Here are some unedited components of RPM Tennis. Some of the below content may well become the final content as this book takes form with an editor and publisher. 

RPM Tennis – Timing Is Everything  

Table Of Contents   

Part One - The Big Picture

Part Two - Method

Part Three - Movement  

Part Four - Mental

All Together Now - Summary  

                                                  RPM Tennis – Timing Is Everything  

Often, we hear players exclaim: my timing was just off today. Just exactly, what does this mean?  

Ultimately, we are timing the point of contact.  

How and where our racquet face is moving, at the point of contact between strings and ball, determines how and where each shot flies. Consequently, RPM Tennis focuses on instilling layers of disciplines that realistically improve our chances of timing each unique point of contact.   

Becoming a Better Self Coach 

To create effective self-coaching, RPM Tennis empowers players with the an awareness of the difference between “what to do” and “how to do it.”  

Commands from coaches are all too frequently about “what to do.” Most recreational players have heard the “what to do” phrase “swing low to high.” Still, many struggle to get this counter intuitive groundstroke shape engrained.

  To avoid such problems, RPM Tennis highlights details about “how to” swing from low to high.  

We have all heard this one: “don’t swing at your volleys.” Instruction about “what not to do” is even worse than “what to do” advice that skips the “how to do it” parts. 

RPM Tennis offers detailed “how to” information. Players often need details about exactly “how to” avoid such temptations as swinging at volleys. Players consistently need “how to” details about overcoming counter instinctive skill like: swinging low to high.  

Watch the ball, stay focused, move your feet. The list of “what to do” commands we are accustomed to hearing is way too long. Increasing your awareness of the vital distinction between “what to do” and “how to do it,” on the other hand, gives you a big picture understanding. This empowers you to become effective at self coaching in the midst of a match.  

Developing a comprehensive understanding of the cause and effect chain of events that lead to a botched point of contact encourages self-dialogue that becomes more positive, more practical and more specific. This helps us side step the kind of frustration and insecurity born from confusion. Meanwhile, root causes of errors are effectively tracked down and addressed. 

Ultimately, this provides you an understanding of the whole, interconnected, big picture of tennis. In all three areas of the game, we will highlight practices and disciplines that share a single goal: managing each shot’s moment of truth – the point of contact. 

Beyond the common learning models students of the game have come to expect, RPM Tennis highlights principles designed for understanding and adapting to the variables we encounter during match play. On the court, in real life, trying to play at your potential, RPM Tennis is designed to be a practical and realistic approach to tennis.   

Beyond the common learning models that students of the game have come to expect, RPM Tennis highlights principles designed for understanding and adapting to the variables we encounter during match play. This makes RPM Tennis a very practical and realistic approach to tennis.  

In that millisecond of contact, we have an opportunity to program the flight of each and every shot. Regardless of the type of stroke, the principles we use relate to managing the meeting of strings and ball. Focusing our tennis perspective through the lens of cause and effect physics leads to an understanding of the overall game’s interconnected nature.  

Ultimately, such big picture connectivity of our perspective on tennis makes it clear that any stroke, any shot, shares with all other strokes and shots, a common denominator: the point of contact. This means the principles we use to manage each shot’s point of contact are all about managing variables in order to balance control and aggression.   

Timing Tools 

RPM Tennis calls any practice, adjustment or discipline, within any of RPM Tennis’ three areas, a Timing Tool. Those three areas are all contained within the RPM phrase: Remember Presence Movement and Method. We can call it RPM&M.  

An example of a Timing Tool from the Movement area is the practice of using stutter steps to fine-tune the distance between where we will stand and the point of contact. 

An example of a Timing Tool from the Method area is the practice of minimizing our backswing size in certain, challenging situations. Just like stutter steps from the Movement area, a minimized backswing is employed to assure a successful communication between the strings and ball at the moment of truth - the point of contact.  

Yet, appropriate degrees of “stutter steps” or “minimized backswing size” require something more abstract. It requires presence of mind. RPM Tennis highlights how presence of mind is an integral part of the tennis equation.  

Present, we are constantly keeping up with now. In tennis, there is nothing important than keeping up with now. Not only does RPM Tennis highlight this fact, we provide clear ways to become increasingly present. These “ways” or “Timing Tools,” that promote more presence of mind, actually become neglected and misunderstood when collectively tossed in a category we tend to call: the mental game.  

Presence has absolutely nothing to do with how smart or intelligent an individual may or may not be. To become present we actually quite our mind. Amazingly, this opens us up to an infinite depth and breadth of possibilities. Of course, it works as well off the court as it does on the court.  

Presence, like Movement and Method, contains many practices we will refer to as: Timing Tools. Although Presence does not take a specific form, like stutter steps or a compacted backswing, they all work together for the same purpose. That purpose, of course, is to simply increase the chances our racquet face communicates effectively during that split second when strings contact ball.  

By using layers of overlapping Timing Tools from all three areas, these disciplines ultimately empower us with improved control and confidence. We begin to believe more deeply in our abilities. It begins to feel as though more is possible. “Playing to win” becomes natural. “Playing not to lose” becomes avoidable.  

Essentially, these layers of Timing Tools are like checks and balances. Through their use, we are able to more effectively balance our control and our aggression. In the All Together Section of this book, we will show how our layers of Timing Tools conspire to balance our approach to each situation.  

Using these layers of Timing Tools demonstrates our level of sensitivity to the cause and effect nature of tennis. It also demonstrates our level of sensitivity to the fact that we are only human. We all need techniques that allow us to be a little less than perfect, yet still succeed.  

Instilling a heightened sensitivity to the point of contact continually reminds us to make these layers of proactive adjustments. 

Ultimately, it becomes much easier for us to be bold.  These Timing Tools, stacked one atop the other, help us master the art of controlled aggression. All because, such adjustments increase our chances of successfully timing of each unique, point of contact.  

RPM Tennis is Principle Driven -  

Traditionally, coaches have allowed players to become more form oriented. However, tennis is overflowing with variables. This is why RPM Tennis emphasizes principles – not form.  

Form emphasis can shrink a player’s offensive and defensive options. On the other hand, stroke development that is based on principles gives a player the confidence to adapt to many situations. 

Furthermore, this principle-driven approach clarifies the connection between all strokes. The connection, of course, is the physics-driven moment of truth – the point of contact. 

The principle, or idea, behind Timing Tools is simply:  eliminating stroke variables increases our control through better timing of the point of contact. This also shows how RPM Tennis is a principle driven approach to tennis.  

In addition to the wide safety net our Timing Tools provide, the Method section of RPM Tennis also emphasizes another helpful principle. We call it: The Margin Method. The Margin Method encourages sustained racquet-face direction through the contact zone.  

The idea here is the longer we sustain a single racquet face direction, as we swing through the contact zone, the longer our racquet face can miss-time contact – yet still produce an acceptable shot. This means we are actually stretching the length of our acceptable contact zone.  

Method - 

The Grip Gauge 

Traditionally, when discussing and identifying the various grips, coaches and players have only referenced one point on the hand. This allows different interpretations of the same grip. Since our grip and wrist position forms the foundation of each stroke, some clarification is in order.  

The RPM Tennis Grip Gauge references two points on the hand. The index finger knuckle is Point A. The pinkie finger knuckle becomes Point B. Then, we simply number the eight sides of the racquet’s handle. 

When you call 1-800-289-5570 and enter the PIN # 9996073320, you can experience the early stage beta test of our efforts to revolutionize do it yourself, how-to media. Our Grip Gauge system will talk you through the various grips while you experience this information in real time.

   

The Margin Method is based on sustained racquet face projection. As long as we sustain our racquet-face orientation while swinging through the contact zone, our timing of the point of contact can be a little early or late, yet we still produce an acceptable shot. Grip and wrist position are the foundation for this approach.  

RPM Tennis promotes the application of The Margin Method in all types of strokes. From the windshield wiper forehand and its cousin, the kick serve, to volleys and virtually every other stroke.

The Margin Method encourages stroke development with built-in, point of contact insurance. Ultimately, these techniques moderate the inherent timing risks that come with each type of stroke.  

For example, the low to high swing required for topspin is an inherent risk. Instinctively, the novice player immediately feels the risks inherent to swinging low to high. They feel the possibility of miss hitting the ball off the edge of the racquet. This feeling might even grow with every degree of steepness they attempt to add to their swing path.  

Reluctantly, many become rigid and stiff in their execution. Instinctively, they cock their wrist position up. The wrist position is almost always the culprit when it comes down to exactly how they are failing to swing from low to high.  

Grip and wrist position become vital in not only helping such a player begin the swing from beneath the point of contact, but also for sustaining a singular racquet face direction through the contact zone.  

Just as an oversize racquet expands the diameter of a player’s sweet spot, The Margin Methodexpands the length of our sweet spot – a little early or a little late, and we still avoid an error. 

When we combine techniques from The Margin Method with the many Timing Tools emphasized in RPM Tennis, we build strokes that have checks, balances and insurance too!   Because all these techniques are aimed at managing the point of contact, the RPM Tennis perspective is a practical perspective on performing at your potential more frequently.   

Ultimately, RPM Tennis is an appeal to your commonsense and pragmatism. 

 

Eliminating the complications within our strokes always yields results. It is a simple fact of tennis that a more complicated backswing is more likely to break down during the rigors of competition. 

As we have already noted, a more complicated backswing simply means the variables that we control are complicating, rather than simplifying, our efforts to negotiate a fruitful meeting between racquet face and ball.   RPM Tennis calls any adjustment or discipline that makes it more likely the point of contact is well timed: a Timing Tool.  

Here are some examples of the most fundamental, stroke production Timing Tools. These ideas should appeal to your sense of practicality and common sense. This is because these particular Timing Tools simply eliminate obvious stroke variables that complicate timing the point of contact. 

*A steady relationship between our body and racquet depends on a steady wrist during the backswing. Having a feel for our racquet face through minimizing wrist movement during the backswing depends on the use of an appropriate grip and wrist position.  

*Less is more with respect to wrist movement during the turn around phase of the swing. This is the tail end of the backswing and the beginning of the forward swing. This control producing discipline is also, highly dependent on the use of an appropriate grip and wrist position. 

*The grip and wrist position makes or breaks our effort to prepare for our forward swing. The less we have to move the wrist position, the more we stay in control our racquet face.   Ultimately, we might need to implement emergency opening or closing of the racquet face at the last split second, in order to avoid an error. Such improvisation is much more likely to succeed when we are working from a quite wrist to racquet relationship.   

*An adjustable backswing on the forehand helps us balance the opportunity for offense with the necessity for defense, as we are faced with various situations on the forehand.   Since our shoulder is in the rear on the forehand, our backswing is automatically larger than it is on the backhand. The temptation to take too large of a backswing is the main reason our forehand can “go off” in the course of match play. 

*Appropriate swing speed for the situation at hand is just as important as the rest of our Timing Tools. An appropriate swing speed is largely based on the speed of the incoming ball. It is also based on our brush to drive ratio and the perceived height and position on the court at which we will contact the ball. 

*Matching Brush/Drive Ratio with the situation at hand. For example, matching a steeper low to high swing for heavy topspin, while returning a fast, incoming serve, makes timing the point of contact more difficult.  

  Steeper swings for heavier topspin are only dependable when matched with a slower incoming ball.  A steeper swing means the racquet face crosses the incoming shot path for a smaller time and space. For this reason, we need a slower moving, incoming shot to consistently time a clean point of contact with this steeper swing path. 

On the other hand, flatter swings for driving the ball more aggressively, or defending against fast moving shots by our opponent, become more dependable through our compacting the backswing size  

A steeper swing will also means our racquet face is not as closed. This is another variable that we must recognize. 

On the other hand, if the point of contact is while the incoming ball is rising - this necessitates a flatter swing and more closed racquet face.  

  The offensive lob and the half volley are both topspin shots. The offensive lob is brushier. The half volley is drivier. Comparing the two reveals both differences and similarities. This “bigger picture” understanding leads to more consistently successful execution. 

Embracing Exaggeration  

Often times, we need help overcoming our instinctive resistance to learning certain counter-instinctive skills. Many of the skills that empower us with control, require us to get beyond counter-instinctive challenges.  

RPM Tennis uses Exaggeration Exercises to help students of the game overcome these challenges to stroke development. The success of the Interactive Audio and Video, included with this book, depends heavily on Exaggeration Progressions and Exercises.  

Only though repetition that focuses students on specific “how to “ details, will students quickly negotiate their way beyond the obstacles we face when it comes to learning certain counter-instinctive skills.  

RPM Tennis relies heavily on the use of Exaggeration exercises for the development of counter-instinctive skills and disciplines like topspin and compact, controlled volleys.   Exaggerating an unnatural stroke dimension requires a highly controlled situation. 

For example, if we are working on shortening our backswing on our forehand serve return, it might be necessary to take an exaggeration approach. This would mean some repetition-based practice that begins with attempting returns using virtually no backswing.  

Another example is an important part of our remarkably successful skill-building progression for learning a topspin forehand. In this progression, step one is drop-hitting forehands with an exaggerated upward-brushing swing path. Since the upward dimension of the swing is the counter-instinctive dimension of the swing – we approach it in an exaggerated manner.   When the unnatural, vertical dimension of the stroke is exaggerated in such a controlled situation, players quickly get beyond the instinctive barriers to embracing this counter-instinctive skill. 

Finally, when Exaggeration becomes the goal during a practice session, instead of the shot, players  experience authentic, process immersion. This is the state we need to attain in our practice sessions to truly engrain such adjustments into our permanent, bag of tricks. 

Whole Body Cooperation 

While tennis seems to be about swinging at the ball, it is really more about moving to the ball.  

Arriving at the spot where we are going to execute a shot, appropriate movement into that spot dictates how well we are positioned and balanced.  

How we have organized ourselves to this point determines how well we will be able to execute the shot with a balanced use of our entire body.  This is Whole Body Cooperation.  

It is through the use of our whole body, as a single, cooperative unit, that we best eliminate obstacles to successfully timing each shot’s unique point of contact.   For example, optimal positioning habits enable us to use our gross motor skills. Sub par movement makes us more dependent on fine motor short cuts. 

As with most short cuts, tennis short cuts have a down side. Basically, they are self limiting, they stunt our growth as a player and can even increase the chances of injury. 

On the other hand, optimal Movement means we are positioned and organized. In this manner, we are balanced and on time to push off with our back, or outside foot. This enables us to uncoil our entire body into a forehand or backhand.  

When we effectively engage our legs, hips, abdomen and shoulders, we become less inclined to take an excessively large backswing. Likewise, in this Whole Body Approach, we are less inclined to isolate the dominant shoulder, elbow or wrist. Eliminating such complications to timing our point of contact yields obvious results in a relatively short amount of time.   Ultimately, tennis is more of a gross motor sport than a fine motor sport. 

Granted, adjustments of the hand and wrist are ongoing. Some of these adjustments are part of effort to be organized for maximum leverage and efficiency. These are proactive adjustments.  

Other adjustments are more reactive. These are typically uses of the hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder. 

The RPM Tennis, stroke development goal is to help players become less dependent on these unsustainable, fine-motor movements. 

This brings us back to the fact that tennis, ideally, is more of a gross motor sport. Even though adjustments must continually be made, minimizing these adjustments entails plenty of movement and physical effort. However, the positive results of our labor are easy to see and feel.

  

Spintention   RPM Tennis certainly does not discourage driving the ball. It is impossible to play at our potential and let opportunities to drive the ball aggressively escape us. However, we encourage players to not envision such opportunities as totally flat shots.

RPM Tennis reminds us:  there are very few flat shots in the course of a match; however, there are hopefully going to be opportunities for plenty of flatter shots. Most of our flattest shots should still be hit with the intention of producing at least some degree of topspin or backspin. Our more offensive, more driving shots, in order to still be dependable during the pressure of match play, should be envisioned in detail.

 Our mental image of such aggressive shots should have at least some degree of topspin or backspin. This is spintention; a clear intention of some degree of spin. It is the flatter shots, the ones that deserve to be driven in a flatter manner, which are often most endanger of not being stroked with clear spintention. Shots that are produced without clear spintention tend to be produced by strokes with vague grip, wrist and backswing details.

An arbitrary approach to an offensive drive opportunity frequently turns into an error. Sizing up an opportunity, such as a slice drive, or topspin drive, will frequently make the difference between an unforced error and a successful offensive shot. Volleys should also be hit with clear Spintention. Our volleys, as a general rule, should have backspin. It is important for players to quickly understand the dynamics of the volley and how the backspin is produced. This will be detailed in Part IV.  The exception is the swinging volley.

The swinging volley is only a volley in the sense that the ball has not yet bounced. Technically speaking, from a stroke production perspective, the swinging volley is actually a driving, topspin ground stroke, which we choose to hit before the ball bounces.

Many recreational players have clear “spintention” with one side or the other. Often times, such players with two handed backhands use an appropriate grip and wrist position for producing topspin; yet, the same player has a grip and wrist position on the forehand side which undermines any effort to develop topspin. In more advanced players, this same tendency is reflected in a smaller vertical comfort zone on one side or the other.

The other classic case is the one-handed recreational player who manages to hit a topspin forehand, but the one-handed backhand is neither a distinct slice or topspin shot. Frequently, these players are better off simply developing the slice backhand and hitting it with clear spintention. RPM Tennis does, however, teach the one-handed topspin backhand with a high degree of effectiveness. T

he first step is realizing the slice and topspin backhands each require their own distinct grip and wrist position. Once this is clear, players can get on with the business of hitting a backhand with a clear sense of “spintention.” Still, for most players, the quickest way to a comfortable topspin backhand is the two-handed backhand.

Hopefully, players even get some exposure sidespin. Typically, sidespin appears as a hybrid spin element. Sidespin blended into slice backhands and kick serves are the most common places we see this element of spin.

Hybrid spins are perhaps the most under taught and under discussed spin disciplines in the game of tennis. The kick serve is an integral part of the RPM Tennis Learning Progression Series. The distinct results of the hybrid spin shots are phenomenal for engraining clear spintention into our game.

Developing players improve by having a clear “spintention” as they prepare to hit each shot. The situation may call for more topspin or less topspin. In either case, the racquet face must start below the ball and be moving upward at contact. It is just that one stroke is moving more dramatically upward than the other. In this way, spintention assists us in producing the appropriate degree of spin.

 On the other hand, the situation may be appropriate for a slice drive. This means that while the swing is relatively long and level, the “spintention” is clearly to hit with some degree of backspin. Remember, there is frequently a reason for hitting flatter backspin and flatter topspin.

The point is, in order to maintain control of these more aggressive shots, players must be clear about at least imparting some degree of either topspin or backspin. A lack of clear “spintention” means a lack of control and the higher probability of an error.

Recreational players stuck in limbo on most all of their shots typically do not know whether or not they are even using spin. Stuck somewhere in between, they will benefit greatly from studying and practicing the RPM Tennis perspective on exaggeration as a tool for learning skills that are not instinctive.

Through a better understanding of how grips and wrist positions affect our racquet face and swing shape, along with the learning tool of exaggeration exercises in a controlled situation, RPM Tennis promises every player “spintention” as a realistic approach to each and every shot.

Even at more advanced levels, coaches frequently encourage players to become overly drive-oriented. So much is made of pace, depth and power; consequently, control, angles, consistency and variety are often lost to the temptation towards expediency.

 Even though pace can win points quickly, ironically enough, flatter, drive-based approaches to tennis slow the development of players at all levels. In fact, such an approach to the game can even halt improvement all together. Examples of this can be seen all too frequently amongst aspiring juniors. It is also common among many male, recreational players. For example, it is very tempting to go for too much pace on the first serve. On the other hand, it is through the appropriate blending of spin and velocity in the form of clear spintention that we ultimately balance control and power.

In the long run, this creates the kind of sustainable offense that can realistically hold up over the long haul of an entire tennis match. Controlled aggression is essential. 

Without a foundation in stroke technique that is based on spin, sustainable power and controlled aggression are not even phrases that realistically apply to tennis.   The various grip and wrist positions define a stroke’s contact zone limits. Yet, even within that contact zone, we can intentionally deviate the point of contact to accommodate our brush to drive ratio and more precisely control our depth. 

Shallow topspin dippers and angles are a huge part of the modern game. It is through a better understanding of manipulating our point of contact that we can effectively execute these shots.

Deeper topspin trajectories and topspin lobs feature a point of contact from the opposite side of the contact zone as the shallow dipper or shallow topspin angle. 

So, no matter which backhand stroke we are using, an understanding of the relationship between each unique grip and wrist position and its corresponding contact zone, is vital. Without this understanding, we are without even the most basic guidelines for focusing our “spintention.” 

On the backhand, clear “spintention” helps us organize our approach in a timely and definitive manner.  Legions of one-handed recreational players are languishing in the void – somewhere between backspin and topspin.         

Different Strokes For Different Folks -  

Choosing to develop a one-handed backhand versus a two-handed backhand should be done through an understanding of the challenge. Sound bites from commentators, experienced players and even coaches, often miss the mark when assessing this choice.  

Let’s think this through.  

First of all, everyone needs a one-handed slice backhand. Not having a slice backhand is like playing golf with only half a set of irons. The one-handed slice backhand has the largest contact zone of all the strokes. This is what makes it the most versatile backhand type.

Furthermore, it is clearly the first cousin of the backhand volley. In other words, there should be no escaping the integration of this shot into your game – at least to some small degree.   Each of the three backhand stroke types, the one-handed slice, the one-handed topspin and the two-handed topspin, features a unique grip and wrist position. Each unique grip and wrist position is the root cause of each stroke having its own unique contact zone.   

Reaching out wide for backhand instinctively encourages one-handed players possessing both the slice and the topspin backhand to choose the slice. Since the two-handed backhand is synonymous with topspin rather than slice, this would seem to make “reach,” an apples to oranges comparison. 

If we qualify our comparison and keep it an “apples to apples” one-handed topspin versus two-handed topspin – we will see that it is still, contrary to conventional thought, the two-handed approach that offers the more generous contact zone.  

For the two-handed topspin backhand, the leverage and stability from the back, non-dominant hand definitely creates a later contact zone than the one-handed topspin backhand. This later contact zone, by itself, gives the two-handed topspin player more time to move laterally. 

Furthermore, the two-handed topspin backhand’s contact zone is evolving even wider with the increasing use of the open stance by many players on this wing. Just as most modern players employ a degree of openness on many wide forehand situations, the two-handed player’s dominant rear shoulder also gets a nice lateral boost by going open stance.   Meanwhile, a one-handed topspin backhand player gets no lateral extension of the contact zone by going to an open stance. 

Also, because the L-shaped grip and wrist position required for the leverage to produce one-handed topspin backhands, the one-handed topspin player’s has a “strike zone” that is closer to her body and closer to the net.  

Vulnerable to being late or stretching wide for the point of contact –the L-shaped wrist to racquet relationship of the one-handed topspin backhand player often gets compromised. It becomes more I-shaped.

This causes the player to experiences a distinct loss of leverage. When the L-shaped wrist to racquet configuration gets compromised, the incredible leverage and consequent strength experienced from a solid Eastern Backhand Grip, starts weakening.  

Truthfully, through our RPM Tennis lens, comparing one-handed topspin backhand development versus two-handed topspin backhand development – developing the two-handed variety would seem to make the most sense.  

The L-shaped wrist to racquet relationship makes the one-hander’s racquet face into a very unnatural extension of their arm. For this reason, it feels exceedingly awkward in the beginning. Meanwhile, the I-shaped wrist to racquet relationship of the two-hander’s grip and wrist position makes the racquet more of a natural extension of the player’s arms.   

Combined with other natural Timing Tools like a compact backswing and a more forgiving contact zone – it is actually hard to build technical argument for developing the one-handed topspin backhand.  

Yet, how can we argue with names like Federer and Henin? King and Laver? We are all built and wired differently. In the end, “different strokes for different folks” has to also figure into our RPM Tennis perspective. There is more to consistently producing our potential than physics and probabilities.   

This is precisely why RPM Tennis puts a premium on principles. We encourage players to recognize and appreciate their own ability to adapt to various situations. Our ability to consistently execute the same perfectly comfortable stroke over and over only takes us so far. 

Comparing the two-handed topspin backhand and the one-handed topspin backhand is a great exercise in understanding the relationship of the grip and wrist position and the contact zone.  

Whether we feel comfortable with the two-handed topspin backhand or not, just understanding the relationship of each unique grip and wrist position with it’s corresponding contact zone makes us more effective at self-coaching.  

Understanding these relationships helps us make more realistic shot choices, not to mention a better analysis of our opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and exactly how to exploit those weaknesses.  

Becoming more intimately acquainted with the nuances that connect grip, wrist position and contact zone, ultimately leads us to better understand depth control. This leads to an understanding of diagnosing the causes of our depth-oriented errors.

This principled approach to developing our game reveals many connections between seemingly unrelated strokes.  

Whether we are discussing the serve, the forehand, or the two-handed backhand, these discussions can focus our tennis perspective toward the bigger picture. Meanwhile, this principle driven approach provides specific “how to” adjustments designed to respect each stroke’s point of contact.  

Ultimately, this comparison of backhand types demonstrates how RPM Tennis places more of a premium on how you drive your tennis-ball car than, what kind of a tennis-ball car you drive. Understanding the “how to” details is the key to getting the most out of your tennis-ball car.