Soft hands describe the ability to relax your grip to absorb the ball’s power and hit delicate shots. It is the physical technique behind every great touch shot or drop volley. By not holding the racquet too tightly, you allow the strings to act like a cushion for the incoming ball.
This prevents the ball from bouncing off too fast, keeping it short and low. For example, a player uses soft hands to catch a 100-mph drive on their racquet and drop it gently over the net. This ‘catching’ sensation is what separates great net players from average ones. It requires a lot of practice to switch from a firm grip for power to a relaxed grip for touch.
Having soft hands is a sign of a high-level player with excellent coordination. It is especially useful in doubles for handling fast reflex volleys at the net. Think of it as having ‘velvet’ on your strings.
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