ScolPingTab

Using a band to restrict the height of the strokes encourages players to flatten out their strokes and play more quickly. The position of the racket, the speed at the point of contact and contact with the ball at the top of its bounce facilitate progress and success, and encourage players to speed up their game.

This player increases the speed of her balls with an acceleration that uses a loosening of the arm, forearm and hand. In this situation, where she is receiving balls close to her, her lack of adjustment (legs) is not a problem. There are two motions for two purposes: a piston-like movement for control and a forearm rotation movement for power.

In the video below, the player is totally committed (upper and lower body) by being more available on her feet, bending her legs during play. You do not see much loosening of the arm when she plays with less power. However, when accelerating, the racket moves much faster as the arm is released from the torso.

Below, this student makes a lot of faults when he tries to vary the speed of his strokes. He hasn't mastered the basic returning techniques (setting his distance and angle/moment) and here does not meet the ball at the right moment (top of the bounce) when adding power. As such, he cannot use speed and precision at the same time.

Advice from the coach:

A problem with trajectory perception is combined with a problem with synchronisation. Try a simpler situation here:

Slow down your balls, enabling:

• More stable strokes at points located on the trajectory (hit with less force, without forcing the movement)

• Vary the speed in one specific location (the top of the trajectory)

The player below varies his speed, sending over a fast topspin shot.

We can see a transfer of the weight on his feet (from back to front), which increases the ball's speed by lengthening the bounce (the ball passes over the separator).

The short movement used here does not, at this level of play, enable the player to obtain the maximum power available to him.

Exercise 1

In a rally situation (in a forehand cross court, for example), choose the ball to accelerate (smash or topspin) and play the point.

Exercise 2:

You can choose 2 target zones on the opponent's court, during acceleration. Bonus of 3 points if you win the point by playing into the zone.