The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-31
Running Thumb Up the Handle
Gives Better Guidance on
Backhands.
MEETING BALL LATE BAD
Player Must Have Own Definite
System or Disaster Is
Certain.
SIXTH CHAPTER.
BY JAMES BURNS.

use the zane aide OF the racket By
using the opposite side OF tho racket
the less change "A player makes on his
grip and II can be made quicker.
Running the thumb up the handle
OF the racket for backhand shots en-
ables one to guide the strokes better,
but In that grip there Is a slight loss OF
power I find that by leaving the thumb
around the grip get more power In The
stroke. But ono should get used TO all
the different grips. In gripping racket
players should spread their fingers apart
slightly. by spreading the fingers the con-
troll OF thn racket II better and II gives
q free wrist play.
should &c. that he does not take the ball
too near his body, and also to take u
Just opposite him. not too far in front
and not too far behind.
For those who can time ball accu-
rstely the most effective stroke to use Is
top" teee top stroke in Chapter -.
Let the racket follow through as far out
az the arm can stretch toward the point
whore the ball is placed otherwise the
racket has n tendency to go up. to come
in or across, which sends the ball out OF
court. Fee that your body does not turn
in making the stroke. This will send the
ball in court In extending the arm on
the follow through do not lot the racket
come across the line on which you want
the ball to go
Start well bach for your stroke In
case the player mlsjudges the ball a short
back stroke prevents the forward stroke
from being uniform.
Players will find It n good plan In
meeting the ball 10 step forward and meet
the ball just as II 10 opposite the body.
by doing 80 one meets the ball higher IN
its Hight, She return r. quicker and has
more chance Of keeping tho ball In court
IL. however. a player must meet the ball
when Il 10 well back the weight should he
on the foot behind and one should lean
barh with his body. Leaning back heips
the player 10 avoid having the bail too
far back when he strikes It.
After hitting the bail do MOI checs
the stroke. but IL, the arm well out after
the ball. Following through gives the
drop on tho ball. All through the
stroke, both before and after YOU meet
the ball. the player should maintain the
same steady swing without check or jerk.
Let the wrist go forward after meeting
the ball instead OF down or over. The
above refers to forehand strokes.
In baclShand work players are prone
70 let the ball 70 far behind before HIT
ting g. This 10 the cause OF weak re
turns In bsckhand shots. II IL important
to have a good backhand method. as all
players put the ball to you on that side
at times Always face sideways In taking
bsckhande, To have a good backhand
piayers should meet tho hail the same
as forehand strokes that ~, opposite the
BODY. Keen your elbow away from your
body so you can follow through on the
stroke. Keep your eye on the bali every
second. BY so doing you arc bound {.
centre of your racket.
In making n lob always lob high. -
IL uIyes you time to get good cour
position.
DO not hit the bail TOO hard II an cas-,
one will score the point. Get depth an'
pace TO the ball. as 1t prevents your or
short returns which give him the oppor
tunity to come up.
No advantage Ia to be gained IN hurry
ing your shots, and hurried shot away
reveals Just where you are gong 10 p'ac'
the ball.
After you have made return NOT
whore your opponent must receive 1t az
get into the proper court position a
once. as explained In the chapter o.
angles
Try for every shot. as that Is the oni
way the player learns to judge and an
ticipate future ores.
In returning the ball make your oppo
nent extend himself. that Ia, put tho bal
20 some part OF the court where ne hs
got to move 10 get II. BY doing 80 IN
balls are not returned to YOU so QUICKLY
In voileying do not wait for the ball t
come TO you, but step forward and met
the bail sooner and higher. BY meet
ing Il higher you have moro chance q
getting the ball over the net ana keepin
II In the court The angles are larger ais
for n return TO right or left.
wrsrAkEs OF SERVICE AND CON
RECTioNs'