Overhead：How to Play Tennis --- part VI

1. Pick your spot
One of the most difficult aspects of hitting an overhead is picking a spot in your opponent's court to direct the shot. To ensure that you never miss an overhead due to this location dilemma, you should learn to hit it from anywhere in your court to a specific spot in the other court.

2. Made in the shade
A bright sun can make hitting overheads a brutal undertaking. Here are two ways to make this shot more manageable.

1）Wear sunglasses. Most professional players don't wear them when they play on a sunny day, but sunglasses will allow you to see the ball more clearly. A hat, which is becoming more and more popular among tour players, is another good way to shade your eyes.

2）Use your nondominant hand. Like an outfielder's glove, which can be used to block out the sun and locate a fly ball, a tennis player's free hand makes a terrific shade-provider.

3. Are you up to it?
When hitting overheads, some players drop their head and their eyes. This is a nasty habit. It can start a chain reaction: First the head comes down, then you stop watching the ball, then your shoulders automatically come down, and finally, your overhead ends up in the net. To hit an effective overhead, keep your head and eyes up and strive for full extension as you reach for the ball. Let your racquet head generate the speed. And remember: If you're forced to hit from an awkward position, take some pace off the shot and concentrate on getting the ball deep.

4. When all else fails
Use the skyhook only when you don't have enough time to set up for a traditional overhead. If you've got to hit it, here's how:

1）From the ready position, turn sideways and get your racquet arm fully extended and pointing toward the back fence.

2）Keeping the arm as stiff as a board, swing it in an arc-like motion from the shoulder, making contact in front of the shoulder.