Tip of the week: Use both arms

If you hit with a double-handed backhand you're used to using both arms. What is less obvious is that your non-dominant arm is important when hitting single-handed shots: forehand and backhand groundstrokes as well as volleys.

On the forehand drive, your non-dominant arm should hover out in front of you when preparing for the shot and then rotate away from the target as the hitting arm comes through and the shoulders rotate, acting as a counter balance. You may like to catch the racket on the follow-through to help you prepare quicker for the next ball.

On the single-handed backhand, the non-dominant arm should guide the racket back on the backswing and then, as the forward swing starts, it should go backwards, this time acting as a counter balance to help you stay side-on to the net by preventing the shoulders from rotating.

At the net, good use of the non-dominant arm is crucial for hard to reach balls, be they low, high or wide. Think of a perfectly balanced ballerina leaping through the air with arms in opposite directions. It's also important for controlling shoulder rotation on easier balls, which is key to hitting good volleys.

Better stability and balance equals better shots. See you on the court!