SMASHES

I promised to write about smashes in your doubles games: so here is a description of the technique, with photos. The demonstrations are kindly provided by the teacher Franck, Captain of the Men's First Team (right-hander); and First Team player & Breton, Yann-Vari (left-hander).

The main points to note are:

1. Immediately in position under the falling ball, with front shoulder towards the net, the racquet head should be well back behind the head.

2. Watching the ball very carefully, the racquet is projected with fully extended arm, to meet the ball.

3. The follow-through of this stroke normally ends on the other side of the body to the hit, with a breaking of the wrist to bring the ball down well into the court.

4. Although this point is not demonstrated in these photos, we lesser mortals are helped in concentrating on the ball, by using the free arm to point directly at the ball until the moment of contact.

In good doubles play, it is a useful tactic with a high ball nearer the net, to smash at an angle, forcing the opponent to have to chase the ball well out of the court. It is often better with lower balls to volley deep down the middle, between the two opponents.

Finally, it is essential to practise smashes during the warm-up, 'to get your eye in'.

Go to it!!