Evening star., 1915-08-08
BY MAURICE E. McLOUGHLIN
Americas s Greatest Tennis Player.
VIu.-Overhead Work-"The
Smash"
The Value of Imitation.

element that enters into every shot In
tennis but for effective overhead work
1t is absolutely essential. Usually what
we speak of as overhead work" is the
disposition of high returns from ones
opponent which would fall inside ones
base lne-attempts to lob or toss over
ones head An effective smasher will
meet such attempts on the fly with
both pace and place. 1t is easier to
cover a deficiency in this department
than in ones ground strokes, and Of
the two ground strokes are more i'm
portant to cultivate; but a vital lack
in overhead work will find one out. 1t
Is, therefore, necessary to cultivate the
confidence 1 speak of, for that quality
does not always go hand in hand with
ability.
have seen players who hit well over
head go utterly to pieces through lack
of faith in themselves when Il lob went
up to them. The mind must be schooled
as we'll the muscles: in fact, ones
attitude of mind is tremendous factor
In all expert tennis. 1t is called upon
even as the prizefighters is called upon
when his opponent endeavors-to illus
trate the slang phrase-to "get his
goat" by taking advantage of certain
peculiarities of fstic temperament But
the tennis players mind is of a more
nervous kind naturally. He is usually
college-trained man of some imagina-
tfon. His senses are subtler: his fiber
is finer. 1t is harded for him to keep
absolutely cool and collected under a
rapid-fire attack. Naturally the tenn
permanent of the individual takes
hand here, and each one must work out
his own particular method of tennis
salvation. Trusting to luck will. of
course, not prove dependable. But if
he has the natural or trained ability
h hn hot bo Chnrr
hazard something. Otherwise too great
caution will keep him in lower class.
Eagerness With Confidence.
Eagerness goes with tested confidence
and ability, and some of US even leave
the ground to "get an ace" The leap
ing smash" may be called an individ-
ua1 characteristic. Owing perhaps to
the court factor in Californian tennis,
almost all the players 1 have in mind
who leave the ground for their finish
OFF, shots are Californians. My doubles
partner, Bundy, is one of these. I
should not advise the average player.
however, to cultivate such method
unless, as In my own case, 1t comes to
him easily and naturally.
There are two general types of
smashes. The straight-arm type Is pos
sfbly the safer. and perhaps less liable
to fail one in the long run: but I am.
nevertheless. an advocate Of the free
wristed type, which sets greater speed
and greater variety of angles at ones
command. The strength of the wrist
Is deciding factor in the ability to
take full advantage of the angles open.
for weak or undependable wrist may
ruin a we'll planned shot. AS for the
rest. you must throw yourself into
the stroke with every intention Of
making a return impossible.
A frequent question is: When do
you gauge your opponents weakness
and decide on the place to drive the
ball? In general the lob always gives
you time to Judge your opponent's
mind as to the general direction of
your stroke. AS the moment Of i'm
pact approaches these matters are rel
control and the conscious mind Is en-.
tirely concentrated on the execution Of
the smash A plan may be changed
by intuitive Judgment at the last pos
swst sss of ,ss rs, SsaSre nsn mRae or and
somewhat different line from the one
first planned. A lob with fiatter ira
iectory may give you less time to
brain will put you in possession of
the possibilities offered. and narrow
your choice Immediately to the best
chance, and the ball itself will then
your figuring" will be done with
lightning swiftness; the next instant
you will be flashing into the stroke.
And that moment is the moment you
need infinite faith in your own ability
and uncomfortable determination.
Compared to Golf Stroke.
The work of the wrist in the free
wristed smash may be compared to
the "snap Of the wrists in a golf
stroke. In the case of the straight
arm shot the movement is more of
sweep with the whole arm. Possibly
the free-wristed type is a trife more
difficult to time. Proper timing SIM
ply comes through long association Of
your swing on the ball with a certain
definite point overhead. Only constant
practice can develop proper timing.
In regard to ones position in the
court for smashing, it would be bad
practice for the average player or the
beginner to attempt smashing when
easier to kill" 1 sometimes smash
far back in the court, but the best way
for the average man at first Is to play
the ball back safe and deep and wait
for shorter lob. smash does not
necessarily imply that the ball is un-
usually high. for at times. especlaliy any
near the net, you will smash a ball
down in front of you that was scarce
ly above your head. A ball of this ma
ture is nearly always hit harder than
In any other stroke of the game But
in general one may say that a player
should always be fully EXTENDED 1or
Sma aShing-
Certain balls may be smashed on the
backhand, and 1 sometimes use TINS
stroke, but it is rare one, for II
calls upon ones wrist to stand an un-
usual amount of strain. = high, deep