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The drop step gives you explosive movement for difficult balls.
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For extreme court coverage, you need an explosive reaction. The drop step and drive footwork proves quickest on all types of surfaces for getting to difficult balls.
By shifting your weight off the outside foot and tucking the driving foot under your torso, your body weight provides traction, much like a front wheel drive car in the snow, using the weight of the engine to give the tires traction.
In one quick move, the drop step establishes upper body momentum in the direction you need to move.
When the ball's only three or four steps away from you, you won't need such an explosive reaction. The weight shift and drive footwork is effective for less challenging balls.
There are lots of parts is developing the killer forehand and an important part is timing.
As soon as the ball leaves the opponent's racquet, that's when the preparation starts. And remember, you can't
prepare too soon.
You can't prepare too soon to hit the Killer Forehand. |
To improve your reaction time, try this. Have your partner on the other side and when
they make contact with the ball, say the word "ball". When it's your turn to hit it, say the word "hit".
Not only will this put you in better position to hit more killer forehands, but it's also going
to improve your reaction time and anticipation skills.
In interviews, I always get the same question: what do you look for when you're looking for
a possible professional player? I'll tell you what I'm looking for. In order to have a killer forehand,
you better have quick feet. You have to spring on that ball like a tiger.
If your heels are touching, you're in 10th gear. |
Like riding in first gear on a bicycle, your first two to five steps have to be quick for maximum
acceleration that will help you run down difficult balls like the wide angle shot.
The gears of a bicycle are a good comparison to footwork strides in running. When you run,
first gear footwork consists of short, powerful strides, the feet pumping quickly.
Tenth gear footwork, are long, big reaching strides good for maintaining speed but not quick on
acceleration. For maximum acceleration getting to the difficult balls, use first gear footwork.
First gear sprint footwork is always on the balls of the feet. If your heels are touching the
ground in the first two to five steps, you're in tenth gear.
Several footwork patterns are commonly used and can be considered the dance steps of tennis,
allowing great players to appear as if they're floating or gliding around the court.
The crossover step allows for fluid side to side movement, quickly moving to and from the ball.
The cross behind step, which will be moving to the side and back as well as in recovery.
The shuffle step covers short distances well.
The adjustment steps are vital to fine tuning your balance and positioning in your hitting stance.
Have your coach watch your head as you move side to side. If there is excessive bobbing up and down, you're not gliding, you're wasting energy. One of the trademarks of a great athlete is the ability to move with footwork as graceful and smooth as a dance. So that's Part 1 on the Killer Forehand. If you learned something, stay tuned for Part 2.
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Nick Bollettieri is the legendary coach who invented the concept of the tennis academy
more than 30 years ago. He has trained thousands of elite players, including some of the greatest
champions in the history of the game, players like Andre Agassi, Tommy Haas, Jim Courier, Monica Seles,
and Boris Becker, as well as upcoming stars including Maria Sharapova. IMG Bollettieri Academies are located in Bradenton, Florida.
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Want to train with Nick? Click here. |
Learn more about the Killer Forehand, and the other great
videos from Nick in this series. Click here. |
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