Summer sports have officially begun, including those hosted by the Town of Dartmouth. Tennis lessons run until August 11, so Dartmouth Week met up with instructor Max Westner for tips on improving your game.

1. Hold the tennis racket like a hammer. It’s called a continental grip, and it’s the most important grip in the game, said Westner. “If you have that down, your game will improve tremendously,” he said.

2. When swinging the racket, always follow through over your shoulder. Keep your eyes on the ball, and keep your racket parallel to the ground. “That way, you won’t hit it up out of the court or down into the net,” said Westner.

3. When swinging forehand—with your body open towards the ball—you want to move only your arm, as opposed to swinging with your entire body. “You want to move your body into position to hit the ball, but not use your body to swing,” said Westner. If you throw your whole body into the swing, it creates an uncontrolled hit, he said.

4. When using a backhand swing, your body will be closed because you use both hands. If you’re right-handed, you lead with your right foot and step into the swing. Your left hand will reside over the right hand in a continental grip.

5. Wear tennis shoes. “If you don’t have tennis shoes, the bottoms will wear away,” said Westner. There’s a lot of traction on the court, he said, which is why tennis shoes have thicker soles.

6. “Tennis gets really frustrating because you want to win. That’s why you want to cheer yourself on,” said Westner, comparing the one-person team of tennis to the team-dependent game of soccer, which he also plays. “Yell ‘Come on!’ or fist-pump,” said Westner. “A lot of good players do that.”

Tennis lessons are offered at Dartmouth High School Monday-Thursday, June 27- August 11 for ages 5 and up. Tennis racket required. Prices range from $90-100 per child. Visit town.dartmouth.ma.us/recreation-division for more information.