Javea Tennis
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The Overhead
Many a deafening scream has been aired following the act of hitting an
overhead smash. Al that energy, all that power, all that anxious anticipation.
And there lies the ball, innocently, at the foot of the net. How did it get there?
You over-hit another overhead.
Overheads are easy to miss if you try too hard; they're just like every other
shot in this game - if you try to hit them harder than you're able, you'll miss
more than you make. (Oh, but you want to hammer it - make it one shot the
fans will never forget?)
Don't settle for just one good shot. Put all your overheads away - into the court.
The secret to smashing success is controlling your body at the moment of truth.
Two basic mistakes cause most overhead disasters: one is pulling your head down just before the point of contact (to hopefully see the ball land in the court), and the other is to throw your hips back in a slightly ungainly position, letting the ball drop too low. The combination of these two errors in technique predictably sends the ball into the net.
The next time you practice your overhead, try the following three remedies to your embarrassing problem.
The first tip is to keep your chin up until after you have hit the ball. Get in the habit of looking at the spot where you just made contact. Instead of dropping your head as you try to hit down, say to yourself, "Chin up, hit out."
The second tip is to always turn sideways. Move your feet quickly so you can prepare early. Bending your front knee will help stabilize your balance, helping you control your muscles to make a consistent centre hit. After contact momentarily hold your finish.
The third tip is to hit your overhead only as hard as you can control your body.
Don't try to scare anybody. Be deliberate and try to direct the ball. Since you are
at the net, take advantage of the potential angle. A not-too-hard, carefully hit,
well-placed overhead is exciting.
And, instead of screaming, you get to smile.
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