Ice skating vs clay court tennis

[TheBoom]

Does the balance developed in ice skating help on clay courts? I've been wondering for a while

[LeeD]

Doing any sport is helpful for tennis, but it's not ice skating specific. Balance is balance, whether on a soccer field, a ski hill, or a karate tournament.
Sliding is something learned and practiced.
Please don't tell me you were a former skating star. I'd be crushed...

[TheBoom]

I dont skate competitively i just go out skating around. I used to want to play hockey so i would skate around the rink for hours but hockey costs too much so i just skate for fun and roller blade

[dozu]

I'd think sliding into a FH is similar to making a 'hockey stop' in skating.

[LeeD]

Wow, you on skates would be one impressive sight. Kinda like YaoMing walking thru downtown Taiwan.
And that's a long way to fall if you lose your balance...

[TheBoom]

Originally Posted by LeeD

Wow, you on skates would be one impressive sight. Kinda like YaoMing walking thru downtown Taiwan.
And that's a long way to fall if you lose your balance...

But i am very balanxed so that works for me

[LeeD]

I'm a penquin on skates, ice or roller, but I"ve got 300 days snowboarding, almost double that on skis, and still lean back and standup when I hit some rocks....or crossing skate marks on ice.

[papa]

Originally Posted by dozu

I'd think sliding into a FH is similar to making a 'hockey stop' in skating.

No, not really. The best way to either practice or see what a good tennis slide feels like is to just slide with sock on a hardwood or smooth tile floor - like a gym floor. Not only will you get the feel but its great practice as well.

On skates there are "some" similarities with hockey but the weight shift is very different - in tennis you want to remain more upright.

[larry10s]

Originally Posted by papa

On skates there are "some" similarities with hockey but the weight shift is very different - in tennis you want to remain more upright.

also in tennis the only thing you are looking to hit is the ball

[Djokovicfan4life]

Originally Posted by TheBoom

But i am very balanxed so that works for me

It appears that your spelling lost its balanxe.

[papa]

Originally Posted by larry10s

also in tennis the only thing you are looking to hit is the ball

Yes, very true and its not a remedy for poor timing or being late. Learning how and when to slide is almost an art that players brought up on clay clay learn very early.

Of course the other thing is that sliding in primarily done on Har-Tru and red clay (ground up brick to be specific). Sliding on hard courts, especially asphalt, is a good way to wear out shoes quickly and roll ankles.

[TheBoom]

Originally Posted by Djokovicfan4life

It appears that your spelling lost its balanxe.

Darn I pad lol

[dominikk1985]

ice skating certainly helps balance and build super strong ankles. it also builds strong hips and thighs. some tennis players were very good ice hockey players (natase, navratilova for example).

doing cross sports is always good because it builds up athleticism and other muscles (good for health and injury prevention).

however if you don't have much time for training the best way to get better is hitting some balls.

[arche3]

Originally Posted by dozu

I'd think sliding into a FH is similar to making a 'hockey stop' in skating.

on a hockey stop you turn both skates in to grab both edges to stop.
on a forehand slide your leading foot stays pointed in the direction of slide until the last moment to control your slide and balance while the back foot is turned in to give stability. assuming you are really sliding into the shot.

[papa]

Originally Posted by dominikk1985

ice skating certainly helps balance and build super strong ankles. it also builds strong hips and thighs. some tennis players were very good ice hockey players (natase, navratilova for example).

doing cross sports is always good because it builds up athleticism and other muscles (good for health and injury prevention).

however if you don't have much time for training the best way to get better is hitting some balls.

Hockey players pick up this game very quickly in most cases and they can become very good at it. Good eye-hand coordination/reflexes, acute spatial awareness, tough physically and mentally plus the reasons you provide account for a lot of it.

[TheBoom]

Originally Posted by papa

Hockey players pick up this game very quickly in most cases and they can become very good at it. Good eye-hand coordination/reflexes, acute spatial awareness, tough physically and mentally plus the reasons you provide account for a lot of it.

They have a smaller surface area to hit from so their hand eye coordination is great