How to Get Consistency in Your Ground Strokes in Tennis

Forehands and backhands, or ground strokes, are fundamental components in tennis because they are the most common shots. Many tennis rallies are completely consumed by each player's relentless ability to return the ball with a consistent ground stroke, which is why this can win you many matches without the need for other shots. The opposition usually gets a point when the ball is stroked into the net or out of bounds.

Instructions

    • 1

      Hit your ground stroke the same way whenever possible. Your body position will not always be the same, but try to keep the movements as consistent as possible.

    • 2

      Practice with a partner or against a wall regularly. Training walls are located at many public tennis courts and they come equipped with a line that corresponds with the height of a net. Work on your forehand ground strokes one day and then switch to your backhands. You should practice for at least half an hour each day, four or five days per week.

    • 3

      Let the ball fall into your racket strings as much as possible. This will prevent you from stretching your arm and it will help you to maintain a consistent body position. The ball is often descending as it approaches you.

    • 4

      Stroke the ball at the same angle at which it is descending or ascending after a bounce. For example, if it is ascending at a 45-degree angle from the other side of the court, hit it at the same angle but with the opposite trajectory. This will help ensure that you don't hit the ball too high and out of bounds, or too low and into the net.

    • 5

      Get into position early so that you can set up your standard ground stroke in plenty of time. Eventually you will move into position naturally and your shots will be consistent.