SPIN 

In a recent article, I spoke about the 5 controls you have at your disposal to control every shot you hit.

The 5 Controls were Direction, Depth, Height, Speed and Spin.

Firstly I will talk about Spin. There are basically 3 types of spin that you can impart on a ball when you contact it.

• The First type is Topspin,
• The Second type is underspin or slice,
• The Third type is sidespin, where the ball moves left to right or right to left.

Now it is necessary to mention about the P.A.S.S Principle. These are the factors that you can use to alter each and every one of your strokes.

• P     Pathway the racket takes,
• A    Angle of the racket face,
• S     Speed of the racket head on contact,
• S     Spin that the racket can impart on contact.

P…the pathway the racket takes as it arrives at the ball will affect the potential spin which can be generated. If the racket arrives having travelled a very steep approach (be it in an upwards or downwards direction) the potential for spin is great. If it arrives on a flat approach the potential for spin is minimal.

A…the angle your racket face takes as it arrives into contact will also affect the potential for spin. Simply by opening or closing the face of the racket will increase or decrease the ball spin rate.

S…the speed that the racket head arrives at contact will influence the rate of rotation of the ball. A fast racket head speed will generate more spin giving you more control of the ball.

S…the amount of spin required for each shot will depend on a number of factors e.g. Firstly your court location – ie behind the baseline or hitting a smash close to the net. Secondly the contact height of the ball – ie high contact may require less spin or a low contact may require more spin.

Next time you are out practising your shots, try altering each or any of these governing principles or simply ask any of us tennis coaches.

Yours in sport

William Guiry