Straight Drive

1. Approach: Key to the shot is getting to the ball early. On this clip I have seen his boast and immediately start working towards the front corner. An important point is that I am working to the corner and not directly to the ball. This gives me options if I have misread the angles.

2. Delivery: Now that I am in the correct position my racquet is raised, my shoulders are turned and I am perfectly balanced ready to move onto the shot. In this clip I have created so much time with my movement that I am able to hold this position, therefore producing deception.

3. Impact: At impact my arm is fully extended with the racquet face very open giving me the control I need to hit this shot. As you can see my front knee is around 90 degrees. This is done to drop my body down to the height of the ball, which is practically on the floor, in order to produce a solid and consistent stroke.

4. Follow Through: The racquet face goes through and then up, propelling the ball that extra distance and ensuring the ball goes to a full length and reaches the back wall. This follow through also helps my movement by continuing in its path and recoiling back to me, assisting recovery to the T.

1. Approach: A common fault is to get too near to the ball. Judging and controlling you movement for this particular shot is vital. As you can see from the clip I am almost in a position to hit only one step away from the T. I have rotated my shoulders and hips, my racquet is back and I am ready to transfer my weight into the shot.

2. Delivery: As the racquet face comes through you can see my whole body sink into the shot. My leading leg is nearly at 90° but my body has remained still and straight, retaining control of my movement. There is plenty of space between me and the ball which leaves time for any adjustments needed before impact.

3. Impact: My arm is fully extended and my body has remained still. I am now focusing intently on the ball. As a result of good preparation all there is left to do is to allow the racquet to come through with an open face.

4. Follow Through: After striking the ball the racquet should ideally follow through on the same plane as the flight of the ball. This ensures the ball has the legs to travel through to a full length. This will then naturally pull your body back toward the T and total control of the situation.

1. Approach: On approaching the ball my racquet is back and my shoulders turned. However, unlike the forehand drive from the middle I am relatively upright. This is because the ball is bouncing high and I am under no pressure with this particular shot. You have to be willing to adjust your approach depending on the height and tightness of the ball.

2. Delivery: My racquet is back and wrist firm with my body still. Although I have landed two footed, my weight is still transferring into the shot and I am perfectly balanced.

3. Impact: My head is perfectly still and my arm extended at impact, yet again ensuring a consistent shot. I am aiming to hit the ball above the cut line on the front wall and at a reasonably quick pace.

4. Follow Through: As a result of good preparation and impact a relaxed follow through will naturally take me back to the T as is shown on the clip. The racquet head finishes high to assist both the flight of the ball and direction of my movement.

1. Approach: My first two steps towards the ball are quick but not direct. I am still outside the line of the service box at this point. My weight is still on the back foot and my racquet is raised. My left foot is slowly coming forward and with that my hips and shoulders are slowly turning into the shot.

2. Delivery: My front leg is now fully extended. My weight is now transferring from the back leg to the front left foot. The racquet is fully back with my right arm out to balance myself. This is a very aggressive delivery with the intent of attacking the back corner and hopefully hitting a winning shot.

3. Impact: At impact both my front and back knees are at 90 degrees, lowering my whole body down the level of the ball. The racquet is extended in front of my left foot and my head is perfectly still. Although the racquet face is open, I flatten it on impact in search of a hard penetrative length.

4. Follow Through: I complete the follow through for this shot whilst still completely stationary. Moving at such great speed and arriving at different angles means hitting a straight drive from the backhand front. It is crucial to remain poised and in complete control of your body. The racquet follows through forward in a thrusting motion to increase the speed of the ball.

1. Approach: Having forced my opponent to hit a soft mid court shot I have plenty of time to prepare for my mid court straight drive. My racquet is back and raised, my shoulders and hips are round and my weight is just starting to transfer from my back to front foot.

2. Delivery: My racquet head is now lower and the racquet face is open. My whole body is now sinking onto the shot and my front leg is taking the weight. My opponent is on the T so I have to ensure the ball reaches the back by hitting higher on the front wall.

3. Impact: On impact the arm and racquet are fully extended with only my left foot inside the service box. My body is as solid as a rock which allows the racquet to take its natural course to the ball. Again I have flattened the racquet face on impact to help with the trajectory of the ball to the corner.

4. Follow Through: Following on from the flatter impact the racquet stays low and continues in the direction of the T. This pulls my body out of the shot and adds a little extra bite to the shot.

1. Approach: I am hitting the straight drive off a serve. Therefore, I have to create the space between myself and the ball. I have exaggerated the turn and I am holding onto a solid position.

2. Delivery: Although I am still too close to the ball and my upper body is over my front leg, my base remains strong. I have managed to get into a position that allows a full swing with an open racquet face.

3. Impact: At impact I am striking the ball in front of my left foot and my arm is fully extended. Ideally I should be further away from the ball with my legs bent and my back straight. As this was not possible, the most important thing is to be still and controlled on impact.

4. Follow Through: The racquet continues on a low plane and the only important factor in this position is to get the ball through to the back. Using the follow through to return to the T is secondary in importance. Holding onto the position, especially a poor position, is vital to a successful outcome.