When Will They Smash?

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18091, 26 February 1927, Page 24

When Will They Smash?

CANTERBURY TENNIJ PLAYERS MUST LEARN. One of the reasons why Canterbury tennis players were beaten so badly in the match against Wellington was their inability to deal dccesively with an overhead ball. From Ollivier down, none o2 the team could smash. Below are a few hints on the subject from a former international:— This term, smash, is conveniently used, for all overhead volleys. The stroke forehanded is identical with the plain fast service. One or two good players hit across the ball as in the reverse service. It is difficult for the receiver to anticipate the direction, but more difficult for the striker to place accurately. As there is a good deal of backward and sideways running in returning lobs with thesmash, there is no better exercise for developing good footwork. In actual play a placed smash is more profitable than one hit with full strength, but if the lob is very short it must be killed. In singles the ball should be smashed across court; in doubles, down the middle, or across, if it can safely be put away; otherwise the opponent may pass you down vour side-line. Most lobs can be smashed forehanded even when placed to your left hand; but some must be played backhanded. This stroke is not difficult to learn, but it requires much practice to give it severity. A useful alternative is a forehanded stroke, though the ball may be well to the left of your head; by leaning to the left you make this easy to do, and the opponent lias difficulty in anticipating the direction. The slight chop referred to as an occasional adjunct to the plain fast service is not to be recommended for the smash. As in service, so in the smash, the ball j should be over the left shoulder, and ! you must turn half-round for the hit. Manj* a good smash for killing the ball is made with both feet in the air; vou jump either to reach the ball or" to come down on it. As in service so here, body-movement is all-important. For smashing, the same grip is used as for the straight fast service, almost that used in wielding an axe. For this and all' grips the lingers should be sloped. For forehand strokes the first two fingers, for backhand the thumb, are the master members, being exactly behind the direction of the stroke