THE FOREHAND DRIVE INTRODUCTION—THE COURTESY STROKE

Articles In This Section:

· THE FOREHAND DRIVE INTRODUCTION—THE COURTESY STROKE

· Technic of the Courtesy Stroke - Part 1

· Technic of the Courtesy Stroke - Part 2

· Technic of the Courtesy Stroke - Part 3

· Technic of the Courtesy Stroke - Part 4

· Technic of the Courtesy Stroke - Part 5

As an introduction to the forehand drive, the courtesy stroke should be learned. This stroke is a forehand volley with a half swing, used to start the ball for a rally or to get it back to the opponent before service. It allows the player on the opposite court either to catch it in his hand on the first bounce, or to get it into play for the rally. The ball flight of the "courtesy stroke" is an upward arc over the net. The ball is not hit forcefully, and will land nearer the service line than the baseline. A tennis player has use for this stroke from the first day he wields a tennis racquet to the last day of his tennis career. Champions, warming up before a match, start the ball to their opponents with the courtesy stroke. Coaches use this stroke in setting up the balls for their pupils. Since ball boys are a rarity in most tennis matches, the courtesy stroke assists the players in getting the balls back politely to the server before each point.

Note.—It is decidedly impolite to start the ball, or retrieve it by tossing it up in front of the face, and hitting it in a downward direction over the net. Too frequently the ball will not clear the net, and if it does, the bounce is usually difficult for the opposite player to handle.

The technic of the courtesy stroke will aid the beginner in learning the true forehand drive, for they have the following points in common:

1. Grip.

2. Body position.

3. Horizontal racquet swing.

4. Body moving toward the net as the stroke is made.

The points of difference, which do not affect the learning of the true forehand drive, are:

1. The length of racquet swing is cut down. The racquet is swung back only to a position opposite the right thigh.

2. The ball is hit on the volley (before it has bounced).

3. The ball is started with a toss by the player, instead of coming from the opposite side of the net.

4. The ball is hit when it is farther forward toward the net, and slightly lower than it is in the usual forehand drive.

5. The ball flight is slightly more in an upward direction.

6. The ball is hit with less force.