Racket Head Speed

[10splayer]

JK isn't going to race around, he simply isn't that type of player. The moment I saw JK in the clip I knew he was the languid type. It's a gift. In his own way he's probably as quick as the dynamo type. All that time and composure he has is lovely. A couple of little steps and he's around the ball and positioned.

John Lloyd has two brothers . The younger one, Tony, whose career was cut short through injury, hardly seemed to move. People even said he was slow. All his father would say is, "Yes but it's funny how he's always gets there".

Often it's the innate qualities in players that make them interesting. What JK and Tony have is a bit special. Mecir was amazing because he could make time stand still.

Most balls are steps away and not across an expanse. It's not about sprinting. You need composure on arrival. I can't think of another sport where the movement required is quite the same as tennis.

Yes, i agree and basically what I'm gettting with the footwork principles. It's not just about composure, but about redirecting momentum, balance, and the ability to get in and out of corners. When one uses a gravity step, for instance, (where the foot closet to the ball slides under the body) It creates and incredible amount of lateral momentum that a player has to balance, and redirect.. It certainly makes it difficult to recover from. (certainly within the predominate 2 and 3 step drops)

Running/sprinting is the antithesis of what a tennis player is trying to do in terms of movement. My experience with players is that one emphasize playing with the feet apart, increase the range in which they can do that, and then "run" when they have to. It promotes better balance, loading, linear to angular transfer, and much improved recovery loops.

[hockeyscout]

Yes, i agree and basically what I'm gettting with the footwork principles. It's not just about composure, but about redirecting momentum, balance, and the ability to get in and out of corners. When one uses a gravity step, for instance, (where the foot closet to the ball slides under the body) It creates and incredible amount of lateral momentum that a player has to balance, and redirect.. It certainly makes it difficult to recover from. (certainly within the predominate 2 and 3 step drops). Running/sprinting is the antithesis of what a tennis player is trying to do in terms of movement. My experience with players is that one emphasize playing with the feet apart, increase the range in which they can do that, and then "run" when they have to. It promotes better balance, loading, linear to angular transfer, and much improved recovery loops.

I have through about it some more ... and I am still blown away by what you are telling me.

I don't even know where to begin.

So, lets do this, please explain to me the gravity set as you understand it. Next, explain to me how you learned about this gravity step? Was it taught in certification? Did you find academic case studies on it? Is their scientific research on it? Any independent studies on it by university, and biomechanics experts I can follow up on here? When was this terminology gravity step invented? Who brought it to the forefront? Player driven? Coach driven? Parent driven? Were elements of this stolen from soccer, or a tennis player who played the sport. I am trying to get my head around what you are trying to say.

[GeoffWilliams]

Miloslav, "I want to be with the fishes.", Mecir, a deceptively slow loop back, and then out of nowhere, without seeming to hit the ball hard, he's hitting winners against great defenders. Quit the game to go fishing instead. Don't think he ever beat Lendl. Predated Brad Gilbert's push/blast game.

[stroke]

great nickname, the big cat

[hockeyscout]

Are you going to answer my question? Why is he is not using gravity steps, crossover movement (forced movement). Please be specific.Oh and by the way, I don't think JK is the perfect tennis player. I actually give him more shit then anyone. He's a really good guy..

To answer your question. Why is he not using them? Wouldn't it be better for you to ask the athlete directly that question? For me, when I am doing something (anything) I usually do it correctly. If I do it slow, then I do it perfect slow. Maybe, that is just me.

[10splayer]

To answer your question. Why is he not using them? Wouldn't it be better for you to ask the athlete directly that question? For me, when I am doing something (anything) I usually do it correctly. If I do it slow, then I do it perfect slow. Maybe, that is just me.

Before I take the time to explain my position, are you willing to concede that the vast majority of shots in tennis are played in a relatively small area? (two and three step patterns)

And that one of the main challenges in tennis is controlling/ redirecting momentum in a linear/lateral sense to rotational or angular?


I don't think Grigor has any interest in talking to me, nor does he need my help.

[don_budge]

Tennis Movement...

JK isn't going to race around, he simply isn't that type of player. The moment I saw JK in the clip I knew he was the languid type. It's a gift. In his own way he's probably as quick as the dynamo type. All that time and composure he has is lovely. A couple of little steps and he's around the ball and positioned.

John Lloyd has two brothers . The younger one, Tony, whose career was cut short through injury, hardly seemed to move. People even said he was slow. All his father would say is, "Yes but it's funny how he's always gets there".

Often it's the innate qualities in players that make them interesting. What JK and Tony have is a bit special. Mecir was amazing because he could make time stand still.

Most balls are steps away and not across an expanse. It's not about sprinting. You need composure on arrival. I can't think of another sport where the movement required is quite the same as tennis.

The sport is entirely unique in a number of respects. Even the scoring system is unique. I cannot think of another sport either with the same type of movement. I wonder if players in the classic era had to cover incrementally more ground than the modern era. That wouldn't surprise me.

At any rate the movement is stops and starts…that is for certain. In fits. Take into consideration also that the first step is in the head…anticipation. Calculating what possibilities your opponent can produce knowing his capabilities and tendencies in response to your shot. Combined with a low center of gravity…like the mean little cat ready to pounce on a mouse. Stealthy. Then pounce (under control) execute…pounce (under control) execute…pounce (under control) execute. It's a game of balance and energy. Dancing with tennis balls. The footwork all the means from which to create a foundation from which to execute a shot. Golf on the run. It's unique alright.

In the third set tiebreaker at 5-3 to Robredo…in a baseline exchange of approximately 35-40 shots…Tommy Robredo covered 75.3 meters and Vasek Pospisol covered 71.7 meters. Robredo won the point on a netted forehand by Pospisol.

For the entire match Tommy Robredo covered 2459 meters and Vasek Pospisol covered 2490. The final score was 63 46 76.

Excuse me for interrupting…carry on.

[hockeyscout]

Before I take the time to explain my position, are you willing to concede that the vast majority of shots in tennis are played in a relatively small area? (two and three step patterns)

And that one of the main challenges in tennis is controlling/ redirecting momentum in a linear/lateral sense to rotational or angular?

I don't think Grigor has any interest in talking to me, nor does he need my help.

I have a question, why isn't Grigor interested in talking to you? What fundamental knowledge do you think you lack where you wouldn't be able to assist a top end pro? Isn't their a few areas you could assist this player in? Don't you see a few holes in his movement you could assist, and help correct. That's an unusual comment for me. It would be great if you could expand on that thought more.

[hockeyscout]

The sport is entirely unique in a number of respects. Even the scoring system is unique. I cannot think of another sport either with the same type of movement. I wonder if players in the classic era had to cover incrementally more ground than the modern era. That wouldn't surprise me.

At any rate the movement is stops and starts…that is for certain. In fits. Take into consideration also that the first step is in the head…anticipation. Calculating what possibilities your opponent can produce knowing his capabilities and tendencies in response to your shot. Combined with a low center of gravity…like the mean little cat ready to pounce on a mouse. Stealthy. Then pounce (under control) execute…pounce (under control) execute…pounce (under control) execute. It's a game of balance and energy. Dancing with tennis balls. The footwork all the means from which to create a foundation from which to execute a shot. Golf on the run. It's unique alright.

In the third set tiebreaker at 5-3 to Robredo…in a baseline exchange of approximately 35-40 shots…Tommy Robredo covered 75.3 meters and Vasek Pospisol covered 71.7 meters. Robredo won the point on a netted forehand by Pospisol.

For the entire match Tommy Robredo covered 2459 meters and Vasek Pospisol covered 2490. The final score was 63 46 76.

Excuse me for interrupting…carry on.

Great. Did you track how they ran those routes now? And, now, what about teaching how to run those specific routes. You're American. How do the NFL people do it? Interesting observation, now how do we expand apon this and do sets required to do it properly, and safely so our athletes are durable.

[lobndropshot]

The next step will be wheels in players shoes and they will slide/ roll to the ball. Steps will be eliminated entirely! It will be like roller hockey on a tennis court! This will be ATP XX and XXI. (We will have to switch to roman numerals after ATP 8) It has been predicted

[hockeyscout]

The next step will be wheels in players shoes and the will slide/ roll to the ball. Steps will be eliminated entirely! It will be like roller hockey on a tennis court! This will be ATP XX and XXI. (We will have to switch to roman numerals after ATP 8) It has been predicted

Not to sure that would work well on clay, or grass.

[hockeyscout]

I have a question, why isn't Grigor interested in talking to you? What fundamental knowledge do you think you lack where you wouldn't be able to assist a top end pro? Isn't their a few areas you could assist this player in? Don't you see a few holes in his movement you could assist, and help correct. That's an unusual comment for me. It would be great if you could expand on that thought more.

No. I do not agree with the 2-3 step.

Its right, and its right for you, then that's good for you.

I can't say I am committed to it's ideology.

I want to develop a more all-around game, expand the court, new angles, drop shots, variety and all the rest, and expand space on my opponent. Its woman's tennis, and if a woman could actually expand the court to what the men can do, well, that would be just super. I want to develop a girl who can play outside the tram lines and force opponents into that area as well. Its coming. If it isn't, even better, as its a nice developmental model.

Ivan Lendl, I liked how he could hit a winner out of nothing. That's a good start for the woman's game, what he could do I think. Not sure it's happened in the woman's game yet? It's the next to strive for I believe.

don_budge, intriguing post to say the least. Right to the point. Perfect.

So, lets expand on this all:

Question though for Geoff, running will be more important, and expert involvement in this field from outside the industry will be necessary long term because of guys like you right? Guys like you are dangerous guys to the system. Rackets and strings can quickly evolve the game. Do you feel rackets and stringers like you could have a major effect on the angles of the game in the next ten years? How do you see the evolution. If a young player practiced for years with your specs, rackets, strings, what would be the results, and improvement over the long haul, as opposed to someone using substandard equipment?

Questions for Don Budge, if we started playing the game the way you suggest, we'd create new angles and blow the 2-3 step thing out of the water right? Especially, if we took baseball principals (you know baseball), and incorporated a lot of change of pace, and tactics into the mix? Is that the direction to think?

10splayer, the floor is your's I guess now to discuss what you know about movement, and where the next is headed.

[gzhpcu]

Guys, why not start a new thread with a new topic instead of hijacking an existing thread? Also makes it easier to find topics one is interested in...

[lobndropshot]

Not to sure that would work well on clay, or grass.

It will work great. They will call them Roll-and Garros and Wheelbeldon after wheel shoes take over the game.

(I will stop now. I couldn't help myself)

[hockeyscout]

It will work great. They will call them Roll-and Garros and Wheelbeldon after wheel shoes take over the game.

(I will stop now. I couldn't help myself)

Oh man, I am sorry. You were joking. I thought you were being serious. I get it. That's pretty amusing stuff.