My name is Bill Longua of the United States Professional Tennis Association and the tennis director and head tennis pro at Palm Island Resort in Cape Haze.
I'll be supplying the Gasparilla Magazine a regular column on tips to improve your tennis game. This week's photo essay addresses use of shoulders to improve your game.
My blog receives more than 40,000 hits per month and I also write for New York Tennis Magazine and website. My book "Winning Tennis Strokes" is for sale at a number of outlets online.
Article Photos
The stance you use when hitting the ball determines the concentration needed on your shoulder turn. If you hit in the more conservative closed stance with a turn-step-and-hit sequence, the shoulders will naturally turn sideways because the left leg (if right-handed) is pointed toward the net.
Bill Longua has been the tennis director/head pro at Palm Island Resort, Cape Haze, since 2007 and is a member of the USPTA with more than 35 years teaching experience. For more tennis tips and his book "Winning Tennis Strokes" go to onlinetennistraining.com or e-mail questions to bill@onlinetennistraining.com.
Fact Box
REVIEW: If stances are closed the shoulder turn, while still requiring attention, will turn more naturally. The backhand is natural due to the mechanics of the stroke in either the closed or open stance. The open stance forehand is the most likely shot to cause a late hit, or weak power, as the player may think the shoulders are turned because the racquet is back, but in reality the player still might be facing the net. So, be careful.
