Overhead Smash

Intermediatenet-play

Non-hitting hand points up at the ball, feet shuffling back.

Track the lob, set up underneath it, and smash it down with a motion similar to the serve — power and precision from above.

Key points

•Non-hitting hand tracks the ball in the air
•Move back quickly with side-shuffle steps
•Similar motion to the serve — hit at full stretch
•Aim for a steep downward angle

Practice with Coach Elena

Camera setup tips

· Place the camera side-on to you, 2 to 3 metres away.
· Keep your whole body in frame, head to feet.
· Phone on a tripod or a laptop webcam both work.
· Perform the movement, pause, repeat. Your coach speaks every 15 seconds.

Theory & Technique

The overhead smash is your put-away shot when the opponent lobs the ball over you at the net. As soon as you see the lob, point your non-hitting hand at the ball to track it and begin shuffling backward with small side-steps — never turn and run. Set up underneath the ball so it drops slightly in front of you. The swing motion is virtually identical to a serve: trophy position, full extension upward, and contact at the highest reachable point. Aim for a steep downward angle to make the ball bounce out of your opponent's reach. The follow-through sweeps across the body just like a serve. The biggest mistake is letting the ball get behind you — always get there early.

Fun Fact

Pete Sampras was famous for his overhead smash, and he almost never missed one during his career. He once hit 17 consecutive overhead winners during a tournament without missing a single one.

Watch the real thing

Learn from real coaches first. Your live scoring compares you to the reference figure above; these videos are for learning, and stay with their creators on YouTube.