Top Spin 2

I recently had a post here about my struggles with a forehand tennis shot and how the coach asked me to try changing my starting position with the racket held low instead of up in front of my chest. I reported an immediate improvement, but tempered my optimism by saying I needed to play more to see if the problem really was fixed.

I've played a few more times since then and while I certainly felt better about my forehand stroke, it still didn't feel right and certainly did not feel fully comfortable. I would end each day of playing with an increasing sense of frustration. I could play okay and get the shots over the net, but it never felt "right." I still felt there was one little thing missing in my shots.

This morning, I went out with a friend of mine (who has been playing for many years) and he agreed to help me a bit. After hitting the ball for a while, he asked me to make one small change in my stroke. The simple instruction was "when you hit your forehand shot, hit so that the racket ends up by your left ear." You absolutely would not believe the dramatic change that took place instantly. This time I know there is a huge improvement. No more cautious optimism. That simple instruction completely changed the way I approached forehand shots. Not only did I follow through properly and get the top spin that I have been desperate to get, but the shots felt comfortable. Immediately, the strokes felt much more natural and I was able to hit the ball with more power, confidence, and accuracy than ever before.

I ended my last "top spin post" with the statement "More evidence of the importance of having a good teacher!" I'd like to modify that now. While a good teacher is essential, it is also important to have the personal attention that allows the teacher the time to work on your specific areas of weakness. While my coach was helpful, he was coaching four of us at the same time and since I was the only one with the forehand problem, it didn't get the attention it needed. With my friend just looking to solve my problem (and that too focusing on one problem) we found a solution much faster.

Maybe the implications of this go beyond a tennis stroke and into teaching, parenting and schooling ...

Top Spin

I started taking tennis lessons several months ago and started to really enjoy the game a lot. Then, the coach got busy with his college teams and although I continued to play occasionally, I stopped getting the coaching for several months.

For some strange reason, I really struggled with my forehand and had no trouble with my backhand. For most people, it is the opposite. I was completely unable to manage any top spin with my forehand and continually sliced the ball when returning a forehand shot.

I knew it was something very simple I was doing wrong and longed for a return to the coaching. Amazingly, when we had our first lesson in months this week, I explained my problem and frustration to the coach and he fixed it almost instantly. Essentially, he just asked me to stand with my racket held low to the ground instead of up above my waist. Almost immediately I could see a difference in my swing and the way the ball responded to being hit. I still need to practice this swing to see if the problem really is fixed, but his explanation made sense. More evidence of the importance of having a good teacher!