YOUR BEST GUIDE TO TEACHING UNDER-SPIN FUNDAMENTALS
Is there a resurgence in the use of underspin in tennis today? Having witnessed years of topspin domination (and underspin neglect), are we finally seeing underspin getting the recognition it deserves?
I think we are.
For too many years, players have relied almost totally on topspin to attack and defend in points. This new trend from the top male and female players in tennis may be signalling a new and exciting era for the once-maligned underspin.
During this year's French Open, players were mixing in underspin groundstrokes during the rally to keep the ball low and using underpin to help defend the point whenever needed.
Underspin is also a key element when playing the drop shot, which we see much more now in rallies, particularly by Novak Djokovic.
"...players today must understand how to technically incorporate under-spin into their game, and just as important when to execute under-spin during the point."
As tennis gets increasingly diverse in its skill complexities, players today must understand how to technically incorporate under-spin into their game and, just as important, when to execute under-spin during the point.
Let's start with how to teach the technical part first.
Here are the key points I emphasise when teaching underspin.
THE LOCKED WRIST
I teach players to lock their wrists whenever they want to use under-spin. Whether it’s to volley, hit an approach shot, or execute a one-handed under-spin groundstroke, I insist on a locked wrist.
The advantage of a locked wrist is that it creates a solid surface (racquet face) for the ball to rebound. Having achieved a solid racquet face from a locked wrist, there is no need to add any swing or use extra wrist action during the contact because the locked wrist allows the player to use the natural rebound of the ball off the racquet face.
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| A locked wrist creates a 90-degree angle between the arm and the racquet |
"Having achieved a solid racquet face from a locked wrist, there is no need to add any swing or use extra wrist action during the contact..."
Insisting on a locked wrist means the player has to work harder on their positioning during the stroke. If the player doesn't get close enough to the ball to play the underspin, they cannot maintain a locked wrist. If players need to extend their wrists to reach the ball, they aren't close enough. This is why volleys and great movement go hand in hand.
LATE CONTACT POINT
One of the biggest mistakes you can make with an under-spin is to hit the ball early and in front. Even worse is to “punch” the ball in front.
I know that you've heard forever that to hit great volleys, it's essential to "punch the ball in front." All the books and coaches you've encountered over the years have repeated this advice to you.
I'm here to tell you that they are incorrect. Hitting volleys and approach shots in front of your body or using a punching motion to play the stroke will destroy your under-spin.
Contacting the ball early in the contact zone (out in front) will “open” the racquet face and create a flatter contact, meaning you will lose your feel for depth.
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| The player will make contact with the ball at the side of his body to retain the open racquet face |
"Hitting volleys and approach shots in front of your body or using a punching motion to play the shot will destroy your under-spin."
Under-spin requires the contact point to be a little later. A later contact point, roughly parallel to the side of your body, will allow the racquet face to stay “open” throughout contact with the ball. This late contact maintains the correct amount of under-spin through the ball, and under-spin helps you control the depth of your shot and keeps the bounce low at the other side of the net.
To achieve a late contact point on a short ball in front (both for a volley or an approach shot), the player must learn to use a side-ways cross-over step. I like to work this cross-over step into fitness workouts so that the skill can be learned and perfected until the player becomes sufficiently confident in manoeuvring this way.
USE OF THE ELBOW
We have now locked the wrist, and energy for the stroke will come from the rebound effect of the locked racquet face.
But what if we want to increase speed and penetration more on the volley or approach shot?
We can generate extra speed and penetration by extending the elbow slightly through contact with the ball.
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| The player above has prepared the volley by locking his wrist but has kept his elbow slightly bent and relaxed so that he can extend it through the volley |
As soon as you know that you're playing any stroke using underpin, prepare a locked wrist, but allow yourself a slightly relaxed elbow. As the ball is being contacted, the wrist remains locked, and the elbow extends through the contact to help provide increased feel and penetration to the ball.
You'll need to work on the coordination of the elbow, but the benefits will be worth the effort.
THE VOLLEY
Now let's look at the Volley in more detail.
Apart from the technique of hitting a good volley, which has already been outlined, I should highlight two other objectives whenever you're hitting a volley:
1. The Volley is a placement shot and not a put-away shot.
Accurate volley placement will always be better than attempting to bludgeon the ball. The volley is often used to finish the point; your mindset should always be to find a target.
2. Be conscious of the height of your Contact in relation to the height of the white band
A ball struck below the height of the white band puts you in a neutral or even defensive situation, meaning you need to be more cautious with what you decide to do. In contrast, any ball above the white band will signal offence and an opportunity to finish the point.
It’s essential to know your correct options for each situation.
THE APPROACH SHOT
Here are some essential points to be aware of when you are playing an approach shot:
1. The ball's energy is primarily supplied by the forward movement of your body as you run to the net. Don’t overdo the racquet work!
3. Your main objective is to keep yourself safe at the net by keeping your
opponent's feet deep in the court and/or keeping your opponent's point of
Contact low.
THE ONE-HANDED BACKHAND
Many of the points mentioned earlier remain the same, but additional points to consider are:
1. Maintain a disciplined finish after the completion of your stroke. The finish should end with the knuckles of your racquet hand in front of you and at head height.
Finishing out to the side of your body shows you are using too
much shoulder in your swing. Dominate the stroke with your elbow
extension.
Finishing out to the side of your body shows you are using too
much shoulder in your swing. Dominate the stroke with your elbow
extension.
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| Finish the underspin groundstroke by extending the elbow, and finish the stroke in from of your body |
2. Establishing a contact foot helps you draw power up from the ground.
Many players who usually use a two-handed backhand groundstroke
can sometimes lack strength when they attempt a one-handed
underspin backhand. Enlist the help of ground forces to supply sufficient
power to the single-handed backhand.
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| The power, balance, and timing for the one-handed under-spin backhand comes from the player's interaction with the ground |
Other related topics that may interest you:
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The Spin FundamentalHow To Volley Like The Pros https://thetenniswhisperer.blogspot.com/2012/05/how-to-volley-like-pros.html
Veteran Doubles: 7 Tips To Boost Your Game https://thetenniswhisperer.blogspot.com/2019/01/veterans-doubles-7-tips-to-boost-your.html
The Benefits of Keeping The Ball Low https://thetenniswhisperer.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-benefits-of-keeping-ball-low.html
thank you this post is very informative.
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