Kevin Record, Leon boys and girls tennis coach:

Trying to improve your tennis game, and one of the ways to do that once you've learned the basic forehand drive and your basic backhand drive, we want to incorporate some topspin into the game. Why do we want to do that? With top spin, we're able to hit the ball harder, without it going out of bounds.

So, your racket head has to start below the level of the ball. It brushes up on the back of the ball, and it imparts top spin. So, in my eastern forehand grip, my hand is in a very neutral position, on what we call the third bevel, the side bevel. If I want a little more top spin, I'll rotate my hand into a semi western grip, and you'll notice the top edge is coming out first. Helps me spin the ball, from low to high.

Conversely, on a back hand, I can rotate my hand to the top bevel and I can get my top edge leading on my one handed backhand. Starting below the ball, finishing above the ball. I'm getting that ball to spin down, into the court, which enables me to hit the ball harder, and move my opponent.

So when you head out to the courts, be patient with yourself as you learn your new technique in your top spin. And in these hot days bring plenty of water for yourself and your opponent, because they're going to be running a lot from corner to corner. Thanks.