The Harder They Come, the Harder They Fall …

When I hear players advised to "try your hardest," I cringe because the idea of big effort is often a trigger for strength and force, and not relaxed efficiency. Great tennis mechanics are the result of timing, postural control and the sequencing of movements. "Your hardest" effort is not your best.

Imagine that you were stuck in a snow drift in your car. If you step on the gas too soft, you don’t get out but, if you step too hard, you will dig in deeper.

World renowned orthopedic clinical movement expert Gary Cook explains, "Don’t think strength, think timing. Timing is a quick tap of the brakes, whereas strength is a force that locks the wheels."

Tennis high performance is about generating power from symmetrical stability and the linkage of body systems, not brute strength.

Now go out and do your best …

Centercourt
USTA NTC

January/February 2024 Digital Edition