Tennis Tips for pin-up Beginners

Start your tennis journey with confidence using these fundamental tips from Coach Radheshyam Kadakia

Master Your Grip

01

The foundation of all tennis strokes is your grip. For beginners, start with the "Eastern" grip for forehands - hold the racket like you're shaking hands with it. Your knuckle of your index finger should be on the third bevel of the handle.

For backhands, try rotating your hand slightly to the left (for right-handed players). Remember that a relaxed grip allows for better control and reduces fatigue during longer sessions.

Coach's Tip: Practice switching between forehand and backhand grips while watching TV to build muscle memory.
Proper tennis grip demonstration
Proper tennis stance and posture

Perfect Your pin-up Stance

02

A proper stance creates stability and allows for quick movement. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and weight on the balls of your feet - never flat-footed.

For groundstrokes, position yourself sideways to the net with your non-dominant shoulder pointing toward the target. This "ready position" should become second nature, allowing you to react quickly to incoming balls.

Coach's Tip: Practice small "split steps" (a tiny hop) just as your opponent hits the ball to improve your reaction time.

Focus on Forehand Fundamentals

03

The forehand is typically the first stroke beginners learn to master. Start with a simple preparation: turn your shoulders sideways, bring the racket back with your arm extended (not too high), and shift your weight to your back foot.

As you swing forward, transfer your weight to your front foot while rotating your hips and shoulders. Make contact with the ball when it's alongside your front foot, and follow through with your racket finishing high.

Coach's Tip: Focus on making clean contact with the ball before worrying about pin-up power. Consistency trumps power for beginners.

Forehand Checklist

  • Turn shoulders sideways to the net
  • Keep your wrist firm during preparation
  • Watch the ball until racket contact
  • Transfer weight from back foot to front
  • Follow through high toward your target

Serving Fundamentals

  • Start with proper grip (Continental preferred)
  • Position your front foot at 45° angle to baseline
  • Toss the ball slightly in front and to the right
  • Bend knees and use legs for power
  • Extend upward fully at contact point

Develop a Reliable Serve

04

The serve is the only stroke in tennis where you have complete control. As a beginner, focus on consistency rather than power. Start with a "platform stance" with feet positioned roughly shoulder-width apart.

Practice your ball toss until it becomes consistent - this is the foundation of a good serve. The toss should be high enough to allow a full extension of your arm, placed slightly in front of you and to the right (for right-handed players).

Coach's Tip: Practice your toss without hitting the ball. A good drill is to toss the ball and try to catch it with your racket at the ideal contact point.

Move Efficiently on Court

05

Tennis is as much about movement as it is about hitting the ball. Learn to use small, quick steps rather than large strides. Always try to recover to the center of the court after each shot, which positions you to respond to the next ball.

When moving to hit a ball, get in position early and use adjustment steps to fine-tune your positioning. This gives you time to prepare your stroke properly rather than hitting while still on the move.

Coach's Tip: Practice shadow tennis (mimicking strokes without a ball) while focusing on your footwork patterns to build muscle memory.
"Tennis is a dance. The court is your stage. Footwork is the choreography that brings your technique to life."
— Radheshyam Kadakia