Racket Head Speed

[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.

[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.

[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.

[stroke]

great nickname, the big cat

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

I share your admiration for Mecir. I wish i couldv'e been more like that. Just not wired that way.You're spot on about JK though. Everything about him is controlled, cool under fire. The way he walks, talks etc. I do believe that's a talent.....

[stotty]

Jk is an interesting player. If you watch him hit, he isn't the most "explosive' player you'd ever see. (for that level) And yet, he is very good mover..Stotty made the comparison to Mecir, and Jk does have that kind of smooth, never rushed, complete control look to him. I can tell you this first hand, he is difficult to wrong foot, get off balance, he's great in and out of corners. He makes it look easy..

But yeah, this video, is not an accurate depiction of the speed that he can play and handle.

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.

[10splayer]

Here's a couple things to chew on....

If you believe (as I do) that tennis is played (predominately) within a two and 3 step radius...Why would tennis player want to move in a "forced way" as a sprinter does...which is a perpetual state of imbalance. (that's how you move fast)

Footwork in tennis is divided into two basic forms, movements that create a center of gravity outside the base of support (gravity steps, crossover, etc) and one that promotes keeping the center of gravity inside the base. (shuffle step, step outs, playing with the feet apart) If you watch Dimitrov, it is very apparent to me that he is ALWAYS trying to lead with the foot closet to the ball, which keeps his center of gravity inside his stance. He will only "run" if the need arises.. Why would he do that if it is a slower form of movement?

I tend to judge the quality of footwork, by the "range" in which they can play with there feet apart. Grigor def passes the sniff test for a 6 foot 3 inch man.

[hockeyscout]

I'm enjoying this too. Let's talk later ( anyone else too) I'm working for awhile so I'll check in later

This thread is great. Really looking forward to getting challenged here by high end tennis people, and field testing our beliefs.

[hockeyscout]

I'm enjoying this too. Let's talk later ( anyone else too) I'm working for awhile so I'll check in later

10splayer this is magic for us.

I want to learn what you do, so we can counter it in a match.

We've obviously got different systems, beliefs, roadmaps and technical beliefs.

If I can learn what you do, and understand it, I can shape a program to play against it effectively.

Counterstrike.

Hey 10splayer, what do you think of Gabby Price?

You've probably seen the best kids in the country. What do you think? Video is from 2012 when she was nine and Macci was comparing her to Capriati.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i-eH1qbXRA

For us, it's interesting how she plays.

[10splayer]

I actually do not believe in explosive movement. You are putting words in my mouth. Please don't.

Read the three posts please, geez, he plays the game rib cage up. What more can be said. He is raw, however, lots of potential if he gets the neurological chain, and athleticism in order.

Clearly, we see two different games here!

Now watch Grigor practice.

He's cruising along at a nice clip, and getting better. Steps in. He's revving the engine nicely. This is in the ballpark of what I need, and I am sure before he hit the court he did at least an hour of start up work, and was going at it since the start of the day with one thing or another, so he's never what we call COLD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhjzBoPoTJg

I'm enjoying this too. Let's talk later ( anyone else too) I'm working for awhile so I'll check in later

[hockeyscout]

It's interesting that you acknowledge he has great hands, and yet you're vehement about how the hands and feet must work together. I can tell you first hand, that Jk has a wonderful, sense of how these two elements work together, even if he is not as explosive as you'd like to see. In fact, it's one of his strengths.

Now watch Grigor practice. He's cruising along at a nice clip, and getting better. Steps in. He's revving the engine nicely. This is in the ballpark of what I need, and I am sure before he hit the court he did at least an hour of start up work, and was going at it since the start of the day with one thing or another, so he's never what we call COLD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhjzBoPoTJg

[hockeyscout]

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