How does grunting work?

[dave333]

A friend of mine told my to try out grunting. At first, I thought it was just a habit people randomly developed exhaling.

My technique was to breathe deep before the shot, and quickly release that breath while or after hitting my shot. It sounded like a very breathy grunt, similar to the sound i heard Andreev make when he hit forehands. It really seemed to add some extra oomph to my forehand (didn't help my backhand as much). There were also a good amount of top players grunting at the state tournament, especially the guy that won it.

Does it work in a similar way as the yelling in kung fu? Or is it just to force you to exhale?

 

[Bodacious DVT]

i think its supposed to relieve tension in the body while helping to time the shot properly

 

[Gantz]

it's suppose to scare the opponent into wetting their pants.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

I would agree that it helps focusing on timing. When you focus on exhaling as you hit, it can help "groove" the timing, the ability to hit the same shot repetitively. Focusing on breathing and watching the ball is just about all you can manage, and keeps your thoughts off distracting thoughts about grip or other stuff.

 

[AlexP]

Yeah, I carried over my breathing technique from music (sax), and on serves it can help focus and get a cleaner release, it's not as much audible exhaling, just simply letting my body deflate as a go into the shot.

 

[Sliceboy2]

Helps your timing and breathing but recreational games, it mostly scares your opponent on a sloppy second serve.

 

[Service Ace]

Definitely helps out timing. I hate doing it but when I do (for kicks) I definitely notice myself hitting a ton less UE.

 

[lethalfang]

I hold my breath when I load my racquet back, and when I hit it, there is a low-pitched grunt. I do this when I try hard, and especially when I'm tired.
It's not like I'm trying to grunt. It just happens.

 

[smoothtennis]

I would agree that it helps focusing on timing. When you focus on exhaling as you hit, it can help "groove" the timing, the ability to hit the same shot repetitively. Focusing on breathing and watching the ball is just about all you can manage, and keeps your thoughts off distracting thoughts about grip or other stuff.

Agreed...I use a 'small' grunt myself and it is really all about timing the ball, and focusing on the hit. It helps.

You will notice many pro's grunt softly even on slow slices they hit defensively. They have a rhythm going, and don't want to break it.

 

[smoothtennis]

LOL, I have to say...my 11 year old boy and 10 yr old girl, LOVE to do Gustavo Kuerten, and Sharapova grunts around the house...just to irritate me, not for tennis! They squeal in delight everytime they do a Sharapova shriek! :mrgreen:

 

[rifan]

Have you ever seen Sharapova without her grunting? She will play badly, i think...

 

[Ambivalent]

I grunt when it's late into the second set or 3rd. It just helps when you're tired.

 

[heartman]

I grunt when I need...to...ummm....grunt, I guess. Little here and there is normal - can't believe the real loud grunts are necessary though...maybe Senator Craig could help us on that topic...

 

[stirallyracer]

people grunt, but it's not necessary. what really helps is exhaling. for some people this is in the form of a grunt.

there's a reason why martial artists always exhale when they throw a kick or a punch. or why weight lifters exhale as they're lifting. or why you're supposed to breath out as you go up in a situp. it helps you relax your body and loosen the tension so you will perform better.