How to Play Tennis --- part I 教你打网球 （一）：发球

1. Eyes shut
Once you've developed a sound service motion, it's important that you toss the ball into the same spot each and every time. You should be able to serve with your eyes closed, because the ball should be in the same spot every time.
1、 闭上你的眼
一旦你形成了良好的发球姿势，那么要做到每一次都将球抛到相同的位置，这一点非常关键。每次发球的时候，你都可以把眼睛闭上，因为每次球都应该落在相同的位置。

2. Knock Knock
The key to having a powerful serve is in creating a loop in your bacng and letting your racquet head drop behind you as you toss the ball. This lengthens theng, and more length means increased power. Serving requires using the big muscles of the body. Ask Pete Sampras, Boris Becker, or Goran Ivanisevic where their power comes from and they'll say their legs, hips, and shoulders.
2、 击球、 击球
要发出有力的球关键在于在击球前尽量把手臂轮成圆圈，抛起球后，把球拍举到头的后方。这样会增大挥拍的幅度，幅度越大，击球的力量也就越大。发球的时候应该用身体的大肌肉群。问一问桑普拉斯、贝克尔或伊万尼塞维奇他们的力量是从何而来？他们会说是从他们的腿部、臀部和肩部而来。

3.Same as it ever was
When you're practicing your serve, go through the same pre-serve rituals you use during a match. Bounce the ball a few times, bring your hands together, and then come to the set position. It doesn't matter if you hold your hands high or low, or how many times you bounce the ball; just do it the same way you would in a match, every time. The idea behind practice is to create consistency through repetition. If you don't practice your rituals, they won't be worth employing during a match.
3、 一如既往
当你练球的时候，每次都应该做在相同的预备发球动作，就象每次比赛之前所做的那样。拍击几次球，双手同时举起到预备姿式。无论你的手举得是高是低、拍了多少次球都没有关系，只要象你每次比赛之前所做的那样，每次都这样做。这是为了通过动作的重复来培养一种良好习惯。如果你不重复练习相同的动作，那么在比赛中你就无法运用这些动作。

4 Power plays
Looking to add more power to your serve? Here are two things you need to do:

1) Stay relaxed. When trying to hit the ball hard, most players tend to tighten up. Try to keep both your arm and your hand loose.

2) Don't be afraid to use your entire body. Turning your hips and shoulders and getting more leg drive into your motion will add power to your serve. The one thing you can't afford to do is only use your arm. The whole body needs to be part of the service chain.
4、 大力击球
你是否也期望能发出更有力的球？那么你必须遵循以下两点：

1）放松。在大力击球前，多数球手都会把肌肉绷得很紧。你应该尽量让你的胳膊和手放松。

2）要用全身的力量。转动你的臀部和肩部，增加腿部的蹬力，这样在击球时才能获得更大的力量。不能只用手臂的力量。发出高质量的球要求身体的各个部分都协调发力。

1. Reaction
You've got no more than half a second to react to an opponent's first serve, so you'd better think -- and move -- fast! During warm-ups, if your opponent plunks a serve into the net, notice where your racquet is at that moment. If it's still in the ready position, chances are you would not have been ready for the shot.
1、 反应
对于对手的一发，你只有不到半秒钟的反应时间，因此你必须要非常迅速地考虑如何回球 - 并移动身体。在做准备的时候，如果你的对手发球下网，看一看此时你的球拍在什么位置。如果它还在原处未动，那么可以说你根本没有准备好迎击来球。


2. Taking down the server
On the return of serve, your goal should always be to neutralize your opponent. The higher the level of game, the more the server has the advantage, so try to keep the ball low or hit it deep.
2、 压制来球
在回球时，你的目的永远是要压制你的对手。比赛的水平越高，发球方的优势就越明显，所以你应该尽量把球回得低一些或者深些。

3.Pound 'em with pressure
Once you're able to get your opponent's serve back consistently, the next step is to gain directional control and see if you can keep the ball out of the middle of the court. Pressure the other guy's first serve, and more than likely his first-serve percentage will drop.
3、 给对手施加压力
一旦你能够连续地接好对手的发球，下一步就该是控制回球的方向了，看看你是否能把球回到场地的边角上而不是回到场地的中部。压制对手的一发，这样很可能会使对手的一发成功率下降。

4. Beginner vs. beginner
If you're a beginner, the other beginners you'll be playing will rarely serve and volley, so do what you can to hit a deep return. Get your shoulders turned quickly. Keeping the shot deep will trap your opponent at the baseline and allow you to come in and attack the net.
4、新手对新手
如果你是新手，那么和你打球的新手也很少会大力发球或截击你的球，所以你应该尽量把球回得深一些。迅速地转动你的肩膀。把球回深会使你的对手在底线疲于奔命，并使你自己可以上网拦击对手的球。


5. How to hold the bat
You may ask, "When I'm waiting to receive serve, how should I hold my racquet?" The answer is: As long as you adjust your grip when you take your bacng, hold your racquet with any grip that feels comfortable.
5、如何握拍
你可能会问："当我准备接球的时候，我该怎么握拍呢？"答案是：当你调整姿式准备挥拍的时候，你应当尽量让自己舒服，怎么握拍都可以。

6. Hold that baseline
Don't stand too deep in the court. Whenever possible, force yourself to return serve from the baseline area or, if you can, from just inside the baseline. That way, you'll pick up the ball earlier and react with a purpose.

6、站定底线
不要站得离底线太远。只要有可能，你应该让自己在底线附近回球，甚至在底线内侧回球。这样你能够回球更快并且更有目的性。

1. A weighting game
For a powerful forehand, load your weight onto your back leg. Then, after you get into the proper position, transfer your weight onto your left side as you start yourng, if you're a right-handed player, or transfer your weight onto your right side, if you're left-handed. By rotating your trunk, hips, and shoulders, you can play any type of forehand that you want.
1、 需要用力
要击出大力的正手球，首先需要把重心放在后腿上，然后，当你准备好击球以后，把重心移向左侧（如果你右手执拍），或右侧（如果你左手执拍），通过转动你的身体、臀部和肩部，你能够击出任何你想打的正手球。

2. At ease, shoulder
If you hit from an open stance, your directional control should not be coming from your hand, wrist, or elbow, but from your shoulder. The first step is to make a good upper-body turn, and then, when you uncoil your shoulders,ng out toward the target. That's where your control will come from.
2、 放松肩部
如果你用一种舒展开的姿式击球，那么对于方向的控制不是来自于你的手部、手腕或肘部，而是来自于你的肩部。因此第一步你需要把上半身转动到位，然后，你顺势展开肩部，挥拍击球。你就是这样控制击球方向的。

3. Go deep
Keep the ball deep. I don't care how hard you hit it, just keep it deep! Power without depth is no good. Power with depth and consistency is the ultimate goal.
3、 把球击深
把球击深。不管你用多大力量击球，你一定要把球打得深一些！只有力度而没有深度是没用的，力度和深度俱佳的球才是好球。

4. No arm done
Never stand completely sideways to the net when you hit your forehand. What you want is a slightly open stance, one that allows your hips to turn and release into the shot. This will help you generate more power using big muscles like your legs, hips, and shoulders, not just your arm!
4、在打正手球时候，千万不要完全采取侧身位。你应该稍稍面向场内，使你可以迅速转动臀部挥击来球。这样你可以用你的腿部、臀部和肩部来发出更大的力量，而不仅仅是用手臂的力量。

5. Get ready
Whenever possible, prepare to hit your forehand while your opponent's shot is in the air. Why? Because by the time his shot hits the ground on your side of the net, your racquet will be back all the way, your shoulders locked and loaded. Also, remember to move your body at an angle that permits you to make a play on the ball before it gets too wide and pulls you off the court entirely.
5、 时刻准备好
只要有可能，你应该在对方的球还在空中的时候就准备迎击来球。为什么呢？你可能会问。因为当他的球击到你这边的场地时，你必须展臂挥拍，转动肩部，同时还必须把身体调整到合适的角度来击球，这样可以使你免于被对方来回调动。

1 Get your name across
As you prepare to hit a backhand, pretend that your name is written on your back. Then, as you hit, rotate enough so that your opponent is able to read it.
1、 让对手看到你的名字
当准备打反手球的时候，你可以想象把你的名字印在了背后，然后，在你要击出反手球的时候，你尽量背转身，直到能让你的对手看到你印在后背上的名字为止。



2 Turn, turn, turn
On your backhand, instead of thinking about taking your racquet back, turn your body sideways instead. This will automatically put your racquet in the right spot.
2、转身、转身、转身
打反手球的时候，不要把球拍向后伸，而是把身体转向一侧，这样你的球拍也就自然到位了。

3.A Real no-brainer
Relax! Instead of bemoaning the fact that you can't hit with your backhand like you can with your forehand, learn to hit a good, neutralizing backhand (either a high or low shot that stays out of the opponent's power zone).
3、 不必大伤脑筋
放松！不要为打不出象你的正手球一样好的反手球而烦恼，学着打出一个能够压制住对手的好的反手球（不论是高是低，只要不在对手的发力区就好）。

4. Two-hand touch
Coaches have widely differing opinions regarding hand placement on a two-handed backhand. While your nondominant hand drives forward and gives your shot its power, your dominant hand helps put spin on the ball. Warning: Don't slide your nondominant hand toward a Continental grip; this will cause the racquet face to open up and keep you from getting enough spin on the ball to bring it down into the court.
4、 双手反手球
对于用双手打反手球的球员，教练对于后手放置的位置始终是众说纷纭。你的辅助手向前推拍并发出击球所需的力量，而主控手使球旋转。注意：不要滑动你的辅助手而使握拍姿势变成欧式握法，这样球拍会面向上，使击出的球没有足够的旋转而不能落在对手的场地内。

5. Keep your distance
Have trouble playing shoulder-high backhands? It's all in the spacing. Get too close to a high ball and you'll have to bend your arm to make contact, resulting in a crippled shot. The farther away from the ball you are, the more relaxed yourng will be -- and the better you'll hit.
5、 保持距离
在打与肩同高的反手球时，你是不是觉得很困难？解决问题的关键就在于控制距离。如果与一个高球距离太近，你就不得不弯曲手臂才能打到球，这样无疑会降低击球的力量。离球越远，你的挥拍动作也就越舒展-而你击的效果也就越好。

6 .Target practice
If you hit your backhand with one hand, think of your front shoulder (the right shoulder for a right-handed player, the left shoulder for a left-hander) as your directional pointer. Pretend there's a line between your two shoulders; as your body shifts around, fix the front shoulder so that it's pointing in the direction of the intended stroke, and then accelerate the racquet arm toward impact.
6、 目标练习
如果你用单手打反手球，你必须要注意前面肩膀的位置（右手球手是右肩，左手球手是左肩），前面的肩膀控制着击球的方向。假设你的两个肩膀之间有一条直线；当你的上身转动的时候，用前面的肩膀对准你想要击打的方向，然后就挥动球拍大力击球。

1. Knee-deep in strategy
The key to hitting good half-volleys (shots you pick up at mid-court) is bending your back knee. That way, you'll be able to get down to the ball without doubling over at your waist. Plus, keeping your back straight and transferring your weight forward will make it easier to get the return deep in your opponent's court. Pete Sampras is an excellent role model for this shot.
1、 曲膝拦击
打好截击球（在网地中间拦击到的球）的关键在于弯曲后膝。这样做使你能够不必过度弯腰就打到球。除此之外，伸直后背，把重心前移，可以使你更容易地把球回到对手的后场。桑普拉斯就是这方面的大行家。

2. Ever-ready
Even some of the experienced players have poor ready positions, and because of that, they can't react quickly to many volleys. They allow their hands and racquet to hang low. Maybe they think the ready position isn't a big deal, but it is. You've got to be prepared to pounce, with your hands at chest level in front of your body and your weight slightly forward. You'll have to react quickly, and as you are close in on the net, it will become more difficult to volley if you let your racquet sag to waist level.
2、 时刻准备好
甚至一些很好的球手对于打截击球都不能做到准备充分，正因如此，他们也就无法把握好打截击球的时机。他们的双臂和球拍低垂，也许他们认为做好预备姿式对他们来说并不重要，但事实正好相反。你应该时刻准备好打截击球，手臂的位置应与肩平齐，重心略向前倾。你必须要反应迅速，当你上网以后，如果你的球拍还是低垂在腰部，你将很难打到截击球。

3. Volleying practice
At volley practice, keep two variations in mind: a deep, penetrating volley and a short, angled volley. They're all you'll ever need!
3、 截击练习
在练习打截击球时，要记住两点：要么打一个很深的穿越截击球，要么就打一个很短的带有角度的截击球。这些是你永远需要的。


4. Foot soldiers
Stefan Edberg, one of the game's greatest volleyers, used to say that 90 percent of his net play was done with his feet, not his racquet. In other words: Make sure you're moving to the ball, not waiting for it to come to you.
4、移动脚步
最伟大的截击手之一埃德博格曾说，有90%的截击球他都是用步法打出来的，而不用球拍打出来的。换句话说，你要迎着球去打，而不要等着球飞向你。

5.The handyman can
When you volley -- both forehand and backhand -- your first move should be to set your hand in the correct position to hit. So even if there's no time to make a textbook shot, you'll still have a play on the ball.
5、出手要快
当你打截击球的时候-不论正手或反手-首先你应该把手臂放在正确的位置确保能够击到球，因此即使你来不及打出教科书式的标准截击球，至少你能够打到球。


6. Soft hands, hard volley
One of the keys to hitting effective volleys is controlling your racquet head and keeping your dominant hand relaxed. Master these two things and you'll have a greater sense of feel and precision around the net.

6、放松才能打出好的截击球
打出好的截击球的一个要诀是控制好你的球拍并放松主控手，掌握好这两点你将有更好的球感，对球路的控制也更精确。

1. Pick your spot
One of the most difficult aspects of hitting an overhead is picking a spot in your opponent's court to direct the shot. To ensure that you never miss an overhead due to this location dilemma, you should learn to hit it from anywhere in your court to a specific spot in the other court.
1、 选择落点
打好过顶球最困难的一点是：如何在对手的场地内选择一个合适的落点来把球击出。要确保你的过顶球百发百中，你必须要练习从自己场地的任何一点把球击到对方场地内一个特定的点上。

2. Made in the shade
A bright sun can make hitting overheads a brutal undertaking. Here are two ways to make this shot more manageable.

1）Wear sunglasses. Most professional players don't wear them when they play on a sunny day, but sunglasses will allow you to see the ball more clearly. A hat, which is becoming more and more popular among tour players, is another good way to shade your eyes.

2）Use your nondominant hand. Like an outfielder's glove, which can be used to block out the sun and locate a fly ball, a tennis player's free hand makes a terrific shade-provider.
2、 保护你的眼睛
刺眼的太阳会使打过顶球变得很困难。遵循以下两点，它们对你会有帮助的：
1） 戴太阳镜。大多数的职业球手在太阳下比赛的时候都不戴太阳镜，但是太阳镜能够使你把球看得更清楚。而戴太阳帽在巡回赛选手中变得越来越流行，这也是一种很好的保护眼睛的办法。

2） 用你的辅助手（非执拍手或双手球员的辅助执拍手）。（棒球赛中）外场手可以用他的手套，遮住阳光从而看清飞来的球，同样，网球运动员的辅助手也可以起到相同的作用。

3. Are you up to it?
When hitting overheads, some players drop their head and their eyes. This is a nasty habit. It can start a chain reaction: First the head comes down, then you stop watching the ball, then your shoulders automatically come down, and finally, your overhead ends up in the net. To hit an effective overhead, keep your head and eyes up and strive for full extension as you reach for the ball. Let your racquet head generate the speed. And remember: If you're forced to hit from an awkward position, take some pace off the shot and concentrate on getting the ball deep.
3、你是否抬头了？
当打过顶球的时候，许多球手会低下头和眼睛（以躲避阳光）。这是一个非常坏的习惯。它会带来一系列的后果：首先，你低下头，然后你不去看球，接着你自然要垂下肩，最后你击出的过顶球会下网。要打出好的过顶球，你必须要抬起头和眼睛，并击球的时候尽量看得远些。挥动球拍，发力击打来球。记住：如果你被迫用很难受的姿式来击球，你可以从击球点后移几步，然后尽量把球打得深一些。


4. When all else fails
Use the skyhook only when you don't have enough time to set up for a traditional overhead. If you've got to hit it, here's how:

1）From the ready position, turn sideways and get your racquet arm fully extended and pointing toward the back fence.

2）Keeping the arm as stiff as a board,ng it in an arc-like motion from the shoulder, making contact in front of the shoulder.
4、如果其它办法都没用……
只有当你没有足够的时间来打正常的过顶球的时候，你才能够采用"天钩"的姿式。如果你不得不这样做，请遵循以下两点：

1） 从预备姿式转向一侧，把球拍向后伸出，指向你后方的围栏。

2） 臂要伸直，并保持伸直的姿式不变，以肩为轴把球拍划出弧线，在肩部的前方勾击来球。