What do you call the thing where a player hits the ball with the side of the racket?

Question

You know, it's when the player is bouncing the ball with the racket, but they don't do it with the face of the head, they hit it off the side (the frame). I see some tennis player do it.

Is that a training to improve accuracy or is it just a habit?

[I'm training to do that right now] ;-P

Can I improve my accuracy with this?

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

When the player bounces the ball with the frame, it's called showing off and when the player does it during a point, it's called shanking.

Answer 2

Not sure what its called, but its just a showoff trick. No real use, but it might improve hand eye coordination...?