Page 78 - REALLY What A time Book IX

REALLY SO WHAT
What A Time

TENNIS

throw them. First just hitting them, then on one side and the
other, practicing my forehand and the backhand.

Collecting tennis balls was more important than the lead balls
from the civil war in the woods. We had a bucket of them to
practice.

During these years I became good at observing and analyzing.
A trait that would become a strong suit for me all my life.

Watching others helped with the way I stood. Later it would
help me strategize my game. In those days shoulders were
always perpendicular to the net, and feet were spread. Toes
lined up in the direction the ball was supposed to go. Always
hit the ball off the front foot with your whole side of your
body lined up.

These instructions were never told to me, but examples, by Joe
as well as getting behind me guiding my movement did the
trick. I got pretty good at it.

To learn how to serve he had another idea. I’d stand with my
left foot, against the tall fence, with my shoulders squared. I’d
raise the racket in a long circular motion over my head around
my back and then turning smash the face of the racket, high,
against the fence. This maneuver went on for a long time
before I started hitting a ball with it. It worked pretty well to
get the toss and swing coordinated.

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