Photo Lesson: How to Hit the Overhead Smash

Overheads are the only shots on which your first step to get into position is backward. Stepping back with your left foot turns you sideways and moves you a little farther back in the court, where you're less likely to have the ball fly above your reach. The main danger on an overhead is not being able to reach the ball, and it's much easier to move forward than to back up at the last second.

An overhead doesn't need a long windup like you might use on a serve, and many players take too long doing a long windup, so most players are better off getting into the habit of a quicker, compact backswing.