Stop Leaning Back When You Hit the Tennis Ball!
We see it all the time on the tennis court. Players will take their racket back for a big swing and then lean way back as they make contact with the ball. It looks impressive, but it's not effective. In fact, leaning back when you hit the tennis ball is one of the worst things you can do! Here's why...
Why You Should Not Lean Backwards
Loss of Power
When you lean back on your shot, you lose power. All that momentum you've built up by taking a big swing is wasted because your body is moving backwards instead of forwards. Not only that, but it also throws off your balance and makes it harder to stay in control of your shot.
Loss of Control
Leaning back also makes it harder to control where the ball goes. When your body is in motion backwards, it's harder to keep your eye on the ball and direct it where you want it to go. As a result, your shots will tend to be wild and all over the place.
What You Should Do
Bring Your Racket Back Early
When you prepare your racket early, you have more time to position yourself and will avoid the tendency to lean back when the ball comes quickly towards you.
Use Your Legs
Another reason why players lean backwards when hitting a tennis ball is because they're not using their legs properly. Remember: tennis is a leg sport, not an arm sport! Your legs are where most of your power is going to come from - not your arms.
Focus on keeping your weight centred over your feet as you swing. This will help you stay balanced and prevent you from leaning backwards.
Stand Further Back
You can also move further back behind the baseline, as this will give you more time to prepare for your opponent’s shot, instead of having to lean back as you hit because you are rushed.
Leaning backwards when hitting the tennis ball is a common mistake among all levels of players, but it's one that can be easily corrected with a little bit of practice. Keep these tips in mind next time you're out on the court, and you'll be sure to notice an improvement in both the power and accuracy of your shots.
"The Philosophical Tennis Player: Thinking Your Way To Winning" offers a unique perspective on the sport of tennis. This book provides guidance inspired by philosophy to help you rethink the game and reach your peak performance. The author breathes life into abstract philosophical concepts, transforming them into tangible strategies everyone can use to become a successful player. Readers will gain insight into the psychological aspects of tennis and recognise the timeless values that extend beyond the confines of the court.
About The Author
Darren Teo is the founder of Play! Tennis, the most Google reviewed tennis academy in Singapore. His passion for making tennis accessible to everyone regardless of their age, experience and ability continues to drive his work at the school. He is a thought leader in LinkedIn with 14,000 followers.