Coaching the Drive – Domenika Turković’s Power with Purpose
Stay grounded. Hit through. Drive with your body.
Focus 1: Hit Through the Ball, Not At It
Effective groundstrokes come from driving through the ball, not just hitting at it. Players should think about the swing path rather than snapping or slapping at the ball. A complete follow-through, finishing shoulder-high or across the opposite shoulder, ensures a clean, controlled shot. Chopping, short-arm punching, or flat downward swings reduce power and accuracy. To practice the correct motion, cones can be set up to visualize a “tunnel” that the ball needs to drive through. This encourages full extension and helps players develop a consistent, fluid stroke.
Focus 2: Stay Low for Stability and Power
Power begins with the legs. Players must drop their hips and maintain a low, athletic stance. Knees bent, body centered, and feet planted provide a stable base for weight transfer into the shot. A split-step or wide stance further stabilizes the body before contact. Staying low helps generate more power naturally while reducing pop-ups or errant shots. By keeping the body balanced, players can control direction and spin more effectively while maintaining readiness for the next shot.
Focus 3: Head Down, Eyes on Contact
Many mis-hits occur when players lift their head too soon. The key is to watch the ball hit the paddle and maintain a quiet, still head throughout the swing. Players should commit to the contact rather than anticipating the result. Slow feeds or shadow swings are useful tools for reinforcing this habit. By keeping eyes on the contact point until the ball is gone, players improve timing, accuracy, and consistency across all groundstrokes.
Focus 4: Push Your Body Into the Shot
A strong stroke comes from the whole body, not just the wrist or arm. Players should step, rotate, and extend, transferring weight from the back foot to the front. Engaging the core and shoulder ensures the paddle drives through the ball with intention. This approach creates a more controlled, powerful shot while reducing strain on the wrist and arm. By learning to push the body into the shot, players can achieve cleaner, more consistent groundstrokes.
“A drive isn’t just about how hard you hit—it’s about how well you hit it. If you stay low, hit through the ball, and move with intention, your drive becomes a shot your opponent has to respect—not just react to.”
