The {net
centre net} {attackack
ambush
assault} is the {heavy
strong} {artillery
ammunition} of {tennis
lawn tennis}. It is {supposed
alleged
presumed
likely} to {crush
smash
break} all {defence
defense}. As such it must be {regarded
seen} as a point-{winning
conquering} {stroke
shot} at all times, no matter whether the {stroke
shot} is {volley
tennis volley} or smash.
You {will
may} hear {much
some} {talk
chat} of “{hack
chop}” {volley
tennis volley}s. A {hack
chop} {stroke
shot} is one where the {racquet
raquet} {travels
moves} from {above
beyond
over} the line of flight of the {ball
tennis ball}, down and through it, and the angle made behind the {racquet
raquet} is greater than 45 degrees, and many {approach
as much as} 90 degrees. Therefore I say that no {volley
tennis volley}s should be {hack
chop}ped, for the {tendency
inclination} is to pop the {ball
tennis ball} up in the air off any {hack
chop}. Slice {volley
tennis volley}s if you want to, or hit them flat, for both these {stroke
shot}s are made at a very small angle to the flight-line of the {ball
tennis ball}, the {racquet
raquet} face {travelling
moving} almost along its plane.
{Volley
Tennis volley}ing is a science based on the old geometric axiom that a straight line is the shortest distance between two points. I mean that a {volley
tennis volley}er must always cover the straight passing {stroke
shot} since it is the shortest {stroke
shot} with which to pass him, and he must {volley
tennis volley} straight to his opening and not waste time trying freakish curving {volley
tennis volley}s that give the base-liner time to recover. It is Johnston’s great straight {volley
tennis volley} that makes him such a {dangerous
critical
formidable} net man. He is always “punching” his {volley
tennis volley} straight and hard to the opening in his opponent’s court.
Attack with your {volley
tennis volley}s. Never defend the {ball
tennis ball} when at the net. The only defensive {volley
tennis volley} is one at your feet as you come in. It is a mid-court {stroke
shot}. {Volley
Tennis volley}s should win with placement more than speed, although speed may be used on a high {volley
tennis volley}.
Closely related to the {volley
tennis volley}, yet in no way a {volley
tennis volley} {stroke
shot}, is the overhead smash. It is the Big Bertha of {tennis
lawn tennis}. It is the long range terror that should always score. The rules of footwork, position, and direction that govern the {volley
tennis volley} {will
may} suffice for the overhead. The {swing
tennis swing} alone is different. The {swing
tennis swing} should be closely allied to the slice service, the {racquet
raquet} and arm {swing
tennis swing}ing freely from the shoulder, the wrist flexible and the {racquet
raquet} imparting a slight twist to the {ball
tennis ball} to hold it in court. The overhead is mainly a point winner through speed, since its bounce is so high that a slow placement often allows time for a recovery.
Do not leap in the air {unnecessarily
needlessly} to hit overhead {ball
tennis ball}s. Keep at least one foot, and when possible both feet, on the ground in smashing, as it aids in regulating the weight, and gives better balance. Hit flat and decisively to the point if desired.
The {hack
chop} {lob
high shot}, which is a decided under cut, should rise from {twenty
20} to 30 feet, or more, high and must go deep. It is better to {lob
high shot} out and run your opponent back, thus tiring him, than to {lob
high shot} short and give him confidence by an easy kill. The value of a {lob
high shot} is mainly one of upsetting your opponent, and its effects are very apparent if you {suddenly
unexpectedly} bring off one at the {important
critical
crucial} period of a match.
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