AboutJim Leupold Expertise I feel very confident answering any questions regarding technical aspects of the game -
from stroke production to strategy. My strengths, because of my extensive training, is
keeping the game very simple, energy-efficient and effective, eliminating injuries and
mistakes at the same time.
Experience I've been the director of tennis and teaching tennis fulltime for 23 years, 21 at one of the top tennis resorts in the US and the world, the Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, CA. I've traveled to 20 countries around the world, playing and teaching tennis and performing comedic and entertaining tennis shows. I work with Peter Burwash International (PBI), a company which trains professionals for 400 hours before the first lesson can be taught. That's compounded by continuing education, including a mandatory 60-hour annual meeting and 360 educational newsletters from PBI professionals received every year.
Organizations Peter Burwas International (PBI), the world's foremost tennis management company with 90 professionals in 20 countries worldwide
Education/Credentials I received a B.A. in Journalism in 1985.
Awards and Honors * Tennis Magazine's Ten Greatest Tennis Resorts - twice
* Tennis Magazine's 50 Greatest Tennis Resorts - every year since 1990
* TennisResortsonline.com - Always in the Top 75 Resorts in the world - always in top 25 and as high as #3.
* PBI Rookie of the Year runnerup
* PBI Most Improved Professional of the Year
* PBI Professional of the Year
* Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa's Customer Service Manager of the Year
Expert: Jim Leupold Date: 5/21/2008 Subject: returning slices and backspin
Question Hello
Help, My tennis partner relies (successfully so) on slice shots, I have a very hard time getting pace on returning those shots. I ending playing His game. I end up playing an almost defense game. I have learned to beat him sometimes. But I can rarely get pace on the ball I have a strong forehand but hardly get to use it, as everything coming over the net spins away from me?
Any thoughts or suggestions I would great appreciate.
Thanks
Troy
Also I am trying to develop a two handed backhand needless to say, It is extremly difficult for me to return his slice shots with it.
Answer Dear Troy,
Let me tell you this. For the past 20 years, we've trained teaching professionals. To prove exactly the point you're making with your question, we have them play some points or games or even sets where one player can hit only underspin and the other player can hit only topspin.
Guess what happens? Unless there's a huge disparity in talent, the underspin player wins every time! Why? Because you can play defensively, neutrally or offensively with underspin. With topspin it's really hard to play defense. Also, if topspin lands short, you're in huge trouble. If you hit an underspin shot short, you're not in nearly as much trouble. In fact, a short, low ball is difficult for a lot of players to handle.
You can volley very effectively with underspin - not so with topspin.
I know you're not saying you're hitting with only topspin, but that's the reality of tennis. Underspin is the first spin we should learn because it's our control spin...and because of the many reasons explained above.
But whatever the situation or whomever the opponent, there's always something you can do. Sometimes, the person we play is just better than we are...other times they just are better than we are at making sure their opponent is uncomfortable.
The simplest strategy in tennis is to just get the ball back one more time. The second simple strategy is to make them run as much as possible. The third (and the one you're going to have to look for in this opponent) is to find out what the opponent hates to do and make him/her do it as much as possible.
Against any opponent, in your warmup, hit them high and low balls, fast and slow, out wide and up the middle. Look to see whether they like their forehand better or their backhand, the baseline or the net, etc. By the time the match has begun, you've got a pretty good game plan as how best to attack this opponent.
If the ball coming to you has little pace on it, and you're squeezing fairly hard on your grip and trying to get pace on your shot, good luck. On fast balls, a little squeeze can help to get good pace. Try softening your hands a little bit, though, if you want pace against a softer shot. If there's very little pace coming to you, you'll have to loosen up a little bit and swing a little faster (don't think "harder" or you'll squeeze too much again) to get the speed you're looking for.
Best of luck.
Jim Leupold
PBI Director of Tennis
Desert Springs, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa
