Once this is secured, you will want to have a purpose to your practice. It rarely, if ever, makes sense to practice aimlessly. One needs a plan and a focus to practice effectively. Backboards and walls allow you to hit many balls in a short period of time. I try to count the balls I hit. I'll start with 500 groundstrokes. Here, I will try to direct the ball down the line and crosscourt on both wings. First, I hit a forehand straight ahead (down the line). The returning ball is hit crosscourt (at an angle). The third ball is a backhand groundstroke hit straight ahead (down the line). The fourth stroke is a backhand crosscourt (at an angle which will force me to hit a forehand). I keep repeating this "figure eight" cycle over and over. Actually, I have successfully hit over 1500 of these consecutively without an error (all balls hit the wall higher than net height and bounce back at a reasonable distance from the wall/backboard...between 10 and 25 feet). This kind of hitting forces me to hit all the key groundstrokes with direction and purpose. In addition, I can assure you that you will be forced to move during this drill. The benefits of this drill are control, patience and endurance...the real keys to "grooving" your groundies.

Next, I will hit 200 sliced strokes in the same manner as above. For these, I move a bit closer to the wall (about 6 to 8 feet closer). The purpose here is to perfect the forehand and backhand slice approach. All that is lacking is the true approach to the wall since you do not follow the ball in after making contact. However, I assure you that this drill will help you to hit the slice approach correctly.

Then, I hit 500 volleys from a distance of about 6 to 10 feet from the wall/backboard. Here, I hit more randomly...the way volleys come at you. At this distance from the wall, you will notice that the hard hit or "crisp" volleys force you to react quickly. The softer volleys allow you to try for more control...both essential ingredients in the net game.

Overheads are next. I practice these by hitting the ball at the ground first at such an angle that it bounces, hits the wall/backboard and comes off this barrier at an upward angle. These are perfect for practicing the smash. The only real drawback is that you must catch or block each ball after hitting the overhead, stop and then, begin the process again (unfortunately, it is impossible to hit these without interruption). I try to hit about 50 of these each practice session.

Finally, I practice serves...off the wall. I hit at least 100 to 150 serves (both first and second) every session. I make certain the ball strikes the backboard at near net height or higher and bounces within 10 to 15 feet of the wall. In this way, you can be reasonably certain that the serves are "in."

Add all of these together and I hit between 1350 and 1400 balls. It usually takes me about an hour to an hour and a half to go through the entire ritual. Not bad, when you have limited time to practice.

Hitting on the wall greatly enhances your timing and makes grip changes "automatic." Yes, you do hit harder against the wall than you do "on court," but this is easily adjusted. First, don't use balls that are dead or over used. I use new balls (I open a new can) for every practice session using a backboard or wall. Second, try to spin some of your shots (both slice and topspin). By doing this, you will avoid overhitting. Finally, try to vary the height of your balls as you hit them. This, too, will help minimize the "power" effect of wall or backboard hitting.

The clear advantage of hitting in a racquetball court (using the front wall) is that missed balls never get too far behind you...thus, you aren't chasing them and wasting time. The disadvantage to a racquetball court is the lack of space. You won't run as much and angles are more difficult to achieve. However, the lack of length in a racquetball court forces you to hit with less power (otherwise you'll be backing up into the rear wall). This is useful in preventing the "power" effect of wall practice. Frankly, I try to mix up the locations of my walls...racquetball court, gym wall, outside wall, on court backboard.

One final tip, if you take a thick board (about 10 feet by 8 feet) and lean it up against a wall at an angle of 45 to 60 degrees, you will have an excellent volley backboard. Hitting volleys against this type of backboard greatly enhances the underspin or slice that good volleys have. The balls come off this board at an upward angle and force you to volley down. Try it...you'll like it. In addition, its easy to set up this type of volley board in your garage or basement...convenient places to practice!

THE BALL MACHINE

Again, I have a ritual. I hit about 300 backhand groundstrokes, then, 300 forehand groundstrokes. I switch the machine to its oscillation mode and hit about 300 alternating forehand/backhand groundstrokes (on the run...of course). Next, I find myself hitting volleys...usually about 300 to 450 with the machine in its oscillating mode (thus, I am forced to hit both forehand and backhand volleys). Third, I shoot up about 100 lobs and practice overheads. As a final step, I always hit at least a hundred serves.

When practicing groundstrokes and volleys, I place targets (usually empty tennis ball containers) around the key areas of the court. These key areas are: deep in both backcourt corners, deep and in the center of the backcourt, and inside the service box on both sides near the sideline, These five locations are where you want to direct most of your shots. I find that by practicing with these targets I can actually imagine that they are on court during matches. This visualization greatly improves placement when competing.

All in all, I hit about 1200 to 1500 balls in a session. You will want to have a ball hopper because you will spend a good amount of time picking up balls. My machine can hold 150 balls. Usually, I require 2 hours to finish this workout.

Most clubs have machines that you can rent by the hour. However, I strongly encourage that you make the investment ($700 to $1000) and get your own. I can truly endorse the Tennis Tutor line. They are simple to use, very portable and easy to fix when something goes wrong. I have had to change the battery once in four years...it was easy and the cost was minimal ($75).

Ball machine workouts build consistent strokes, stamina, patience and confidence. Imagine how well you would compete if all of these aspects of your game improved!

SHADOW PRACTICE

THE SERVE

Start by practicing your second serve. This will limber up your arm, and after all, you are only as good as your second serve. Work on spin and placement. Serve to both deuce and ad courts. Put targets on the service line...one on the "T"...another in the center of each box...and the last on the wide side of each service box. Try to knock these over. This will make certain that your serves land deep in the box. I like to hit about 75 second serves...varying the spin and placement. Then, I hit about 50 first serves where I stay back. Again, I vary the placement, but all of these serves are flat. Finally, I hit about 50 first serves where I am serving and volleying. Here, I vary placement, spin and depth. Be certain to serve equally to both deuce and ad courts.

Believe me, if you practiced nothing but your serve, your match record would improve greatly. Remember, you cannot lose a match if you don't lose serve.

So, when you can't find a partner, want to work on a specific part of your game, or find yourself with limit time for practicing...remember solo tennis. If you practice in these ways on a regular basis, I promise you that you'll soon become a tennis overdog.

Good luck in your game!