Fix the five shots that decide junior matches.
Forehand
Start every forehand with a full shoulder turn and the racket back early — most junior errors come from rushing the swing. Brush up the back of the ball to create topspin, which keeps hard-hit balls inside the lines. Finish with the racket over your opposite shoulder and your weight moving forward into the shot.
- Perfect Forehand in 3 Easy Steps – Top Tennis Training
- Ultimate Guide to Forehand Power – Essential Tennis
- Perfect Your Tennis Forehand in 8 Steps – Online Tennis Instruction
Backhand
For the two-hander, keep both hands firm through contact and let your non-dominant arm do most of the work. Stay sideways through the hit and avoid opening your chest too early, which sprays the ball wide. Practice hitting from a closed stance to build balance and clean contact.
- Perfect Two Handed Backhand in 3 Steps – Top Tennis Training
- 3 Steps to the Perfect Double Hander – Top Tennis Training
- How to Hit the Two Handed Backhand – Intuitive Tennis
Slice
The slice is your defensive lifeline — use it when stretched wide or rushed. Keep the racket face slightly open and swing high to low, letting the strings glide under the ball. Aim deep and low over the net to buy time and force a weak reply.
- Backhand Slice is the Easiest Shot in Tennis – Intuitive Tennis
- Backhand Slice Lesson with a 4.5 NTRP Student – Intuitive Tennis
- How to Hit Incredible Slice Backhands – 2MinuteTennis
Serve
A reliable serve starts with a consistent toss — place it just in front and slightly to your hitting side every time. Snap the wrist at contact (the ‘throwing’ motion) rather than muscling the ball with your arm. Juniors should master a heavy topspin second serve before chasing first-serve speed.
- Perfect Serve in 5 Steps – Top Tennis Training
- Ultimate Serve Technique Lesson – Essential Tennis
- How to Serve in Tennis in 7 Steps – Feel Tennis Instruction
Drop Shot
Disguise is everything: use the same backswing as a normal groundstroke, then soften the hands at the last moment. Contact the ball slightly in front with an open face and almost no follow-through. Only drop shot when your opponent is behind the baseline — never from a defensive position.
