| Footwork and Weight Control |
고냥 |
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풋워크에서 가장 많은 실수는
볼쪽으로 너무 가까이에 접근해서 자릴 잡는 것이다.
풋워크는 돌진이 아닌, 절제된 움직임이어야 한다.
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All shots in tennis should be hit with the body sideways to the net, and the weight going forward with the shot. The position of the feet is the means by which this is accomplished, and there are definite rules of procedure that will save a pupil months of discouragement. Do not be misled by the fact that many players make fine shots off the wrong foot. They are either naturally gifted "timers," who get the same weight control instinctively, or have so mastered weight control that they can keep their weight in the shot even if caught on the wrong foot.
Unfortunately, natural timers are few and far between, so some method must be taught to aid the less fortunate average individual to approach correct timing. The most successful preparation for correct stroke production lies in simplified foot movements, which control body position and weight with the least actual movement.
1. To get to a ball that is any distance away from you, take the first step with the foot that is away from the ball directly across toward the sideline on the side the ball is coming. In explanation, if the ball is coming to your right, step with the lift foot directly across toward the right sideline, pivoting to the right on the sole of your right foot. This will at once turn the left side of the body sideways to the net, and turn your rear end directly away from the ball. if the ball is on the left, step with the right foot across toward the left sideline, pivoting to the left on the sole of your left foot. Do not step forward in the direction of the net, since this will not turn your rear end away from the ball or the body really sideways to the net. It cramps the arm against the body, particularly on the backhand.
2. If the ball is coming directly at you, the shot may be played on either side with equal ease. if you desire to hit it on the right or forehand, step directly across backward in the direction of the left sideline with the right foot (which is closest to the ball) and pivot to the right on the sole of your left foot.
This will turn your rear end away from the ball and the body sideways. If you wish to hit the ball on the backhand, then step across backward in the direction of the right sideline with the left foot and pivot to the left on the sole of your right foot. Do not step in the direction of the baseline behind you, since such a step will not turn your rear end away from the ball, nor will it turn the body sideways.
Remember always to use as few steps and as little movement as possible in reaching correct position. Many times one step, if correctly made with the proper foot, is all that is required. Keep your racquet well extended to reach the ball, in preference to taking too many steps, which will carry you too close to the ball. One of the most common errors of beginners, and, in fact, many tournament players, is to overrun the ball and get so dos e to it that they cramp their swing and destroy their shot. One universal feature is to be found in the games of all great players. They never seem to be hurried. Watching such stars as Donald Budge, Fred Perry, Bobby Riggs, and Jack Kramer, one gains the impression that they glide or float to the ball. They never rush at it and snap at it. Lesser stars and mediocre players always seem to be going at top speed, but they are often late for the shot. Their racquet work is crowded and hurried. The reason lies in the method of starting footwork. The champion starts with the correct foot and spaces his run so he arrives with the correct foot in position to hit, whereas the average player just runs at the ball to get there any way, without care in preparation on the way over. All footwork should be used to bring the player to the ball with his weight under such good control that he can use it as he wishes when he hits the ball. Whenever it is possible to reach a shot without running, walk to it and keep the body perfectly poised.
When the shot requires you to run, do your fast running first, so that you can slow up and gain control of your weight and body position before you hit the ball. Never jump or leave the ground with both feet or one foot if you can keep both placed firmly on the ground. The more solidly you are set, the easier it is to hit the ball solidly.
The only exception to this is an overhead smash, which, by the very nature of the stroke, high in the air, has a tendency to make the player lift at least one foot. The only effect of leaving the ground with the feet on drives is to dissipate most of the power of the shot, because in the jump the weight goes off the line of stroke, and is not transmitted through the racquet head to the ball.
On any shot where you have to travel sideways to reach the ball, it is natural to step into the ball and keep the body sideways when hitting. It is on the shots when you must move forward or backward that really intricate footwork is needed. When you are forced to run to a short shot on your forehand, or right, come in on the left to about three feet from it, and lean forward with the weight on your left foot. Keep the knees bent, the body quiet as you hit the ball, and do not bring your body up with your swing. Let your racquet he ad do all your work. For the short backhand shot on your left, come in to about three feet to the .right of the ball, with knees bent, the weight on the right foot, the right shoulder pointed low directly at the ball, and then hit the ball without body movement and, above all, without letting the body come up with the swing. Let your racquet he ad do your work. On all short shots guard against the tremendous impulse to lo ok up. Keep your head down and your eye on the ball as you hit it. Only with the feet properly placed, the knees bent, and eye on the ball is it possible to hit low shots effectively.
The deep shot that forces a player to go back with the ball is very difficult and is almost always played incorrectly. Most players run directly across court at the oncoming ball and then turn back with it.
Player at A sees ball about to bounce at X, runs at the place, and then turns back and, while running away from the net, attempts to return ball at Xl. By this method, he only manages to tie himself up so he is forced to hit with his weight going away from his stroke.
The correct method is simple, but seldom thought of until too late. It is this:
The player at A runs diagonally back to point B behind the oncoming ball, turns and moves in to point Xl, where he returns the ball. It is easy to see that he travels about the same distance as in the first case, but here he is moving into his shot, so his weight travels forward with it, and he is not cramped in his swing. The whole theory behind these simple rules of footwork is to allow a player always to be able to move in on a ball, so his weight goes with his stroke.
We are now ready to go on to the study of the actual strokes, since we have the basic approach to good tennis in mind.
1. Concentrate.
2. Practise.
3. Use the racquet head to hit the ball, and don't try to compensate with the body or the wrist.
4. Prepare the shot early by moving the body into position and getting the racquet head back at the earliest moment.
5· Keep the eye on the ball at all times, actually watching the ball hit the racquet strings.
6. Keep the body sideways to the net in making all strokes, by following the rules given for footwork.
7. Move the weight forward into the shot with the swing. |
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조회 : 3584 |
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작성 : 2007년 12월 28일 22:36:20 |
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