Basic smash technique

When it comes to smashing, there are three main things that we always have to take note. The preparation, forward swing and contact and follow through.

1. Preparation

Turn sideways and then get into a position where the ball is above and slightly to the right or left depending which hand you are using. Move backwards and get ready for the shot. Use the free hand to point at the ball for balance and coordination.

2. Forward swing and contact

Throw the racket head up to meet the ball at maximum height and ensure the contact point is in front of your head with your arm fully extended upward. Eyes on the ball and strike it.

3. Follow through

Make your racket follow through slightly across the body to help you recover the next shot and ensure your upper body follows the trajectory of the ball and bends forward.

The backhand smash

It is always easier to use the forehand smash for most people and your opponents will know that thus they will try to lob the ball your backhand side. If you can, you can actually play the game in such a way that you can use the forehand smash alternatively, backhand smash can be used:

1. Sidestep back under the ball

2. Racket head at the waist level and get prepared for a shoulder turn

3. Take off from the ground with the back leg where the body weigh is

4. Try to contact the ball in front of your body with the racket head slightly forward

5. Swing your arm in the direction of the shot after the contact.

The bounce smash

In all the smashes there is actually a smash known as the bounce smash. Not seen many times especially in this wimbledon. For bounce smash, if you wait for a lobbed ball to bounce, remember that it will not bounce straight up - you will need to move behind the ball:

1. Allow yourself to have some space and then play your normal smash.

2. If you are very far back in the court, hit the bounce smash with some slice in order to help control the ball.

The tennis smash

The smash is one technique that can help many players to score an point outright and it is almost similar like the serve in the sense that it is a throwing action. However different is that you will have the placement control in the serve and in the smash the ball's direction is determined by your opponent. Having said that means you have to move to get the positioning you need. The shot is generally played in the air but there are times you can see when some professionals play they let the ball bounce first and then smash it. The reason can be of several factors such as the sun is too bright for your eyes or the lob is very high or the opponent has retreated to the baseline and the bounce of the ball is high. Knowing how to smash is the answer to the lob shot which was mentioned in the much earlier post and the key to a good smash is having quick footwork so that you can get back and underneath the ball in time.

The jump smash

A jump smash in action by one of the professional players. (reuters)

The jump smash is one technique used by many tennis greats such as Roger Federer who has used it again at the recent sensational French Open. It can be used when you are faced with a very deep lob. The only main thing to consider is that this technique requires lots of coordination in the sense that you may need to move the ball quickly by running in. There are also several things to consider when applying this technique properly:

1. Get ready to take off from the ground with legs balanced so that you can accurately hit the target.

2. Contact the ball in the air and land on the rear foot with the front pointing forward.

3. Recover fast to prepare for the next shot.