てにすまん高西朋のオフィシャルサイト「全国高西庭球部」

Smash

 

Smash is a confusing shot. It means that a good smash can win a point but at the same time it's likely to force an error. So you have to make up your mind weather you smash a ball as a winner shot or just hit it high as another consistent shot. It's not an easy decision. If you can't decide which shot to hit, you have to practice both. So that you can make the best of it at the match without pressure. 

 

When your smash wins the point, it is likely to be hit by the net. Smashing by the net is a great advantage for a player. A smash  is a net play like a volley.  If you believe that a successful smash should be a powerful shot, you might force an error under pressure. It isn't necessary to be powerful. What's more important is to hit it to an open court like a good volley. Also it's important to make a ready position without showing your opponent where to smash. It's more efficient if you can hit it as an angle shot bouncing widely than just hitting a straight shot. Right?  The theory is the same as a volley. 

 

The best way to lessen the number of unforced errors is spinning your ball a lot.It applies to other shots. Once you learn to hit a slice smash or a top spin smash, you can aim at cross court or counter cross court. The angle of your body and a continental grip are essential

 

A smash with lots of spin would slow down the speed a bit but become consistent. So you can hit it with a full follow through without concerning about making errors . As a result it will be a strong shot. As I mentioned before, the most important thing is where to hit a smash.It doesn't matter the speed much. Maybe your opponent could hit it back consistently as much as you do. You must hit a volley after a smash!!

 

The ready position for a smash is also very important.At the moment your opponent hits a high ball,you have to get yourself fur behind the ball.If you fallow the speed of the high ball , you would be passed by the ball in the end and miss the the right timing in a good position. All you can do is that hitting just like catching a ball. It was like a mediocre high volley. Remember stepping back fast and further enough to sep in and hit a smash in a good position! 

 

Although it is difficult hit a good smash, all you have to focus is that spinning a smash to aim at a right place.The best of all is setting your mind clear. You have to make up your mind right after your opponent lobs. Don't hit with your mind lost between 'Smash or not, Hit it in the air or not' however the ball comes high and deep even at the match point! Just set your mind 'Hit it in the air!' Your clear mind might lessen your errors. 

 

Focus where and how to hit a smash while you are waiting for a ball falling into your racket. That's the secret of hitting a good smash.