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Some shots that come toward you in a tennis match are fast, some slow. Some high, some low. Some humming with spin and some floating gently like a butterfly. None should be categorized as easy!

High level players understand the necessity of keeping a firm focus on shots that appear to be less difficult. As soon as you think, “this one is easy,” you will begin looking where you want to put it rather than looking directly at the ball as you must do every time you play a shot.

A soft, slowly falling ball has a very complex trajectory in relation to a ball played firmly on a line.

The brain’s ability to forecast the track of a ball moving level with moderate speed, then deliver a properly configured racket face to the collision point is much easier than figuring the equation needed to angle the racket face properly and lift a slowly floating ball successfully back into the opponent’s court.

That complex trajectory coupled with the idea that, “I ought to do something extra with this easy one,” is the kiss of death to the average player.

You must learn to deal with every shot in a tennis match with the same respectful focus that a top level golfer gives to a putt ,whether it is from 10 feet or two feet away.

That slow moving ball with the invitingly gentle demeanor is a wolf is sheep’s clothing —beware!

Howie Burnett is a member of the United States Professional Tennis Association and tennis director at the Island Country Club on Marco Island. Burnett welcomes questions on strokes, tactics or etiquette. To reach him, call the tennis shop at 394-4464 or e-mail him at islandclubtennis@hotmail.com.