Seven Basic Paddle Tennis Strokes

Forehand Drive: Eastern Forehand (shake hands) grip, short backswing, low to high swing, feet must be inside the baseline on contact, finish stroke completely, aim 8-10 inches high over the net. Always aim either at the net people(armpit to armpit, hip to hip) or between them, do not go around them. DO NOT HIT INTO THE NET - most people will hit the out ball.

Backhand Volley: Continental (hammer) grip, use non paddle hand as a shelf and place paddle in the shelf in front of your body with paddle squarely in front of your body, toward your backhand side. Look to hit more backhand volleys than forehand volleys. Stand with relaxed legs in semi crouched position to make yourself a smaller target. Wait for the ball to come to your paddle, release non paddle hand on contact and lead with bottom edge slighly beveled forward for better depth. Keep volleys deep and away from opponents forehand drive. After serve, server approaches net with a backhand volley in the ready position.

Deck Lob: Use when the height of ball is at waist or lower level on contact. Open up paddle face and lift ball directly upward ("like an elevator") with a slow hand. Follow ball up with the paddle finishing above your head. Aim for the height of the lights and for depth, aim for the opponents service line. DO NOT LOB LONG - THIS IS A SIN!

Block Lob: Used when ball is too high to contact as a deck lob. Used to block out potential screen shot and to get opponents quickly out of position. Great shot to use as a return of serve play over the net man's head. Place paddle head up, take ball as it rises up toward you and push gently straight up.

Push Overhead: Extremely important shot! Stroke is similar to block lob but you take the ball out of the air and lob it back SLOW and DEEP to the RESET AREA. Wait for ball to drop down to you paddle and push it up slowly. Defensive shot used to regain position at the net. Used when opponents hit lobs to the service line or deeper.

Snap Overhead: Used when opponents lobs fall within service boxes. Similar to tennis overhead but contact point is much lower, elbow remains bent, and you look to hit the ball into the screens. Best place to hit is the attack area (A on attachment) which is the righty's backhand screens. Make sure body is sideways, point non paddle shoulder in the direction where you want the ball to go.

Serve: GET IT IN! Once you are confident with that, then work on moving it around and then work on spins (slice and topspin). Stand sideways, toss must be forward (18 inches out in front), shortened backswing, snap wrist if using preferred continental grip. Following serve move toward the middle third of the court. Serve and first volley must be considered together.