How To Hit An Overhead Shot In Tennis Video

The serve is one of the most important shots in the game of tennis. In this video lesson, learn how to hit an overhead serve.

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Use a continental grip
Get the arms up
Turn to the side
Focus on hitting the ball hard

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Jeff is a certified USPTA Professional and Tennis Director at Heathrow Country Club in Florida. Prior to that he has been a tennis director at numerous Country Clubs. He has been a reigning champion in USPTA National 40's singles and doubles for two years.

JEFF COHEN: Hi, I'm Jeff Cohen. In this segment, we're going to talk about to hit the overhead smash. The first thing that we're going to talk about is the grip. So you want to have a continental grip which is ideal because you're already up in the net. You've got the right grip for the volley. In case your opponents lobby, you have the right grip in order to execute the overhead. It's the same type of grip that you're going to use for the serve. So on the overhead there's three things that I'll do simultaneously. I'll make sure that I get my arms up. I get my body sideways, and I make sure that I get back. I get behind the ball. If I back up too far, I can always let the ball bounce. If I don't back up far enough, I'm basically out of luck. I'm probably going to lose the point. So always make sure that you get plenty far behind the ball. As far as the technique goes, think of a check mark, think of a check mark, think of the letter U or think of the letter V, whatever works for you. So you want to get yourself in this position. You want to get your elbow up a little bit with your hitting hand. Okay? Make sure you get behind the ball and just swing up and knock the cover off the ball. This is the one shot in the game of tennis that I think that power is key. Even if you hit it back to your opponent, if you hit the ball hard, chances of the ball coming back are slim and none. Don't focus on placement on this shot. Try to grip it and rip it. Good luck with that overhead.

How to Hit an Overhead Shot in Tennis Video

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