The three most important R’s in tennis. Are you doing this already?
Ready
Refers to the ready position when receiving any ball. Check list as follows:
- flexed knees
- straight back
- weight on balls of feet
- happy feet refers to a shuffling of weight to either foot and then finally a split step (on their hit). The split step is the most under used movement in club tennis
Read
Do you read or track the ball off your opponents strings early enough?
If done correctly an early tracking of the ball flight will impact on footwork and preparation for the incoming ball. If done late we will have a feeling of being rushed and this will also compromise our balance which are both shot destroyers.
React
Be quick but don’t rush
The first 2 R’s will put you in a position to be able to react in good time with early preparation which has a massive impact on your thought process for shot selection. We have all known the feeling of that well timed, effortless, accurate shot that just flew off the strings. Well that happens when our reactions fire early and in sequence.
So the next time you’re out there on court make a mental check of the 3 R’s and you’ll be timing it like never before.
Leave a Reply