Timing Article

[CraigC]

A bit more on this topic

I am certain they can tell the difference as to whether they hit the ball in the center "pocket" or not. One of my favorite drills to improve "precision" is to have the player intentionally hit different parts of the stringbed and the racket. For example, I will ask the player to hit the top of the frame, the side of the frame, the bottom part of the stringbed, the lower middle of the stringbed etc.... This not only and requires improves the eye-hand coordination of the athlete, but it improves feel and positioning on the ball. Together, the player becomes more aware of the "clean" shot. Now, in competition, I have no idea if the player is aware of the different parts of the racket touching the ball because there are so many other things going on. Still, I find it useful instruction.
FYI, another fun one is to take out all of the strings except for the 4 mains and 4 crosses in the center. Although I hard shot will break the strings, an easy smooth stroke will force the player to become more precise with both timing and accuracy at contact.
-CC

[John Yandell]

I've heard that argued and it may very well be true. I can't say I've ever been able to feel or control that myself which in no way reflects on it's possible veracity...

It would be an interesting study with even faster high speed filming with more frames on the racket. I know the top players can be all over the racket face-but whether you'd detect patterns in many events I don't know. Someone could take it on with the high speed DVDs now if they have enough time on their hands...

[dipperhitter]

Do you think many players can tell the difference there? I mean between the different spots?

[tennis_chiro]

about the "pocket" in timing

Ed used the phrase "pocket". It's another way of saying the sweetspot, but the sweetspot for your groundies is a little different from your serve because the serve puts such a premium on the speed of the racket head and the speed is a little greater another inch or two further out. You do have to feel that pocket and that is why I put the lead wire evenly distributed around the racket head for the weighted racket, thus maintaining some sense of the "pocket" even in a weighted racket. We'll see if John agrees about the different sweet spot for serves and groundstrokes.
don brosseau

[dipperhitter]

Interesting article about the racquet head and I have a question. How did you develop the concept of the "pocket"?

Is that what you feel and is it separate from the feeling of the racquet head? Or is that sort of the same thing?

Thanks for taking the time to answer.