Tennis Tip
Tennis Tip: The Importance of Consistency on the Overhead
Coaches Corner – The Importance of Consistency on the Overhead
Going for too many overhead winners and making errors? Take a minute and read what Tyler Thomson, Head Women's Tennis Coach at the College of William & Mary, has to say about the importance of consistency on the overhead.
“Being an aggressive tennis player means that you will need to finish some points at the net. And when you play offense your opponent is forced to defend, which often takes shape in a defensive lob. That means that you must hit an overhead smash!
The first step in hitting a successful overhead smash is to REMOVE the word “smash” from your idea of what this shot must look like. Like most errors, missed overheads often result from trying to be overly aggressive and over-hitting the shot. Only when you are moving forward and positioned in front of the service line should you try to hit a winner on an overhead. However, whenever you are moving backwards or in the backcourt, your only goal should be to MAKE the ball and then move forward to the net for another volley or overhead.
The moral of this story? Don’t blow the offensive advantage that you earned by going for too much on your overhead and giving away the point! When you’re moving back, simply put the ball back in the court. Only when you’re moving forward and near the net should you make it a true smash!”
For more great tips and instruction from Coach Thomson, check out his Nike Tennis Camp at The College of William & Mary. With two weeks of Overnight and Day (8:45am-4:30pm) camp for boys and girls ages 9-18 of all skill levels as well as a special tournament training component, there is a camp option for everyone!
Nike Tennis Camps offer junior and adult overnight and day camps at 75 locations nationwide. The camps provide first-rate instruction, match play, diversified social activities, exposure to life in a university setting – and the chance to build lasting friendships. Our goal is to give players the opportunity to hit thousands of balls, improve their technique, and be challenged by some of the best players in their peer group.
About US Sports Camps
US Sports Camps (USSC), headquartered in San Rafael, California, is America’s largest sports camp network and the licensed operator of NIKE Sports Camps. Founded in 1975, Nike Tennis Camps is a division of US Sports Camps. What began 40 years ago as one tennis camp is now a national network with more than 500 camps across the country in a wide variety of sports. Players, coaches, parents and others interested in Nike Tennis Camps and US Sports Camps can visit the company’s website at http://www.USSportsCamps.com.