Degree in Sport Science Course: Tennis Lesson-1: Course for Beginners: Teaching Methods

Degree in Sport ScienceCourse: Tennis

Lesson-1: Course for Beginners: Teaching Methods

Professor: Ph.D. José Antonio Aparicio Asenjo

Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación Física y del Deporte

Departamento de Deportes

Lesson-1 Course for Beginners: Teaching Methods

EASTERN FOREHAND GRIP • The Grip

– Explanation: The teacher places the students at the right side of the tennis court and then explains the recommended grip for the forehand shot which is called “EASTERN FOREHAND”.

– Performance: The teacher shows in an ergonomic way how to hold this grip depending on where the ball, the racket and the player are during the hit.

– Practice: The teacher asks students to hold the racket using the “EASTERN FOREHAND” grip.

– Correction: The teacher observes how the students hold the grip and corrects them.

EXERCISES TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE “EASTERN FOREHAND” GRIP

• All these exercises must be explained, performed and practiced:– With the “EASTERN FOREHAND” grip, bounce the ball against the floor clenching

the fist firmly. – With the “EASTERN FOREHAND” grip, hit the net tape and stop the movement

while keeping the racket’s strings perpendicular to the ground. – Working in pairs, one of the students holds the racket pointing at the other with

the butt cap, as if it was the ball during the hit. The other student will hit the butt cap softly and keep the position while observing how the grip is. After several repetitions, they swap roles.

– Working in pairs, both students stand ready for a forehand stroke. One of them throws the ball up softly between them and, when it bounces, both of them try to hold the ball with the two rackets face to face.

– The student stands sideways with the racket ready and the teacher stays close to him/her prepared to drop the ball. At that moment, the student will execute the stroke previously taught by the teacher.


FOREHAND STROKEFirst exercise: hit and stop• Explanation:

⁻ The teacher places the students in the best location so they can observe properly. ⁻ Initial position: With the “EASTERN FOREHAND” grip, the teacher stands nearby the net with

semi-flexed knees, trunk slightly bended forward and staring at the front, with the racket prepared for the backswing.

⁻ Then, the teacher begins to perform the hitting and stopping exercise very slowly, without ball, so the students can watch the movements in detail.

• Performance:⁻ With the “EASTERN FOREHAND” grip, the teacher stands as previously explained. ⁻ A student or assistant stands in front of him/her at the other side of the net and throws the ball

so it bounces in front of the teacher and he/she can hit it in front of his/her body. ⁻ At that point, the teacher will bring the racket softly forward stopping the shot at the moment

of the impact. The racket head must be with the strings perpendicular to the ground or slightly opened to pass the net and more or less at the same height as the handle.

• Practice:⁻ The teacher places the students in a row in the tennis court to practice the same exercise.

• Correction:⁻ The teacher observes how the students practice and corrects them.


FOREHAND SHOTSecond exercise: hit and follow-through• Explanation:

⁻ The teacher places the students in the best location so they can observe properly. ⁻ Initial position: The same as in the first exercise.⁻ Now the teacher makes the hit and follow-through exercise stretching his/her arm out

towards the front, with no ball and very slowly so the students can watch the movement in detail.

• Performance:⁻ With the “EASTERN FOREHAND” grip, the teacher stands as previously explained. ⁻ A student or assistant stands in front of him/her at the other side of the net and throws the

ball so it bounces in front of the teacher and he/she can hit it in front of his/her body. ⁻ At that point, the teacher will move the racket softly forward hitting the ball and

completing the follow-through, stretching his/her arm out upwards, with the racket at eye level, and the heel up.

• Practice:⁻ The teacher places the students in a row in front of the net to practice the exercise.

• Correction:⁻ The teacher observes the practice and corrects the students: grip, backswing, the

movement of the arm when hitting, and the follow-through.


FOREHAND SHOTThird exercise: full groundstroke• Explanation:

⁻ The teacher places the students in the best location so they can observe properly. – Initial position: With the “EASTERN FOREHAND” grip, the teacher stands nearby the net with the feet separated, semi-

flexed knees, trunk slightly bended forward and staring at the front.– The racket is ready in front of the body, with the teacher’s free hand on the center and the racket head higher than the

handle.– Then, the teacher makes the full exercise: turns the foot (same side as the hand holding the racket) towards the upcoming

ball and turns shoulders while slightly bringing the racket backwards. After that, he/she moves the other foot forward so both legs are lined up and the racket is behind his/her back.

– Afterwards he/she moves the racket forward with a rectilinear movement (longitudinal plane) and completes the follow-through as in the second exercise: stretching his/her arm out upwards, with the racket straight and heel slightly up.

• Performance:– With the “EASTERN FOREHAND” grip, the teacher stands as previously explained. – A student or assistant stands in front of him/her at the other side of the net and throws the ball so it bounces

slightly rightwards in front of the teacher. – At that moment, the teacher makes the exercise hitting the ball as previously explained.

• Practice: – The teacher places the students in a row in front of the net to practice the exercise.

• Correction:– The teacher observes how the students practice and corrects them about the most important details: grip,

backswing, turning movement (arms and shoulders), hit, contact point, movement of the arm, and follow-through.


“EASTERN BACKHAND” GRIP• The grip

– Explanation: The teacher places the students at the right side of the court and explains the recommended grip for the backhand groundstroke, which is named “EASTERN BACKHAND” grip.


– Practice: The teacher asks the students to hold the racket using the “EASTERN BACKHAND” grip.

– Correction: The teacher observes the proper execution and corrects mistakes.


“TWO-HANDED EASTERN BACKHAND ” GRIP • The Grip:

– Explanation: • The teacher explains that in this stroke the racket is held with both hands.

The lower hand is called dominant and the upper hand is called guide.• Depending on where is the racket when hitting the ball, grips of both

dominant and guide’s hands can vary slightly, but the more common used is continental grip. If the ball is hit forward, the grip tends to be “eastern backhand” for the dominant hand, and “eastern forehand” (left-handed) for the guide hand.


– Practice: The teacher asks the students to hold the racket using the “TWO-HANDED EASTERN BACKHAND” grip.

– Correction: The teacher observes how they hold the grip and points out the mistakes.


EXERCISES TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE “EASTERN BACKHAND” GRIP

• All these exercises must be explained, performed and practiced:– With the “EASTERN BACKHAND” grip, bounce the ball against the floor clenching

the fist firmly. – With the “EASTERN BACKHAND” grip, hit the net tape stopping the movement

while keeping the strings perpendicular to the ground. – Working in pairs, one of the students holds the racket pointing at the other

student with the butt cap, as if it was the ball during the hit. The other student will hit the butt cap softly and keep the position while observing how he/she is gripping the racket. After several repetitions, they swap roles.

– Working in pairs, both students stand ready for a backhand stroke. One of them throws the ball up softly between them and, when it bounces, both of them try to hold the ball with the two rackets face to face.

– The student stands sideways with the racket ready and the teacher stays close to him/her with the ball prepared to be dropped. At that point, the student will execute the stroke that has been taught by the teacher.


BACKHAND STROKEFirst exercise: hit and stop• Explanation:

⁻ The teacher places the students in the best location so they can observe properly. ⁻ Initial position: With the “EASTERN BACKHAND” grip, the teacher stands nearby the net with semi-

flexed knees, trunk slightly bended forward and staring at the front, with the racket prepared for the backswing.

⁻ Then, he/she starts hitting and stopping very slowly, with no ball, so the students can watch the movement in detail.

• Performance:⁻ As in the previous exercise, with the “EASTERN BACKHAND” grip, the teacher stands as previously

described in the explanation. ⁻ A student or assistant stands in front of him/her at the other side of the net and throws the ball so it

bounces in front of the teacher and he/she can hit it in front of his/her body. ⁻ At that point, the teacher will move the racket softly forward stopping the shot at the moment of the

impact. The racket head must be with the strings perpendicular to the ground or slightly opened to pass the net and more or less at the same height as the handle.

• Practice:⁻ The teacher places the students in a row in front of the net to practice the same exercise.

• Correction:⁻ The teacher observes how the students practice and corrects them about the most important

details.


BACKHAND SHOTSecond exercise: hit and follow-through• Explanation:

⁻ Teacher places the students in the best location so they can observe properly. ⁻ Initial position: As in the first exercise.⁻ Now he/she makes the hit and follow-through exercise stretching his/her arm out towards the

front, with no ball and very slowly so the students can see every detail of the movement.• Performance:

⁻ With the “EASTERN BACKHAND” grip, the teacher stands as previously described in the explanation.

⁻ A student or assistant stands in front of him/her at the other side of the net and throws the ball so it bounces in front of the teacher.

⁻ At that point, the teacher will bring the racket softly forward hitting the ball and completing the follow-through stretching his/her arm out upward, with the racket at eye level, and the heel up.

• Practice:⁻ The teacher places the students in a row in front of the net to practice the exercise.

• Correction:⁻ The teacher observes how the students practice and corrects them about the most important

details: grip, contact point, movement of the arm and follow-through.


BACKHAND STROKEThird exercise: full groundstroke• Explanation:

⁻ The teacher places the students in the best location so they can observe properly. – Initial position: With the “EASTERN BACKHAND” grip, the teacher stands nearby the net with his/her feet

separated at shoulder level, semi-flexed knees, trunk slightly bended forward and staring at the front.– The racket is ready in front of the body, with the teacher’s free hand on the center and the racket head higher

than the handle.– Then, he/she makes the full exercise: Turns the foot (same side as hand holding racket) towards the upcoming ball

while turning shoulders and slightly moving the racket backwards. After this, he/she moves the other foot forward so both legs are lined up and the racket is behind the back.

– Afterwards he/she moves the racket forward with a rectilinear movement (longitudinal plane) and completes the follow-through as in the second exercise: arm stretched out forward, racket straight and heel slightly up.

• Performance:– As in the previous exercise, with the “EASTERN BACKHAND” grip, the teacher stands as previously described in the explanation. – A student or assistant stands in front of him/her at the other side of the net and throws the ball so it bounces

slightly rightward in front the teacher. – At that point, the teacher perform the exercise hitting the ball as previously described.

• Practice: – The teacher places the students in a row in front of the net to practice the exercise.

• Correction:– The teacher observes how the students practice and corrects them about the most important details: grip, contact

point, movement of the arm, and follow-through.


GAMES TO PRACTICE THE FOREHAND AND THE BACKHAND STROKES

First exercise: hit and stop• Games:

⁻ Game-1: “Los penaltis” (the penalties). The teacher throws penalties to the right side of the student who plays the goalkeeper and has to stop them.

⁻ Game-2: Who is able to move from the service line bouncing the ball with the racket with the forehand grip and, once approaching the net, hit the ball to make it pass over the net?

⁻ Game-3: Who is able to stop the ball the teacher is throwing and then hit the ball so that it passes over the net? (students are placed in front of the teacher at the other side of the net).

⁻ Game-4: “Tirar a canasta” (score a basket). Teacher is placed behind the basket and throws the ball with his/her hand. The student hits and stops the stroke trying to score in the ball’s basket.


GAMES TO PRACTICE THE FOREHAND AND THE BACKHAND STROKES

Second exercise: hit and follow-through• Games:

– Game-1: “El vigilante” (the watchman). A student is “it” and plays the watchman. He/she watches the rest of the students practicing and whenever he/she find a mistake they swap roles. Every time a stroke is well done you earn a point. The player who earns more points wins.

– Game-2: “Guerras técnicas” (technical wars). Three rows must be formed for the players who compete against the others trying to achieve (technically) the best stroke. Winner stays and those who lose go to the end of their lines and wait for their next turn. The teacher decides the score and gives points from 0 to 5 (1 point for the right stance and racket behind, 1 point for the back-to-forward movement, 1 point for hitting with the sweet spot, 1 point for finishing the stroke, 1 point for aiming the target). Winner of every duel or technical war gets a point, and the player who earned more points wins.


GAMES TO PRACTICE THE FOREHAND AND BACKHAND STROKES

Third exercise: full groundstroke• Games:

⁻ Game-1: “La escalera” (the ladder). The teacher sets several marks on the court placed between the net and the baseline. After a correct shot at the first mark, the student gets an upgrade and goes/climbs to the next “step” of the ladder moving to the next mark. The first one to pass through all the marks wins. For moving from one mark to the next one, it is compulsory not only to aim the target specified by the teacher, but also to carry out the shot with the correct technique.

⁻ Game-2: “Las cuatro estaciones” (the four seasons). The same idea as in the previous game, but instead of climbing up a ladder, the student moves from one season of the year to the next, once the shots are performed properly.


EXERCISES TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE SERVICEAll these exercises have to be explained, performed and practiced. As for the correction, in this case, it is not so important, because these exercises are about seeking sensations related to the movement and playing:– The teacher stands sideways on the baseline, front foot should be at 45-degree angle to the baseline

(pointing at the net post) and back foot should be parallel to the baseline. He/she takes a ball with the dominant hand, and gets ready with the arm flexed. He/she makes a movement as if throwing a stone over his/her head, stretching the arm up and forward.

– The teacher stands as in the previous exercise: standing sideways with the dominant arm loaded. He/she takes a ball with the non-dominant hand and with that stretched arm throws the ball up softly and vertically, and captures it with the same hand.

– As in the previous exercise, but now once the ball is in the air, the teacher does not capture the ball with the same hand, instead the teacher hits the ball with the palm of the dominant hand.

– Once again the teacher stands in the same position as in the first exercise, gripping the racket with the dominant hand and using the eastern-forehand grip. The arm is flexed behind player’s head, positioning the elbow at shoulder level. From this position, he/she stretches the arm up and forward, stopping the movement at the highest point with the arm stiff and the edge of the racket perpendicular to the net (no pronation) as if he/she would be trying to cut something with the racket.

– As in the previous exercise, but this time the teacher does pronate, which means the strings should be pointing at the net.


THE SERVICEFirst exercise: hit and stop• Explanation:

⁻ The teacher places the students in the best location so they can observe properly. ⁻ Initial position: The teacher stands sideways on the baseline, front foot should be at

45-degree angle to the baseline (pointing at the net post) and back foot should be parallel to the baseline. He/she holds the racket with the “EASTERN FOREHAND” grip. The arm should be flexed behind the head with the elbow at shoulder level. From this position he/she stretches the arm upwards stopping the movement, with the strings facing the net and the heel up.

• Performance:⁻ As in the previous exercise, but this time he/she does the exercise hitting softly the

ball and trying to get the ball into the service area. • Practice:

⁻ The teacher places the students in a row facing the net to practice the exercise. • Correction:

⁻ The teacher corrects the important details of the exercise: grip, backswing, and contact point.


THE SERVICESecond exercise: hit and follow-through• Explanation:

⁻ The teacher places the students in the best location so they can observe properly. ⁻ Initial position: as in the first exercise.⁻ From this position, the dominant arm is stretched upwards (without ball) and

continues the movement, finishing between the opposite arm and leg. The heel moves up because of the body weigh transfer forward.

• Performance:⁻ As in the explanation, but now tossing the ball up, hitting it softly with control and

aiming the service area.• Practice:


⁻ The teacher observes how the students practice and corrects them about the important details: grip, backswing, and contact point.


THE SERVICEThird exercise: full stroke• Explanation:

– The teacher places the students in the best location so they can observe properly. – Initial position: The teacher stands sideways on the baseline, front foot should be at 45-degree

angle to the baseline (pointing at the net post) and back foot should be parallel to the baseline. The racket should be held with the “EASTERN FOREHAND” grip, and the free hand on the center of the racket pointing with the racket head to the service area

– Full stroke: Starting from the previous position, the arm is loaded and the free hand abandons the racket tossing the ball up vertically.

– Then, the arm stretches upward (with no ball) and continues the movement, finishing between the opposite arm and leg. The heel moves up because of the body weigh transfer forward.

• Performance:– As in the explanation, but now performing the exercise with the ball, hitting it softly with

control and aiming the service area.• Practice:

– The teacher places the students in a row facing the net to practice the exercise. • Correction:

– The teacher observes how the students practice and corrects them about the important details: grip, loading up and tossing arm, backswing, hit, contact point and follow-through.


GAMES TO PRACTICE THE SERVICE• Games:

⁻ Game-1: “Saque a dianas” (hit the bull’s-eye). The teacher decides several bull’s-eyes (some big ones, some small ones) and the student aiming more targets wins.

⁻ Game-2: “La escalera de saque” (service ladder). The teacher sets several marks on the court placed between the net and the baseline. After a correct service from the first mark, the student climbs one step of the ladder and moves to the next mark. The first student to pass through all the marks wins. To move from one mark to the next one, it is compulsory not only to aim the specified target, but also to carry out the service with the correct technique.

⁻ Game-3: “La bancarrota” (bankruptcy). Two teams must be formed and half of the balls are allocated for each team, they perform the service in turns, one team each time. Every time a service is well done, the team picks one of the balls which had fallen. The first team running out of balls loses (is in bankruptcy). Let’s see who can stop the ball that the teacher serves and return it over the net? (Students should be placed at the other side of the net).

⁻ Game-4: As in the previous game, but this time whenever a team throws a good service, they get a ball from the other team.

⁻ Game-5: “Saque a porterías” (goal service). Goal areas must be formed with cones. Two teams are required, each of them tries to score more goals than the rival. The winning team makes rival to pick up ten balls.

⁻ Game-6: “Ace a la estatua” (ace to the statue). A receiver stays still (he/she can’t move the feet). Servers try to throw the ball far from the receiver so he/she can’t return the ball. If they do so, they win a point. If the receiver hits the ball, they swap roles. The first player getting ten points wins.


EXERCISES TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE FOREHAND VOLLEY

• All these exercises have to be explained, performed and practiced. As for the correction, in this case, it is not so important, because these exercises are about seeking sensations related to the movement:– Exercise-1: The teacher is placed in front of the net with the palm open, at

shoulder level. A student will throw a ball to the teacher at shoulder’s height so he/she can catch it with the hand.

– Exercise-2: The same as exercise 1, but instead of catching the ball, the teacher hits it with the palm stiff.

– Exercise-3: Again the same initial position. Now the teacher holds the center of the racket with the dominant hand, the head of the racket higher than the handle and this one pointing at the opposite foot. A student is placed in front of the teacher at the other side of the net, and throws a ball towards the dominant shoulder. The teacher hits the ball softly with the strings.

– Exercise-4: The same, but holding the racket a little bit lower (between center and handle).

– Exercise-5: The same, but finally holding the handle of the racket.


FOREHAND VOLLEYFirst Exercise: hit and stop• Explanation:

⁻ The teacher places the students in the best location so they can observe properly. ⁻ Initial position: With the “EASTERN FOREHAND” grip, the teacher stands nearby the net with semi-

flexed knees, trunk slightly bended forward and staring at the front.⁻ The racket position for the backswing is higher and the movement is shorter than in the forehand

stroke.⁻ Then, the teacher pretends to hit softly, showing how the wrist movement is (without ball). The hand

moves slightly ahead of the racket. The hitting area must be located in front the body. The handle of the racket points at the opposite foot.

• Performance:⁻ As in the previous exercise but now hitting the ball. ⁻ A student or assistant stands in front of the teacher at the other side of the net and throws a ball

towards the teacher at shoulder’s level, so he/she can do the exercise.⁻ The hitting area is located in front of the body, and the hand must move ahead of the racket. The

handle of the racket points at the opposite foot. • Practice:


⁻ The teacher observes how the students practice and corrects the mistakes.


FOREHAND VOLLEYSecond exercise: hit and follow through• Explanation:

⁻ As in the first exercise.⁻ Initial position: the same as in the first exercise. ⁻ Then, the teacher pretends to hit softly and finishes the movement (without ball). The shot must be

done from top to bottom (downward trajectory). ⁻ The follow-through is executed with the arm extended forward and at hip level (low), with the racket

face slightly opened and the heel up. • Performance:

⁻ As in the previous exercise but now hitting the ball. ⁻ A student stands in front of the teacher at the other side of the net and throws a ball towards the

teacher at shoulder’s height, so the teacher can do the exercise.⁻ Hitting area is located in front of the body, and hand must move ahead of the racket. The shot must be

done from top to bottom (downward trajectory). ⁻ The movement finishes with the arm stretched out downward (hip level), the racket face slightly

opened and the heel up. • Practice:


⁻ The teacher observes how the students practice and corrects the mistakes: grip, backswing, wrist movement, racket position when hitting, contact point, and follow-through.


FOREHAND VOLLEYThird exercise: Full stroke• Explanation:

– The teacher places the students in the best location so they can observe properly. – Initial position: With the “EASTERN FOREHAND” grip, the teacher stands nearby the net, with feet slightly wider than shoulder-width

apart, with semi-flexed knees, trunk slightly bended forward and staring at the front. The racket should be ready in front of the body at about face level, with the free hand in the center and the head higher than the handle.

– The teacher begins the movement, turns the dominant foot and moves diagonally forward, towards where the ball comes from. At the same time, he/she rotates shoulders and brings the racket slightly backwards not further than the back shoulder.

– After that, the opposite foot will move to the front so both legs are in line. Simultaneously, the racket will move forward in a downward movement, as if making the shot but without ball, with the strings straight or slightly opened. The head of the racket must be higher than the handle.

– The follow-through is downward, with the arm extended following the ball’s direction. • Performance:

– Initial position as in the explanation. – A student or assistant stands in front of the teacher at the other side of the net and throws the ball towards the teacher at shoulder’s

height, slightly to the right so he/she can do the volley.– The teacher begins the movement turning the dominant foot and moving diagonally forward, towards where the ball comes from. At the

same time, he/she rotates shoulders and brings the racket slightly backwards not further than the back shoulder.– After that, the opposite foot will move to the front so both legs are in line. Simultaneously, while moving, the teacher hits the ball slightly

in front of his/her body moving his/her racket forward in a downward movement, with strings straight or slightly opened. The head of the racket must be higher than the handle.

– The follow-through is downward, with the arm stretched out following the ball’s direction. • Practice:

– The teacher places the students in a row facing the net to practice the exercise.• Correction:

– The teacher observes how the students practice and corrects them about the important details: grip, rotation movement, moving forward, hitting the ball in front of the body while moving, racket position during the shot, and follow-through.


EXERCISES TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE BACKHAND VOLLEY

• All these exercises have to be explained, performed and practiced. As for the correction, in this case, it is not so important, because these exercises are about seeking sensations related to the movement:

– Exercise-1: The teacher stands in front of the net, fist closed at opposite-shoulder’s height with thumb out. An assistant throws a ball at that height so he/she can touch it with his/her thumb.

– Exercise-2: The same as before, but now holding the racket in the centre, with the thumb resting against the strings, at the backhand side, head higher than the handle and the latter pointing at the opposite foot. The assistant is in front of the teacher at the other side of the net and throws a ball at shoulder’s height. The teacher will hit the ball with the strings and stop it.

– Exercise-3: The same but now holding the racket a little bit lower (between the center and the handle) and resting the thumb behind.

– Exercise-4: The same, but finally holding the handle of the racket.


BACKHAND VOLLEYFirst exercise: hit and stop• Explanation:

⁻ The teacher places the students in the best location so they can observe properly. ⁻ Initial position: With the “EASTERN BACKHAND” grip, the teacher stands nearby the net with

semi-flexed knees, trunk slightly bended forward and staring at the front.⁻ The racket position for the backswing is higher and the movement is shorter than in the

backhand stroke.⁻ Then, the teacher pretends to hit softly, and stops (without ball). The hand moves slightly ahead

of the racket. The hitting area must be located in front the body. The handle of the racket should point at the opposite foot.

• Performance:⁻ As in the previous exercise but now hitting the ball. ⁻ An assistant stands in front of the teacher at the other side of the net and throws a ball towards

the teacher at shoulder’s height, so he/she can do the exercise.⁻ The hitting area is located in front of the body, and the hand must move ahead of the racket.

The handle of the racket points at the opposite foot. • Practice:


⁻ The teacher observes how the students practice and corrects them.


BACKHAND VOLLEYSecond exercise: hit and follow-through• Explanation:

⁻ As in the first exercise.⁻ Initial position: the same as in the first exercise. ⁻ The follow-through is executed with the arm stretched forward and at hip level (low), with the

racket face slightly opened and the heel up. • Performance:

⁻ As in the previous exercise but now hitting the ball. ⁻ A student or assistant stands in front of the teacher at the other side of the net and throws the

ball towards the teacher at shoulder’s height, so he/she can do the exercise.⁻ The hitting area is located in front of the body, and the hand must move ahead of the racket. The

shot must be done from top to bottom (downward trajectory). ⁻ The movement finishes with the arm stretched out downward (hip level), with the racket face

slightly opened and the heel up. • Practice:


⁻ The teacher observes the practice and corrects the most important details: grip, backswing, wrist movement, throwing the ball, contact point, racket position when hitting, and follow-through.


BACKHAND VOLLEYThird exercise: Full stroke• Explanation:

– The teacher places the students in the best location so they can observe properly. – Initial position: With the “EASTERN BACKHAND” grip, the teacher stands in front of the net, feet slightly wider than shoulder-width

apart, with semi-flexed knees, trunk slightly bended forward and staring at the front. The racket should be ready in front of the body at about face level, with the free hand in the center and head higher than handle.

– The teacher begins the movement, turns the dominant foot and moves diagonally forward, towards where the ball comes from. At the same time, he/she rotates shoulders and brings the racket slightly backwards no further than the back shoulder.

– After that, the opposite foot will move to the front so both legs are in line. Simultaneously, the racket will move forward in a downward movement, as if making the shot but without ball, with the strings straight or slightly opened. The head of the racket must be higher than the handle.

– The follow-through is downward, with the arm extended following the ball’s direction. • Performance:

– Initial position as described in the explanation. – A student or assistant stands in front of the teacher at the other side of the net and throws the ball towards the teacher at

shoulder’s height, slightly to the right so he/she can do the volley.– The teacher begins the movement, turning the dominant foot and moving diagonally forward, towards where the ball comes from.

At the same time, he/she rotates shoulders and brings the racket slightly backwards no further than the back shoulder.– After that, the opposite foot will move to the front so both legs are in line. While moving he/she hits the ball in a downward

movement, hitting the ball slightly in front of the body, with the strings straight or slightly opened. The head of the racket must be higher than the handle.

– The follow-through is downward, with the arm stretched out following the ball’s direction. • Practice:

– The teacher places the students in a row facing the net to practice the exercise.• Correction:

– The teacher observes how the students practice and corrects them about the most important details: grip, rotation movement, moving forward, hitting the ball in front of the body, racket position when hitting, and follow-through.


EXERCISES TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE OVERHEAD SHOT (SMASH)

• All these exercises have to be explained, performed and practiced. As for the correction, in this case, it is not so important, because these exercises are about seeking sensations related to the movement:– Exercise-1: The teacher stands sideways (as in a service shot), with the

dominant arm flexed and the non-dominant arm stretched out upward pointing at the ball. An assistant stands in front of the teacher at the other side of the net and throws a ball with an arc. The teacher will catch the ball with his/her hand at the highest possible point.

– Exercise-2: The same as in exercise 1, but hitting the ball with the palm stiff.– Exercise-3: The teacher stands sideways (as in a service shot), with the

dominant arm totally stretched out upward with the eastern-forehand grip. A student or assistant stands in front of the teacher at the other side of the net and throws a ball with a high arc so it falls over the teacher’s head. The teacher will hit the ball softly with the strings of the racket.


OVERHEAD SHOT (SMASH)First exercise: hit and stop• Explanation:

⁻ The teacher places the students in the best location so they can observe properly. ⁻ Initial position: The teacher should be at the baseline (as in the service shot), sideways, front foot

should be at 45-degree angle to the baseline (pointing at the net post) and back foot should be parallel to the baseline. He/she holds the racket with the “EASTERN FOREHAND” grip. The hitting arm must be flexed behind the head with the elbow at shoulder’s height. The free arm stands up pointing at the ball.

⁻ From this position he/she extends the arm upwards stopping the movement, the strings facing the net and the heel up.

• Performance:⁻ Initial position as in the explanation.⁻ The assistant stands in front of the teacher at the other side of the net, and throws a ball vertically

over teacher’s head. ⁻ As in the explanation, but now with a ball, the exercise is executed hitting the ball softly, stopping the

movement at the impact, and aiming the ball towards the other side of the court. • Practice:

⁻ The teacher places the students in a row facing the net to practice the exercise.• Correction:

⁻ The teacher corrects the students about the most important details: grip, sideways position, backswing, and contact point.


OVERHEAD SHOT (SMASH)Second exercise: hit and follow-through• Explanation:

⁻ The teacher places the students in the best location so they can observe properly. ⁻ Initial position: as in the first exercise.⁻ From this position, the dominant arm is extended upwards (without ball) and continues the

movement, finishing between the opposite arm and leg. The heel would be up. • Performance:

⁻ Initial position: As in the first exercise.⁻ The assistant stands is in front of the teacher at the other side of the net, and throws a ball

vertically over the teacher’s head. ⁻ Then, the teacher moves his/her feet until he/she is placed under the ball. After this, he/she

hits the ball softly over his/her head, at the highest point and with the dominant arm extended upward. After the impact, the racket makes the follow-through, finishing between the opposite arm and leg. The heel would be up.

• Practice:⁻ The teacher places the students in a row facing the net to practice the exercise.

• Correction:⁻ The teacher corrects the students about the most important details: grip, sideways position,

backswing, feet movement, contact point and follow-through.


OVERHEAD SHOT (SMASH)Third exercise: full stroke• Explanation:

– The teacher places the students in the best location so they can observe properly. – Initial position: With the “EASTERN FOREHAND” grip, the teacher stands nearby the net, feet wider than

shoulder-width apart, with semi-flexed knees, trunk slightly bended forward and staring at the front. The racket should be ready in front of the body at about face level, with the free hand in the center and the head higher than the handle.

– The teacher begins the movement, moving back the dominant foot, and loading the hitting arm while the free arm extends upwards. Then, he/she takes a few steps to get under the ball and then pretend to hit (without ball) extending the dominant arm upwards. The racket follows the movement and finishes between the opposite arm and leg. The heel would be up.

• Performance:– Initial position as in the explanation.– The assistant is in front of the teacher at the other side of the net, and throws a ball vertically over teacher’s

head. – The teacher begins the movement, moving back the dominant foot, and loading the hitting arm while the free

arm extends upwards. Then, he/she takes a few steps to get under the ball and hits it extending the dominant arm upwards. After the hitting, the racket follows the movement and finishes between the opposite arm and leg. The heel would be up.

• Practice: – The teacher places the students in a row facing the net to practice the exercise.

• Correction:– The teacher corrects the students about the most important details: grip, sideways position, backswing, feet

movement, high contact point, and follow-through.


GAMES TO PRACTICE THE VOLLEYS AND THE OVERHEAD SHOT

• Games:⁻ Game-1: “El Vigilante” (the watchman). ⁻ Game-2: “Guerra de técnicas” (technical wars).⁻ Game-3: “Volea o remate a dianas”. (hit the bull’s eye

volleying or smashing). The teacher chooses targets and forms teams. The game is about hitting the bull’s eyes directly (ball cannot bounce previously). The team hitting more targets wins. The target must be placed at least at the middle of the service area or further to ease the volley execution.

⁻ Game-4: “Volea o remate a porterías” (goal smashing or volleying).


Degree in Sport Science Course: Tennis Lesson-1: Course for Beginners: Teaching Methods

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Transcript of Degree in Sport Science Course: Tennis Lesson-1: Course for Beginners: Teaching Methods