Technical
You will always struggle unless you have sound ground strokes, volleys, overheads, and serves.
Here are some great resources….
Affiliations
– USPTA and PTR Member Since 1980
– Wilson Tennis Advisory Staff for 30+ years
– Former Virginia Head Verifier
Gary Garner
Gary Garner has been a face of Virginia Beach tennis for over 40 years and has been instrumental in developing local tennis. Gary enjoys teaching tennis players of all ages and all levels. A pro since 1980, Gary specializes in taking young players from the beginning level to collegiate play. Several of his students have been awarded college scholarships – the most current include Pepperdine and Southern Miss.
From 2005-2008, Gary coached a college student in Southern CA. It was an incredible opportunity to travel to the top clubs and academies, as well as work with former Top 10 Grand Slam Tennis Professionals. Traveling throughout the country to National Tournaments gave Gary invaluable insight coaching and teaching the game at the next level. For adult tennis, Gary helped over 20 local USTA teams to Districts, Sectionals & National titles. When league play started in Virginia Beach back in ’95, he put together and coached the first men’s and women’s 2.5 tennis teams that went to Nationals. Gary is a tennis pro at Virginia Beach Tennis & Country Club.
Underspin Slice Shot
/by Gary GarnerThere are 3 main types of underspin shots, each one referring to the depth of the shot. The greatest element of this shot is the disguise factor. To have a shot that you can hit at different depths will also give you many options to defend, neutralize, and attack your opponent. The DROP SHOT is […]
Forehand Variations
/by Gary GarnerSHOT SHAPES/TYPES ARC: 3-6 feet above the net. LOOP: 6-8 feet above the net. TOPSPIN LOB: 10 to 20 feet above the net. ANGLE: Short crosscourt maximum topspin finish low. DRIVE: Most pace, lowest shot, less spin. APPROACH SHOT: Sidespin on high ball, 5-11 o’clock on medium height. UNDERSPIN: Higher ball hit through the ball. […]
Reacting to the SHOT
/by Gary GarnerThe Ready Position: The ideal ready position is feet shoulder length apart, knees bent with your weight positioned over your toes. Right before the ball is hit make your split step. Read and react: The key is to step out to the ball with your foot closest to the ball’s direction, it establishes the fastest […]
The Continental Grip
/by Gary GarnerNeedless to say this is a tough grip to own but once you do, your shot selections, options, and the game itself improve greatly. Here are 12 shots that are easily executed with the proper grip. Once you get used to it……. Slice Groundstroke Underspin Approach Approach Volley Volley Drop Volley Drop Shot Defensive Lob […]
The Volley – All 10 of Them
/by Gary GarnerSIMPLE THOUGHTS FOR A SIMPLE STROKE Establish the ready position “home base”. Elbows out, wrist firm. Make a unit turn to the ball with a Continental/Australian grip. Keeping the non-dominate hand on the racket as long as possible will force you to attack the ball with your feet not reach with your hands. Step into […]
Open Stance Backhand
/by Gary GarnerOver the past 20 years the game of tennis has changed dramatically. Improved training methods and advances in racket technology have challenged players to adjust tactics and technique in order to be successful. The open-stance backhand is one for the following reasons: To help players deal with the increased power on serves and ground strokes […]
The Two Handed Backhand
/by Gary GarnerVery Simple Key Points to Identify and Emulate: Make a simple unit turn with your hips and shoulders to take the racquet back. Make sure the right hand pulls the racket back to establish a strong weight transfer and “pro turn”. I like the right arm extended. A closed stance with strong front leg position. […]
Thoughts on the Backhand
/by Gary GarnerVARIATIONS OF THE BACKHAND STANCE: Open stance Semi-open stance Square stance Closed stance Semi closed stance A FEW SIMPLE THOUGHTS Use 2 eastern grips Make a simple unit turn with your hips and shoulders to promote a lower ideal contact point. This makes it easier for your BRAIN to tell you feet what to do. […]