Strokes - footwork, shoulder, stance and head

[sgrv]

As I am learning the game more and approaching 4.0 level, I am getting more aware of stroke mechanics. In order to develop right habits going forward and un-learning some bad habits that I have, I feel the following principles should be executed upon. Assume SW/W FH and 2hbh. It feels like there are 4 important elements to stroke (including serve return). They are footwork, shoulder turn, stance and head position.

1. For both serve return and groundstrokes, when you have time to setup, do full shoulder turn, move weight forward by using semi-open or closed stance.

2. For the same scenario as above, when there is less time to setup, do a full shoulder turn but you may hit open stance.

3. For running FH/BH for wide balls, do full shoulder turn and hit open stance

4. For same scenario as above but you have time to move forward, do full shoulder turn and hit semi-open or closed stance.

5. Try to take balls on the rise, instead of waiting and hitting with weight moving backwards. In cases where you are rushed, you can't avoid hitting with weight backwards.

6. In all cases, watch the ball carefully and keep your head still from forward swing to contact to intial part of follow through.

Are the above principles sound?

 

[LeeD]

Principles are sound, but rigid.
Sound like you could have just read that from a tennis book, or straight from the coach's mouth.
Now try to execute.

 

[fuzz nation]

Keep it simple.

Whenever you can keep your head relatively still, yes, you'll find it easier to keep your eye on the ball.

Stance, shoulder turn, etc. should be used in the amounts that you prefer to use them for style of stroke. Movement and preparation should always happen as early as possible so that you are set up in time to use your preferred stance and swing. This can't happen so much when you're defensive and on the run. That situation can often force a slice that does little more than keep the ball deep in the opponent's end.

When you're rushed, shorten up and control the ball.

Depending on your opponent, taking the ball on the rise may be practical if you can set up in time to hit a controlled shot. It can certainly take time away from the other guy. This might be generally included with the idea of avoiding standing too deep in the court, but it can be tricky to hit on the rise all day. It might even be necessary to wait for a relatively short, soft ball to take on the rise so that you can put your opponent on the run.

This game requires that we develop a whole spectrum of skills and instincts to play it well. The issues you're mentioning are part of the picture, but you'll find other significant guidelines as you go.

 

[Racer41c]

As I am learning the game more and approaching 4.0 level, I am getting more aware of stroke mechanics. In order to develop right habits going forward and un-learning some bad habits that I have, I feel the following principles should be executed upon. Assume SW/W FH and 2hbh. It feels like there are 4 important elements to stroke (including serve return). They are footwork, shoulder turn, stance and head position.

1. For both serve return and groundstrokes, when you have time to setup, do full shoulder turn, move weight forward by using semi-open or closed stance.

2. For the same scenario as above, when there is less time to setup, do a full shoulder turn but you may hit open stance.

3. For running FH/BH for wide balls, do full shoulder turn and hit open stance

4. For same scenario as above but you have time to move forward, do full shoulder turn and hit semi-open or closed stance.

5. Try to take balls on the rise, instead of waiting and hitting with weight moving backwards. In cases where you are rushed, you can't avoid hitting with weight backwards.

6. In all cases, watch the ball carefully and keep your head still from forward swing to contact to intial part of follow through.

Are the above principles sound?

I like it. Whenever I'm not hitting well it's a bit of a mystery. Having a solid set of fundamentals that works for you is great to have. If you lose your stroke and need to hit the reset button, you know what works for you and you can re-build quickly.

 

[user92626]

OP,

Are you gonna remember all of that when you hit?

The gist of your 6 principles is boiled down to... when time available do a good turn and set into your favorite stance & hit. Otherwise, hit with what you can afford, be it open stance, shortened swing, etc. all of which you should more or less know beforehand.

Correct?

 

[sgrv]

Thanks for validating the principles. The question of stance has been raised..

On the subject of open vs square/closed stance, I think the strategy should be

a> Hit with sqaure/closed when you can. This provides 2 main advantages over open stance, ability to transfer weight and maintain more balance leading to cleaner contact with the ball

b> When you can't do the above for various reasons like lack of time, on the run, only then open stance should be used.

On the flip side, we have Serena Williams who can hit so clean and powerful strokes with open stance, but we are not talking anywhere near pro level. For most people on the forum, the above strategy should be good. Am I correct in analysis?

Furthermore, most of these principles are simple to internalize. The trick is in execution on the court where you don't have much time to think. Pretty much what comes out is muscle memory. So, unless the principles are ingrained (through practice) in the body, execution will be difficult.