Comments on: The Key To Consistency In Tennis – Smooth Strokes

By: Dan Graham

Dan Graham — Fri, 10 May 2024 06:18:52 +0000

Great instruction. We hit hard because we want to win, be better than others, not fail etc. When we hit smooth we have the experience of enjoying. Thats the battle, the one that wants to win against the one that enjoys to enjoy.

By: kal

kal — Thu, 10 May 2018 16:16:51 +0000

Just found this article..Appreciate all your lessons on youtube..U truly make playing tennis the best part of my days !!

By: Q

Thu, 14 Sep 2017 20:33:24 +0000

What I’ve tried to do when I start warming up is to see if I can hit the ball at the same speed as it is coming to me, and that alone relaxes me.

You once said that most rec. players are always trying to change the speed of the ball and thus make errors.

To me it’s because the people we are playing we think are good! And in truth, if they were REALLY good, they would be playing somebody ELSE!

Keep up the good work! YOU are the only video teaching pro who looks and feels something different in tennis.

Best,

By: Tomaz

Tomaz — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 05:27:18 +0000

In reply to Bob. Thanks, Bob! I won't be at the TC this year, perhaps next one.

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 22:12:59 +0000

Hey, Tomaz! Your “intention” and “smoothness” pointers are probably the two I need the most. Your presentation is superb and very helpful.

Hope all is well with you. Will you be in Tucson for the Tennis Congress this year?

Bob

By: Max

Max — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 21:56:26 +0000

I have been thinking and practicing a lot on this. I believe one of the keys to smoothing out your strokes has also a lot to do with how we prepare our body to receive the ball. It is so much easier and smoother to hit the ball if we shift our weight in the proper way. We need the opposing action in order to move our bodies properly. Try sitting bolt upright in a chair and move your torso forward, now try sitting in a chair lean back first and then move your torso forward. I think it feels much easier and requires less energy. The same thing should happen when we hit the tennis ball. If we shift our weight in the proper way we should feel no tension in our bodies.
I have especially noticed this on serve. If I dont fully shift my weight back, the motion is not smooth, it feels tight, and is less effective. Once I started picking up the toes of my front foot and fully leaning back and weighting the back foot as I toss the ball everything became so much easier. My serve feels effortless, and I don’t even think about what my arm is doing.

By: Tomaz

Tomaz — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 20:29:12 +0000

In reply to Raj.

Hi Raj,

We usually have problems finding the correct distance from the ball if while the ball is approaching we think about technique – like some part of the stroke. Then we actually observe our movements in mind’s eye and not really track the ball.

Once we do start tracking the ball when it’s closer, we realize we’re not at the right distance.

See if that applies to you and stop thinking about anything for a while but just observe the ball flight all the time and look to find the right distance.

By: Raj

Raj — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 09:55:57 +0000

Absolutely fantastic and insightful instructions!

I definitely have a tendency of trying to hit to the ball hard or trying to force the ball rather than just swinging the racquet.

One problem that I face is in judging the distance from the ball while swinging. I tend to come too close while hitting and then I end of contracting and just using my arm rather than use the full unconstricted weight transfer.

Any thoughts on what can I do to fix this tendency?

Thanks and hope to see you soon in Singapore!

By: Anjan

Anjan — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 23:19:32 +0000

I completely agree with you on the importance of relaxation to achieve smooth strokes. During weekend play at the club I almost always never know who my partner is going to be; in the beginning we are tight and stiff with all strokes and can see the frustration with my partner who is not happy with his strokes. Then I walk over, tell a joke, we both laugh, then like magic we are relaxed and start hiting very nice strokes and have a enjoyable game.

Anjan (San Jose, CA, USA)

By: Tomaz

Tomaz — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 21:48:08 +0000

In reply to Ryan.

Hi Ryan,

The challenge is greater then. I would step back a couple of feet to buy myself some time and see the ball better and then attempt to keep my strokes smooth.

If I can’t do it after a few sessions, then this challenge is too much for your current skill level and it would help you if you could practice with someone who plays slower and steadier.