The Seattle Star

(Second of a series of articles illustrated by specially posed pictures of Harold Throckmorton, America's foremost tennis star, pointing out the essentials of the game for novices.)

BY PAUL PURMAN

After learning the grips on the racquet, the tennis novice should learn the strokes. The simplest of them is the straight forehand drive. This is the stroke the beginner will use most often in games with players of his own class and it should be perfected.

It must be remembered in practicing that the "follow thru" of the racquet is very important. Without this a great part of the effect of the stroke is lost.

In the lower photograph of Harold Throckmorton, America's foremost tennis star, the course of the arrow indicates what is meant by the "follow thru."

When driving the ball in this case, Throckmorton's racquet met it above and a little in front of his head, but the racquet has followed its natural circular arc.

In practicing the drive, have someone toss the ball so it will bound in front and to the right side. Always hit the ball on the upward bound, not after it has started to descend. This increases the speed of your return.

In driving, the body should rest on the foot furthest away from the ball. The ball is taken with a long sweep of the racquet as shown in the photograph, the weight of the body being added to the force of the swinging arm. As the drive is finished the body is resting on the other foot.

The lower photograph shows this exactly. The upper photograph shows Throckmorton's position while waiting for the ball preparatory to driving.

In early practice the main thing to learn is accuracy in placing your drives. Have the ball tossed to you time after time and try to drive it to some spot across the net. THE PLAYER WHO DOES NOT PLACE HIS SHOTS WELL WILL NEVER PLAY GOOD TENNIS.

The forehand volley, when the ball is taken in the air before the bound, requires quickness of eye and absolute co-ordination. The beginner should not attempt this until he has first mastered the drive. The volley should be started close to the net where there is no chance to get the ball on the bound. The racquet should be held tight, for the force of the ball is very likely to turn it in the hand. The danger in volleying is that the ball is often driven into the net. This is overcome by playing close to the net and driving the ball deep into the court.

The main thing for the beginner to remember in learning any tennis stroke is that smashing the ball is not the main object. Learn to meet the ball fairly first, then learn to place it accurately. After that one may begin to pick up force. Trying to "kill" the ball at first will result only in wildness and wretched tennis.