Run like a crab for a majestic overhead!
by: Dave Winship @ On The Line

The overhead is one of the most satisfying shots in tennis. Watching someone like Pete Sampras rising up imperiously to dispatch a powerful overhead for a winner is a great sight.

But when you think about the technique that goes into it, it's like the swan gliding effortlessly on the surface of the water - underneath, out of sight, there's a whole lot of furious paddling going on!

As you start to track the lob, make a big shoulder turn and put one foot behind the other. The mistake a lot of people make is to move backwards while facing the net - the footwork is hopelessly inefficient and the shot has no juice on it whatsoever. So when the lob goes up, get sideways - think CRAB! Use your non-racket hand as an antenna to track the ball.

If you want to swoop like a hawk on your overheads, be prepared to run like a crab!

Regards.

Dave Winship