1. The acceptable grips are the continental, eastern, semi-western and western. For beginners, the eastern grip is usually taught. This grip is just like shaking hands with the racket.
2. Wait for the ball by standing on the baseline facing the net with knees bent comfortably and weight on the balls of the feet. Hold the racket in front with arms relaxed.
3. Take the racket back while pivoting the hips and turning the shoulders. Body weight loads up on the back foot (right foot for right handers). How you take your racket back depends on what you’re comfortable with as long as it is a smooth and continuous motion.
4. Swing for the ball with a relaxed arm and a loose wrist. Then on contact, hit the ball out in front at the same time as you firmly snap your wrist through the ball. The shoulders and trunk uncoil while body weight is transferred from back foot to front foot as you step into the shot.
5. Follow through completely by finishing with the racket over the opposite shoulder. Then recover back to the waiting position.
