A Tip From Michael Esz:

Moving Your Opponent

Todays technology allows players to hit the ball with more pace than ever and as a result of this technology the power game has found itself at the forefront of the modern game.  Racquets are made of more durable power ensuring technology that are less flexible than older versions thus allowing players to swing faster through the ball.

The problem with swinging through the ball faster with more power than you need  is that you need more control.  As a result, tennis is experiencing quicker points with more errors and players are not learning tactics and strategy as they once did.

The lost art of moving your opponent around while getting them off balance is a concept that doesn’t get enough attention these days.  Imagine with all that technology of power from racquets and strings that makes it harder to control the ball while “not” moving is applied to a person that is “moving while hitting.”  Your opponent will have less control and more likely be forced into a error when you move them, and all you did was make them take a few steps to the left of the right.

Moving your opponent has the effect of losing balance.  It’s hard to strike a ball with accuracy when you do not have balance, let alone be in control of the point.  But thats not all, moving your opponent is also a great way to anticipate your opponent’s next shot.

For example, if you move your opponent backwards, there will be a tendency for them to hit up on the ball and you will be able to read when a lob is coming.  Moving your opponent to the corner can force an error, but it can also be a sign that they will most likely hit the ball short.  You can anticipate the short ball and move up to it more efficiently and remain in control of the point.

So next time you feel like hitting hard and powerful, try to experiment more with getting your opponent off balance by moving them around.  You may just  cut your own unforced errors down in the process.

A Tip From Denard McLendon:

The Aggressive Baseliner

If you are an aggressive baseliner, your physical characteristics are defined by quickness, muscular strength, and endurance.  You are a risk taker and a player that is willing to take chances throughout your matches.  An aggressive baseliner works to develop a shot that is used and relied upon as a weapon.  This shot is usually a forehand but some players have developed a backhand as a weapon.  This shot can be used aggressively in most situations causing forced errors from your opponents. An aggressive baseliner will also need to develop penetrating baseline ground strokes that land deep in the court and that apply pressure on their opponent.  Other characteristics of an aggressive baseliner are precise footwork and steady balance to execute shots.  Current aggressive baseliners on the professional tour include:  Rafa Nadel, David Ferrer, Andy Roddick, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova.