THE GAME OF TENNIS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 December 1939, Page 9

THE GAME OF TENNIS

THE BACKHAND DRIVE. SOME USEFUL HINTS. Tn the production of the backhand drive the principal bodily movements contributing to a successful stroke are a good body turn to the left sideline, the right foot carried well across the court, the arm kept straight and the hand pressed down, the head of the racket to be kept up. at least, as high as the hand. Only by this mechanical procedure can a long sweep with, the racket be made, and the long sweep is the surest way of developing controlled pace. Practice your backhand against the volley-board until it is a fast and reliable stroke —until you can put up 20 backhand drives without missing one. Having developed then a good firm shot how and when are you going to use it? An opponent with any idea of the game will test your backhand in every match both with service and with drive and unless you can take it then you are in for real trouble. If you watch a singles match closely it is really amazing the number of backhand shots that are played across court. From backhand to backhand is the general rule. Yet one of the best shots in the game is the straight backhand drive down the line. It frequently catches opponents right out of position and is less likely to get you into trouble than the cross-court drive will. Return of service is naturally one of the main tasks of the backhand shot. When this is called for, the service generally comes down the centre-line on the right service court or down the sideline of the left service court. As with the forehand return, depth and pace are the most valuable qualities in a backhand return. From the sideline it is possible to send a very effective drive straight down the line, and this will bring your opponent scurrying from the other side of the court. If you drive cross-ourt you play to his backhand and that also is a good shot to go to the net behind.

A word or two about backhand shots near the net is given by a southern writer. It is in the zone near the net that most players make their errors—it is the real danger zone of the game. If the ball bounces low on the backhand near the net it is futile to hit it hard. One must bend the knees and get down to it. keeping the arm straight and the head of the racket up as usual. The ball must not’ be hit hard. Play it quietly and play for depth as a general rule.