Many recreational tennis players stand upright when hitting their strokes. Their mode of operation is to drop their racquet head for low ground strokes and volleys. They also tend to wait for the ball to drop to their hitting area on serves and overheads. Advanced players never stand totally erect when in the ready position or when hitting the ball. Their legs are always flexed, ready to pounce on any ball.

Would you like to achieve better control, consistency, and power on your strokes?  Consider using your legs more effectively when striking the ball.  49% of all unforced errors occur when a player hits the ball into the net. When better players move to intercept a ball, they lower their body so that they can sweep up and through the ball more effectively. On volleys, when the ball is low, they bend their knees to lower the racquet into an intercept position. Advanced players also bend their knees on overheads, which helps to propel them upward. They don’t wait for the ball to come to them. They jump up and hit it as far as possible above their head.

George Haley