Fix Common Tennis Strokes: 5 Problems & Quick Fixes

Most recreational tennis players don't lose points because of bad technique. They lose because their timing breaks down under pressure, pulling their eyes off the ball or meeting contact half a second too late. These small lapses cascade into shanks, floaters, and mishits that feel frustratingly random.

The good news? Most stroke problems have simple root causes. Once you understand what's actually going wrong, you can fix it without overhauling your entire game.

Problem 1: Forehand Shanks and Inconsistent Contact

Why You're Shanking Your Forehand

The number one cause of shanking is surprisingly simple: you took your eye off the ball. Your head moves during contact, disrupting both timing and string angle consistency.

Train yourself to keep your head still and watch the ball all the way onto your strings. A fantastic drill: try to see the seams of the ball as you hit it. This forces your eyes to track through the entire contact zone rather than peeking at your target too early.

More than 90% of performance dips are caused by timing issues. You're suddenly meeting the ball a little late or a little early. The best cure is paying strict attention to your eyes making solid contact with the ball all the way into your strings.

The Late Contact Problem

If you're hitting late—when the ball is level with or even slightly behind your body—your racquet face closes down on impact. You have to make contact well out in front.

When you pull your racquet back, the tip points at the back fence and the face points to your right. The face turns forward as you swing, but if you're late, it sometimes won't reach that forward-facing direction. The result: balls sailing into the net or shanking off the frame.

The cause isn't mechanical. Even though late contact seems obvious, players don't set aside practice time to simply hit the ball in the ideal contact point. They keep drilling technique instead of drilling timing.

Quick Fix for Forehand Consistency

Prep earlier, meet the ball 12-18 inches in front of your baseline body position, and keep a relaxed wrist so the racquet accelerates smoothly. It's much easier to develop power when we hit farther in front since we feel looser and not tied up.

The number one fault tolerance destroyer on the forehand is changing your string angle through contact. Many players start with their strings at their desired contact angle before they initiate their forward swing, forgetting that the strings will naturally open up further as the racket drives forward.

Stop worrying about your technique for 5-15 minutes. Focus solely on hitting the ball in your ideal contact point, watching those seams spin through the hitting zone.

Problem 2: Backhand Issues (Two-Handed vs One-Handed)

Two-Handed Backhand Advantages

Chris Evert put it perfectly: "The two-handed backhand is the most compact and efficient—for the one-hander, your footwork has to be perfect, and it takes impeccable timing". With two hands, you can get away with not being perfect and improvise much more easily.

One significant advantage is hitting balls above the waist, which are much easier with two hands. A player tends to get away with a poorly timed shot and recover more easily than a single hander would.

The stats don't lie. Over the past decade, male players with one-handed backhands accounted for just seven of the 40 Grand Slam singles titles. Not a single woman won a major with just one hand on the grip since 2007.

One-Handed Backhand Benefits

The main benefit is extra reach. Although it's a very difficult stroke to learn and master, players tend to have a lot more reach and can hit through the ball easily with a lot of topspin once the stroke is mastered.

Modern one-handed backhands typically have significantly more topspin and torque than two-handed backhands. This allows them to create more acute angles and pull opponents off the court more easily, especially on clay.

But here's the catch: perfect footwork and timing aren't optional. If you're an intermediate player still working on consistency, the one-hander will punish every positioning mistake.

Which Backhand Should You Choose?

For recreational players, the two-handed backhand offers more forgiveness and faster improvement. You can adjust on the fly when balls come at awkward heights or speeds.

The one-hander looks elegant and provides extra reach for wide balls. But it demands precision that most weekend players haven't developed yet.

If you're just starting or rebuilding your backhand, go with two hands. You'll win more points while you're learning.

Problem 3: Slice Backhand Floating Too High

Why Your Slice Lacks Bite

The backhand slice technique requires staying sideways through the shot longer than usual. This is especially difficult for two-handed backhand players who are used to rotating their body. That rotation causes shots to float too much as the racquet path through the ball becomes incorrect.

Often beginners end up opening their racket face too much, causing the ball to pop up and lack pace. This is the most common issue on the slice.

When your slice floats too much, it bounces high with insufficient speed. Your opponent gets plenty of time to set up and dictate the point.

Proper Slice Mechanics

Prepare by creating an "L" with your hitting wrist and forearm as you position your racquet above your shoulder. This allows you to swing down on the ball while creating some length. The key is maintaining this L-shaped wrist angle throughout the entire swing.

Stay sideways longer through contact. Your shoulders should rotate on a stable path without opening up too early.

Don't be afraid to aim high above the net. Players tend to aim too low when hitting a high backhand slice, making the ball land short and bounce right into your opponent's ideal strike zone. Good height gives you good depth.

Slice Backhand Drill

Practice maintaining your wrist position from preparation through follow-through. Set up a target three feet above the net and six feet inside the baseline.

Focus on keeping your body sideways until after contact. Your chest should face the side fence, not your opponent, during the hitting zone.

Hit 20 slices in a row, checking your wrist angle after each shot. If you're breaking the L-shape, slow down your swing and rebuild the pattern.

Problem 4: Volley Timing and Split Step Mistakes

Split Step Timing Fundamentals

The split-step is the most critical determinant of all the factors contributing to movement quality. Most tennis researchers believe that optimal timing will decrease the number of errors a player commits.

Here's the precise timing: as the server accelerates the racquet towards the ball (prior to contact), the returner initiates their split jump. The returner reaches the peak of their split jump at about the moment the server makes contact with the ball.

Professional tennis players achieve response time values between 0.14 and 0.18 seconds after the opponent's impact point. That's faster than you can consciously process, which is why the timing feels counterintuitive.

Common Split Step Errors

One of the most common instructions is that you need to hop as your opponent hits the ball. Most players interpret this as first waiting to see the opponent hit the ball, then initiating the split step. That's way too late.

You need to be already pushing off the ground as your opponent makes contact with the ball. You cannot consciously track such a short amount of time, so instead focus on the landing from the split step.

You need to land exactly when you realize where your opponent's ball is going. At that moment your legs will be bent and loaded like springs to help you push off quickly in any direction.

Split Step for Net Play

The same principle applies at the net. As long as you have time to react, you want to land right as you know where the ball is going, which almost always requires hopping before your opponent's contact and landing sometime during the ball's early flight.

Perform the split step the moment your opponent is about to strike the ball. That timing gives you balance and the ability to push off in any direction.

Because of the preciseness of the move, the step is quite challenging to master. It involves incredibly precise technique and timing. Practice it during warmups until the rhythm becomes automatic.

Problem 5: Return of Serve Positioning

Where to Stand for Returns

The standard for where to stand on the return is around three feet behind the baseline. This position places you halfway between a server's two most dangerous serves: the one down the center service line and the one out wide.

But here's the thing: few players below the 5.0 level can serve to all parts of the service box with equal effectiveness. Why position yourself to cover serves that your opponent can't hit?

Pay attention to your opponent's serves and adjust accordingly. Few intermediate players can hit effective serves out wide, so if you're faced with such a player, stand a foot or two toward the middle of the court.

Adjusting Your Return Position

Against a powerful first serve, stand several feet behind the baseline to provide extra time to react. For a second serve with more spin and less pace, move closer to the baseline.

Generally as an attacking player, standing as close as you can while having enough time to react and control the return is a great option. By standing closer you can cut off angles and have a better opportunity to play spin serves.

This is why the majority of players move in to return the second serve. You're taking time away from your opponent and starting the point on your terms.

Return Preparation Technique

Be in motion by staying on your toes and use small steps to adjust your position just before impact. Prepare the racket by bringing it back quickly for early preparation.

Make sure the point of contact with the ball is in front of you to generate power and control. Even against a fast serve, accelerate the racquet at impact for a more accurate return.

Keep your weight on the balls of your feet, never flat-footed. Your first movement should be a small hop or weight transfer, not a static lean.

Serve Toss Mechanics: Flat vs Kick Serves

Flat Serve Toss Placement

Your ball toss for a flat serve should fall inside the court roughly 12-18 inches in front of you and approximately 6 inches to the right of your tossing arm's shoulder. You want the ball out in front so you can push up and into the court to help you accelerate through your serve and generate power.

At the point of contact, Federer's toss is barely in front of him on the first serve. His toss is even closer to the baseline on his kick serve than on his first serve. The angle of attack into the ball is different on this serve, in part due to the change in ball toss location.

Getting the toss placement right is half the battle. If your toss is in the wrong spot, it will be difficult to find any consistency on the serve.

Kick Serve Toss Placement

When it comes to your kick serve, you'll want to place your toss inside the court roughly 6-12 inches out in front of you, but you'll also want to set the toss slightly behind you. If you were to toss the ball and let it fall, you'd want the ball to land roughly on top of your head or slightly behind your head.

For a kick serve, toss slightly behind your head and marginally to your non-dominant side. The ball should feel like it's over the crown of your head or just left of it, never far out in front. A behind-and-left toss encourages a vertical, up-and-brush swing path.

The ball toss position is different and the sideways motion of the racquet head across the ball is much different between flat and kick serves. The ball kicks up higher in the kick serve even though the ball lands near the same spot lengthwise.

Fixing Inconsistent Toss Height

The answer is roughly 2-3 feet above the maximum reach of your racquet. However, there is no perfect toss height as we all come in different shapes and sizes. You need to find the height that allows you to time your serve while maintaining comfort.

There are quite a few reasons why the ball placement in the toss is not consistent: not tossing from the shoulder joint only but using the elbow and the wrist as well, or incorrect tossing arm and body alignment at the end of the tossing motion.

Use your shoulder joint only. Eliminate elbow and wrist movement. Practice tossing 50 balls in a row without hitting them, letting each one land in the same spot on the court.

When to Get Professional Tennis Lessons

Signs You Need a Tennis Coach

Persistent stroke problems after self-correction attempts signal it's time for professional help. If you've tried fixing your forehand for three months and you're still shanking under pressure, a coach can spot what you're missing.

Plateaued improvement despite consistent practice is another red flag. When you're playing three times a week but your results haven't changed in six months, you need fresh eyes on your game.

Developing compensatory movement patterns is the most dangerous sign. If you're adjusting your footwork to accommodate a flawed swing path, you're building bad habits that become harder to break over time.

Private Tennis Lesson Costs

The national average cost of private tennis lessons ranges from around $62-$204, and most people pay around $113. Tennis lesson packages cost $200 to $500 for five one-hour lessons.

Tennis instructors with high-profile professional careers, lots of experience, or a well-respected reputation may have higher rates. Professionals in areas with a lot of local competition or a high cost of living may charge higher rates.

Costs depend on their experience level, court fees, and session length. Some coaches include video analysis, which adds value but increases the price.

Finding the Right Tennis Instructor

Consider their experience level first. A former college player might charge less than a touring pro, but they can still fix your groundstrokes effectively.

Look at their specialty areas. Some coaches excel at teaching beginners, while others specialize in competitive juniors or adult league players.

Check local competition pricing and lesson format preferences for your skill level. Group clinics cost less than private lessons but offer less individual attention. Semi-private lessons (two students) split the difference.

If you're looking for qualified instructors in your area, platforms like TeachMe.To connect students with experienced tennis coaches who can address your specific stroke problems. You can browse instructor profiles, read reviews from other players, and book lessons that fit your schedule and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I keep hitting my forehand late?

Timing issue, not technical. Dedicate practice sessions purely to contact point positioning without technique focus. Stop worrying about your technique for 5-15 minutes and focus solely on hitting the ball in your ideal contact point. Most players hit poorly because they don't hit on time, even though they know the mechanics.

Should I switch to a two-handed backhand?

Two-handed offers more consistency and forgiveness. You can improvise and adjust more easily when balls come at awkward heights. One-handed requires perfect timing but provides greater reach. There is no answer as to which backhand is actually better, as it largely depends on your style of play and comfort factor.

When exactly should I split step?

Push off ground as opponent swings. Land when ball direction becomes clear with legs loaded. You need to be already pushing off the ground as your opponent makes contact with the ball. Focus on the landing, not the jump, since you can't consciously track such short timing.

How do I stop shanking forehands?

Watch ball directly onto strings through contact. Train to see ball seams during impact. The number one cause of shanking the ball is you took your eye off the ball. Keep your head still and track all the way through the hitting zone.

Why does my slice float instead of staying low?

Rotating body too early or opening racquet face excessively. Stay sideways longer through contact. The backhand slice technique requires staying sideways through the shot longer than usual, which is especially difficult for two-handed backhand players who are used to rotating their body.

Where should I toss for a kick serve?

Position toss over head crown or slightly behind, not out front like flat serve toss. If you were to toss the ball and let it fall, you'd want the ball to land roughly on top of your head or slightly behind your head. This enables the vertical brush-up swing path needed for spin.