Ugh, I was such a damn fool for not using my legs

[ogruskie]

I'd say I have fairly powerful strokes. I don't really know how to say this, but until last Friday, I realized I was not using my legs. I mean, I stay bouncing on my toes and I move my feet, but I wasn't using my legs during the stroke.

What I mean to say is, I would get to the ball, bend my knees/focus on the ball/steady my arm/unleash my full power on the ball. But thats it really. Then, last week, I went through the exact same motions, but this time, I flexed my legs.

I'm not sure if I'm explaining this right...but I basically flexed my legs very firmly as if I was about to make a sudden sprint or jump up very high in the air. This results in a tremendous power that I've never had before. In fact, during a practice game off the ground, I hit three consecutive winners against my friend.

I just felt like sharing this because I never knew how much power is contained within the legs.

 

[Fumoffu]

your leg muscles are bigger than your arm muscles, no?

 

[quicken]

Hm, flexing...

 

[TENNIS_IS_FUN]

your leg muscles are bigger than your arm muscles, no?

You hold the raquet with your arms, not your leg, no?

But your right in a sense....leg power is just as important as arm power...but i wouldnt say more.

 

[ChiefIlliniwek5]

I do something very similar...except rather than having the feeling of jumping up, i push off with my legs to move my body forward as i follow thru. The result is a hard, low top spin shot. Now I just gotta get the consistency better (grr!)

 

[Oxford]

I hear ya...

when hitting against my ball machine I have the most beautiful stroke uncoiling from the legs and driving into the ball...soooo sweet.

but in the heat of battle i too often forget some of those elements and don't bend the knees and use the legs like I should...


argggg...someday it will all come together

ox

 

[crash1929]

I don't think about my legs much. I hit the ball pretty hard. Will try to think about this the next time on the courts. Thanks for bringing it up!

 

[quicken]

Blake, one of the players who hit the hardest FH strokes said the following. "The very first thing when I learned to play tennis was how to sit and lift."

Use your legs, it helps.

 

[Kobble]

Most players arm the ball. It is a poor perception of the kinetic chain.

 

[czech09]

Stay in a bent position as you make contact with the ball lift up...produces amazing results.