Serves, Returns and Overheads:

  1. The serve is probably the most important shot in tennis. A player with a consistent and powerfull serve will have a large adavantatge over opponents with weak serves. To see how useful having a good serve is, just look at Goran Ivanisanich who just won the 2001 Wimbledon Championships, and broke the record for aces served in the tournament en route to his victory.
  2. When you are at the net and an opponent hits a short lob it is imperative to have a good overhead shot so that you can finish off the point. The key to this stroke, like all the others is practicing it over and over again. Below you will find some great drillz to help you develop your overhead shot and your serve
  1. 1. Serving Drill:
  2. -get a basket of balls and serve like there is no tomorrow
  3. -be sure to practice placing your serves in different places (ie: down the line, outside, down the middle)
  4. -practice various spins
  5. -practice your first and second serve
  6. -if you have a partner, have him practice his returns on your serve and play out the point Drill 1.0
  1. 2. Tens:
  2. -hit ten overhead smashes in a row to each corner orf the court
  3. -if you miss an overhead, you must start over
  4. -do a couple sets of ten

 
  1. 3. Smash and Volley:
  2. -hit an overhead smash and then follow it up with a volley
  3. -do about 10 of each
    Drill 3.0
  1. 4. Serve and Volley:
  2. -hit a serve and charge to the net
  3. -be sure to split step as your opponent hits his or her return
  4. Drill 4.0

 
  1. 5. Serve and Return:
  2. -just serve and play out the point with your opponent
  3. Drill 5.0

 
  1. 6. Return and Approach:
  2. -practice returning a serve and coming into the net
  3. Drill 6.0