Let's start this section with a quick discussion comparing strokes and movement from a live workshop.
Now footwork in balance drills. What's the purpose of footwork in balance drills? Very important issue. Let's get started in this category. What would be the purpose of doing footwork in balance drills? Anybody?
Yes, if you are not in the right spot how many different backhands would you like to have essentially? One, right? Maybe a secondary one, if there a two hander, a secondary one if they are reaching wide, but essentially one key backhand. So this is very important. So your body position relatively to the ball is key.
The point here is that footwork and movement on a tennis court are basically universal principles. The first section of this tape deals with balance. Since obviously if a player hits off balance, it will change the path and angle of the racquet head and the player will lose control over the ball.
In this section, we will share a handful of drills to help players get a better feel for good balance. Here is the first. Speed together and hit one balance. Now notice my footwork in between shots. It's a lot of footwork and if you fall off balance it means your position was a little up, see how your feet were a little bit apart. So you want to lock them in and if you can finish your shot, we may not balance then you are in much better shape.
So I take my split step. I move, lock-in my feet and hit, and my unbalance. Okay, let's have you guys give it a try. Our balance mark, knee together, really knee together. We are going to try to get on balance. Little easier, try to keep in the service box mark. Holly again keep hitting. Alright, hold up.
What comes now is the most important part of any drill. Namely, how to transition from a learning aid, in this case the somewhat challenging exercise of putting your feet together before hitting. You see if a player can hit and maintain balance with their feet together, it will make staying on balance during normal conditions that much easier.
Now let's take a look at the same player switching to normal hitting. This transition is technically called fading. It is critical to ask the players to recognize the feeling of balance with their feet together and then to feel improved balance when they have their feet in a normal spread position.
There you guys. Regular real quick though. We are going to be moving through it much faster than you would in a normal setting. Okay hold up. Did you feel more unbalanced. Okay, simple drill. It's been around Tom knows that one from 25 years ago, but it's a good one to reinforce that issue.
The second drill is another winner. There is no doubt that if you can control your shots while hopping on one foot, real hitting will be like a walk in the park. Let's take a look. Hopping on one foot while you are hitting, right because if you can't hit while you are off balance a little bit you are going to be in trouble.
So here I am just rallying, you are on mark. Hopping on one foot. You can switch legs when you have to. We are having good shots like that. Have your players get back on two feet. Back on two feet. Now does that feel better or what. Feels much better. Looks good. Alright let's hold up.
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