Maria Sharapova power shot illustration

There are spectators who might find it hilarious when players on the court are really shouting at a high pitch or probably squeaking as they compete. But sometimes the reason for some of them to have such expressions could be a beneficial one to their shots.

When one shouts while exerting force it could attribute more power as it facilitates the point of explosiveness. Note that every shot that Maria Sharapova made is accompanied with a shout and perhaps serves as a strategic one to disrupt the player too.

But look at Maria Sharapova's serves and forehand especially the serves they are quick and powerful that the opponent could not return them.

Backhand return of serve

For the tennis backhand return of serve, one can either use one handed or backhanded. But for the one handed, you must always be ready and watch your opponent carefully, and where possible take the shot early and attack the ball. If there is time, you can run around your backhand and make the return into a forehand.

On the return of serve one may also have to make an important decision and that is whether you should play the shot that you feel most comfortable with or should you play the shot that you think might be most be effective?

If you feel comfortable with a single handed backhand return of serve, play it with confidence. However, you may wish to develop a two handed shot.

Tennis forehand return of serve

As mentioned in the previous post, return of serve is also something essential when wanting to win the game. For the forehand return of serve, there are some important points to take note.

1. Ready position

You can start with the grip you preferred but be prepare for changes when deciding what shot to play later.

2. Preparation

Get active and ready for the return when the opponent tosses the ball to serve. When your opponent is about to strike the ball, perform a split step so that you can move in the direction the ball is coming.

3. Contact

When hitting a defensive return, the forward swing will be similar to that of a volley. Make the point of contact slightly further in front of your body. Keep the swing impact and the grip firm. When hitting an offensive return, try and have a forward swing similar to your topspin forehand.

4. Follow through

This step depends on the pace of the server, the follow through with the defensive return is likely to similar to that for a blocked volley that is short and compact.

Return of serve

In any match almost half of the points are lost or won in the return of serve. If some said that the serve is the most important shot, then the return of second is a close second. Anticipation or rather having the intuition is highly required to know the movement of the ball early and to execute control by using simple but reliable strokes.

If you think about it, the basis of returning the serve is similar to the normal forehand and backhand but the playing situation is somewhat different. The opponent has complete control of the serve and is aiming to put you under as much pressure as possible. Return of serve can usually be categorized as offensive or defensive.

Offensive return is played when you are trying to take control of the point from this shot onward. It can be used against a weaker first or second serve, when you are in a position to put your opponent under pressure. Defensive return is played when the goal is to get the ball into play. It can be used equally against a hard powerful serve.

Slice serve continues

In slice serve like any other serves there are the basic steps to follow with a slight twist in it.

1. Preparation

The stance should be the same for the flat serve.

2. Loading position

Toss the ball in front of your body and slightly to your right for a right handed player. Turn the upper body slightly sideways which you can see from the animation below and backwards, to get good shoulder rotation.


3. Contact point

Ensure your contact with the ball is in a sideways motion, across the ball. This will cause the sideways spin on the ball. One point to note is that the contact point should be further to the right than with the flat serve.

4. Follow through

Allow your upper body to the follow the path of the direction in the direction of the shot.

Slice serve

Another serve that a player should practice is the slice serve. To some maybe thinking what slice serve is? It is a kind of serve that forces your opponent to move out of the court area in order to return the ball, because the spin takes the ball to the side. This serve is very effective on fairly smooth surfaces where the impact of the sidespin is more pronunced. So in a nutshell a flat serve would make the ball go straight a slice serve will make the ball curl and therefore going into another direction.

What makes slice serve good is that it forces opponents to make weak returns. To correctly execute the slice serve, the first step of preparation is the same like flat serve and slightly different in the next few steps. The main thing is in the contact point where the ball in contact have to be in a sideways motion across the ball. This will inflict the sideways spin on the ball.

Main points for topspin serve

The four main things about topspin serve:

1. Preparation

Your stance should be the same as the flat serve.

2. Loading position

Toss the ball slightly behind the head, over your left shoulder if you are a right handed player and vice-versa. Lean the upper body backwards a little and ensure that there is a good knee bend.


3. Contact point

The swing of the racket head to the ball should be from behind and to the left of your head and move your racket from left to right, upwards, across and over the ball.

4. Follow through

Direct the first part of your follow through outwards from your body and to your right.

Topspin serve

If you have noticed, professional players will usually not hit a straight flat serve. Mostly the ball will have some degree of spin. One of the basic variations of serve is the topspin serve.

The top spin serve will give a player a wider margin for error than a flat serve It crosses higher over the net before the spin brings the ball down causing it to bounce higher after hitting the ground. This shot is particularly effective on clay as the rougher the surface the higher it will bounce.

The topspin serve is used more in men's game than women's. This is because women does not have the physical strength as the men to achieve excessive topspin on the ball. This is important because the opponent can actually control the point easily if the topspin serve is not effective.

Footwork when serving

There are two basic types of footwork used in the serve. Both can be highly effective and it is important to find the one that suits you.

1. Foot up
With foot up or platform style the player should bring the back foot up directly behind the front foot when reaching for the ball, enabling a tall upward stretch. The player then falls on the front foot after the drive. This action produces great vertical force and a high contact position for the player.



2. Foot back
Here the player leaves his or her back foot behind, bending deeply at the knees. After the drive, the landing is on the front foot. Large horizontal forces are produced using this technique.

The position for a power shot

"Every shot is a power shot" Sounds familiar? This is the phrase by Maria for her canon advertisement. Look at her posture for her serve and

it is no wonder her shots are power shots. Maria is one of those female players with great serving power and that comes certainly not without any training. Noticed how her elbow is positioned. The elbow is facing upright not to much to the back and not too much to the front. With her elbow at this position, she can have adequate power to do a smack on the ball.
(Getty images)