The Art of Lawn Tennis

crush all defence. As such it must be regarded as a point-winning

ootwork explained for the drive are theoretically the same in volleying. In practice you seldom have time to change your fee

e high volley, from the waist to the head. In contradistinction to the hitting plane

cked or hit. Volleys should never be stroked. There is no f

e racquet is greater than 45 degrees, and many approach 90 degrees. Therefore I say that no volleys should be chopped, for the tendency is to pop the ball up in the air off any chop.

uet against the impact of the ball. Allow the force of the incoming shot, plus your own weight, to return the ball, and do not strive to "wrist

ll met at a higher plane than the top of the net may be hit hard. The stroke should be crisp, snappy, and decisive, but it should stop as it m

ball and stops it. The ball rebounds and falls of its own weight. There is little bounce to such a shot, and that may be re

shot since it is the shortest shot with which to pass him, and he must volley straight to his opening and not waste time trying freakish curving volleys that give the base- liner time

ttain the net position. Do not think that a service

the net, since the other player has the smallest angle to pass you. That is true, but remember that he has an equal angle on either

eturns down the line. Thus the natural shot is covered and your opponent's court is opened for an angle volley 'cross. Should your

follow the ball 'cross and again cover the straight shot. Always fo

e volley is one at your feet as you come in. It is a mid-court shot. Volleys shoul

ion that govern the volley will suffice for the overhead. The swing alone is different. The swing should be closely allied to the slice service, the racquet and arm swinging freely from the shoulder, the wrist flex

t taken on or within the service-line should be killed. Any overhead, behind the service-line, and

this be a constant reminder to you of the fact that all ground strokes should have a clear margin of safety of some 8 inches to a foot above the net, except when attemptin

and when possible both feet, on the ground in smashing, as it aids in regulating t

d class of errors are due to lack of confidence that gives a cramped, half-

ing the net man are greater than lobbing over his head, while in doubles two men c

reater margin of error. Therefore smash 'cross court when pressed, but p

the attacking position to your opponent. Never smash with a reverse t

ad since it is the usual defenc

n the service-line and the baseline. An excelle

court by your opponent's shot; (2) to drive back the net man and break up his attack; (3) to tire your opponent; (4) occasi

, hit with a slight top spin. This is the point-winning lob since it gives no time to, the player to run around it, as it is lower and faster than the chop. In making this lob, start your swing like a

and run your opponent back, thus tiring him, than to lob short and give him confidence by an easy kill. The value of a lob is mainly

t, I took a chance and tossed the ball up in the air over Brookes' head. It was not a great lob, but it was a good one. For once Brookes was caught napping, expecting a drive down the line. He hesitated, then turned and chased the ball to the back stop, missing it on his return. I heard him grunt as he turned, and knew that he was badly winded. He missed his volley off my return of the next service, and I led at 30-40. The final point of the game came when he again threw

a remarkable recovery with a half volley, putting the ball high in the air and seemingly outside. A strong wind was blowing down the court and caught the ball and held its flight. It fell on the baseline. Kingscote made a remarkable recovery with a fine lob that forced Johnston back. Kingscote took t

ing to use, and knowing when to use. The lob is one of the most usefu

er's command. These are the framework of your game. Yet no house is complete with framework alone. There are certain trimmings, ornamen

ame one finds (1) the chop stroke, (2) the slice stroke (a close

eir use. None should be