how to be a good tennis player?
339324
Practice.  Play with your friends.
1052414
ZZTOPSPIN, if you want to serve like a profesional, then you should find yourself a coach because it's really the best way to do it. But with that in mind, I'll try to help you the best that I can.\n\nAs a tennis instructor, we teach the serve in steps. The first things we work on are the toss and the contact. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart (and with your non-dominant foot forward) and place your racket on the ground with the strings about six inches from your front-most foot. Toss the ball so that it goes up about a foot and a half from your outstretched hand and lands on the racquet. Keep doing this until you can hit your racquet consistently. You may be thinking, "This is so stupid!" But how often do you see professional players toss the ball, and then have to take steps sideways to get themselves in position to hit their poorly performed toss? NEVER! And how many times do you see recreational players do it? ALWAYS! And so, I repeat, the toss is a key to a professional's serve.\n\nAlso, when you toss the ball, hold the ball with the tips of your fingers. This is because you want to release your toss such that the ball DOES NOT spin in the air. If you hold the ball in your palm, the ball will end up rolling up fingers, will spin in the air, and will respond differently every time. We want consistency here.\n\nNow that you've got your toss down consistently, you're going to want to work on your contact. Before we do that, we want to address your grip. Changing your grip is a good way to change the kind of spin that you put on the ball, but it usually isn't the way that pros do it. Spin comes later. Don't worry about that now. Hold your racquet with the "V" of your thumb and pointer finger on the middle bevel found by following the side edge of your racqued down to your grip. Start with your racquet in "back scratch position", or with the side of your racquet touching the middle of your back. Toss the ball, and extend up to contact and swing through the ball. Keep doing this until you gain comfort with the motion and consistent placement.\n\nCongratulations, you've made it past the first step. There are dozens of different drills that you could do to work on these different aspects of the first step. I've only mentioned two. You should really contact an instructor to help you if you struggle making it through this first step.\n\nStep Two: Now you're going to add the loopy motion that is typical of professional serves. This motion ends up being different for everyone. Pete Sampras, as was mentioned earlier, has a serve that is considered the perfect serve. Theoretically, it maximized momentum and power, however, Andy Roddick badly violates many of the principles of the Sampras serve and still manages to hit his serve harder than anyone ever before. And so, I can't tell you that there is ONE way to do things. All that I can suggest is that you start with your weight on your front foot, and that you transfer that weight to your back foot as you move through to your backscratch position. That way, you can spring out of backscratch and into the ball.\n\nFor you, do whatever you have to do to go from the resting position, to the back scratch position. Some players serve from a pinpoint stance (meaning their feet move together before springing into their serve) while others maintain the shoulder width distance. This is all up to you. The key is to explode up to the ball from the backscratch position. You already mentioned making contact at the highest point, you also want to try to "hit up" on the ball. You may think that you're going to send the ball into the next time zone, but if you tossed the ball at the correct height and make contact at the apex, "hitting up" on the ball will give you the explosion that you need to really power through the ball.\n\nAnother thing, is that you're going to want your serve to lead you i
748659
I have been playing table tennis for about 5 years now. I have a very powerful backhand and a reliable forehand. I also have quite a good serve. Here are some tips and tricks that I have gathered throughout the years:\n\n\nBackhand:\n\nI hit with a pretty full motion swing. I try to focus on contacting the ball in the center of the paddle (this goes for the forehand as well). So when you are practicing, try to think about hitting the ball with the center. You will not succeed every time, but as you practice this more, you will develop better judgment and will be hitting the ball more cleanly. Also, think about brushing up on the ball. Try to impart quite a bit of topspin, but also do not forget to hit through the ball a bit.\n\n\nForehand:\n\nAlthough I am weaker off this wing, I can still over you some tips. When I hit a forehand, I try to "wrap" the ball with my paddle. In other words, when the ball is coming towards you, get your paddle below the level of the ball and swing up. As your paddle reaches the top of the ball, rotate it so it "wraps" around it. I found that this helps me keep the ball on the table and minimizes the chance that it will sail long.\n\n\nServe:\n\nThe most common mistake I see people make is they try to hit the ball as hard as they can and when they do not get it in, they get upset. In the beginning, your main goal should be to get your serve in, for if you cannot get your serve in, it doesn't matter how good the rest of your game is. The serve is THE most important shot in table tennis! When you are getting your serves in, then begin to apply spin and power accordingly.\n\n\nTHE MOST IMPORTANT TIPS:\n\nKeep your eyes on the ball at all times! This is very important, do not lose track of it. At first, you might lose track of it, but as you practice keeping your eyes on the ball, you will become better at tracking it.\nBend your knees! When you hit, this will allow you to get under the ball better, lower your center of gravity, and provide more power for your shots as you are using the leg muscles as well in your shots.\nAlways keep moving! Footwork is one of the most important aspects of the game. Always keep your feet moving. This will help you get into position and will give you more time to prepare to hit the shot correctly.\n\n\n\nGood luck!
271216
at this point, all you can really do is play and play and play. get out onto the court and play as much as possible. have somebody who can feed balls just feed you for a while and even though it will be very boring and you will probably hate it, you will get tons better. play lots of matches with other people around your level, if not better. if you lose to somebody, take notes and try to use that to your advantage and keep playing them until you win. then after that, start playing better and better people. good luck.
476183
Here are some suggestions that should work, depending on what is available to you in your area.\nFirst, find out the most popular club and public facilities in your city. If you can afford a club, I'd recommend that you join and ask the manager or pro to suggest some matches.\nOr, if you prefer the public facilities, hang around practicing your serve or hitting against a backboard, and usually someone will ask you to play.\nBetter, sign up for group lessons at a club or public courts. You will meet others at similar levels, and they often are looking for practice partners.\nIf you are already a decent player, sign up for local tournaments or, even better, for USTA leagues if they are available.\nGood luck.
525120
Well, I'll tell you exactly how much you need in order to play a good round of tennis. You eat all healthy food for example, like fruits for hydration, and noodles for carbs and energy. You keep playing until you fall over and can't get back up. That's how much more caloric needs you'll want in your body. If for some reason you fall over and you could get back up, then keep on playing until you fall over again and are unable to get back up. Good luck with the falling. ^_^
673299
I dont think too much about, but u should try to remember this 4 lines from the poem "I Have Decided" by Wes Beavis:\n             "I may be a success \n              Or learn from my mess\n\n              I may be applauded \n              Or go unrewarded"\nJust play the game. If u dont win it doesn't matter just think that u got another change to practice your tennis.
385781
Iagree tennis is difficult
1108500
Tennis is a GREAT sport! I love playing. I love the fact that you can be at any level and still really have a great time. When I played high school tennis, we had several players who were able to make the team without prior experience. We also had players who had never played before who made the JV and freshman teams. Is that an option for you?\n\nIf you really want to make the team, this is what I suggest: find a place that offers lessons in your area--this could be a local club or a your city's park and rec department--and spend a few months getting the basics down. Also, find someone to hit with regularly. Growing up, my best friend was a guy who I hit with every day after school. We were able to progress as players because we spent so much time on the court. If you're able to find someone to hit with and spend a lot of time on the court before try-outs next spring, then you'll find that you're more than likely in a good position to make the team. \n\nAnyway, I'll give you a link to help you track down places to play, to learn the game, and to find players to hit with. I hope that helps. Good luck!
141819
Please see the sources below for some helpful videos.\nAs for tips, to learn tennis you need good instruction, especially on the appropriate grips, and a place to play where you can practice and get games with a variety of other players. Usually a tennis club is the best setting, but most cities have parks where tennis is played and where instruction is provided.
318127
Diet might be your first step.  But I don't suggest anything dramatic.  You don't need to be the best hitter, or the best server, or the best passer to win a TEAM game.  You just need to contribute to the game.  \n\nDiet, eat normal, if you want to lose some weight. PLEASE don't lose more than 2 or 3 pounds a week.  If you lose more your heart won't be HEATHIER!!!  It sounds ironic but its true.  You need your heart to adapt.  Try running or even just walking 10 minutes a day.  Set a goal that you can make.  Try to eat something before the game, like one banana or a small sandwich.  The truth is, you need energy to burn off fat!  \n\nServing and hitting can come hand in hand.  You don't need to jump really high to have the best hit.  Placement is better than power.  At any point, either serving or hitting, timing and aiming is the key.  Aim for the ball in a direction you want to hit, and wait for the ball to come down to you at a correct height.  \n\nListen, the cliche is practice makes perfect.  So, at the end its all up to you.  Do you have it in you to perfect your serving and spiking.
1021702
When  ur not on the court at home for conditioning try running at least 1 mile ( i reccomend 2) 3 times a week.Do push ups, sit ups,wall sits,jump rope,frog jumps/squats.Strech. And then for court practice at home, try practing ur swings(like with no ball and in one place, swing like theres a ball comeing to u,correctly. lol), backhand,fore hand,underhand,etc. practice serves and practice serves. Then practice footwork (u can do this on court and off court.) then footwork with swings,(combation run from one end to another and swing when u reach the end)\nand during the games try to hit corners, and the front.make them get tired first, at first dont use all ur energy, play around with ur oppenent for a while.\nand then experment with him/her. see which one is his/her weakest point and keep hitting there. for example his/her backhand is the worst then keep on aiming for their backhand.\nand make sure to make them run! and during the game REMEBER  to use ur brain/tatics!Very Useful! alot of people who are skilled who  dont use their brains/tatics,  they lose the match.\ngood luck on tourment.
800663
From a personal level i would suggest a heavier racket overall. It will give you the power that new players seem to always want yet you wont kill you arm getting it. Instead you can focus more on placement.  With a lighter racket you need a faster, not necessarily stronger, swing. The absolute best thing to do would be to go to a tennis shop and try out the demos. It is the only way to try it. That is how i found my racket (babolat pure drive).\nDont listen to Lady, do not just pick a brand if you have any intention of continuing tennis past strictly recreational.
544407
Ha ha! My greatest weakness in tennis is serving too! I suggest to keep on practicing. I practiced that for a few weeks and became steadily better. The correct way is to:\n1. Hold you racket and tennis ball, racket in your "writing" hand and tennis ball in the other,\n2. Swing your racket half a circle back, with a lot of power, and\n3. Quickly through your tennis ball in the air.\n\nYour swing with the racket should give you power. By the time you're done with the swing, you should instantly throw the tennis ball in the air. Thsi gives the serve more power form the swing. If you swing your racket and then throw the tennis ball in the air too late, your power from the swing will be gone and it will be a useless gesture. Hope that helps!
229489
I think that is amazing to do that. I sure have never done that and I think you deserve praise. What level of tennis players do you play against. The better the level, the more praise you should recieve. That might show you how much of a clutch player you really are and you deserve to feel good about yourself for this amazing feat.
209377
About 2 to 3 years, there is a lot to learn.  Its like asking how long does it take to be a good chess player, there is a lot more to the game than just knowing how the pieces move.  Same with tennis, knowing how to counter differetn styles of play, identifying weaknesses in your opponent, being able to exploit those weaknesses, being able to make adjustments when an opponent is playing well. Shot selection, footwork, strategy, conditioning, mental toughness...all of those are required to become just a pretty good tennis player.  It takes several more years to become good.  However if you are asking how long it takes to become pretty good as a recreational player practicing 3 times a week, (Being able to sustain rallies consistently) I would say about 1 year.
1064962
That's a great question. Here are some ideas for you to work on:\n\n1. Your serve often will get neglected when you can't find anyone else to practice with. This is actually the best time to work on your serve. I recommend that you buy a ball hopper (they make picking the balls back up so easy, and plus when you bring the arms down to use them as legs, you don't have to bend over to get another ball after every serve). With your ball hopper filled with tennis balls go and setup some targets at your local court and practice serving. You'd be surprised what an hour a day does for your serve. Check out the first link under "Sources"for a great online store where you'll be able to find a ball hopper.\n\n2. Your volleys are also often neglected when you don't have anyone else to hit with. My personal opinion is that practicing volleys against a wall is more useful than ground strokes. Find a wall, give yourself about six feet from the wall and toss a ball against it. Volley and keep the ball "in play" and continue to get closer and closer to the wall. Your reflexes and your volleys will really improve with this. If you don't do it against a practice wall, then you can mark in chalk a line at 3 feet from the ground to give you an idea of the net.\n\n3. Your footwork is something that can always be addressed, but it is often ignored totally. There are lots of drills that you can do that will help you "move towards the ball." The second link under the sources will take you to one such training resource. It's a special kind of ball that bounces unexpectedly. You'll want to toss the ball into the air, do a split step as it bounces (a split step is when you take a little hop and are ready to explode to another position), and try and catch the ball before it hits the ground again.\n\n4. Your ground strokes are pretty difficult to work on alone. You can try hitting against a wall, but if you spend your time hitting against the wall and not against other players, you'll find that your "wall time" doesn't necessarily translate to good tennis. I remember that one summer, I spent at least an hour a day against the wall, and the next time that I hit with someone, I was spraying my groundies against the back fence. The reason was that during all that wall practice, I didn't have the normal feedback that a real court gives (how the spin will affect the ball's trajectory, how much power I'm putting on the ball, etc.)--all that the wall told me was how high over the net I was hitting. So, my advice is that if you decide to spend a lot of time hitting against a wall, try to spend as much time hitting with someone else. A better use of the wall is for volleys. A ball machine is a big investment. If you decide to buy one of those, do your homework and ask around before forking out the money for it.\n\nMy final suggestion is to check out the third link in the source list. The United States Tennis Association has put a "player finder" option on their website. There you'll be able to enter your zip code and the kinds of players you'd like to hit against, and it will give you some people's names. There is no substitute for a real person on the other side of the net.\n\nI hope that helps!