TENNIS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11452, 28 February 1931, Page 10

TENNIS

GOLDEN RULES. The following nine goldon rules in lawn tennis, simple in themselves, are often neglected by players:— ' 1. Watch the hall almost , on to your .racquet. ’ - 2. Keep l the head' of your racquet up, especially on the backhand ! and volley. ' '■ ■: ‘ ■' ‘ ' J 3. Let your racquet swing' through easily after impact, following tho ba.ll in its lino ol : flight. - ■ ' ; 4. *Us.e a slicirt '.swing back to. reduce! .'your margin of error. ■ : 5. Hit' the ball-at the 'earliest 5 moment (the . secret; of the modern game). • v •; : T •' ; •>, - ' 6.. Get. your body-weight well behind each stroke by facing the side-lines and nqf tliQ net. • v ;v A 7. Use your feet; mobility and position are half the. game. ’ ■ v : > ; 8. : ;:Uso ypiir f head; good ' strokes must bo backed up by SQiih’d judgment.' 9. Physical' fitness; morning" exercises* ■ .§ ■ , ■ j ■ j x_

START OE THE SWING-BACK

ADVICE FOR PLATERS

The tennis learner will iiucl it help. M to prepare' earlier for everj stroke. Do this by taking the racket back sooner, so as to be in the right position for the forward swing in plenty of time. Often the swing-back (says Sir Gordon Lowe, once famous as a player), is not begun until the ball is almost on to the racket, when a sudden dive; for it is made at. the last moment. This is a constant cause of late hitting and mistiming,- • : > For ground strokes the swing-back I should he begun well before the ball has crossed the net.' You will then be waiting for your forward swing in good time to hit the ball clean and true. Tiiis method, too, will help you to judge the hall so much better, * This earlier preparation is -also essential in Volleying, when the swingback should bo begun almost before the ball lias left your opponent’s racket. 1 cannot emphasise too strongly the importance of preparing for your stroke at the soonest possible moment. A well-known lady player always makes a noticeable pause with her racket boforo she swings forward to meet the ball. Others could follow her example with considerable advantage to themselves.