Chapter 2 of 3 · 3851 words · ~19 min read

Part 2

It is best to learn the ground strokes first, the strokes used against a ball that has bounced once. They are more easily practised alone, and in learning to play them correctly, the fundamental principles which are true for all strokes will be mastered. The player will learn to concentrate on what she is doing, to keep her eye on the ball, to time it in its flight, and to follow through, putting the weight of her body into the stroke. The habit of keeping the _eye on the ball_, of watching it throughout its flight, is a very necessary one to acquire, and now is the time while there is no opponent to tempt the eye away. Many players are so busy watching their adversary, to know just where she is in the opposite court, that they do not know exactly where the ball is, and have to take a chance at hitting it squarely. After all, it is much more important to be sure of your ball, for if you do not send the ball true, of what use to know just where your opponent is. This is the cause of the many “scratch” shots made on the courts, balls hit with any part of the racket, strings or even frame, instead of with the center of the stringing. A player must learn to keep her _eye on the ball_ all the time, in order that her shots may be clean and true, and of the maximum speed, through having her racket squarely behind the ball. This habit of keeping the eye on the ball develops and includes the _habit of concentration_, another very essential habit to form if one is to play first-class tennis. No one can do her game justice if she allows her mind to wander the least bit from the matter at hand. If she begins to think of the audience, or the umpire, or any of the thousand and one things that are liable to distract a player, her mind is not wholly on her stroke, her eye will waver, and a scratch shot is the almost inevitable result. Proper footwork too, which plays such an important part in getting the proper swing of arm and body, comes only with constant thought. In time this keeping the eye on the ball, and using proper footwork becomes so nearly second nature that the player may use her powers of concentration on the problems of strategy which advanced play require. But at all times she must keep her mind as it were within the boundaries of the court and not allow it to wander.

GRIP OF THE RACKET.

First, the grip of the racket must be considered. If the player will realize that, as far as possible, she must have her racket, with face turned slightly up, parallel to the net when hitting the ball, she will probably hold the racket in the grip most suitable for herself. Lay the racket slanting across the palm, so that the butt rests at the base of the palm, a little to the left, and the handle crosses the first knuckle of the first finger. Close the fingers about the handle, and a comfortable, firm grip is obtained. A very slight shift is made by most players in taking a backhand shot, the thumb being slipped diagonally across the handle, giving a better control over the racket.

The racket, as mentioned above, should always be _parallel to the net_ at the time that it meets the ball, direction being given to the ball by following through with the racket in the desired line of flight of the ball. The face of the racket should be slightly “open”; that is, turned upward a little, not tipped towards the ground, which position is called “closed,” and the racket itself should be almost parallel to the ground. It is well for the beginner to exaggerate this last and keep the head of her racket well up, to overcome a natural tendency to let it drop too low. If the position of the racket varies all the time, the player will have to consider whether the head is higher or lower than usual and make due allowance in her strokes. But if she always keeps it about the same, she will know from habit just where it is. The more instinctive a player can become as to the elemental parts of the game, the more attention she can pay to the finer points. Therefore, from the very start try to hold the racket correctly, both as to grip and general position, so that in time you need not think about your grip at all.

[Illustration: Miss Eleanor Goss at the start of her service.]

[Illustration: Mrs. Raymond serving. Note the height to which the ball is thrown, also the general balance of the body.

E. Levick, N. Y., Photo. ]

[Illustration: Mrs. Edward Raymond at finish of service. Note how the weight has been shifted to the left foot.

E. Levick, N. Y., Photo. ]

[Illustration: MLLE. SUZANNE LENGLEN,

Famous Young French Player.]

STROKES--THE DRIVE.

Having a firm, but not tight, hold of the racket, try to make a full swing with it through the air. Stand sideways to the practise board, or the net, put the arm out straight, parallel to the net, then swing it up and back as far as possible, and then down and forward, describing a circle through the air. Finish the swing as far in front of the body as possible, letting the head of the racket be the leading point. It is this last part of the swing that controls the flight of the ball, both as to direction and to length, and so is most important. _Always follow through._ The preliminary swing gives the greatest amount of speed with the least effort, because of the momentum which is gained. A long follow through gives a deep ball (one in the back of the opponent’s court), and controls the direction more surely than does a short snap shot. The beginner should therefore spend plenty of time and attention getting a full, free swing.

Swing the arm and racket around and forward several times without any ball. Then, standing sideways to the net or board, with the left foot forward, drop a ball opposite the body and swing the racket so as to meet it at the top of its bound, following forward with the racket in the direction that the ball is to take. The whole body should swing forward from the hips, the weight being shifted from the right foot to the left as the arm goes forward.

Few girls, until recently, used this full swing, although it is very important that they should use it, as it is a great saver of energy, speed being given to the ball, not by hitting it hard, but by the impetus gained through the preliminary swing together with the weight of the body which is behind the stroke.

A straight forehand drive, used principally against a low bouncing ball, starts with the full swing and finishes out and up, the face of the racket open and drawn slightly across the ball at the finish of the stroke. A topped drive finishes with the wrist and racket turning over, so that the face of the racket is towards the ground. This turnover starts the ball spinning around on its own axis, giving it “drop”; that is, causing it to drop rather sharply to the ground when it has reached the limit of its outward flight. This marked downcurve makes it much easier to keep the ball within the limits of the court and so is very useful.

The backhand drive, which should not be neglected, but rather should receive more attention at the beginning because it is a little more difficult to make, is based on the same general principles. Grip the racket, having the thumb diagonally across the handle, keeping the wrist well in towards the body--there is a tendency on the backhand to let the wrist break, point out towards the net, and so lead the swing, which must be guarded against. Stand sideways to the net, the right foot forward, and swing the arm, wrist in and elbow nearly straight, across the body, making a circle as before, with the head of the racket as the leading point. Then follow through forward, shifting the weight of the body onto the right foot and swinging forward from the hips. As in the forehand, there are two ways of finishing the swing, producing two different drives: one, the straight drive, where the racket goes out and up, sliding slightly across the ball; the other, the topped stroke, where the racket and wrist turn over as the arm swings forward. First practise the swing alone until it feels free and easy. Then drop the ball in front of you, but slightly nearer the net than in the forehand drive, where the ball is taken opposite the body, and stroke it, making the full swing as in practise and following through in the direction in which the ball is to go. In practising all these drives, be sure to stand far enough away from the ball. The elbow should be only slightly bent to get a full swing--if the ball is taken too close to the body the elbow will be cramped, and so hamper the swing.

[Illustration: Miss Eleonora Sears at finish of overhead smash.

[Illustration:

Miss Eleanor Goss running forward to meet the ball with a full sweep of her racket in a forehand drive. All her weight is going into the stroke. ]

[Illustration: Miss Martha A. Guthrie beginning a forehand drive.

[Illustration: Mrs. Barger-Wallach finishing a straight forehand drive.

E. Levick, N. Y., Photo. ]

SERVICE.

Having practised the ground strokes till the swing feels easy, the beginner should go on the court with a number of balls. Standing sideways to the net, behind the baseline, she should make a half circle back, with arm and racket extended, bringing the racket up over the head. Here the racket is dropped behind the head and swung in a small circle from left to right--much as an Indian club is swung--then up and out in the follow through. The ball is tossed high in the air and struck as the racket reaches the top of its swing. Then the racket follows out with the ball just as far as possible, as in the ground strokes. The various cut services depend on the way the face of the racket meets the ball, how it cuts around or over the ball. It is best, however, for the beginner to practise a straight service until she is well grounded in the fundamentals. Meanwhile she should try to place the serve not only in the correct court but also in some definite part of that court. A well-placed service will prove as effective as any fancy serve for ordinary play.

Remember these points while practising: get a full swing, hit the ball at the highest point possible, and follow through as in the drive, here, too, getting the weight of the body into the stroke.

THE LOB AND THE VOLLEY.

With these shots well in hand, the beginner has all she needs to start in playing. But there are still the lob and the volley to take up. If she is starting to learn with some friend, it is well to spend a little while each day practising lobbing, the one to the other.

Because girls formerly spent most of their time lobbing the ball, now they have gone to the other extreme and consider it beneath their dignity to lob at all, that “lobbing is not playing the game.” However, a good lob at the right time is often a “lifesaver.” It gives the player time to get back into position if she has been drawn far out of court returning the ball, and also it gives her a chance to get her breath if she is being hard pressed. In doubles, and against a net player in singles, it is indispensable, as will be shown later.

A lob is merely a ball knocked up into the air, with a slight forward movement. It should be high enough to be out of reach of the net player and deep enough to force her to run away back for it. If it is too short--that is, too close to the net--the opponent will “kill” it, smash it back so hard that it is almost impossible to handle, or else put it close to the side lines near the net, where it is hard to reach.

Lobbing is an art which comes only with practise. The player should again and again hit the ball firmly upwards, watching the result of the shots, seeing whether they are deep enough, etc.,--gaining through this constant practise the necessary touch.

While one player is practising lobbing, the other will be learning how to return the ball. To smash it, stand sideways to the net, left foot forward, and swing at the ball as it drops, just as in serving. It is best to be directly under the ball for a smash. Do not try to hit it too hard at first, and be careful to _keep your eye on the ball_. This practise is splendid training, both for learning to keep the eye on the ball and for timing it so that it is struck at just the right second.

[Illustration: Very good illustration of Miss Bjurstedt at finish of “topped” forehand drive.

American Press Association Photo. ]

[Illustration:

Miss Ballin illustrates incorrect finish of forehand drive. The racket has been carried across the body instead of forward, and the weight has been thrown back on to the right foot instead of forward with the stroke. Contrast this with the picture of Miss Bjurstedt finishing a forehand drive.

[Illustration: Miss Molla Bjurstedt finishing a fast backhand drive.

[Illustration: An exaggerated “topped” backhand drive shown by Miss Ballin.

E. Levick, N. Y., Photo. ]

There remain the various volley shots to consider. Volleying is a branch of tennis which girls are apt to neglect, but which is really very important and not at all beyond the powers of a girl to conquer. In doubles, net play is indispensable, if half hour rallies are to be avoided, and in singles it is a great aid as a point winner. A girl cannot rush the net continuously, for she has not the necessary endurance or speed. But many times she has a chance to finish a point at the net or else is drawn in by her opponent with a short ball. Here, with no time to get back, it is necessary that she be able to handle her volley shots properly. It requires a quick eye, level head and ready muscular response to make a good net player. Practise at the net, therefore, helps one’s other strokes, through the deftness and agility acquired.

But the ground strokes must be in good working order before a player can develop a net game, for she must be able to place the ball deep, with sufficient speed, and in the right place, in order to give herself a fair chance to run in. Two beginners can, however, get splendid all around training if the one practises volley shots while the other is driving from the back court. In volleying, more than in any other stroke, the player must concentrate; keep her eye on the ball, try to anticipate her opponent’s shot--foresee where it is going to cross the net, and think and act quickly but deliberately.

In volleying there is very little preliminary swing, the racket being raised and drawn back only a little, then forward and slightly down across the face of the ball. Never hit up in volleying. If the ball has fallen below the level of the net--a predicament to be avoided where possible by stepping up and hitting the ball before it drops--the racket is drawn more sharply under and across the ball. Direction is given by drawing the racket through in the desired line. The wrist should be firm, and the shot made with precision. A loosely held racket and loose wrist result in the stop-volley-shot, one a beginner should leave alone, for it requires a great deal of practise and a very keen touch.

Cut may be used in any stroke in tennis. It consists merely in hitting across the surface of the ball one way or another, during the follow through, according to the cut desired. The chop stroke is one in which there is practically no preliminary swing, a sharp cut being given the ball at the moment of striking it; the shot is very similar to the ordinary volley shot. It is advisable, however, for the beginner to leave the cut game alone and develop a good drive and service.

Once the fundamentals of the game become instinctive she can experiment with different shots, and study the science of the actual play. But until she can consistently place the ball where she wants it, with the desired speed, there is no use learning what tactics to use.

PLAYING THE GAME.

In the beginning a player, whether she wants to go into tournament play later or not, should spend her time learning to swing properly and to follow through; to keep her eye on the ball, and time her stroke correctly, trying always to hit the ball at the top of its bound, thus saving time; to get her footwork right, that is, always be in such a position that the weight of the body can go into the stroke. She should try in practising always to put the ball into some definite part of the court, in order to acquire “control” of the ball. Just hitting it hard, with very little idea of where it is going, is of no use in playing. Let her learn to place her ball well and get good length, that is, keep the ball well back in her opponent’s court, and she will soon find that she can get the desired speed when she wants it.

Most beginners try to make a point out of every shot--“ace” every ball. This is, of course, impossible and results in a wildly erratic game, of no interest to the opponent and little advantage to the player, for all idea of _how_ the ball should be played is lost in the desire to _hit it hard_. Rather play with the idea of keeping the ball in court, placing it where it seems most difficult for the other side to return it. By watching the result of these efforts the beginner will soon gain a knowledge of court positions, where to put the ball and where she should be herself for the return. This, however, comes under the heading of science of lawn tennis, on which subject a number of interesting books have been written. It is better for the beginner not to bother too much about that, but rather to develop her strokes, learning to be on her toes every minute, eye on the ball, every bit of her concentrated on the work in hand. As less attention is required by the actual making of the strokes, more can be given to the tactics of the game.

It is a good plan, where possible, to watch experienced players on the court, see how they plan their shots, keeping their opponents in trouble and themselves out of it. A girl cannot, of course, gain much from studying those boys who rush the net on all occasion, for she has neither the speed nor the endurance necessary for this style of play. But let her watch those men who play a good all around game, see what their general style of play is, what balls they go in on, what they do when they get to the net, when they stay back, etc., and adapt what she sees to her own style of play. There is no reason why she should not develop a similar all around game, enabling her to make a good showing against the best of the players, provided always that she is well grounded in the fundamentals of the game, keeps her eye on the ball and is alert mentally and physically all the time. Even in doubles there is no reason why, with practise, girls cannot develop a good game, taking the net as the men do and so putting an end to the interminable rallies which mostly constitute “girls’ doubles.” The net position in doubles is more tenable than in singles, for the passing shots are much fewer and more easily guarded against; and as for the lob, which seems to be the deterrent factor in most cases, there is no reason why girls cannot go back under a lob, provided they will go sideways and not try to run backwards, a very difficult feat. There are a few teams of girls who take the net position and hold it successfully, thus proving that there is no real reason why other teams may not try the same tactics and so gradually do away with the present deadly monotonous form of women’s doubles.

GENERAL TACTICS.

For the benefit of those who have no opportunity to watch good playing and so work out for themselves the general tactics of the game, and since those who have that chance can watch more intelligently if they have some idea of what is being attempted, the following general summary has been written. If you do not know what to look for, it is difficult to gather much about the general tactics of the game just from observation. But with more or less knowledge of the ground work of the game, the student can learn a great deal from watching others, seeing what they are trying to do and how they are doing it.

Singles is the better game for the beginner to start with, for she is playing all the time and so gets much more practise in “strokes.” For the girl beginner it is particularly useful, for it necessitates constant attention on the part of the player; she must be on her toes and working every minute of the time. Thus she develops the habits of concentration and alertness, which will later prove invaluable to her.

[Illustration: Miss Bjurstedt caught in a difficult position--a backhand half-volley.

[Illustration: Mrs. Raymond taking a backhand shot.

E. Levick, N. Y., Photo. ]

[Illustration: Miss Eleonora Sears making a backhand shot taken on the run.

E. Levick, N. Y., Photo. ]

[Illustration: Miss Eleonora Sears at the net finishing a backhand volley shot.

E. Levick, N. Y., Photo. ]