In poor form? If your tennis game needs adjusting, grab your racket and head to Manhattan Beach for a quick tuneup.

If your tennis game needs adjusting, grab your racket and head to Manhattan Beach for a quick tuneup.

You can improve your serves, strokes and volleys there Sunday with assistance from the U.S. Professional Tennis Assn. The group, along with the city’s Recreation Department, will sponsor a free “Tennis Tune-Up” at Live Oak Park tennis courts.

Bob Parker, president of the group’s California division, said anyone who wants to play tennis better can benefit from the 3-hour workshop, which is open to players of all skill levels. Parker said the association, whose primary focus is tennis instruction, has given similar clinics in various Southern California locations for 18 years.

“It’s time well spent if you have any interest in exercise,” Parker said.

But don’t expect to send your opponents chasing balls across the court after one lesson. The only way to improve is with practice, Parker said. The clinic will simply give “a wide exposure to the whole game” and teach the mechanics of good strokes, he said.

Participants will rotate through four court stations, each focusing on a different aspect of the game. Six to eight volunteer instructors from the association will demonstrate proper forehand and backhand strokes, serves and volleys. After completing the stations, participants, who must be at least 7 years old, may be videotaped to have their playing form critiqued.

And then there are contests.

“It’s like a carnival,” said Parker, describing the target tennis contest, which is designed to determine the accuracy of a serve. Contestants will aim the ball at the target prize and “if they hit it they get it,” he said. Among the prizes are T-shirts, wrist bands, and 15 coupons for an hour of free court use.

For more skilled players, there will be a serving contest to measure speed and accuracy. Parker said accuracy in serving is just as important as speed. A lot of players work for power in serves, he said, “but hitting it hard doesn’t mean it will be any good.”

Marvin Garrett, who won the serving contest last year, said the clinic is beneficial for experienced players as well. Garrett, who has been taking lessons from Parker for 11 years, said being videotaped has helped his game.

“Most people just never get a chance to see the form they use,” Garrett said. By watching yourself on video, he said, you can identify weaknesses and work on correcting them.

Garrett said he plays tennis at least four times a week and continues to take lessons because he wants to keep improving.

“You need someone who is more critical to work with you on your weaknesses,” Garrett said. Without a coach, he said, the tendency is to concentrate on strong points instead of the weaknesses that need improving.

Last year’s clinic had about 55 participants, according to Jim Grudzien, the recreation employee supervising the event. Grudzien said space is not a problem and said he hopes for more participants this year.

For those interested in additional instruction, Live Oak Park offers lessons for children and adults. Beginner, advanced beginner and intermediate level classes are available for children and adults. An advanced course is also available for adults.

--Kimberly L. Jackson

What: “Tennis Tune-up.”

Where: Live Oak Park tennis courts, 1901 Valley Drive, Manhattan Beach.

When: Sunday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 9:30 a.m. registration.

Admission: free.

Information: 545-5621.