belt buckle, as the great tendency in backhand shots is to slice
them out of the side-line, and this will pull the ball cross
court, obviating this error. The racquet head must be slightly in
advance of the hand to aid in bringing the ball in the court. Do
not strive for too much top spin on your backhand.

I strongly urge that no one should ever favour one department of
his game, in defence of a weakness. Develop both forehand and
backhand, and do not "run around" your backhand, particularly in
return of service. To do so merely opens your court. If you
should do so, strive to ace your returns, because a weak effort
would only result in a kill by your opponent.

Do not develop one favourite shot and play nothing but that. If
you have a fair cross-court drive, do not use it in practice, but
strive to develop an equally fine straight shot.

Remember that the fast shot is the straight shot. The cross drive
must be slow, for it has not the room owing to the increased
angle and height of the net. Pass down the line with your drive,
but open the court with your cross-court shot.

Drives should have depth. The average drive should hit behind the
service-line. A fine drive should hit within 3 feet of the
baseline. A cross-court drive should be shorter than a straight
drive, so as to increase the possible angle. Do not always play
one length drive, but learn to vary your distance according to
your man. You should drive deep against a baseliner, but short
against a net player, striving to drop them at his feet as, he
comes in.