Why no power in my shots?

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Why no power in my shots?

by ARNOLD D. PANUNCIALMAN
(PAGADIAN CITY, PHILIPPINES)

I started tennis at the age of 45 together with my 13 year old son then. It so pathetic that I realized the beauty of the game too late of my age since I was engrossed with basketball since I was young.

My problem is that despite trying much with different grips and position, I could not deliver much power to the ball whether in my forehand or backhand drive.

I envy my son who can deliver very strong ball with ease and much comfort with least effort. Trying hard to deliver such power ground strokes would only drain me of my energy.

Is there a problem with my footwork or do I have a wrong basics?

Please give me your opinion.

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Why no power in my shots?

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May 13, 2008
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Power of the Juniors for Arnold
by: Ken DeHart

Arnold,

One of the secrets to power is - Not trying to hit it hard.
1. First of all just the thought of "hard" will make you tense up and grip the racquet tightly. That takes away your power right away.
2. Tension in the hand will also cause the feet to not move.
3. Not moving you feet into the correct position will not allow you to use your natural "kinetic" chain that creates a powerful flow
4. All of that will make you grip the racquet even tighter and swing faster in frustration.

Little kids can hit the ball hard even though they have little or no muscle. Because of that they cannot "muscle" the ball. The find a relaxed grip tension and natural timing to swing the racquet so the momentum of the swing generates the power. They also use the speed of the incoming ball and reflect that power back to the opponent.

How easily you swing and the power you get begins with the "eyes". Seeing the ball well (see the rotation of the ball) accomplishes this:
1. you see the ball well which keeps the mind on the ball not the opponent.
2. because you see the ball well you understand "where" the ball is coming and "how" fast it is coming.
3. this helps you know where to position your feet and when to prepare to swing.
4. the grip tension is about a #2 on a scale of 1-5 which keeps the tension out of the swing and allows you to "naturally" use your powerful "kinetic" chain to meet the ball without fear and create the best speed "you" can generate.
5. few people can judge their own ball speed and always assume their ball is slower that their opponents - not always true.

The eyes are the timing device for the body's coordination. Most stroke errors and footwork errors are a product of the "disconnecting" thoughts they have before and as the ball is coming to them. Focus on the ball by:
1. seeing the spin on the ball as it comes over the net
2. see the "shadow" on the ball. The sun or lighting from above will cause a shadow on the ball that stays in the same place if you have a hard time tracking the spin.
3. count "one" as you contact the ball and "two" as they contact the ball to develop better tracking and focus skills.

Never try "harder" always more "relaxed" and focused.

Ken DeHart
PTR & USPTA Master Professional
USA High Performance Coach

May 13, 2008
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Not hard, but fast
by: Tomaz

Thanks for some great tips, Ken!

And yes, I agree that you must stop thinking "hard". Rather, you need to think "fast".

One way to experience that is to throw a ball (or a stone).

Try it a few times thinking "hard" and tensing lots of muscles. Then try thinking "fast" and with a relaxed, fast movement throw that ball as far as you can.

You'll see a big difference. Hitting a tennis ball is basically throwing the racquet at the ball.

You learn that by hitting lots of balls and as Ken said - not trying too hard.

One drill I do with beginners (who always try too hard...) is that I ask them to hit the ball over the net with the MINIMUM force they need, to make the ball pass over the net.

I ask them to experiment and find the least amount of work needed to play the ball over.

Let me know how that works for you...

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Why no power in my shots?

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Why no power in my shots?