AS-C Rhythm Footwork Drills

tennis_balla · Jan 29, 2012

Disclaimer:

What you are about to click on is possibly the worst quality cell phone video ever posted. However, it is what it is. Its better then nothing and the content is whats important. You have been warned.

I was going through my tennis photos and videos tonight and found 7 clips I recorded while at a certain Spanish tennis academy. The name will go unmentioned as I'm not sure I'm allowed to post this. I posted parts of a USPTA video on here in the past and almost got my Youtube account suspended even though I helped sell a few copies of the DVD from the thread I made.

Anyways, these are rhythm footwork drills that all the students do at the academy. As you can see its really Spanish and I don't see anyone other then a Spanish guy with a ponytail conducting a class like this. It was great to see and like everything else at the academy everything is connected to the philosophy and coaching technique of the academy. The movements are repeated during strength training, on court drills, the footwork drills in the video and so on. They simulate proper on court movements done during matches to get it ingrained into the players.

So enough of talking, enjoy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWbgFqD47bY

PeterFig · Jan 29, 2012

Great video! Thanks for posting. Just love the way this teaches not only fast footwork, but it emphasizes also not being flat footed in-between steps. There is this consistent 'bounce' or micro adjustment step so you are always moving and adjusting.

Limpinhitter · Jan 29, 2012

Really??? Looks more like an Arthur Murray studio for kids!

Are those specific steps of particular importance, or can any intricate dance steps be substituted?

gindyo · Jan 29, 2012

This is very interesting. A good way to practice footwork and have some fun. And by the way those guys passing in front of the camera gave up the name of the academy

tennis_balla · Jan 30, 2012

They do specific steps and movements, weight transfers and so on. The movements they are taught by the coaches on court are then repeated during these dances, then back onto the court and the cycle continues. In the gym they train specific muscles and do footwork drills as well as footwork drills on the treadmill. Here is an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnmjeOzWCfs
It may seem dangerous but its not because the fitness instructors build up the speed and balance of the juniors over time, start them slow until they are able to do it full out. I asked one of the fitness instructors why they use treadmills and he said because they can then control the speed and the player cannot cheat or take it easy and thus will also concentrate better during the drill.

In the dance rhythm video you can see the instructor simulating forehands and backhands, wide stance, moving forewards and backwards diagonally (very key and a big part of their training).

Tennis is 80% footwork. Rhythm, balance and footwork. Legs and core. Everything in tennis starts from the legs/footwork.

Limpinhitter · Jan 30, 2012

tennis_balla said:
* * * Tennis is 80% footwork. Rhythm, balance and footwork. Legs and core. Everything in tennis starts from the legs/footwork.

On that we completely agree!

Tebow · Jan 30, 2012

tennis_balla said:
They do specific steps and movements, weight transfers and so on. The movements they are taught by the coaches on court are then repeated during these dances, then back onto the court and the cycle continues. In the gym they train specific muscles and do footwork drills as well as footwork drills on the treadmill. Here is an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnmjeOzWCfs
It may seem dangerous but its not because the fitness instructors build up the speed and balance of the juniors over time, start them slow until they are able to do it full out. I asked one of the fitness instructors why they use treadmills and he said because they can then control the speed and the player cannot cheat or take it easy and thus will also concentrate better during the drill.

In the dance rhythm video you can see the instructor simulating forehands and backhands, wide stance, moving forewards and backwards diagonally (very key and a big part of their training).

Tennis is 80% footwork. Rhythm, balance and footwork. Legs and core. Everything in tennis starts from the legs/footwork.

Excellent video, thanks for posting.

tennis_balla · Jan 30, 2012

Well at least we agree on something

DavaiMarat · Jan 30, 2012

Amazing! I love it. Those patterns are so important. Making them into an aerobic like routine to get kids to instinctively use them. Priceless.

Limp I'm surprised you don't see the significance of each of those moves. I can almost see every situation from the drop step, cross over, stop & reverse, reverse pivot, etc in those moves he was performing.

Limp, you have real enthusiasm about the game, why don't you go get certified? Balla and I have and still teach tennis ( though balla is certainly more qualified), it's very rewarding. You should go for it.

Fuji · Jan 30, 2012

That's awesome! Thanks so much for posting it! I can't wait to test something like this out on my own!

-Fuji

Ash_Smith · Jan 31, 2012

Is that Dani leading the footwork sesh? It's hard to see from the vid!!!

cheers

tennis_balla · Jan 31, 2012

Ash_Smith said:
Is that Dani leading the footwork sesh? It's hard to see from the vid!!!

cheers

Its difficult to see anything from the vid

Daniel Sorribas? No, he just coaches there and runs the coaches training sessions.

Ash_Smith · Jan 31, 2012

^^^Yeah, I did wonder. If it is Dani he's definitely lost a few pounds of muscle since I last saw him!

Cheers

tennis_balla · Jan 31, 2012

Ash, sent you an email. Need some advice if you got time.

Ash_Smith · Jan 31, 2012

just got it mate, will have a read and reply (probably tomorrow if that's okay) - still recovering from Tarbes!!!

Limpinhitter · Jan 31, 2012

DavaiMarat said:
Amazing! I love it. Those patterns are so important. Making them into an aerobic like routine to get kids to instinctively use them. Priceless.

Limp I'm surprised you don't see the significance of each of those moves. I can almost see every situation from the drop step, cross over, stop & reverse, reverse pivot, etc in those moves he was performing.

Limp, you have real enthusiasm about the game, why don't you go get certified? Balla and I have and still teach tennis ( though balla is certainly more qualified), it's very rewarding. You should go for it.

Thanks, DM! Certified? Hmmm! Perhaps some day.

Yes, I did see some steps that looked relevant to tennis. But, others seemed more like mambo steps to me. Ever heard of Perez Prado? I can see a mambo revival on the tennis courts now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=KLfvO9xu8fs&feature=endscreen

dr325i · Jan 31, 2012

DavaiMarat said:
Limp, you have real enthusiasm about the game, why don't you go get certified? Balla and I have and still teach tennis ( though balla is certainly more qualified), it's very rewarding. You should go for it.

Actually, I agree with you...he should stay AWAY from commenting on tennis

I play with balla once per week and his knowledge and the way he passes the info is excellent!

Limpinhitter · Feb 1, 2012

dr325i said:
Actually, I agree with you...he should stay AWAY from commenting on tennis
I play with balla once per week and his knowledge and the way he passes the info is excellent!

DM didn't say that, not expressly, anyway. And, I didn't infer that from his comments. It seems you just can't handle the truth, dr.

tonygao · Feb 2, 2012

really great stuff, OP, thanks a lot.

just hoping to see all the patterns more clearly.....

Ash_Smith · Feb 3, 2012

There's a good mixture in the video of specific footwork patterns, but also some more generic steps. The whole idea is to not only train specific movements, but also to improve overall physical literacy.

Gindyo - Balla gave away the name in the title!!!

tennis_balla · Feb 3, 2012

Ash_Smith said:
There's a good mixture in the video of specific footwork patterns, but also some more generic steps. The whole idea is to not only train specific movements, but also to improve overall physical literacy.

Gindyo - Balla gave away the name in the title!!!

...and to become a dancing machine and get all the chics, which is most important!

tennis_balla · Feb 3, 2012

I should point out that, since I was at A S-C back in April 2009, I've incorporated their training method with mine so in some ways I'm not the best person to answer all questions because naturally I have my own twist on things, explanations, understanding etc. Its normal

but Ash_Smith lives and breathes and teaches this stuff so he's the go to man to ask in all of this.

AS-C Rhythm Footwork Drills

Hall of Fame

Professional

G.O.A.T.

Semi-Pro

Hall of Fame

G.O.A.T.

New User

Hall of Fame

Professional

Legend

Legend

Hall of Fame

Legend

Hall of Fame

Legend

G.O.A.T.

G.O.A.T.

G.O.A.T.

Rookie

Legend

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Similar threads