When and How to smash (Part-2)
When taking a smash the weight is on your right foot and passes to your left while finishing out on the stroke. In this it is just as in serving. Here are a few pointers to remember while about to smash:
1. Keep your eye on the ball.
2. Meet the ball always the same height and distance from you.
3. Take time, don't hurry, as one thus has an advantage over his adversary.
4. Get good depth on the smash.
5. Never try to "kill" the ball if an easier, well placed shot will do.
6. Be prepared for a return after you smash. In serving and smashing players are wont to pull down on their stroke. This tends to destroy the uniformity of the stroke. The least pull or jerk prevents a good follow through. Furthermore, when you pull down, your ball is likely to go into the net. There is not so much danger in case you are close to the net, but if in the middle of the court for smashing or back of the baseline for serving, a pulled down stroke will send the ball into the net.
Again, take notice that when pulling or jerking down the face of the racquet is coming down. Many players imagine that in this way they get more power on the stroke. Others think they get a break on the ball by pulling down on their service. Power in the stroke comes from hitting the ball clean with a steady stroke, not a snappy one. To get a "break" the player puts a "top" on the ball when the hand is still overhead with a quick wrist movement, but the hand does not pull down. It stays high till the stroke is finished.
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