How to hit a low ball in tennis?

<p>A low ball with spin is what Im looking for.
One for the return of serve
and one for the rally
How do you guys do it?</p>

<p>And also how to return a low ball that goes at an extreme angle? Is top spin the only way that ensure the other person does not have a chance to hit an overhead?</p>

<p>bend those knees</p>

<p>slice the ■■■■, yeah, just keep practicing was the way I got it but I kinda sucked at it. The only thing I was particularly good at in tennis was serving</p>

<p>I mean how to execute a low ball shot. Cuz today I was playing against a girl, and I was beating her 7-2. Then she changed her tactics (lucky or not) and hit EVERY return low ball and so I was confused and hit into the net. But yeah after that game she started to play like she was before and I went on beating her 8-3
But how do you guys make sure that you almost always have a low ball with spin on it? because my tennis instructor surprised me with a low ball return to an extreme angle</p>

<p>And yeah lucky 2010, how do you improve your speed and power at serving?</p>

<p>bend knees
brush up against the ball
cross court
…</p>

<p>or slice ;)</p>

<p>I sucked at first but my coach told me “you’re tall, you need to stretch out your body” so I started doing that and just beating the crud out of the ball, hah, I was able to get the corners just right and few people would actually be able to return it, my arms are kinda strong naturally from basketball I guess and being a bit taller gave me more angle</p>

<p>but the coach would actually tell us to avoid trying low ball shots, because they’re risky and don’t always go over and it’s mostly luck</p>

<p>oh lol lucky2010 from what youve been describing you’re a boy? I thought you were a female. sorry but no pun intended lol</p>

<p>^She is a female, unless she lied in the other thread.</p>

<p>nooooo, I am a chick! I swear! I’m just kinda tall (relatively, around the school) and my arms are kinda muscular, not like grossly, but sometimes I am self conscious about it. I played tennis and girls basketball more my underclassman years. Like, basketball underclassman years but I had issues with the coach, tennis after junior year but then I got serious in theater so I had to quit (I was made to pick one and picked theater). But I still play basketball when I can, I coached some kids at the center and we all just kinda play around when bored/not working. I haven’t played tennis in a while to be honest, like, last summer they tried to teach the kids and I was helping but kids would just get bored with it.</p>

<p>lol sorry luckystar!</p>

<p>Your question is a loaded one and the answer is it depends. The main tennis objective is to get the ball back any way you can. With that said, it really depends on your strokes, skill level, fitness level, grip, and if it is a forehand or backhand.</p>

<p>I will assume that you are a sub- 4.0 level player. On the return of serve, if it is a forehand then bend the knees, short backswing and drive thru the ball with the racket finishing at the target. Also keep your head down and eyes on the ball as it makes contact. See the shot to the target. </p>

<p>If it is a backhand, then it matters whether you are one-handed or two-handed. If you are a two-handed are you able to take one hand off and hit a slice ala Mats Wilander? If two handed then very quickly move to the shot with small steps, short backswing and forward to the target with eyes on the ball into the racket. Knee must be bent and the terminology “sit down” on the shot is used. </p>

<p>For the rally, essentially the same as above but you will need to move more and be swifter getting to the shot. I am a believer that at least 75% of the success of the shot is in the preparation. Getting to the ball, making minute adjustments, racket back and allow the ball to be in your “strike zone.” </p>

<p>Extreme angle shots also depend on what the opponent is forcing you to do? If the angle has you stretched out then you try to get firm contact on the ball with an appropriate trajectory. If you are inside the baseline then you should probably go for a firm shot. If behind the baseline go up with the ball if pressure is high. If you are not stretched, then by all means drive the ball. </p>

<p>Lastly, you question about topspin again requires an “it depends” response. If you have time to hit a drive then you would definitely hit a topspin drive. The slice can be a strategy particularly if your opponent has trouble with it. With the slice you turn your body and keep the lead shoulder forward and come through the ball being firm but slicing forward as opposed to a chip. A chip is another type of shot that has a “chopping” down action on the ball.</p>

<p>Remember, tennis is about hitting the ball where the other person isn’t and making the opponent uncomfortable. The trick is learning how to determine that. Some do it ok, some don’t care (the Williams sister) and some are exceptional (Agassi).</p>

<p>If the ball is above shoulder level and you slice down on it, the bounce can be practically nil as well, and for me at least it’s pretty hard to miss the court with it now</p>

<p>To return a low ball you have to bend your knees. It is more difficult to hit topspin on a low backhand so usually it is easiest to try to slice back. On a forehand it’s a little easier to hit topspin off a low ball unless you have a heavy topspin (western’ish) grip and if it’s not working then try slicing it back with the forehand too. When someone is at the net off a low slice approach, it is generally better to try to hit a topspin pass, however, a very easy and effective play is to hit a slice lob over the opponents backhand side. Remember, when hitting a low ball, you can’t just go through the motion, you have to concentrate and adjust your swing depending on the bounce.</p>

<p>definitely slice back or try a drop shot off her slice. If she gets to it lob it or drill it down a line.</p>

<p>Speed and power on the serve is generally dictated by wrist snap. You also drive up into the ball. Toss the ball into the court drive up into the ball and snap the wrist. I prefer a loose arm and thus a whipping motion. Note that your questions require to know more about your strokes. Thus, if you could specify your grip, skill level and one-handed or two-handed backhand?</p>

<p>There’s not much to it. Just get to know your wrist a little better. </p>

<p>Practice, but bend, bend, bend. I coach kids in a summer camp and most get REALLY frustrated but when I see them doing ind. tourny’s they never bend their knees. </p>

<p>But yeah, slicing always gets the job done:)</p>

<p>Do a backflip</p>