Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1493196
| LIFE IN SOLERA | MARCH 2023 | 43 Tennis Backboard Drills Single Groundstrokes: Hit as many forehands in a row as you can. Focus on pace, placement and footwork. Be mindful of your distance to the backboard and how hard you hit the ball as it's coming right back to you. Keep your bounce commitment and move to the ball for the second bounce. If the ball is heading to your backhand side, run around it and hit a forehand. Hitting with pace isn't your focus – consistency is. By spending time to really get into a groove with your groundstrokes, you'll be amazed at how much more comfortable you are with them. Repeat for the backhand side. For many, it'll be more difficult to maintain control on the backhand side. The lack of consistency on your backhand side is a sign that you need to spend more time hitting backhands! Alternating Groundstrokes: Once you've gone through forehands and backhands separately, it's time to combine them by hitting alternating groundstrokes. Hit a forehand and backhand and a forehand… The idea behind this drill is control of where you hit, focus on footwork, consistency, and comfort. Hitting alternating groundstrokes off a backboard may feel tedious. However, the next 20-ball rally you have in a match, you'll be ready because you've prepared yourself to settle into the point and keep hitting another shot. Volleys: Tennis players don't often consider hitting volleys against a wall, but doing so is so great for hand-eye coordination and the sheer amount of repetition available. The ball is coming right back to you and will highlight the angle in which it was hit. If you hit too far to the left, the ball will likely angle away from you, it won't be easily returned. Start out slowly and let the strings on your racket do the work. There should be very little wrist or racket movement. Hit volleys on both your forehand and backhand sides. Is it good to practice tennis against a wall? It's great to practice tennis against a wall. In addition to not requiring another person, you'll build confidence in your ability to keep the ball in play longer. You'll also get an incredible workout. A backboard starts to work against you is when you get lazy with your footwork. As long as you stay light on your feet and move to the ball, using a backboard is a fantastic tennis tool. ~ Shirley Ferguson TENNIS TITANS Emile Pinaud using the tennis backboard Carol Mee using the tennis backboard HIKING GROUP We meet Thursdays at 8 am in the Clubhouse parking lot and carpool to various locations in the area. Hikes are not strenuous, more like a walk in the park. Most days we return by 10 am. For more information, contact Pat Leahy at (951) 756-9184 or pcleahy@ yahoo.com.