1. For defensive lobs, drop the racquet head well below the ball. Extend the racquet head up and out toward the sky with an open racquet face and preferably a Continental grip.  Hit a relatively flat shot when managing pace is not a concern.  Use underspin or backspin to manage and control the pace of more difficult oncoming balls.  Hit with a very high net clearance and trajectory to buy time and to effectively get back into the point.
2. For offensive lobs, hit a flat or topspin shot with lower net clearance and trajectory. The goal is to get the ball just barely above the reach of the opposing net player (giving him/her little chance to recover and retrieve the ball after the bounce).  To hit a topspin lob, drop the racquet head well below the ball and accelerate the racquet up, through and past the point of contact in a sharp low-to-high swing path.  The racquet face should be closed at the bottom of the stroke pattern and perpendicular at the point of contact.
3. The best two-shot lob pattern is a low ball hit at the feet of the net player followed by a lob. The objective is to get the player at the net off balance and leaning forward with the first shot which in turn, opens up the court for an effective, difficult to reach second-shot lob.  A similar pattern is to draw the opposing player (or players) into the net with a drop shot followed by a lob.
4. It’s easier to hit a lob in response to another lob or ball that has a higher bounce. Conversely it is more difficult to hit a lob in response to a lower bouncing ball.
5. When hitting a lob from a deeper, more difficult court position, think defense and hit the ball with a higher trajectory and net clearance (as noted in number 1 above).
6. In hitting a lob when positioned inside the baseline, think offense and hit with a lower trajectory and net clearance. Don’t be too cute with your shot selection.  A drive (and not a lob) is generally a better shot choice when hitting from an advantageous court position.  It’s important to go for the shot (hit with aggression) when in a position to finish the point and not go for the shot (hit more defensively) when not in a position to finish the point.
7. Hit cross-court when hitting a defensive lob (as when running back and across to cover a lob hit over your partner’s head). There is more court to hit to and recovery after the shot is easier (in terms of positioning).
8. Hit down-the-line when hitting an offensive lob (particularly if you are closing into the net with the shot). A classic doubles pattern is to redirect the serve return down-the-line and over the net player with an offensive lob, close (to about the service line) and then finish the point with a high volley or overhead.
9. Maintain active feet to get in the best possible position to hit the lob. There are several footwork patterns that work well in hitting lobs.  One of my favorite footwork patterns in hitting a topspin lob from deep in the court (particularly when the ball is hit behind you) is a corkscrew footwork pattern.  It requires a wide drop-back step with the back foot followed by a kick to propel the body and racquet head up and out to the ball.
10. Take advantage of outdoor weather conditions. Use the sun and wind to your advantage.  Hitting a lob up into the sun can temporarily blind your opponent making it difficult to hit not only an overhead but the next shot in sequence.  Hitting a lob into the wind can hang the ball up and buy you more time to get into the point.  And although more difficult to execute, hitting a lob with the wind can make it tough on your opponent to hit the overhead or track down the lob on the bounce.

1. In preparation for the shot, set the feet by dropping back with your right foot (left foot if you’re left-handed). Position the feet about shoulder width apart in a closed 3/4 stance (in relation to the net).  Use small adjustment steps to get underneath the ball.  Coil and get into a “set” position with your racquet.  Extend the racquet up and back.  Close the racquet face and set the racquet back behind your head (as if you were using the racquet to brush the hair on the back of your head). Reach up with your non-hitting to track the ball.  A great drill is to practice catching the ball with your extended non-hitting hand.
2. To hit the overhead, coil with your legs, hips and shoulders and drop the racquet head to a power position just below or even with your shoulder blades. In a kinetic chain, uncoil your legs, hips and shoulders, drop your non-hitting hand bringing the elbow into your rib cage and then loop the racquet up and out, pronating the forearm to make contact with the ball at the top of your reach.  Hit up and out and follow through across your body bringing your hitting hand to your opposite hip pocket.  Your weight should transfer into your left foot (right foot for left-handed players) at the conclusion of the shot.
3. To move back in response to a deeper lob, use a gravity drop-step to get a quick start to the ball. Then use a series of crossover steps (and adjustment shuffle steps) to position your body underneath the shot.  Use a scissors kick to elevate your body up to make contact as necessary.  Turn and run back if you find you cannot catch up to the ball in the air and need to take the lob on the bounce.
4. When positioned on or inside the service line, flatten the racquet head at the point of contact and attack the overhead. Don’t be tentative and accelerate the racquet head through the point of contact.  Aim for the service line and “pop” the ball off the court and out-of-reach of your opponent(s).
5. When hitting the overhead from a deeper, more defensive court position, still accelerate the racquet head but hit with spin and aim up and over the net with higher net clearance and depth.
6. For doubles, hit to an opening or at the player who has less time to defend (the players closest to the net) when attacking with the overhead and back to the player deepest in the court if hitting a more defensive overhead. If you’re the partner of the player hitting the overhead, look to end the point by moving/drifting in and to the middle of the court to finish the point with a volley or overhead.
7. For singles, prepare and set early to freeze your opponent or to make your opponent guess prematurely to one side or the other. Go inside out aiming over the middle or low part of the court when hitting a difficult overhead from the ad court (or deuce court for left-handed players).  Conversely hit cross court when hitting from the ad court (or deuce court for left-handed players).
8. In recovery after the shot, remember to close, split in timing with your opponent’s next shot (if there is one) and look to finish the shot with a volley or second overhead. Be decisive, hold your advantage and don’t let your opponent back into the point.
9. As an important focal point, keep your head up with your eyes focused up at the point contact through the finish or follow through.
10. As a second important focal point or reminder, be decisive and bold. This is one shot where it pays to be aggressive.

Here are ten exercises, games and drills to improve your ability to manipulate the ball with your hands and racquet.

1. Do racquet ups, downs and up-bounce-ups.
2. Establish a two-bounce baseline-to-baseline rally (ball must bounce twice inside the court boundary).
3. Hit volleys and groundstrokes with one hand behind your back. If you hit with a two-handed backhand, hit forehand groundstrokes and/or volleys with your non-dominant hand.
4. Hit volley and one-bounce (two bounce) groundstroke rallies against a backboard.
5. Hit volleys and/or groundstrokes over an established mid-court barrier target (e.g. court bench).
6. Play a slice (or topspin) war – all slice (or topspin).
7. Hit with Quick Start red, orange and green dot balls.
8. Establish and maintain a two-touch volley and/or groundstroke rally. Catch (or stop)/set the ball with the first touch and then hit the ball over the net and back into play with the second touch.
9. Play mini tennis. Establish service box or boxes as court boundary. Work the point with finesse and angles only (no pace).
10. Mirror the shots of your hitting partner (e.g. high trajectory to high trajectory, low trajectory to low trajectory, topspin to topspin, etc.). Another option is to change and/or counter the shots of your hitting partner.  Examples include taking pace off the ball in response to pace, adding pace to the ball in response to no pace, hitting slice in response topspin and hitting topspin in response to slice.

1. The drop shot is best utilized when you’re positioned inside the baseline and your opponent is positioned off the court behind the baseline.
2. Use backspin (with a high to low stroke pattern) in hitting the drop shot. Take pace off the ball with soft hands.
3. Establish a trajectory and lift to the ball so that the ball drops vertically down and does not carry into the court with the bounce. An effective drop shot should bounce three or more times prior to crossing the service line.
4. Try not to be too “fine” with the shot and not get adequate margin of error clearance over the net. The worst mistake is to hit the ball into the net.  The trajectory necessary to deaden the ball and minimize carry into the court generally requires higher net clearance.
5. Be active with your feet (take a number of adjustment steps) and set early with your racquet and body positioning prior to hitting the drop shot to give yourself options (should you decide to drive the ball) and to freeze your opponent at the baseline.
6. Don’t overdo it. The drop shot is best utilized as a deceptive shot and not as part of an established pattern of play.
7. As a heads up, be alert to another drop shot in response to your drop shot. One of the best replies to a drop shot is another drop shot.
8. One of the best two-shot sequences with the drop shot is a drop shot followed by a lob.
9. Cushion the ball with backspin and soft hands to hit an effective drop volley.
10. The percentage play is to hit the drop volley only in response to a ball that has fallen below the net. There are generally better shot options in responding to balls up in your strike zone (shoulder height).

1. Develop racquet head awareness, feel and control. With racquet head awareness, feel and control, the racquet becomes an extension of your hand. his control is very much influenced by forearm pronation. The process begins with the extension of the racquet face up and out toward your point of contact leading with the butt end of the racquet. The next step is to pronate the forearm (using the continental grip) to position the racquet face through the strike zone. Control of this forearm pronation will allow you to make the subtle adjustments with your hand necessary to hit your service targets.
2. Develop a fluid swing pattern with acceleration up to and through the point of contact. Focus initially on the mechanics of the upper body and the motion of the swing through the backswing, loading phase, extension up to the point of contact, contact and follow through. The goal is to develop elasticity and a lively arm and a swing pattern that will hold up under the pressure of competition.
3. Establish a solid base of support and balance prior to more engagement with the lower body. A good drill to establish balance is to first serve with both feet planted, no lifting of the feet (including heels) off the ground and no knee flexion (bend). This drill develops angular rotation and a loose, upper body coil and motion as well as balance and a solid base of support. With proficiency, step two is to add knee flexion. Step three is to allow the back heel to come off the ground. It is important to maintain balance as you incorporate more knee flexion and ground force drive. One focus is the back leg. When the front leg and foot propels up and into the court, the back leg and foot should kick back for balance and body equilibrium. There are two options with the hitting stance, a platform stance in which the back leg stays back and a pinpoint stance which brings the fee together.  In most cases, the platform stance sacrifices power but provides better balance and support and more accuracy with serve placement.
4. Focus on keeping the tossing arm up and fully extended before dropping into a tuck position with your elbow. At the same time keep your chin up and maintain your eyes focused on the point of contact through the finish. There is a tendency to prematurely drop the tossing arm and head and redirect the focus to the target versus the ball which invariably leads to a mistake into the net. Think tall on your serve. Try to get full reach and extension. The higher your point of contact, the bigger your acceptance window (the window you need to hit to clear the net and get the ball into the service box).
5. Learn to utilize spin for more consistency (particularly for the second serve). Develop a kick and/or topspin serve for higher net clearance and margin for error. The process for a kick serve requires brushing or slicing up and out on the ball. The racquet follows a circular path from behind your head out to the right (for right-handed players) in line with the baseline and then down and around to your belly button. The path to the point of contact is from seven to two o’clock. Draw the butt end of the racquet up first as if throwing a dart into a ceiling as you bring the racquet up from the backswing to the point of contact. Next follows elbow extension, forearm pronation and ulnar deviation through the point of contact. It’s important to lead with the tip of racquet (keeping your elbow up) as you circle the racquet out to the right, down and around to the finish. Spin is facilitated with a toss over your left shoulder (versus your right shoulder) and with a continental grip or a grip that edges more towards the eastern backhand grip. Remember also to load with your legs and keep your chest up as you extend your arm up for the toss.
6. Start serving up close to establish range, accuracy and confidence. Start serving right on top of the net. Progressively work your way back to baseline with success.
7. Establish progressively more narrow and defined targets. As a beginner, the first target is getting the ball over the net into the court and then the service boxes. Next divide the service box to two halves and then by thirds. The final step is to establish three specific and smaller service targets, one down the T, two at the body and three out wide. Your ability to hit each of these three targets determines your ability to be successful holding serve and dictating play with your serve.
8. Have a purpose and identify a service target prior to each time you set up to serve. Establish a plan as part of your service ritual every point.
9. Play points where you only give yourself one serve to start each point. This is a great way to develop a strong, reliable second serve.
10. If possible, track your results in match play. Things to track (or chart) are first serve percentage, first serve points won, second serve points won, doubles faults, aces, first serve velocity, second serve velocity, first serve revolutions per minute (RPM’s), second serve RPM’s, serve target locations (plot diagram), serve target locations for service points won and serve target locations for service points lost and serve target locations for aces. It’s probably not realistic to get tracking information on all these variables but any quantifiable data is helpful in identifying your strengths, weakness and areas to direct you training attention.

Above all else, get onto a court and hit 1,000’s of balls.  There is no substitute for repetition and hitting a lot of serves in a meaningful, purposeful way.

If you have a court, bucket of balls and some spare time, one of the best ways to work on your game is to hit serves.  Here are ten ways to make best use of your time in practicing your serve.

1. Begin serving from the net and then progressively move back (with success) a couple of steps at a time until you’re serving comfortably from the baseline. (Helps to establish range and control of placement.  Promotes a fluid, relaxed service motion.)
2. Set up and practice hitting three established targets (angled out wide, at the body and middle T). (Promotes accuracy and reinforces the importance of hitting your key targets.)
3. See how many serves you can consecutively hit (with a full motion) into the service box. (Promotes accuracy and consistency.)  If you’re really ambitious, log the number of serves you get in over the course of the summer or year to start your own 1,000, 2,000, 3,000… serve club.
4. Serve with a countdown. Countdown by one with every serve that goes in or meets your defined target and count up with each mistake.  Continue serving until you countdown to zero.  (Promotes accuracy and consistency.  Also helps in dealing with pressure.)
5. Serve from fence to fence (or curtain to curtain). Serve with your back pressed close to the fence and then aim to hit your serve into the far opposite side fence (in the air/without a bounce).  (Helps to establish “pop” and racquet head speed versus hand speed.  Reinforces the need to hit up and out on the serve with full extension and reach at the point of contact.)
6. Alternatively hit first and second serves. Have a purpose and clearly distinguish each serve by pace, spin, etc.  (More realistically simulates match play conditions and requirements.)
7. Play an imaginary game with first and second serves and rotations. (Similar to number 6. above, more realistically simulates match play conditions and requirements.)
8. Hit serves with no bend in the knees and your feet firmly planted on the court. (Develops angular rotation and a loose, upper body coil and motion.)
9. Raise the net with a rope or barrier. Practice hitting up and over the raised net (or barrier).  As an alternative, practice serving from a kneeling or sitting position.  (Both techniques serve to improve your ability to hit with spin and to hit up and out on your serve.)
10. Having grip issues? Practice hitting serves with your middle finger crossed over your index finger to secure and maintain the Continental grip.  Practice hitting with the back of your hand/reverse side of your racquet to establish the Continental grip and to force your elbow up and out to an inverted “V” position.

Here are 10 good reasons to develop a fluid, extended groundstroke swing pattern that builds momentum and accelerates the racquet head through the hitting zone.

1. Hold up better under pressure. A fluid, relaxed, extended and accelerated swing pattern (versus a tighter, more muscled swing pattern) is less likely to break down under pressure.  Tightness and deceleration of the racquet head under pressure results in balls that land short, lose velocity, lose spin and/or sale out of the court.
2. Minimize the chance of injury and stress-related aches and pains. Acceleration of the racquet head requires a fluid, circular and continuous motion (versus a stop then start motion) and a relaxed grip and finish.  The stroke pattern utilizes the weight of the racquet head and a kinetic incorporation of all the main body parts to generate racquet speed.  The result is a stroke that is less ballistic and less jarring on the joints.
3. Less fatigue. A fluid stroke pattern with acceleration through the hitting zone is less fatiguing to the body.  Less fatigue allows for better recovery after each point and a better ability to stay in the point and a match (at a sustained level of intensity).
4. Hit a better and more effective passing shot. To be successful with the passing shot (particularly in hitting to a narrowly defined target), it’s important to generate racquet head speed and utilize a decisive swing pattern.
5. Hit a heavier ball. There are three main control variables for spin (path of the racquet head through the hitting zone, angle of the racquet at the point of contact and speed of the racquet head through the hitting zone).  A low-to-high, inside-out stroke pattern that accelerates through the hitting zone (combined with an radial flexion of the wrist) creates more topspin and a heavier, higher-bouncing ball.  Similarly, a high-to-low, outside-in stroke pattern with acceleration creates more backspin (and sidespin) and more “bite” on the ball.
6. Hit for higher margin. The ability to hit with more spin translates to an ability to better keep the ball in the court.  Acceleration of the racquet head and the ability to generate more racquet head speed allows for higher net clearance (and margin for error).
7. Hit with more power and pace (“or not”). It’s easier to generate racquet head speed and force at the point of contact with a swing pattern that starts more slowly and then builds momentum and accelerates as the racquet progresses to the point of contact.  A cycling analogy is a climbing technique in which the rider starts pedaling slowly at a comfortable rhythm and cadence at the base of the climb, then progressively works the pedals to a higher and a higher cadence towards the conclusion of the climb and finally attacks over the crest of the hill to literally fly on the bike when the gradient of the road levels out.  The “or not” means that an accelerated swing pattern does not necessarily equate to power.  You can accelerate the racquet head through the hitting zone with a complete swing without hitting the ball hard (by starting more slowly, using a more relaxed grip and minimizing your loop and backswing).
8. Successfully work with less court. Acceleration and racquet head speed are the keys to successfully hitting from the mid-court (with drives, angles, approach shots, etc.) and from the baseline when the need is to hit an angle short of the service line.
9. Handle balls hit below and above your strike zone. Effectively responding to balls below and above your strike zone requires more spin and as a result, more acceleration and racquet head speed.
10. Have more fun. It’s fun to be able swing more freely and still keep the ball in play.

1. Get your first serve in play. Play high percentage first strike tennis with the goal to hold serve as a first priority each and every match.  Maintain applied and consistent pressure on your opponents.
2. Get the serve return back in play. Make your opponents hit shots (no freebies).
3. Close into the net on anything hit short or in your strike zone (preferably together with your partner or to join your partner at the net).
4. Don’t let the ball bounce when positioned at the net.
5. Go if given the opportunity to cross into the court to intercept a shot or return (no hesitation or second guessing).
6. Crowd the center of the court and don’t let anything pass you down the middle. Make your opponents try to beat you out wide.
7. Drift in and to the middle of the court in response to every well hit shot by your partner (particularly balls hit low at the feet of your opponents).
8. Don’t force shorts (or try for too much). Play within your own abilities and make no mistakes in the net or out wide.
9. Work and move in conjunction with your partner. Blanket the court together to close off all possible opponent hitting angles and windows.  As an example, follow the line of the ball in concert with your partner when positioned at the net.
10. Regularly communicate with your partner and support your partner (whether things are going well or badly).

 

Here are ten tips to effectively recognize and take advantage of opportunities on the court.

1. Close the net (as a team in doubles) after successfully lobbing a ball over your opponent(s). Close to the service line to finish the point with a volley or overhead.
2. Close the net after hitting a successful drop shot or any shot in which your opponent is struggling to reach on one bounce. Closing the net puts you in a position to finish the point with a volley, overhead or groundstroke and also prevents your opponent from responding to your drop shot with another drop shot (the one shot that can hurt you if don’t close into the net).
3. Close into the net (or at least step inside the baseline) after hitting a shot out wide that your opponent is struggling to run down.
4. Attack in response to any shot your opponent hits short of the service line.
5. Sneak into the net to a mid-court volley position after pinning your opponent back behind the baseline with a high ball (lob or semi-lob) that gets up above his/her strike zone. It’s a difficult ball for your opponent to attack or hit with any kind of authority.  Plus, with your opponent’s eyes focused up to the ball, it’s very easy to arrive to your attacking position unannounced and undetected (particularly if you delay your move into the net).
6. Extend the rally with high percentage, high net clearance shots if your opponent is faltering physically.
7. In anticipation of a weak return, close into the net (or step inside the baseline) following any serve that jams or stretches your opponent.
8. For doubles, drift to the middle and close your position to the net in response to an effective, low return or shot hit by your partner. Put yourself in an ideal position to pick off the next shot hit by your opponents.
9. When approaching the net for singles, follow the line of the ball to take away the down-the-line pass. Force your opponent to hit through you or try to hit a low percentage, cross-court angled pass.
10. Take advantage of the element of surprise by trying something different or unprecedented to close out a game. As an example, serve-and-volley to close out a game when ahead by the score of 40 – 0 or 40 – 15.

1. Acclimatize. If at all possible, get used to the conditions by playing outside in the heat in progressively longer increments of time.  Roger Federer is famous for his intense training in the heat of Dubai.
2. Hydrate.

• • Drink 16 – 20 ounces of water or electrolyte-enhanced carbohydrate sports drink (one standard bottle) two hours before competition or practice. An electrolyte-enhanced carbohydrate sports drink should not contain more than 9% electrolytes and carbohydrates (19 grams per 8 ounces or 48 grams per 20 ounces).  An electrolyte-enhanced carbohydrate sports drink with a higher % content may slow the rate of absorption.  A sports drink with salt (sodium chloride) helps to replace lost salt due to sweating and increases thirst and voluntary fluid intake.
  • Drink 4 – 16 ounces of water or electrolyte-enhanced carbohydrate sports drink during every changeover (or 32 – 60 ounces per hour). It’s important to drink consistently not just when you’re thirsty.
  • Drink an electrolyte-enhanced carbohydrate sports drink for matches or practice sessions lasting more the 60 minutes.
  • Avoid drinking beverages containing caffeine and carbonation. Beverages containing caffeine and carbonation are not as effective in replenishing body fluid loss.
  • After a match or practice session, drink one 20 ounce bottle of electrolyte-enhanced carbohydrate sports drink for every one pound of body weight loss within two hours after completion of the match or practice session. The goal is to replace 120% – 200% of body weight lost during competition or practice.

3. Cover up. Wear a hat or visor.  Wear UV protective clothing with a UPF rating of 30 or more.  Liberally apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or greater every two hours.  Wear sunglasses which provide 99 to 100 percent UV-A and UV-B protection.  Seek shade if possible during changeovers and between points.
4. Take your time. Pace yourself by taking as much time as possible between points and during changeovers.  Judiciously take towel breaks and manage the tempo of play to your advantage.
5. Be smart. Avoid playing from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM when the sun is most intense if you’re not feeling 100%.
6. Get strong. On and off court conditioning is a must to be truly successful (and confident) in extreme heat conditions.  Heat-related fatigue, sickness and cramping are viewed by the ITF and USTA as the result of lack of conditioning and are not subject to medical injury rules for timeout and treatment.
7. Shorten the rally. Play “first strike” tennis to end the point more quickly.
8. Extend the rally. Of course if heat is your thing, you may be better served grinding and extending the rally to wear down your opponent.
9. Be positive. Embrace the challenge and approach things from a positive perspective.  Make the best of the situation and don’t waste precious energy by complaining or getting down on yourself.  If conditions are bad for you, they’re just as bad for your opponent(s).
10. Play indoors. Avoid the intense mid-day heat and sun by playing indoors.