I’ve been coaching tennis long enough to learn some pretty obvious truths. And I generally have to run into something repeatedly before I make inescapable discoveries.
As the quality of high speed video continues to improve, coaching and instruction techniques evolve as well. When Vic Braden showed what happens when a racquet strikes a ball, coaches who said to roll your racquet over the ball to create topspin had to update their technical instruction. As 500 frames per second video becomes the norm, effective coaches continue to learn what constitutes an effective swing.
After exhaustive research, consisting mostly of watching great tennis video and reading what experts say about it, I’ve noticed that many stances, grips, swings, and finishes can all be successfully employed. Compiling and analyzing all of the available data, which might look to the uneducated observer like I’m just aimlessly daydreaming, I’ve reached a startlingly simple conclusion. There are only two characteristics necessary for a good swing.
First, is the ball going where you want it to? And, second, are you going to hurt yourself swinging this way? If your answers are “yes” and “no” respectively, relax and have fun. Good swings can always be improved upon, but these distinguishing features can be the foundation for a long happy tennis playing career.
Interestingly, genuine success almost always results from two similar considerations: First, are you getting what you want, or going where you want to go? And, second, are you hurting anyone in the process?