ITF Coaches Education Programme Biomechanics of the volley

Transcription

1 ITF Coaches Education Programme Biomechanics of the volley Original article: Roetert, E. P. & Groppel, J.L. (2001). ITF CSSR, 24, 10-11

2 Introduction The volley and the modern game Significant changes in the way tennis is played over the past 30 years Racket technology responsible for players hitting harder and with more open stances Serves hit at 130 miles per hour

3 Introduction The volley and the modern game Groundstrokes used as major weapons Most tournaments played on hard- or clay court surfaces Grass court surfaces are becoming more rare

4 Introduction So where does that leave the net game, and specifically the volley? The volley: Typically played at or near the net Contact is made before the ball bounces on your side of the net.

5 Preparation Less time to prepare for the volley Proper preparation is crucial for the volley Poor preparation leads to poor mechanics

6 Preparation Experienced players: Learn to anticipate Become aware of the opponent s options Reduce the number of options opponents have from five or six to two or three

7 Cues to help proper anticipation 1. Your opponent s patterns and tendencies, 2. Cues from his strokes, 3. His court positioning, and 4. Proper perception of spin and trajectory. Anticipation mostly comes from the experience of playing many matches Saviano (2000)

8 Response time Advantage at the net Important to reach a passing shot at the net or in a volleying duel in doubles Combination of reaction time and movement time

9 Response time Reaction time: Time it takes for your brain to process the information about what type of shot is being hit and send a message to the muscles to prepare for either a forehand or backhand volley

10 Response time Movement time: Actual time spent moving into position for the correct volley

11 Response time Use a split step to improve the response time in preparation for the volley Why? It is slower to overcome inertia from a stationary position

12 Footwork preparation Too many players practice the volley in a static situation It is important to: Practice the volley in dynamic situations Timing the split step Focusing on balance as soon and as much as possible

13 The split-step Why? Establish a base of support Move in the fastest and most balanced way When to do it? Beginners: As the opponent initiates the forward swing Advanced: The instant just after the opponent s impact

14 The split-step Time the split step: Get to the net as quickly as possible, Allow the brains to have enough time to process the impact and Give the signal to move toward the volley position.

15 The technique of the split-step Feet should be about shoulder width apart, weight on the balls of the feet, upper body leaning slightly forward The racket should be kept out in front of the body

16 The technique of the split-step Quickly bend the knees to get on balance and prepared to move in any direction The pre-stretch of specifically the quadriceps and calf (gastrocnemius and soleus) muscles helps store elastic energy to allow explosive movement upon landing

17 Unweighting Most important for volleys and net shots Lasts for only the split second your body is falling through the air Quickly decreasing and increasing the force against the ground, Get balanced and then explode to the next shot in any direction as quickly and forcefully as possible

18 Swing Mechanics: Grips Can be played with either a continental or eastern grip Top level players generally use a continental grip for both forehand and backhand volleys

19 Swing Mechanics: Grips Eastern grip necessitates a grip change from forehand to backhand side which is somewhat more time consuming, although sufficient time is available

20 Swing Mechanics: Backswing Abbreviated: For most punch volleys Short: For second volleys (hitting an angle)

21 Long: The volley Swing Mechanics: Backswing Racket beyond the shoulder in the of both forehand and backhand. Hit at the service line More specific to the 1 st volley following a serve Keeping the ball deep in the opponent s court.

22 Swing Mechanics: Energy sources Transfer of weight (step): On lower volleys the weight transfer step usually occurs before contact, On higher volleys the step occurs after contact Does not have to be completed before contact with the ball is made If the landing of the step occurs at exactly the same time as ball contact, accuracy of the shot may be compromised (the step may cause the racket head to drop)

23 Swing Mechanics: Energy sources Ground reaction forces: Lateral movement by leaning sideward when ball velocity was low and by a vigorous push-off of the contra lateral foot when ball velocity was high. Do not synchronize the hands and feet when contacting the ball

24 Swing Mechanics: Forward swing The forward swing involves a weight transfer Initiated by the soleus, gastrocnemius, quadriceps and gluteals Volleys typically utilise some trunk rotation (oblique and spinal erectors) although the backhand volley involves less trunk rotation

25 Swing Mechanics: Forehand forward swing Anterior deltoid, Pectorals, Shoulder internal rotators, Elbow flexors (biceps) and Serratus anterior muscles in a concentric (shortening) fashion

26 Swing Mechanics: Backhand forward swing Rhomboids and middle trapezius, Posterior and middle deltoid, Shoulder external rotators, Triceps and Serratus anterior, also concentrically

27 Impact Racket head slightly open at contact Rotation of the upper limb laid the racket more open on the backhand Players should be careful not to dish the ball when volleying

28 Impact Players who dish the ball: Employ no racket head rotation prior to ball contact Is usually a reaction to the impact; it is not a purposeful movement.

29 Follow through The opposing muscle groups for each stroke contract eccentrically (lengthening action) in the follow-through