As we get older, some of our tennis shots must be compromised. The overhead is one of these. Remember as you are learning an overhead as a youth, cock your racket, run backwards, plant on your right foot, (as a right-hander), jump, scissor-kick and then land as you are falling backwards. Now, as an older player, this can be harmful. Often times these injuries occur: lower back pain, torn hamstrings and calf muscle strains.
 
Everyone has this picture in their head of cocking the racket, running back, jumping, smashing the ball, landing backwards and hitting a winner on match point. As you get older, try to forget that. Think of the overhead as starting the point. If it is a winner, then enjoy it. If it's not a winner, just continue the point. Try this the next time you receive a deep lob. Go back with the intent of bumping or blocking it back. Try not to use your wrist, like an overhead. Push it back to restart the point. If you are near the net, move forward. If you are close to the baseline, stay back.
 
Remember, you will not receive tons on overheads. Is it worth hurting yourself to get a few great overheads? Save the wear and tear on your body. If you are standing still or moving forward, hit your beautiful overhead. If you are moving backwards and in trouble, just bump it back, like a volleyball bump, and restart the point. Live to make another shot!
 
Good luck on the courts!