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M h Busters: Racket Back Remember the tennis teacher tease: "Racket back. Bend your knees. That'll be twenty dollars, please.?" One tennis myth started with the first instruction in this joke-"Racket back," which has probably been shouted countless times across more tennis nets than strawberries sold throughout Wimbledon's history. While this instruction can be helpful in some situations, in others it has caused numerous stroke limitations in literally millions of tennis players. In the past two decades, tennis has evolved well past the straight take-back backswing that became the signature styles of tennis champions Chris Evert and Jimmy Connors. With the advent of modern racket technology, the entire game has become modernized as well-even "powerized." However, power alone doesn't build a winning game. It must be used in tandem with control. And, at least on groundstrokes, topspin is the glue that allows power and control to adhere and be part of the same tennis arsenal. We all know that gravity is the main force that brings tennis balls back to the ground. Topspin creates an
effect that actually assists gravity. When a tennis ball rotates through the air with forward spin or topspin, high air pressure is created above the ball and low air pressure beneath it. The result is that the ball is pushed downward by the higher pressure above it. This is why topspin lobs and loopers hit with heavy topspin can appear as though they will fly beyond the baseline, but then end up mysteriously dipping at the last moment to land inside the court. Why so much about power and topspin alongside the myth buster that "Racket back" may not be ideal instruction? Simple. To generate effective power and topspin on groundstrokes, and contrary to the popular instruction to take your racket back, you do not want to take your racket back and have it pause in the back position waiting to start the forward swing (see photo 1). Here are the facts behind this mythbusting argument: Racket momentum-It's commonly understood that the longer the swing, the more racket-head speed can be generated to create more ball speed, Le., more power. Therefore, you do not want to take your racket back early and have it pause in the back position. The better choice is a loop backswing. Think of the shape of the letter C and you will start to get the picture. Low-to-high swing-To create topspin, a "brushing up" low-to-high swing is needed. The loop backswing previously described makes topspin possible. Running is hard-Running with your racket back, as in photo I, is much hard-
er than if your racket is comfortably set at your side. What's the alternative to the instruction "Racket back"? How about "Racket set" (see photo 2)? The difference between the two is where the pause takes place. In taking your racket back, you pause with your racket all the way back to its farthest backswing position. When you set your racket, you have a slight pause after a partial backswing, basically just far enough so your racket points straight to the side, approximately parallel to the net. Then, from there, when it's time to start your letter C loop swing, you end up with the racket in continuous motion until you strike the ball. Remember that you will still end up with a similar backswing to what you are accustomed, it's just that you pause at a different time in the swing. Here are three reasons why "Racket set" may be a better instructional guideline for tennis technique. You'll move better-Setting your racket effectively turns your hips and shoul-
In the past two decades, tennis has evolved well past the straight take-back backswing that became the signature styles of tennis champions Chris Evert and Jimmy Connors. ders in the direction you have to move, making running to the ball faster and more efficient. Timing is easy-The option to setting the racket in the partial backswing position as shown in photo 2 is to take the entire loop swing all at one time. Whereas timing the full swing to strike incoming balls of different speeds would be relatively difficult, timing solid contact after setting the racket in a partial backs wing is easier. It works on volleys-Players who memorize the instruction "Racket back" often make the mistake of taking their racket fully back on their volleys as well as their groundstrokes. On the other hand, "Racket set" works on volleys as well as ground strokes, in that the racket
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is presented to face the incoming ball, albeit the grip and, therefore, the racket angle may be different (slightly closed or perpendicular to the court on groundstrokes and slightly open on volleys). Want to master the modern, "powerized" game? Try "setting" your racket and pausing in this modified position rather than taking your racket all the way back and pausing, and then encountering an additional set of problems that could have easily been avoided.
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Joe Dinoffer is a Master Professional in both the PTR and USPTA/ a distinction awarded to only a handful in the tennis industry. He has published numerous books and videotapes and is a frequent speaker at tennis conferences around the world. For more information/ visit www.oncourt offcourt.com.
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