This exhilarating fast stroke is key for players who are hoping to win their baseline battles. Not only does it enable them to keep their opponent deep on their side of the court but it's also a relatively safe shot to play, with a high completion percentage as the ball passes over the lowest point on the net.
This smashing session, perfect for groups large and small, will work on your players forehand stroke, inside-out forehand and their all round footwork on the court. Players will really enjoy this hard hitting session, with more experienced players experimenting with top spin for even deeper shot play. However, you'll have to remind your players that as much as the cross court forehand is a powerful stroke it is only effective as long as it isn't predictable.
Initially players will start by throwing the ball over their shoulder, running onto the ball and striking it over the net into the coned area. As players become more au fait with this technique you can steer them through the increasingly live drills, culminating in a one versus one game where both players are striking the ball into the target areas, trying to find the winning shot.
Most club players practise the serve on its own and then have no idea what to do with the ball that comes back. Serve plus one is the pattern that turns a good serve into a won point.
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