Tennis 1,2,3 Revisited: Movement

The explanation of movement in “Tennis 123” centered on making a split-step just before the ball is struck by the opponent. This allows one to start moving toward the ball’s flight path at the first possible moment. Another important component to movement is staying inside the line of the balls flight. Draw a line from where your opponent strikes the ball to where you strike it and that is the line of the ball’s flight. Whenever possible you should get to the line of the ball early enough to step forward toward the court RATHER THAN ACROSS THE LINE OF FLIGHT!! When you cross the line of flight after hitting recovery is at least 2 steps longer than if you were to hustle to get to the line of the ball earlier and step forward. This begins a sequence of running back and forth to catch up to the other player’s shots, commonly referred to as being “on a string”.

This whole sequence of being “on a string” starts because we try to time our arrival to the ball’s strike zone at the same time the ball gets there. If we only get there when the ball does we have to take AT LEAST one step past it after the hit. Therefore, getting to the line of the ball BEFORE the ball gets there has to be an urgent objective on every shot in order to maximize our court coverage and reduce the total amount of running. By hustling rather than timing our run to the ball we will run much less and have more control of the point.

The explanation of movement in “Tennis 123” centered on making a split-step just before the ball is struck by the opponent. This allows one to start moving toward the ball’s flight path at the first possible moment. Another important component to movement is staying inside the line of the balls flight. Draw a line from where your opponent strikes the ball to where you strike it and that is the line of the ball’s flight. Whenever possible you should get to the line of the ball early enough to step forward toward the court RATHER THAN ACROSS THE LINE OF FLIGHT!! When you cross the line of flight after hitting recovery is at least 2 steps longer than if you were to hustle to get to the line of the ball earlier and step forward. This begins a sequence of running back and forth to catch up to the other player’s shots, commonly referred to as being “on a string”.

This whole sequence of being “on a string” starts because we try to time our arrival to the ball’s strike zone at the same time the ball gets there. If we only get there when the ball does we have to take AT LEAST one step past it after the hit. Therefore, getting to the line of the ball BEFORE the ball gets there has to be an urgent objective on every shot in order to maximize our court coverage and reduce the total amount of running. By hustling rather than timing our run to the ball we will run much less and have more control of the point.

While there is no scientific explanation for “Human Magnetism”, I know it is a true law of nature. Apparently the service line of a tennis court has this characteristic. Watching players move forward they can get in as far as the service line and then “Human Magnetism” holds them from going any further. What this does is keep them from the opportunity of hitting winners as the ability to hit winners diminishes drastically the further one is from the net. It also means that more shots will be hit from a lower angle which makes it even harder to make a forcing shot. Lastly it gives the opponents an “out” in terms of their shot selection as they can now hit a soft shot that drops at the net player’s feet.

If the lob is a huge concern move just one yard in front of the service line if your shot does not have a lot of sting. From that position a player can cover up to the last yard of the court by getting back just 2 steps. If the shot you hit is sharp, move all the way into the net as it is much more difficult to hit a good lob against a shot with pace. Hopefully, when you feel the magnetic pull of the service line, you will be able to resist it and move up. It is really the worst place on the court to be waiting, too many balls can get to your feet.

It’s a known fact that many USTA doubles players do not serve and volley regularly, on second serves or at all, even on first serves!! It is a huge mistake to let your game stagnate by keeping to the baseline. Even players that can’t run can move forward to the net by the second shot after their serve. One reason that this is so important is if you can’t take the net then the other team can. In that case you will lose too many service games to be effective.

So what is the story on the split-step? Why is “rushing” the net a bad term? First, the split-step should bring your weight into balance and bring your forward momentum under control. Getting to the first volley is a two part run, not a headlong sprint forward. Use your momentum from the service motion to begin moving into the court quickly, after a few steps make a split step like kids would do playing hopscotch. The last step should not be a leap forward, but a gathering step which will leave you able to start forward again or change direction to one side or the other and move to the ball. “Rushing” is not a good description of what should be happening as it will leave you unbalanced and lunging for the ball. Even if the ball is within easy reach the lack of balance will result in unnecessary errors.

The first volley is a transition shot not a put-away shot. Its purpose is to get you to the net safely where you can then be in a strong position. So here is the rhythm. Serve, step, step, split. Step, step, volley. Step, step, split at the net. Volley through the middle. Ta-da!!

Too many players are resigned to the fact that they CAN’T serve and volley and they are missing the essence of doubles which is taking advantage of the geometry of the court and putting the other team in a less advantageous position. It is great fun to get to the net and when the other team tries to hit through or over you to be able to convert the point consistently. This is in contrast to staying back and having a baseline rally with the receiver. Baseline exchanges are generally a 50/50 proposition.

BRUCE’S GUARANTEE: If you work at and become proficient at moving in behind your serves your level will rise at least ½ point.