TRICK #l: Ready Position
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EAI::S
• Early Racquet Preparation ... everything else is the same.
TRICK #2: The Step • Step at a 45 degree angle for the backhand and straight ahead for the forehand ... at this point you are close to the sidewall. .
TRICK # 3: The Swing • Racquet head begins to drop ...
TRICK #4: Contact Point • Contact point is made knee high or lower and the ball is hit off the heel of your lead foot ...
TRICK # 5: Follow- Through • The racquet comes completely through ... everything else is the same. Let the magic continue ... Trajectory! As I pointed out in Trick #2, you should be close to the sidewall ... this is critical for a splat shot to work effectively. I recommend you should be within one foot of the sidewall, if not closer, so contact on the ball is within inches of the sidewall, clearly seen in Trick #4. Watch where contact is made (knee high and lower and off the heel), how close to the sidewall (inches), and the path of the ball (hits the sidewall deep as you can see, unlike the pinch shot that hits close to the corner). After the ball hits the sidewall, it hits the front wall and then bounces twice before hitting the second sidewall, like the pinch, and is nearly impossible to return. Let the magic finish ... When to use it! Here's the clincher. Knowing how to hit the splat shot is only a small part of the equation. When to hit it is even more important. It's very simple .. . when your opponent is either behind you - or in front of you, but shading to the side you are on- use the splat shot (of course only if you are close to the sidewall). Remember, the splat shot winds up landing in the front of the court so make sure your opponent is not in good center court position (see March/April2000 issue), otherwise - if they are- use the pass as a better option. There you have it. .. my Magical Splat Shot. Remember the splat shot is advanced, so until you have some of the basics down pat like the pinch or the pass, don't attempt this shot. It's fun, it's exciting and it's cool (like me!) but don't lose matches unnecessarily like I did. Be smart about it like Fran and I teach at our camps and I do on the court. That's what makes me #1. See you next issue to cover some more of my advanced magical techniques!
November- December 2000
Special AmF.'IO Instructional
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