3.             FOREHAND CROSS-COURT DRIVE

Preparation

Execution

Completion

·         Shake hands grip, fingers evenly spread with index finger slightly up the shaft

·         Racquet is prepared early in readiness for the ball coming off the front wall

·         Body weight is on the back foot and feet are at least shoulder-width apart

·         Racquet is taken up and back near-vertical before downswing

·         Elbow is high and flexed with hand above the shoulder

·         Shoulders are parallel to the side wall and at an appropriate distance from the ball

·         The player keeps a more open stance to the front wall to allow the cross- court

·         Weight transfers onto the leading foot

·         Downswing starts with racquet head laid back and down through forearm rotation, allowing the racquet head to accelerate

·         Elbow leads the downswing

·         Contact with the ball is in front of the hitting shoulder, however, ball is hit further out in front of the striking shoulder than the straight drive

·         Racquet face is slightly open at impact

·          Initial follow through in the direction of the shot

·          Later the follow through relaxes

·          Ball lands behind the service box into the back corner

·          Player returns to the ‘T’

4.             BACKHAND CROSS-COURT DRIVE

Preparation

Execution

Completion

·          Shake hands grip, fingers evenly spread with index finger slightly up the shaft

·          Racquet is prepared early in readiness for the ball coming off the front wall

·          Body weight is on the back foot and feet are at least shoulder-width apart

·          Racquet is taken up and back near-vertical before downswing

·          Elbow is high and flexed with hand above the shoulder

·          Shoulders are parallel to the side wall and at an appropriate distance from the ball

·          The player keeps a more open stance to the front wall to allow the cross- court

·         Weight transfers onto the leading foot

·         Downswing starts with racquet head laid back and down through forearm rotation, allowing the racquet head to accelerate

·         Elbow leads the downswing

·         Contact with the ball is in front of the hitting shoulder, however, ball is hit further out in front of the striking shoulder than the straight drive

·         Racquet face is slightly open at impact

·         Firm wrist is critical on backhand downswing instead of dropping down

·          Initial follow-through is in the direction of the shot

·          Later the follow through relaxes

·          Ball lands in behind the service box into the back corner

·          Player returns to the ‘T’