhead SMASH?
This is your chance to intimidate the other guy - don't pass it up!
P.S. - One final recommendation:
7. If you're standing near the baseline, don't try to hit an overhead from there.
Most people either screw it up or the overhead loses steam by the time it reaches your opponent.
Let the ball bounce and hit a safe groundstroke.
