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Coach Chris' Coaching Corner
If you are looking for more power, review your physics! Power in tennis comes from momentum. The most common types of momentum used in tennis are angular, linear, and vertical. The most common misconception is that power comes from the upper body; from the wrist, the forearm, the elbow and/or the shoulder. Though power is distributed through these parts of the body as part of the kinetic chain, power does not originate there. Power actually comes from the ground. This is where the physics comes in again. From our high school days, we are reminded over and over again Newton's Third Law, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. So to achieve more power, push against the ground thereby activating the large muscles in your legs. By bending and getting lower, you are loading those muscles and storing energy to be used to distribute power and velocity through the body and to the racquet and ultimately the ball. In addition, loading allows you to thrust your body upward to impart more spin (you should be well off the ground as you contact the ball). In addition, loading allows your body to thrust forward to impart more penetration and depth on the ball and allows your body to continue in the direction of the shot. In the end, it is loading and unloading by pushing upward and forward that gives you the power necessary to redirect the ball and penetrate the court. Finally, the last step after loading by pushing against the ground and unloading by pushing off of the ground, is to uncoil the hips and shoulders creating sufficient trunk rotation. This creates a tremendous amount of torque and allows for angular momentum to take effect. As the trunk rotates, the racquet, which lags behind the body, accelerates violently to create a whip-like motion. As the racquet accelerates, it creates a sufficient amount of force, which is then imparted on the ball to create "heavy" spin and increased power. Just remember, however, that power originates with the ground and our ability to use the laws of physics. This is why smaller tennis players can still pack a tremendous punch and why bigger players do not always have the most power.
by Chris Herdelin, GPTL Head Pro
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