Pls suggest - how to 'time' the ball instead of 'muscle' it

[rk_sports]

Please suggest some tips how to time the ball rather than muscling it.
I was hitting with someone who hits the ball so heavy that I got spent so soon and I started thinking how do these not big guys last so long (say Simon)

I DO understand that getting stronger is the way to go... but that is not the suggestion I'm looking for here .. just the technique to time the ball!

Thanks!

-

 

[Blake0]

K first off, hit the ball in front of you more...the further out in front you can hit it, the more effortless power you can potentially get. Next, make sure you're getting full shoulder/hip rotation and driving with your legs..and so on..make sure you're not wristing the ball..or have any major flaws..that affect timing or reduce power..

 

[5263]

K first off, hit the ball in front of you more...the further out in front you can hit it, the more effortless power you can potentially get. Next, make sure you're getting full shoulder/hip rotation and driving with your legs..and so on..make sure you're not wristing the ball..or have any major flaws..that affect timing or reduce power..

There is an "out front spot" to contact the ball for power, but not more is better as said here. The timing, effortless power comes from waiting till the right moment, then accelerating up and across the ball, using the legs to lift and pull off slightly.

 

[kensan]

I would work backwards.

Start with determining the ideal point of contact with your grip. That is, with the racquet face perpendicular to your target and your upper body rotated into position. (With an extreme western grip for example, you contact the ball higher and further in front than say a continental.)

Next ask yourself, how can I launch my legs and rotate my torso into this position at the right time? As previous posters said, you want to use your big muscles, legs and torso, to impact the ball.

As far as literally when to swing, well that's a function of, how fast you can uncoil all these big muscles at just the right time that your racquet face is perpendicular to your target.

Well, that's how I think of it for myself anyway.

 

[5263]

I would work backwards.

Start with determining the ideal point of contact with your grip. That is, with the racquet face perpendicular to your target and your upper body rotated into position. (With an extreme western grip for example, you contact the ball higher and further in front than say a continental.)

Next ask yourself, how can I launch my legs and rotate my torso into this position at the right time? As previous posters said, you want to use your big muscles, legs and torso, to impact the ball.

As far as literally when to swing, well that's a function of, how fast you can uncoil all these big muscles at just the right time that your racquet face is perpendicular to your target.

Well, that's how I think of it for myself anyway.

good point about matching CP to grip.

 

[albesca]

Please suggest some tips how to time the ball rather than muscling it.
I was hitting with someone who hits the ball so heavy that I got spent so soon and I started thinking how do these not big guys last so long (say Simon)
I DO understand that getting stronger is the way to go... but that is not the suggestion I'm looking for here .. just the technique to time the ball!
Thanks!
-

Step ahead into the ball and swing with a relaxed arm.
Experiment on arm relaxing, you will discover many interesting things...
But against a missle ... don't relax too much !!

Ciao
Alberto

 

[larry10s]

Please suggest some tips how to time the ball rather than muscling it.
I was hitting with someone who hits the ball so heavy that I got spent so soon and I started thinking how do these not big guys last so long (say Simon)

I DO understand that getting stronger is the way to go... but that is not the suggestion I'm looking for here .. just the technique to time the ball!

Thanks!

-

when you use the entire kinetic chain and not just your arm you will not get as tired and will hit bigger. its not just timing. imho

 

[LeeD]

Get ready earlier.
If you're already waiting for the ball with the correct grip, turn, and stance, it's easy to stroke thru smoothly and gracefully.
If you're scrambling for the right grip, the right turn, and the right stance, you can't get ready soon enough to employ a real full stroke, and thus have to "arm" the racket thru at the last second.
Recognition is the key. Recognize it early.

 

[BullDogTennis]

worry more about just swinging than hitting the ball. just let your insticts put it in play, and if you swing nice and loosely it should be a good shot.

 

[l_gonzalez]

worry more about just swinging than hitting the ball. just let your insticts put it in play, and if you swing nice and loosely it should be a good shot.

very true. a lot of people get overwhelmed when they're told to use legs, torso, hips, rotational power and all of this. I've found that generally people who lack a bit of pace on their groundstrokes but have no huge technical flaws tend to tense up, grip the racquet harder and try to rip the ball. your whole body is connected and once you start gripping your racquet too hard your arm tenses up and loses fluidity and then the rest of your body follows.

Play loose. the more relaxed you are them more you will use your whole body to hit the ball. Think of letting the racquet do some of the work for you instead of fighting with it. The racquet is your friend, not your enemy. Grip it as lightly as possible so that it doesn't fly out of your hand, relax and swing fast.

If you have decent technique you will hit with more effortless power, but if there is something fundamentally wrong with your technique then you'll need a coach to help you correct it.