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Tennis – the smash

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This is the intosport.com tennis academy. This video guide will teach you the smash.

When you’re playing at the net or in the forecourt your opponent may try to lob the ball over you. Sometimes your opponent will misjudge the length or height of the shot or if they don’t hit the ball hard enough or high enough then the ball may fall within your reach in the forecourt and you can hit a smash. The smash is a powerful overhead shot; however the smash is not any easy shot to hit and requires concentration, anticipation, good timing and lots of practice.

• 1. Smash Technique +

  Let’s start with the grip. The chopper grip is normally used when you hit a smash because it helps you hit the ball with maximum power. If you’re a beginner it might be easier to start with a forehand grip but you should aim to change to the chopper grip as soon as you can.

  When you hit a smash you should always be sideways on and slightly behind the ball. Moving into the right position is the most important thing to do to hit a great smash. When your opponent hits a lob you’ll probably be at the net or moving towards the net so you need to move to the point where the ball will fall taking sideways steps and always keeping your eye on the ball.

  As you move across the court, draw the racquet back behind you using a similar action to that of the serve except the backswing will be a little shorter. You may find it helpful to point at the ball with your free hand, this will help you focus on the position of the ball and make an accurate contact. Reach up and swing through the ball at full reach with as much power as possible but make sure you stay in control. As your racquet arm swings through your free arm swings down and alongside your body, this will provide additional balance and power.

  You should aim to hit your smash away from your opponent, maybe into the corners or across court. If you hit a great smash then you should win the point but you must be prepared for your smash to be returned by your opponent so make sure you recover quickly by either moving back into the net or back towards the baseline so you’re ready to play your next shot.

• 2. Smash Drill +

  The smash is a difficult shot to practice as you need the ball to be fed to you in the right way and the shot you hit will be difficult for your partner to return. Rather than keep a rally going your practice partner may find it easier to stand with a basket of balls and feed them to you one by one.

  If you’re practicing the smash for the first time start by allowing the ball to bounce rather than volleying it in the air, this will enable you to practice your timing and movement. You can do this by placing a series of markers on the court aiming at them randomly or in sequence. Once you’ve mastered this, progress to volleying the ball in the air and then progress to aiming your shots at the targets on the court. With both practice drills make sure that you move back to the ready position after each shot, the ball may not come back but you should be ready if it does.

• 3. Recap Smash +

  Stand sideways on and move to the ball using side steps, point at the ball with your free arm and swing through the ball with power and hit the ball at full stretch. Direct the ball away from your opponent either into the corners or across court. Start by practicing to smash the ball after one bounce to develop timing balance and movement. Move onto volleying the ball in the air and learn to direct the smash to different parts of the court.

  So now that you have the smash mastered be sure to check out all the other useful video guides, tips and fitness advice at intosport.com

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