Want More Power in Tennis?

December 4, 2013 | By Bill Longua
Longua_02_0

When I am teaching or answering questions from members online, the same question often arises: “How can I generate more power in my shots?” The answer is by creating more head racquet speed in your strokes.

Head speed is created in two important areas, the first one being distance away from the ball. The larger the arc formed in the swing before contact, the greater the head speed created. When we overrun a shot and hit the ball too close to the body, you remember what happened? There was no power on the shot, just a half a swing. If you are at home now, pick up your racquet and attempt a swing with your elbow near your ribs. You will see how small the arc of the swing is compared to a correct swing with the arm away from the body. The arc will be twice as large, thus creating distance and more available head speed.

This is true for not only your groundstrokes, but also for serves and overheads as well. The amount of extension when uncoiling on serves and overheads will create head speed. The higher the reach and contact point the larger the arc in the swing, resulting in more power (see left).

The second area to generate head speed is by having a flexible wrist when making contact with the ball. In the old days, players were taught to hit their groundstrokes with a firm wrist. While that did help in controlling shots, it did not allow for any real power. In today’s modern game, the emphasis is on generating topspin with an upward brushing action on the ball creating that spin. Players need to snap their wrists up while making contact, that upward wrist snap will generate more head speed giving your shots more power while the topspin gives you control on the ball (see below).

The wrist must be loose on your serves and overheads as well. We already discussed the importance of extension for more power; now add a flexible wrist snapping over the ball and you will maximize your available power.

Just a quick side point—remember to be balanced when hitting your strokes. All the arc and snap in the world will not help if the body is not stable and balanced.

Learn all the strokes from my book Winning Tennis Strokes. Work with me for free, be like the others and join the Member Site and work with me one-on-one at http://onlinetennistraining.com.


Bill Longua
Centercourt
USTA NTC

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