Overhead Technique

OVERHEAD

Grip

Continental Grip

- Used for Overhead

Backswing

Backswing Details...

1. Chin up the moment the ball goes up.

2. Left hand on throat as the body turns.

3. Hips turn entire body sideways.

4. The left foot steps across to turn the body sideways.

5. Both arms rise up with the left hand on the throat.

6. Elbows should be up and off the body.

7. Upper torso continues to rotate.

8. Left hand releases the throat and begins to reach up.

9. Right elbow is now bent, ready to drop into the swing.

10. Feet should always be moving and adjusting to get into position.

11. As the racket waits to swing, the edge is pointing up, not the strings.

12. Left arm should be reaching straight up.

13. The chin remains up as the shoulders are slanted at a steep angle, similar to the serve.

14. The hip is stretched, creating the "Trophy Position".

Swing and Contact Point

Swing and Contact Point Details...

15. As the wrist drops the racket into the swing, the butt cap should lead the way to the ball.

16. The racket begins its swing by quickly dropping behind back, and continuously swinging up to the ball.

17. The chest should be up, facing the ball.

18. The racket swings up to the ball leading with the edge.

19. The shoulders remain steeply slanted as the swing goes up to the ball.

20. The left arm bends and tucks into the stomach area during the swing and contact point.

21. The wrist and forearm pronate into the contact point allowing the strings to strike the ball squarely.

22. The shoulder controls the shape of the swing as it 'throws' the arm and racket into the ball.

23. Hips begin to fully open and rotate into stroke.

24. During contact, if the ball is in front, the weight should transfer to the left leg as it steps into the ball.

25. The contact point must be in front of the player.

26. The wrist and forearm pronate and snap the racket into the contact point.

27. The chin remains up through the entire stroke, but especially through the contact point.

Follow Through

Follow Through Details...

28. The contact point should be made at the highest point possible.

29. The hips and core are fully open, if the ball is hit in front, rotating into the ball.

30. Left foot explodes off the ground, into the ball. If hitting an overhead while moving backward, the right leg would explode off the ground into a scissor kick.

31. The wrist 'snaps' the racket into the ball and toward the target.

32. Right elbow stays above the racket as it is swinging downward.

33. The wrist and forearm are completely pronated.

34. The chin remains up, even after the arm and racket have dropped.

35. The left arm remains tucked into body throughout swing.

36. As racket drops, the arm bends at the elbow and wrist.

37. Right shoulder 'rolls' over, completing the swing.

38. Weight transfers over, completely balanced, to the left leg. The weight finishes on the left leg whether moving forward or backward on the overhead.

39. The racket head is now pointing down as it drops down to the left hip.