Marius_Hancu
Talk Tennis Guru
Several months ago, I had a discussion with Jun, on whether there are (my opinion) or not (his) pro players that execute a practically invisible in terms of hopping, still very effective, split-step, mainly when approaching the net in a S-V sequence.
Then I argued that some players, such as Edberg (and I exemplified with his play at 1991 US F against Courier, Edberg's best match ever, as he mentioned around the time of his induction in the Hall of Fame), instead of doing a "jumping" split-step, execute one by decelerating and stabilizing their motion by small steps in a rapid-fire sequence, in which the friction against the court bears an important role (I called them "brushing" steps, I guess).
Well, I think we have to be grateful to Mr. Cruz (Courier's coach) to giving us more clips to argue upon. No Edberg yet, but plenty of other greats
By looking at the Serve-Volley and Volley sections of his Gallery, one can compare the jumping/hopping, aggressive, split-step by Sampras, with the more quiet one by Justine Henin or Rafter. IMO, at least in some of the clips enclosed here, a vertical motion is practically undetectable at the time of the probable split-step. There might be something, like a 1/10inch hop on their toes, which is not too much to talk about.
The one thing which is observed and produces the stabilization is the sequence of small steps before a change of direction is required, executed probably at the time the opponent hits the ball, or a little bit after, when the direction of the ball is perceived.
These players are slowing down and stabilizing their motion more by small step sequencing, than by hopping.
JHH
http://www.tenniscruz.com/movies/Justine Henin/JHenin_S1.htm
http://www.tenniscruz.com/movies/Justine Henin/JHenin_SV.htm
http://www.tenniscruz.com/movies/Justine Henin/JHenin_SVf.htm
Rafter
http://www.tenniscruz.com/movies/Patrick Rafter/PRafter_SV1.htm
http://www.tenniscruz.com/movies/Patrick Rafter/PRafter_SV2.htm
(what a masterful pickup volley)
http://www.tenniscruz.com/movies/Patrick Rafter/PRafter_SV3.htm
In contrast,
Sampras
http://www.tenniscruz.com/movies/Sampras/PS_V.htm
what a clear, decisive, split step
Of course, both alternatives are very viable.
Then I argued that some players, such as Edberg (and I exemplified with his play at 1991 US F against Courier, Edberg's best match ever, as he mentioned around the time of his induction in the Hall of Fame), instead of doing a "jumping" split-step, execute one by decelerating and stabilizing their motion by small steps in a rapid-fire sequence, in which the friction against the court bears an important role (I called them "brushing" steps, I guess).
Well, I think we have to be grateful to Mr. Cruz (Courier's coach) to giving us more clips to argue upon. No Edberg yet, but plenty of other greats
By looking at the Serve-Volley and Volley sections of his Gallery, one can compare the jumping/hopping, aggressive, split-step by Sampras, with the more quiet one by Justine Henin or Rafter. IMO, at least in some of the clips enclosed here, a vertical motion is practically undetectable at the time of the probable split-step. There might be something, like a 1/10inch hop on their toes, which is not too much to talk about.
The one thing which is observed and produces the stabilization is the sequence of small steps before a change of direction is required, executed probably at the time the opponent hits the ball, or a little bit after, when the direction of the ball is perceived.
These players are slowing down and stabilizing their motion more by small step sequencing, than by hopping.
JHH
http://www.tenniscruz.com/movies/Justine Henin/JHenin_S1.htm
http://www.tenniscruz.com/movies/Justine Henin/JHenin_SV.htm
http://www.tenniscruz.com/movies/Justine Henin/JHenin_SVf.htm
Rafter
http://www.tenniscruz.com/movies/Patrick Rafter/PRafter_SV1.htm
http://www.tenniscruz.com/movies/Patrick Rafter/PRafter_SV2.htm
(what a masterful pickup volley)
http://www.tenniscruz.com/movies/Patrick Rafter/PRafter_SV3.htm
In contrast,
Sampras
http://www.tenniscruz.com/movies/Sampras/PS_V.htm
what a clear, decisive, split step
Of course, both alternatives are very viable.
