Strokes Aren't Everything

[InspectorRacquet]

I figured I would share this important piece of info for all of us trying to better ourselves (for the low level rec player, such as myself).

I have found that no matter how good your stroke may be in any area, footwork is even more important. Without the footwork, you can't even use your stroke to its full effect.

I used to be someone who had the good strokes (for my level), but the footwork wasn't there. Deep ball? Shank. Low skidder? Also shank. Super spinning angle? Big mishit. I couldn't hit a ball in a match, or on the move for that matter, except if the ball wasn't hit for an angle. It had to be near me.

But not anymore. After improving my footwork, I realized that my strokes weren't to blame the entire time. I had originally blamed my strokes for not doing well. In reality, it was my poor footwork. When you move your feet, you can get to the ball earlier, set up earlier, and hit any shot in the sweetspot.

The real question is how. We're always told "move your feet". Well, duh. I've been "moving" my feet, otherwise I wouldn't be near the ball. What are they actually trying to tell me?

Turns out, moving your feet isn't just moving. It's staying on the front of your feet, never being completely flat footed, and reacting to the ball early. Taking small steps when getting nearer to the ball is also crucial - even over adjusting with the tiniest steps helps when the ball is right next to you.

If you just skipped to the final paragraph, here is what I said: Instead of trying to improve your strokes (or blaming them for losing), try looking at your footwork. If you can hit a ball if it comes directly to you, but can't hit the ball to save your life in a match, you should correct your footwork. Small steps. Stay on your toes. Knees bent. The footwork brings you to the ball to use your strokes. It can actually make you more consistent, and thus a better player. It may be tiring at first for those who are not used to "moving" their feet, but when it becomes natural, it will save your behind in matches.

 

[LeeD]

NOPE, not for me.
For you, yes.
Me, I need to glance at the ball, instead of relying on pure instinct.
I have a sprained left ankle, knee problems, so movement problems. I can hit just fine against ANY 4.5 (I'm a low 4.0) if I just pay attention and watch the ball.
Of course, I can't cover alley to alley in singles.
Look at vids of Federer just warming up. He can hit 6.0 level without moving his feet whatsoever.

 

[Larrysümmers]

Read movement swing recover.

 

[TennisCJC]

I tend to agree with OP that footwork or rather good movement is fundamental to a good stroke. This is supported in my game by the fact that any type of leg injury that impacts movement usually results in a less effective performance.

I remember Federer saying "he discovered he had all these new shots" when he improved his fitness and movement.

If you are well positioned with adjustment steps and move well enough to cover the wide, deep and short balls; the game is a bit easier.

 

[user92626]

The biggest part of sport is strength and stamina, and well, you happen to point out the thing that's most tiring, thus most difficult and most affecting, physically and mentally. To have good footwork, you need to move all the time and move early which takes a lot of physical and mental energy.

But don't go around preaching this too loudly or you may sound like a pusher.

 

[anubis]

I agree with the OP. Footwork is insanely important. I recently lost a tournament match because I had such a painful blister on my foot that I could barely put any weight on my right foot (i'm right handed). I was basically limping on it. I couldn't generate any power or depth, I was just lightly smacking the ball. I couldn't even position myself properly.

When something that important is completely taken away from you, you are very surprised how much you rely on it.

Now that I'm all healed up and my footwork is back to normal, my shots are way more powerful than they were during that particular match.

 

[LeeD]

Any injury will derail your strokes, especially injuries to your feet.
If you were used to a injured foot, you'd find you can learn to compensate easily, hit just as hard or harder than before, because you HAVE TO, now that you can't run.....

 

[InspectorRacquet]

To add a bit to how footwork is important (barring any injuries. Injuries definitely halt footwork and performance), I will add another personal anecdote.

I generally hit around with someone whose strokes are much stronger than mine. Hit the ball close enough to him, and you are on defense from the start. However, the only reason I beat him in matches is because I have the superior footwork, but not the superior strokes. Hit one angle, and he can't seem to run to the ball quickly (lack of preparation, most likely from being flat-footed) to hit his powerful shots. Hit a low ball or any other type of uncomfortable non-standard-rally ball, and he gets to the ball but can't use his stroke to hit the ball well. Thus, terribly inconsistent shots come up and he can't seem to win unless I hit the ball close enough to him to where he doesn't really have to move.

On my end, when he hits a good angle, I use my footwork to get there early, adjust to the ball's spin, speed, and depth, and hit my regular stroke like the angle didn't bother me at all. The difference between him and me is that my footwork allows me to hit my stroke from all corners of the court, no matter what junk comes from his end. Whenever I hit a ball that would normally require some intense footwork and adjusting on his part, he hits a weak shots uncharacteristic from his normally booming ground strokes.

The point that I didn't make in my original post is that even the slightest bit of footwork will put you leagues ahead of your opponent. I can't speak on the injury side of things because I have never had an injury that kept me from playing tennis completely, though.

 

[user92626]

Beat another player who has the superior stroke. Checked.
By being very consistent. Checked.

PUSSHHER!! :shock:

 

[LeeD]

At lower levels, like 4.0, good footwork can account for almost a full point, for sure.
I considered myself a top 4.0 maybe 8 years ago. But losing speed and footwork from a structurally injured ankle, immediately dropped to lowest 4.0, because I can't get alley to alley, and often when I get close, the footwork isn't all there.
BUT, you learn to play with what you got.
Given great strokes, OR great footwork, I'll take strokes. Strokes get me to 60 tops. But the greatest mover of any human would barely make 4.5 if he didn't have strong, consistent strokes.

 

[Jay_The_Nomad]

As Navratilova once said, having the best hands in the world means little if you haven't got the feet to get there in time.

 

[10isfreak]

The point that I didn't make in my original post is that even the slightest bit of footwork will put you leagues ahead of your opponent.

It's an exaggeration, really. The game is very complex. Being composed of a plurality of aspects which are mutually related, it's really hard to pin down one thing and say it's the very best thing you can find...

Some people might have noticed professional players hit the ball from such a close shooting perspective (or by being there, live and close to the players) that they could see what they were doing with their feet. There are very specific series of steps they use to maximize their playing potential and they're not the usual talking point in forums, which might give you points for pointing out the importance of moving properly on the court. If I had to pick one thing and only one to improve the game of any amateur, I'd probably do as you did and pick footwork. Not because I think it's more important than anything else, but because I think it's where the improvement is most needed.

There are obvious tips in tennis that can be game changers for some people. For instance, you should move in a straight line when you need to go through space, not when you need to create it... to create space, you move AROUND the area you want to clear. There are specific ways to move your feet to achieve both of these purposes and if you don't use them, it's hard to be in good position or balanced when you'll try to it the ball.

How many amateurs try to run around their backhands? It doesn't take a genius to figure out that it can be good (and for most people, under most circumstances, it is), even from early on. How many have you seen messing up an opportunity to hit an inside forehand because they did not move their feet right? It happens ALL THE TIME.

You're absolutely right to point at footwork, I think. I just disagree with the part where you say it's by far the most important part of your game or that just being able to execute footwork patterns just a tad better than your opponent puts you leagues ahead of him. No. You have to be a lot better, footwork-wise, to compensate for substantially better strokes. Each quality can be tactically used to equally great effects... which brings me to a point regarding your match-up with your friend.

He has better strokes, but you move better. It makes your life easier and the score board shows it. However, there's also a tactical difference involved here: he obviously can't use his qualities to put you into an uncomfortable position whereas you can. Many good hitters are also very dumb tacticians... it's not just footwork that kills ball bashers when they play pushers. For some people, thinking that something else than a slug fest can lead to earning points is nearly unfathomable and loosing points just lead them to try to tear a hole in your string bed by hitting even harder. These people won't force you to adjust to a lot of things and they do not have a plan B.

I don't know how your friend is, but you can use stroke quality to force certain replies. If he really can't do anything against you with the tools he has, the problem is that you're simply a better player and you're currently out of his league.

 

[GuyClinch]

Footwork and strokes are very tied together. I feel like if I am not loading my right leg or sometimes stepping into the ball - I have messed up my footwork on my forehand. It's the same with the backhand.

I have to make sure I step into it (because I hit a one hander) or its less effective.

In reality you don't see people with good strokes that have terrible footwork. Footwork is tied into good strokes. A huge part of hitting a good shot is being the perfect distance away.

Sometimes you see two high level players just wailing away at it in practice. it doesn't look like are working super hard but they are moving just enough to get to the perfect distance to blast the ball.

Don't get me wrong at VERY high levels some people might be able to press an advantage with better recovery footwork or a innovative way to handle very outside balls. But for the good strokes and good footwork go hand in hand.

If you thought you had good strokes but bad footwork you were just fooling yourself. You had neither.

 

[LeeD]

I disagree with GuyClinch.
You can have great strokes, NOT apply good footwork, but still hit great shots....if you can get close enough to hit the ball, of couse.
If you don't have legs to get to the ball, obviously, the greatest strokes won't work.
OTOH, if you have the greatest footwork to precisely place you in perfect position, and you had never hit a tennis ball ever, you still cannot hit the ball nearly decently. This case is backed by plenty of examples of setting a beginner into perfect feet and shoulder stance, feed them a perfect ball, and they still miss the court by a mile.
And all you guys say stuff like....I had an injury once, and I couldn't hit worth bean because I couldn't shuffle my feet quickly.... HOGWASH. The reason you couldn't hit was because you weren't USED to playing with an injury like that. Once you figure you have an injury, and you play some, you figure out how to compensate, over time and determination.
NO, you cannot play "100%" with any injury, but you often don't play "100% anyways.

 

[InspectorRacquet]

Beat another player who has the superior stroke. Checked.
By being very consistent. Checked.

PUSSHHER!! :shock:

I realize this is a joke, but I feel obligated to respond by saying I am nearly the opposite of a pusher.

When I say I beat a player with the superior strokes, it wasn't purely by consistency, but rather by better movement (which is different from running things down). The strokes that "appear" to be superior aren't necessarily better if he/she can't hit it from all corners of the court.

At that point I must agree with another responder in the thread in that footwork and strokes are the yin to the other's yang. Footwork isn't necessarily the answer to all the problems you might be having, and isn't necessarily the key to victory, either, but I just wanted to make a point of how under-appreciated footwork is/has become.

 

[LeeD]

Footwork can be lumped into several areas, can't it?
Footwork, speed to get TO the ball.
Footwork, getting the feet set consistenly in "ideal" hitting position once you get to the ball.
Footwork, just going to split step as the opponent starts to hit the ball.
Footwork, recovery from out wide, up forwards, or from waaay back.
Footwork, the first step toward the direction where the ball is going.
All are different, yet are part of "footwork".
And you can hit a hard consistent forehand with feet aligned to your backhand stroke, if you are used to it. And vice versa.

 

[GoudX]

We've all seen that guy who has terrible footwork who still mysteriously wins. He is usually older than his 50s and has a hip/back/leg injury and plays doubles exclusively now. Every point he will casually jog, off balance, towards the net. On arrival he will keep his legs perfectly still, but mysteriously hit an impossibly good drop volley. 40 years of playing the game have given that magical combination of being able to read the game perfectly and plenty of repetition on their peculiar volleys.

Moral of the story:

The quality of a shot is not only dependent on strokes and movement. Prediction and positioning are as important than outright movement and shot mechanics. Against a lot of players Agassi and Federer could avoid running for an entire match by correctly reading the game. Working on these elements as well as shot mechanics and footwork if you want any chance of hitting good shots against a big hitting opponent.

 

[LeeD]

Moral of the story...
EVERY part counts. Don't leave any out of your training schedule, or you'll regret it.

 

[ericwong]

IMO, footspeed and footwork hold higher precedence than groundstrokes. Without them, there is no chance of getting there in time to setup for the stroke you want to hit.

 

[NLBwell]

Your strokes determine the level you are capable of playing. Your movement determines the level you do play.

 

[PeterFig]

Your strokes determine the level you are capable of playing. Your movement determines the level you do play.

Well said.
Very true for my game.

 

[ericwong]

Your strokes determine the level you are capable of playing. Your movement determines the level you do play.

Which is more important?

 

[Manus Domini]

Which is more important?

Footwork. Trust me on this: there are very few things in tennis which feel worse than losing to a player--whom you know you can beat--because you have horrible footwork, and I've probably done almost all of them.

 

[TennisCJC]

Your strokes determine the level you are capable of playing. Your movement determines the level you do play.

True.

I have a friend who played college tennis D1 about 60 years ago. He is in his early 80s now and still plays tournaments. He still has such good hand eye that he can rally without missing up to 15 or 20 balls as long as you keep it in the middle of the court and reasonable pace. If you move him or hit hard, you can overwhelm his movement and reflexes. He is fun to practice with because if you keep returning medium paced rally balls deep down the center, he will move you side to side along the baseline. He always hits deep unless he wants to hit short. He is like a ball machine.

 

[LeeD]

Wrong.
I also know a few guys who have pretty good footwork, have decent enough strokes, but who play at really BAD levels because their EYESIGHT went downhill.
Feetwork is nice to have.
Strokes about the same.
But EYESIGHT, if you lose it, is what kills your game.

 

[ProgressoR]

They can wear glasses, can't they?

 

[LeeD]

Not when vanity suggests otherwise.
Losing eyesight is not always just lack of focusing. Sometimes, it involves cataracts, and other eye diseases.
I've played without glasses now for 25 odd years....needed them for distance vision...and currently working on a solution.
Can't stand playing with glasses, the sweat, the glass movement, the bands, the fogging, and the need to carry another item to the courts.
But forget about me. When I met ArtLarsen in 1976 and started playing doubles against him, he had vision problems that glasses could not counter. He was still a good C player back then, at age 55, but could not pick up on my twist serves. He could beat me in every other stoke.
Now, another old fart, the now 70 year old how beat me breadsticks a couple of years ago, also has vision problems, and cannot return my twists serves....another lefty.

 

[bhupaes]

Well, good footwork is part of having good strokes. And then there is this little matter of getting to the ball. IMO, once one has developed decent strokes, the rest of tennis is about speed - a combination of quickness, athletic ability, and anticipation - and experience, of course.

 

[GuyClinch]

They can wear glasses, can't they?

Glasses can fix nearsighted and far sighted to some extent but they cannot correct alot of other eye problems. Lack of periphal vision, cloudiness, bad astigamatism etc.

 

[GuyClinch]

Well, good footwork is part of having good strokes. And then there is this little matter of getting to the ball. IMO, once one has developed decent strokes, the rest of tennis is about speed - a combination of quickness, athletic ability, and anticipation - and experience, of course.

Agree. I think we need to define really what good footwork is. If a player consistently hits on balance and is doing proper weight transfer before he hits the ball that's close enough to good for me.

Low level player don't have to be quick and agile like Federer because no one makes them move that much on the court. Thus you can be pretty slow and old and still hit well long as you got the basic patterns down, IMHO. As you go up in level you need more advanced footwork like more efficent ways of moving to the ball and recovering - but that's because the opponents hit better too.

You can't have "good" strokes if you totally off balance and not sure what you should be doing with your feet out there..

 

[Kilco]

Now, another old fart.

Stop saying old fart.

 

[LeeD]

"old fart"...
Old.
Crouchy pessimisitic.

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

Glasses can fix nearsighted and far sighted to some extent but they cannot correct alot of other eye problems. Lack of periphal vision, cloudiness, bad astigamatism etc.

Do you even wear glasses?

Glasses that are prescribed to you are made to correct the astigmatism also. However, you're correct that cloudiness and cataracts cannot but cured with glasses.

I wear glasses 24/7 because I am nearly blind. I am far sighted, but I have astigmatism also. Which means that I can actually see better when things are closer to me. I usually always wear contacts though, and I cannot play tennis unless I have them in. My peripheral vision sucks with glasses and so does my depth perception.

 

[GuyClinch]

Glasses that are prescribed to you are made to correct the astigmatism also. However, you're correct that cloudiness and cataracts cannot but cured with glasses.

Glasses cannot fully correct astigmatism in many cases. Its not uncommon at all actually. If you ask around you will find many glasses wearers still see 'stars' around lights at night when they drive.

My eyes are almost fully corrected - but my g/fs are not. It depends on the lens shape - how even it is. If its a perfect football shape they can correct. If its just somewhat irregular they cannot.

Night vision is the easiest way to test this because at night your pupil opens and your vision becomes more dependent on that perfect shape..

That being said since we play tennis in very well lit conditions astigmatism is probably not a big deal.

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

Glasses cannot fully correct astigmatism in many cases. Its not uncommon at all actually. If you ask around you will find many glasses wearers still see 'stars' around lights at night when they drive.

My eyes are almost fully corrected - but my g/fs are not. It depends on the lens shape - how even it is. If its a perfect football shape they can correct. If its just somewhat irregular they cannot.

Night vision is the easiest way to test this because at night your pupil opens and your vision becomes more dependent on that perfect shape..

That being said since we play tennis in very well lit conditions astigmatism is probably not a big deal.

Oh yeah, I know. I'm just saying that they get extremely close because that's what they're designed for.