[4K UHD Court-Level] Jackie's Tennis Training -

Racquet of the Day: Fokina's Head Extreme Pro 2024

Quality Shots
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Take back racquet early.
Don't time the ball landing: run to it and use mini steps to adjust.
Keep distance for swinging forwards (weight transfer) with extended arm.
Produce an ARCH of the ball: dip racquet (matching ball landing speed) and close racquet face.

Footwork
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You tend to guide the ball (as opposed to finishing the full swing) when the balance or position is off.
Split steps whenever the opponent is ABOUT to hit.
Stay **tall** on the back.
Stay **low** on the legs.
Reaching to the ideal contact point (for swinging with an extended dominant arm):
First run in big steps towards the flying ball.
Then move in small, mini steps around the landing ball.
After hitting, always quickly move back to the middle of base line.

Breathing
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Exhale when hitting the ball.

Ground Strokes
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Ready position:
Left hand index finger on the string
Left hand creates an “arch” to hold the racquet throat (rather than leaning flat on it)
Loop:
Stay relaxed when taking back the racquet.
Drop the racquet to start the loop to hit towards the ideal contact point.
Hit to LIFT the ball (with closed racquet).
Transfer the body weight by swinging forwards.
***Contact Point***: On or above waist line & In front of left foot (between 2 and 3 o'clock)
Hitting Stance: Open or Semi-Open (Avoid closed stance.)

Forehand Ground Strokes
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Racquet always stays closed.
Do not lift the right foot.
When hitting, stay balanced **without** finishing with **right** foot stepping forward.
Don't overthink about getting the WRIST LAG: it will just evolve naturally.

Backhand Ground Strokes
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Always get prepared for ground stroke, and switch to a slice if necessary.
When turning, hands should not be too much away from waist.
Do not lift the left foot.
When hitting, stay balanced **without** finishing with **left** foot stepping forward.

Slices
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Backhand Slice:
Elbow points to the ball before hitting.
Slow & Calm towards Contact.
Curve the racquet to Hit cross-court.
Hit THROUGH the ball; Don't chip the ball from the bottom.
Forehand Slice:
Bend arm slightly upon contact and finish through.

Serves
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Look at where the landing target is before starting.
Start with open racquet, then swing to close it.
Coordinate both hands; Right hand should not move faster than left hand.
Toss the ball between 12 and 1 o'clock, such that as the swing reaches the peak, turn the hip and snap to hit.

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I am a teaching professor at York University, Toronto. I started learning tennis since April, 2022 and seem to start developing a passion about it. I decided to record my tennis training/practice sessions so that I can be conscious about and reflective on every one of them. It's challenging to start a new sport, from scratch, but it'd be worth the commitment as long as I can be better one session after another.

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