ATXtennisaddict
Hall of Fame
Discuss. Is the power mainly from their conditioned physiques, technique or mainly from their heavy leaded up frames?
Pro's shots powerful because of leaded racket?
- Thread starter ATXtennisaddict
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superman1
Legend
The combination of better form and more physical strength. A recreational player who is stronger than your average tennis player can't hit as hard because doesn't have the rotation, head speed, timing, the spring in his legs, etc.
Racquets and strings make only a minor difference. I can hit as hard as the pros with my $4 month old strings and no customization, but I can't do it consistently and the ball doesn't always go in.
Racquets and strings make only a minor difference. I can hit as hard as the pros with my $4 month old strings and no customization, but I can't do it consistently and the ball doesn't always go in.
Grigollif1
Semi-Pro
I believe the key to Power is Timing. Pro players are able to time their shots to almost perfection mixing the blend of spin and drive, just enough to keep the ball in the court.
Cigo
Rookie
It comes down to telling yourself to hit hard. Take a foam ball and throw it at a wall(chugging it at an open closet with clothing in it is even better). How do you throw it as fast as you can? You just go for it. Sure if you know that transferring your weight from from load position to the front and rotating you will throw it faster you still need to just really want to throw it fast. Exagerating certain motions you want to learn is a very good way to get the feel for them and this is easy to do when you just let go and throw as fast as you can.
In tennis, of cource, you hold on to the racquet and have to hit the ball. So timing and balance play important parts too. But the essence of power is just wanting to hit with power.
Not really answering the question exactly, but this seems true to me, it worked for me. Can't say it's either one of the things you mention specificaly that is reponsible for the power mainly on it's own. Physique needs to be 'proper'. Bet Arnold can't hit hard due to his mass. Needs to be the right kind of body. Technique is vital yes, but again is dependant on the body, limited by the physique. And the racquets, which one hurts more a baseball bat or a badminton racquet?
Just my 0.02$.
In tennis, of cource, you hold on to the racquet and have to hit the ball. So timing and balance play important parts too. But the essence of power is just wanting to hit with power.
Not really answering the question exactly, but this seems true to me, it worked for me. Can't say it's either one of the things you mention specificaly that is reponsible for the power mainly on it's own. Physique needs to be 'proper'. Bet Arnold can't hit hard due to his mass. Needs to be the right kind of body. Technique is vital yes, but again is dependant on the body, limited by the physique. And the racquets, which one hurts more a baseball bat or a badminton racquet?
Just my 0.02$.
crazylevity
Hall of Fame
Timing is, to me, really important. If I time all my body movements well, all the muscles in the kinetic chain from the legs to the torso rotation etc firing in the correct sequence and hitting the ball right at the end of that kinetic chain, I can smack the felt off a ball. And I'm quite small sized.
The only problem is doing that really consistently.
I'm sure physical conditioning can help, esp with times when ur timing is just slightly off.
The only problem is doing that really consistently.
I'm sure physical conditioning can help, esp with times when ur timing is just slightly off.
ask1ed
Semi-Pro
Have you ever been at courtside with a pro match? Most of the time they don't hit hard. Only when they have an opening, or conversely, when they have no choice, do they cream the ball. First serves are creamed. Most of the ground strokes are no longer than one second from racquet to racquet face, the same pace at which I practice.
ATXtennisaddict
Hall of Fame
I am dreaming of watching pro matches courtside. Sucks that they don't come here and I have to work as well.ask1ed said:
matchpoint
Rookie
Yes, it is from their heavy leaded up frames. So if you can put 10 times more lead in your racket you might be 10 times more powerful than them.:mrgreen:ATXtennisaddict said:
Kaptain Karl
Hall Of Fame
Like joe posted, it's mostly technique.
- KK
Yes. I've been to the US Open at least a dozen times ... for multiple days each time. You're *dreaming* if you think you hit the ball like the Male Pros do.ask1ed said:
- KK
TheSneakerologist
Rookie
I think its a combination of technique, timing and definitely power in the racket and strings.
Court_Jester
Hall of Fame
I agree that it's mostly technique but extra lead tape does help.
I used to doubt the effectiveness of lead tapes but I recently added several layers of tape at the 6 o'clock position to increase the static weight of my racquet and the resulting change in its plowthrough was really dramatic. Even though I didn't change my techniques, I could feel the tennis balls getting crushed with each impact. Even my friend noticed that I hit them harder and with greater pace.
I used to doubt the effectiveness of lead tapes but I recently added several layers of tape at the 6 o'clock position to increase the static weight of my racquet and the resulting change in its plowthrough was really dramatic. Even though I didn't change my techniques, I could feel the tennis balls getting crushed with each impact. Even my friend noticed that I hit them harder and with greater pace.
superman1
Legend
I've seen Hewitt live recently, he does not hit very hard. He CAN hit hard, and he's super-consistent obviously, but those shots are within reach of any decent player. It's not like if you played with a pro their shots would fly by you, but they would be hitting corners and really pulling you out, and no matter how good your reply, those balls come right back with just as much pace as the last time. It's like a relentless attack. Many people can hit as hard as Hewitt, but he'd still beat the hell out of them on court.
tonysk83
Semi-Pro
It really comes from good technique. My friend on the football team who benches 200+ lbs can't hit that hard, but me who can only bench 150 and am not nearly as strong as he is can hit destroy it compared to him. Once again my friend who is pretty small 5' 5" and rarely works out can hit harder then me because his form is so much better.
West Coast Ace
G.O.A.T.
It's not like lead was just discovered - or a method for attaching it to a tennis racket.
It's technique and coaching. There are better conditioned people down at Venice Beach who couldn't hit the ball as hard as a 4.5 - because they don't know how to. And coaches are obviously telling their pupils to 'go for' their shots more. And helping them build the strokes to do it.
It's technique and coaching. There are better conditioned people down at Venice Beach who couldn't hit the ball as hard as a 4.5 - because they don't know how to. And coaches are obviously telling their pupils to 'go for' their shots more. And helping them build the strokes to do it.
heavyraket
New User
e=mc squared
I used to thnk that mass was more important but now I'am coming around to the speed (c) thing. Of course timing is key. The pros arn't using real heavy rakets now. I starting to come down to 12.5 oz 10pts hL 102 core #10, what fun serving!
I used to thnk that mass was more important but now I'am coming around to the speed (c) thing. Of course timing is key. The pros arn't using real heavy rakets now. I starting to come down to 12.5 oz 10pts hL 102 core #10, what fun serving!