DavaiMarat
Professional
I had a few people ask me recently about wider and narrow stances. My friend show me a video of Julien Benneteau hitting recently and remarked how close hit feet were together when hit he ball (they were just warming up). I've always been an advocate of wider stances but I know there is a place for both and pros and cons for both. So over a beer I went on to explain the differences about hitting stances.
These can also be semi-catergorized into close and open stances because wider stances often end up being open. While narrower stances end up being semi open or square (I won't get into the close).
Pros of the narrow stance (semi - square).
1) Better rotation. Like a top spinning, a narrower base will let you rotate faster into the ball.
2) Easier movement and adjustment steps. Because more of your weight is above your feet and muscle aren't stretched out you can take small steps easier.
3) More forward momentum. With your legs bent and closer allows for more explosive power into the shot...pushing off the ground is easier with a narrower stance.
Pros of the wider stance (open):
1) More balance. Wider base. Your weight is spread over a larger span and your Cog is lower.
2) Better Stability. In receiving a harder shot, the wider your stance, you will inherently have less difficulty redirecting the power.
3) Quicker Change of direction. With a wider stance your momentum is easier to get moving in the opposite direction...recovery is better (like the lowered suspension of a sports car).
So my overall conclusion is narrower stances (close) are good for aggressive or transitional shots. These are your proverbial green light or green/yellow shots. Shots that you can set up and really get your weight into the shot or run thru the shot like a slice approach.
Wider stances are good for defensive shots, like the return of serve or when your are force wide. Better against hard hit shots where forward momentum is less important and the open stance and core rotation become more important.
Anyhow I thought I'd share and hopefuly this will help some of your understand the time and place for each.
These can also be semi-catergorized into close and open stances because wider stances often end up being open. While narrower stances end up being semi open or square (I won't get into the close).
Pros of the narrow stance (semi - square).
1) Better rotation. Like a top spinning, a narrower base will let you rotate faster into the ball.
2) Easier movement and adjustment steps. Because more of your weight is above your feet and muscle aren't stretched out you can take small steps easier.
3) More forward momentum. With your legs bent and closer allows for more explosive power into the shot...pushing off the ground is easier with a narrower stance.
Pros of the wider stance (open):
1) More balance. Wider base. Your weight is spread over a larger span and your Cog is lower.
2) Better Stability. In receiving a harder shot, the wider your stance, you will inherently have less difficulty redirecting the power.
3) Quicker Change of direction. With a wider stance your momentum is easier to get moving in the opposite direction...recovery is better (like the lowered suspension of a sports car).
So my overall conclusion is narrower stances (close) are good for aggressive or transitional shots. These are your proverbial green light or green/yellow shots. Shots that you can set up and really get your weight into the shot or run thru the shot like a slice approach.
Wider stances are good for defensive shots, like the return of serve or when your are force wide. Better against hard hit shots where forward momentum is less important and the open stance and core rotation become more important.
Anyhow I thought I'd share and hopefuly this will help some of your understand the time and place for each.
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