distance from the ball

[patrick922]

i have a real problem when it comes to my distance from the ball. sometimes im too far from the ball and i shank it. and most of the time i'm too close to the ball and get jammed. i tend to over run balls and catch some too close to my body. any advice on how to get proper distance from the ball?


all i can think of is to point at the ball [or act like you are going to catch it with your left hand].

 

[freeballer16]

footwork... get in position for the ball quicker

 

[patrick922]

footwork... get in position for the ball quicker

but sometimes i get to the ball to quickly and i catch it too close to my body.

 

[Bottle Rocket]

This is what seperates the skill level of players. This is all part of the process of improving.

Time, practice, and repetition is your solution.

Stay relaxed on the court and don't rush the ball.

 

[patrick922]

This is what seperates the skill level of players. This is all part of the process of improving.

Time, practice, and repetition is your solution.

Stay relaxed on the court and don't rush the ball.

i am a benchmark 4.0 and it seems like i only have trouble with this on the forehand side... and rarely on the backhand side [backhand is my more solid wing]. the ball still lands in but it just doesnt make me feel good that i slightly mishit the ball. do you think im thinking way to hard about hitting the forehand??? i think i need to stay relaxed to make good contact and avoid muscling the ball

 

[Bagumbawalla]

Take smaller, more controlled, steps, so when you get to the ball you are already in proper position. It is as simple (and difficult) as that.

Good luck,

B

 

[Trinity TC]

I tell my students to imagine they are setting up to hit the shot with the tip of the racquet if they are crowding the ball on the forehand. It puts them an extra 8" away from the ball. Their instincts take over from there and they hit the ball on the sweet spot, of course.

If you are shanking balls off the end of the racquet...you are thinking too much. You become so anxious and preoccupied with mechanics that you completely forget about the most important thing...hitting the ball on the sweetspot.

The proper mental process is to think about what mechanical changes you are going to do during the break between points or rallies...and then blank out your mind. Your subconcious will retain the information and won't interfere with the task you are trying to accomplish once the rally starts.

 

[lordmanji]

i am a benchmark 4.0 and it seems like i only have trouble with this on the forehand side... and rarely on the backhand side [backhand is my more solid wing]. the ball still lands in but it just doesnt make me feel good that i slightly mishit the ball. do you think im thinking way to hard about hitting the forehand??? i think i need to stay relaxed to make good contact and avoid muscling the ball

youre a benchmark 4.0 without a stable forehand? i think i must be a 4.5 then.

 

[EricW]

youre a benchmark 4.0 without a stable forehand? i think i must be a 4.5 then.

He said backhand was his strength... their are plenty of 4.0's that have a side that isn't nearly as good as their strength.

 

[patrick922]

youre a benchmark 4.0 without a stable forehand? i think i must be a 4.5 then.

i would say my forehand is a neutral shot....my backhand is my 'weapon'...if you can call it that.

 

[lordmanji]

He said backhand was his strength... their are plenty of 4.0's that have a side that isn't nearly as good as their strength.

yea but from his description of the problem it sounds like he mishits alot of fhs unlike most players with their backhand whose "problem" is that they only know how to slice it.

 

[Mountain Ghost]

There are two issues related to reaching the correct distance from the ball. The most obvious one is your ability to visualize the correct POSITION in relation to the ball. The second one is your ability to arrive there at the correct TIME.

Focusing on your footwork is the most commonly proposed solution, but if you find yourself continually over-running balls, I would suspect it is a timing issue, which could very well be related to a BALANCE problem. I would therefore advise focusing on your SHOULDERS during your “footwork” drills.

What to look for . . .

If you are running with your shoulders in front of both of your feet, this “leaning” posture may help you to reach a ball sooner, but it will hinder your ability to fine-tune your positioning at the last split-second, since you will not have a “braking” foot available to adjust your momentum. However, if you focus on keeping your shoulders (and your center of balance) between your feet, you will be free to move in any direction at whatever variable speed is required in order to reach the correct distance from the ball at the correct time.

MG

 

[Stimpy]

Don't want to butt in here. Although footwork is important, I would add that judging ball distance is a visual thing. Everyone has a dominate eye and judging distance on that side is always easier. I am guessing 922's dominate eye is closest to the ball on his backhand side. Secondly if you don't look at the ball with both eyes you can't triangulate distances. Try playing with an eye-patch you'll miss more often than you'll connect. Have a look at this guy's information, it's very interesting:
http://www.revolutionarytennis.com/step7.html#vision
Finally I have to let you all know I am a crap tennis player, but I know a little and am interested in physiology.

 

[Baffin]

I am a recreation tennis player, it is not natural to get to the perfect position for me but below are what I am trying to do :

1. Use adjustment steps when close to the hitting zone.
2. I prefer standing a bit backward in order to prevent standing too close, cos moving forward is much easier than moving backward.
3. Watch the stroke from the opponent, cos the spin changes the ball distance and height after bouncing.

 

[madmanfool]

2 things are important, footwork obviously, but also watching the ball.

Try to take as many small steps as possible. It wont be possible if you're reaching for a far ball, but if the ball's coming at you, take a lot of small steps like you're hyperactive or something.

And also watching the ball. You probably watch the ball much better and LONGER (untill contact) on your backhand side then on your forehand.

The best thing you can do to get rid of this problem is to get 2 or 3 private lessons from a coach in which you only practice your forehand. Since you have a habit of standing to close, try to stand so far away you almost miss the ball. By exagerating so much, you will actually hit it at the right distance. The mind works in misterious ways.

best of luck