"MAIN" reason for shanking

[rk_sports]

What is single most important reason for shanking?

Head not being still
Raquet head size
Not looking at the ball/strike zone
Trying to do too much
Out of balance
Other

Of course, there is an unending discussion about this subject.. I just want to poll what ppl really believe in.. rather than the 'theory' out there

 

[armsty]

I honestly have no idea. My mate though uses an APDC and never used to shank till he turned to it... He snaps full poly in about 12 hours... from shanking. He's never gone through a full poly job properly, it's strange. It's probably from not looking at the strike zone though. Watch the ball onto the strings.

 

[user92626]

Other -- not understood and/or follow the basics.

 

[Kenny022593]

The pro at my club always says, "the main cause of shanking the ball is your footwork."

 

[Confusedaboutgear]

The pro at my club always says, "the main cause of shanking the ball is your footwork."

ive shanked a few on shots where i had great foot work. i think its true tho going along with looking at the racquet which i never do but yeah.

 

[Ultra2HolyGrail]

Main reason= One handed backhand and extreme forehand grip.

 

[Wes_Loves_Dunlop]

Even if you look at the strike zone but have bad footwork or is off balance, you will mishit it.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Primary reason = lack of sleep. Head not still is the "other" primary reason.

 

[In D Zone]

trying to go for the shot too qucikly and forget to wait a split second to keep the head still during ball contact

 

[defrule]

For me usually when I go for a full spank at the ball and footwork.

 

[LeeD]

Notice all the different answers!
The answer is different for differnent players.
Any of the answers is correct, as is all the answers are correct.
There is no ONE "main" reason that applies universally.
I can shank a ball watching PamelaAnderson waving at me.

 

[raiden031]

Timing, that is it.

 

[BobFL]

In my case it would be:
1. choke
2. poor footwork
3. '2' as a consequence of '1'

 

[jazzyfunkybluesy]

Overly aggressive angle on the shot or going for too much top.

 

[mtommer]

Here's your main reason for shanking:

You miss. It happens for a myriad of reasons. One time the opponent may have hit a blistering shot that you can just barely get to. Shank. Another time you may simply not be focusing enough. Shank. Still yet another time the ball may have skipped on a line throwing you're timing off. Shank.

If someone habitually shanks balls then, sure, maybe there's one glaring reason but I bet it would be different from player to player. Asking for one overall reason why people shank is like asking for one reason why someone swings and misses at a pitch. There is no one reason.

 

[Jaewonnie]

To me its a mixture of unbalance and bad coordination that makes me shank.

 

[JRstriker12]

#1 - Bad footwork. Eveything else follows from there - being off balance, being jammed or having to stretch, not being in the right postion to adjust if the ball takes and unexpected bounce, not being in position to take the ball in your striker zone.

 

[rk_sports]

Notice all the different answers!
The answer is different for differnent players.
Any of the answers is correct, as is all the answers are correct.
There is no ONE "main" reason that applies universally.
I can shank a ball watching PamelaAnderson waving at me.

Here's your main reason for shanking:

You miss. It happens for a myriad of reasons. One time the opponent may have hit a blistering shot that you can just barely get to. Shank. Another time you may simply not be focusing enough. Shank. Still yet another time the ball may have skipped on a line throwing you're timing off. Shank.

If someone habitually shanks balls then, sure, maybe there's one glaring reason but I bet it would be different from player to player. Asking for one overall reason why people shank is like asking for one reason why someone swings and misses at a pitch. There is no one reason.

I understand.. nothing in tennis is because of a single reason.. and its a combination of things.
I just want to probe what others think as the main cause..whats foremost in your mind when this happens...and maybe focus that thing first

 

[Zachol82]

Main reason is lack of practice >_>

 

[hyperthom007]

I notice I shank more when it is a windy day. Probably that messes with the ball supposed trajectory.... Or probably it is my poor conditioning

 

[Blake0]

Timing, like raiden mentioned.

 

[Roy125]

I think that the main reason is lack of timing. I shanked half of the balls when my coach purely gave me topspin shots for me to practice hitting on the rise with.

 

[Fearsome Forehand]

Assuming you are not playing in a strong cross wind, I would say head movement is the primary culprit. Wrist rolling can be a factor as well.

 

[prattle128]

Improper positioning for the shot. For example, I'll be too far back every now and then, so when I swing to contact, I'll be out of position and improperly balanced, so I frame a nasty one. Basically, footwork would be the most common reason.

Edit: Most common reason for me, anyways.

 

[aimr75]

2 main ones for me are not being in position for the shot and head movement