The Mystery Shot - Are you up the creek without a paddle, or have you mastered this shot?

Do you spend time working on how to hit an open-stance forehand? How about a semi-open-stance backhand from a serve hit to the body? What about a moving, slashing and dashing chip approach? And which of the five different types of footwork do you use for each situation of play? These are all exciting shots to work on, but do you also train to hit the shot that many of us take for granted: the overhead. Yes, the simple boring overhead. Hopefully after reading this month's article you'll feel a little bit different about this often underpracticed, yet valuable stroke.

I have the great privilege of speaking at many conferences around the world. And when I am not actually presenting, I am in the audience listening and learning just as you are. It's simply amazing to hear the many different philosophies and approaches to coaching from the many coaches in each country. But you know, one thing that is seldom presented is the topic of "everyday shots that need to be practiced." I think that the reason is many conference coordinators may opt for "newer, more interesting topics."

Well, guess what friends: all the big guns make sure to practice all of the regular everyday shots during each practice or warm-up session and, yes, the overhead is included. I've seen them all practice up close, from Agassi and Gilbert to Sampras and Annacone to Seles and Hopper to Kiefer and Brett. The unfortunate fact is that many of these practices are not seen by the general public. If you haven't seen these sessions then you just have to take my word on it: the overhead is an essential part of the everyday routine of the world's top players.

What scares me is that many players, even the successful ones, may still have weaknesses that their coaches may not know they possess. You might ask: how could this be, Reggie? Well, if a player has a powerful weapon that is very effective, chances are that lesser players may not be able to exploit the weaker side. Thus, the weakness (backhand) may not be noticed by the coach or the player may not think it is not such a glaring weakness. But you have to then ask yourself: if this weakness is not very important, then why is it that the player is not able to get to the latter stages of their tournaments? Go figure.

Well, let's get smashing! Here are a few of my own favorite drills to train the overhead. Try'em out and have a ball!

• Agassi Smashes - Try these from the baseline and beyond. Have players smash after a bounce and play out the point.

• 2 on 1 Overhead Game - A favorite of one of my students named Matthew (past #3 in Canada Under 16). Have one player, the smasher, at the net area and two players standing behind the baseline. The coach or one of the baseline players will feed with a challenging overhead and they will play out the point. The first side to achieve 11 points wins the game. An option would be to have the two players play with doubles lanes so that they have to cover them and the smasher plays normal singles boundaries on his side.

• Volley and Smash - A simple drill where one player, the volleyer, stands on the service line and the other player is at the baseline. The coach will feed a volley to the net-rusher who will volley to a designated side and the counterattacker will have to lob. The point is then played out to completion. Many options can be added. Be creative!

• Smash Target - Two players compete against one another in this target contest. The coach will place targets on the court (either spatial or exact) and will then feed lobs as the players take turns smashing to the targets. If an exact target is being used and it is not hit, award the player who came the closest the point. The first one to 7 or 11 points wins.

• Smashes in a row - How many smashes can your player hit in a row? How about to a specific area or how about after receiving different types of lobs? Feed challenging lobs and simple putaways.

• Smash to Win ­ Similar to volleyball scoring, have one player start with the honor of smashing for points. Now the other player is on the baseline and he or she is feeding the lobs. If the smasher wins the point he continues to smash for points. If the lobber wins the point he does not get a point but now has chance to earn points. This player then stands on his service line and the other player becomes the lobber. First to 7 wins.

• Defensive Smashes - Coach or players need to feed very challenging deep lobs which are to be smashed around 3/4 court. Have smashers start well inside the service line and go on the coach's or player's command in order to have them move in a hurried difficult position. The players will be asked to practice hitting these smashes with sidespin, which will help control the direction of the ball and will add more movement to the ball after it lands.

• Power Smashes - Awesome power! Have the players smash their overheads over the fence. In order to do this the coach needs to feed lobs that are very close to the net. Remember to ask the players to fetch those that go over the fence.

• Angle Smashes - Sometimes when players lob from a defensive situation, they have the tactical smarts to move well off the baseline to give them time to get to a hard smash. When this happens, it is important for the smasher to identify this and hit a angled smash. Have the coach or player practice smashing angled overheads.

• Sampras Showboat Smashes - This is a favorite drill for all my advanced students -- it gives them a chance to show off! Simply line them up on the service line or a bit beyond and then feed easy sitters. Video tape them for some year-end academy highlights.

• Depth Smashes - The coach will at first feed similar types of lobs and will call out to the player short or deep before they hit the smash. The player will then try to smash to different distances, which are marked with objects. The shorter smash can be an angle or it can be smashed as a high bouncing smash that flies over the head of the receiver.

Hello to all those friends in Turkey! A warm hello to Martha and her tennis enthusiasts in Colombia. Greetings to Michelle in Amsterdam. G'day mates to James and Peter "down under." See ya in January. Hello to Ann Ann in the Philippines. Hope to see you at one of my workshops in Manila in 2000. What's up Dan the Man in Vermont? Dan it would be my pleasure to hold a workshop at your club in the future. See you soon friend... Dear Wayne in Vancouver: Thanks for the feedback. It's nice to know that you're taking the time friend. Finally, "what's up" to the "carrot cruncher" in Atlanta -- like the article, hmmmmm? Friends, sometimes the large number of emails I receive each month does not allow me ample time to respond immediately, especially when I am on the road. However, be assured my friends, I will try my darndest to get back to you eventually. Your e-mails are important to me and your questions, compliments and simple greetings keep me going!!!

This column is copyright 1999 by Reggie Vasquez Jr., all rights reserved.

Reggie Vasquez Jr. is one of Canada's leading tennis coaches for juniors. He is actively involved with Tennis Canada's grassroots player development. A frequent and enthusiastic speaker at tennis conferences, he is certified by the U.S.P.T.A., Tennis Canada and the U.S.P.T.R.. For almost 7 years he was a head coach for the Canadian Davis cup Captain's Academy at the Canada's National Tennis Center. He has been a Tennis Canada - National Youth Tennis Center Leader for over 8 years and is presently a head coach of an Elite Tennis Academy. He has experience working with juniors from the absolute beginner to the international caliber tennis player. Reggie is also a published author on junior tennis. His personal web site has additional information on his book, the Tennis for Kids. The Tennis for Kids can be ordered directly at a discount using this link to the Amazon.com online bookstore.

Questions and comments about these columns can be directed to Reggie by electronic mail at reggie@tennisserver.com.