fsks@unc.UUCP (Frank Silbermann) (09/28/85)
In Bill Tilden's classic, Match Play and the Spin of the Ball, he recommends that a student first learn the drive as the foundation of his game. He then states that the eastern grips should only be used for driving, whereas other strokes should be hit with an English (semi-continental) grip. My question is, "What is a drive?" At first I thought that "drive" was a synonym for "goundstroke". Then I learned that advanced players may drive their volleys as well, if the ball is high and slow. Then I figured that it had to do with the spin put on the ball -- drives were hit flat, or with topspin, whereas lobs, volleys, dropshots, etc are usually hit with underspin. Now I've read another author praising Ken Rosewall's "beautiful underspun backhand drives." So if a drive can be hit with topspin or underspin, at the net or off the ground, then how does one differentiate between a stroke that is a drive and one that is not? Frank Silbermann
cher@ihlpm.UUCP (cherepov) (10/01/85)
> > So if a drive can be hit with topspin or underspin, at the net > or off the ground, then how does one differentiate between > a stroke that is a drive and one that is not? > > Frank Silbermann My impression is that "drive" is a matter of power/placement ratio, rather then type of spin. If a player is hitting out on the ball - it is a drive. I guess an underspin shot could be called a drive is hit in such manner, but how many people really are swinging very hard at their underspin backhand? Perhaphs Ken Rosewall and ...? I think that Tilden just have not faced any such stroke in his time, so his "drive" is flat or topspin. Why, Rosewalls are not born every day.. Just guessing Mike Cherepov
acy@milo.UUCP (Adnan Yaqub) (10/04/85)
> > In Bill Tilden's classic, Match Play and the Spin of the Ball, > he recommends that a student first learn the drive as the foundation > of his game. He then states that the eastern grips should only > be used for driving, whereas other strokes should be hit with > an English (semi-continental) grip. > > My question is, "What is a drive?" At first I thought that > "drive" was a synonym for "goundstroke". Then I learned that > advanced players may drive their volleys as well, if the ball > is high and slow. Then I figured that it had to do with the > spin put on the ball -- drives were hit flat, or with topspin, > whereas lobs, volleys, dropshots, etc are usually hit with underspin. > Now I've read another author praising Ken Rosewall's "beautiful > underspun backhand drives." > > So if a drive can be hit with topspin or underspin, at the net > or off the ground, then how does one differentiate between > a stroke that is a drive and one that is not? > > Frank Silbermann A Drive is a special kind of a groundstroke with a little overspin. The ball goes flat over the net, and the "bounce- point" is closer to the baseline than with a Topspin. Also, the ball will not bounce as high as a Topspin does, but, because the Drive has a high speed, it is very effective in keeping your opponent back at the baseline, or "drive" him out of the court. The only disadvantage of the Drive is that, because the ball goes very low over the net, chances to make a mistake are higher than if you play a Topspin. An underspin backhand drive is nothing more than a slice, a very nice weapon on clay-courts. The ball goes flat over the net and, after bouncing, it will stay very low and slow, so that it will take a lot of "bending of your knees" to return it. Sven Grimm Coach of the German National Team of Deaf Tennis Players c/o Allen-Bradley Co. ...!decvax!cwruecmp!milo!acy