The "Spring Thing"

Doug King

In my previous article (The Leveraged Based System - Get Behind It) I compared the Classical teaching model with the current playing style. The Classical model emphasizes racquet swing and was based on a centrifugal power system while the current playing model emphasizes body spring and is based on a leveraged pivoting system. These are two almost diametrically opposed systems in which the roles of the body and the racquet are almost totally reversed. In the Classical model the body is held steady and is shifted with the intent of increasing the centrifugal swing of the racquet, power resulting from the speed of the racquet. In the leveraged based system the racquet is held steady and the racquet is used to transmit power released form the body onto the ball through "connection" with the ball.

In this article we will look at how the body works to deliver power onto the ball in the leveraged system. We will see that there are similarities to the Classical system and that there are huge and critical differences, differences that we will clearly identify. We will also look at some simple and effective ways you can introduce these new techniques into your own game.

Loading the Hitting Side

Before we get into the specifics of the bend and coil it is important to understand how the body "gets into" the shot. Most people naturally assume that power is generated out of a racquet swing. In modern tennis power instead comes from a power "thrust" or extension of the arm. This energy extension is supported and assisted by the body and is delivered to the ball through the arm via the racquet.

In my previous article I outlined the principle of leverage and how it applies to this thrust. Basically I stated that the body must be behind the hands and racquet in order to effectively transmit energy from the arm extension to the ball. On a one-handed stroke there is a dominant hitting side. This is the side that the arm is attached to. This is the side of the body that must support and drive the racquet (note - not "swing" the racquet). The hitting side must always be in a position to support and drive the arm/racquet extension through the moments of contact. This is also the side of the body that is responsible for taking the "power load," that is, the bend and coil. On the two-handed strokes the dominant side is the hand that is on the back of the racquet handle (although there is the possibility of a slightly more shared responsibility with two hands).

The "Stepping Into the Shot" Myth

Stepping into the shot has been a tennis commandment since Moses played the game. I'm sure inscribed on a stone tablet hanging in some hallowed hall of Wimbledon are the words, "Thou Shalt Step-Into Your Shot." Well that stone tablet has been shattered and turned to dust by the likes of all of the top pros.

In reality the weight shift is executed on a predominantly vertical axis with very little weight shift occurring in a forward direction. The forward momentum of the stroke is provided by a forward rotation of the trunk (shoulders) and slightly by a forearm rotation. The ball and the racquet are simply not together long enough to make a difference whether you are stepping forward on not.

When you "turn in" (rotate the hips or shoulders, or even just the forearm) you will execute all the forward momentum that can possibly make a difference. Trying to "step into" the shot will not increase the amount of forward "connection." In fact, stepping in will usually result in too big a backswing causing a slap like contact or it will put the body in front of the hands and cause a loss of leverage and a "late" contact.

Now don't get me wrong, "stepping up" to the ball can provide definite advantages in taking the ball early. But "stepping up" to the ball to improve positioning is entirely different than "stepping into" the shot for power.

I am also not advocating open stances here. I recognize the advantage of "square" stances (not open or closed) in terms of balance and weight shift timing and stability but stance is not an area that should be considered a concrete aspect of stroking. Stance and footwork must be kept fluid and flexible as the feet are the most adjusting aspect of a stroking system. The weight shift can move from right to left or vice versa, or it can be executed on a single foot, and even airborne in the most extreme of cases, but it is predominantly on a vertical axis.

There are two fundamental pieces to the spring mechanism - the legs/torso unit and the arm unit. Both of these can bend and coil either in coordination or independently.

It is important to keep in mind that the arm is active in the stroking process as part of the body spring mechanism. Even though the racquet is attached to the arm through the hand, it does not mean the racquet is an "extension" of the arm - it has a totally different role to play. The arm is part of the body and as such it is responsible for the release of power. This same principle does not transfer directly to the racquet however. Better to think of the racquet face as an oversized palm. You do not "swing" your palm at a ball. You catch and roll the ball instead. The legs can bend and the torso twist and the arm can do the same. When these units work together the maximum amount of power is stored and released.

Bending and Coiling - The Spring Mechanism and the "Linear Thrust"

The way the body moves is determined primarily by our anatomy. Our bodies are put together a certain way and we move based upon that. There are two fundamental movements that store and release power in the body - bending and coiling. When we bend there is stored energy - and when we straighten there is a release of energy. Similarly, when we coil we create stored energy and when we uncoil we release that stored energy (Note that you can absorb energy by reversing the process). Bending and straightening is called flexion and coiling and uncoiling is called torque. These, along with leverage, are the forces that are most important in moving the ball - not racquet speed.

The bad thing about how are bodies are put together is that everything tends to want to swing in arcs. Our arms are attached to a center axis and they swing out in arc like pendulums. This creates tremendous difficulties in mastering games like tennis or golf and others. There are inherent obstacles presented by this condition in terms of getting the racquet to meet the ball and direct it towards an intended target when the arms are flying around in circles. We are always fighting this aspect of ourselves. This is why tennis requires learning "technique' as was very well stated by Dave Smith in his excellent piece "Levels of Competency" Tennis One newsletter, 7-22-05.

What ultimately we must learn through technique is how to reduce the amount of arcing swinging and replace it with more "linear" movement that is more predictable and manageable in the proper meeting and directing of the ball. This is why the common vision of smooth flowing arcing swings is more of a myth than a reality. Ultimately what we really want to do is produce smooth flowing linear extensions of the arm.

Think of how the arm works in shooting pool or sawing a board. There is back and forth action in a linear direction. This is exactly what we strive for in more modern technique. This is what I refer to as a "linear thrust." Now understand that thrusting need not be overly exertive, but at the same time there is an element of acceleration that is critical to proper stroking and connection to the ball. The stroke must have acceleration in order to properly connect to the ball so the idea of a totally evenly paced stroke is a myth. (See The Topspin Backhand and How We Lost our Way).

My favorite example of this linear thrust is the action used by shot-putters. Even though the body is bent and coiled the arm action always remains a linear thrust or extension. This is the model used by virtually all of the pros today. It may be dropped down to waist level or it can be kept up at shoulder height for high balls but this technique has replaced the old style of centrifugal arcing typified by the "racquet back and swing out" school.

Equal and Opposite and the "Squaring Up to the Ball"

The spring release and the linear thrust are based upon simple physics of equal and opposite actions and reactions. Ideally, the bend down is reversed to a lift up, the pull back is reversed to a thrust forward, the coil up is reversed into an uncoil back. The point is that the hitting of the ball occurs in a return to balance. The body is pulled out of balance to a degree which creates tension (stored energy). This tension is then released and the body naturally returns to balance (see Doug King's video at the top of this page).

It is on this return to balance that the ball is met. When it is done properly the ball is met at a point when the body is in a strong aligned, balanced position. My strategy as a player is to put my opponent out of position and deny them the opportunity to return into a balanced position on the contact of the ball. For example, if I keep the ball very low the player must remain bent while contacting. This limits the amount of energy release on the ball as the player must remain bent and under stress throughout the stroke.

We have been far too focused on moving forward with our strokes. We also tend to use our bodies to "steer" a ball towards an intended contact by leaning in that direction. This simply throws off alignment and balance. It is more of an emotional attempt to influence the ball but does not result in either proper alignment or efficient energy transfer. In a way we are over imposing ourselves on the ball.

Proper squaring to the ball has a certain elegance to it and a certain "confidence" associated with it. It is a confidence derived from letting the body perform a more balanced act and trusting in that as opposed to being overly fixated on forcing your will on the ball.

You can see in the examples provided how there are equal and opposite actions that create a "squaring up' or return to balance on the ball. Look at Tommy Haas' backhand (left) and notice how the body straightens out of its coil. The left arm naturally extends back to counterbalance the extension of the right arm. The upper body actually retreats slightly back and up as the lower body moves forward - all produced in a straightening as opposed to resorting to a body action that overemphasizes the direction of the ball towards an intended target (insecure emotional steering).

In the same way the left leg of Agassi (below) on the two handed backhand provides the same counterbalancing stability on his stroke. As the arms are driven out through contact the left leg retreats as a counterbalancing movement.

You can see exactly the same leg action on Roddick's forehand. "Notice how Roddick's legs (above) "scissor" (left leg forward, right leg back) through the contacting of the ball as a counterbalancing move, resulting in his "squaring" onto the ball. This is very typical of almost all forehands and backhands. These movements can look very forceful, almost violent, but in reality there is beautiful elegance, control, alignment and symmetry to the strokes, both on a physical level and an emotional level.

Learning the Linear Thrust

Using two hands on your stroke can be a great way to develop the feel of springing and thrusting rather than swinging (demonstrated by Doug King in the video below). The two hands on the racquet simply reduces the amount of extension of the arms away from the body and minimize arcing action. In learning this technique I recommend starting by taking this principle to an extreme. Do this by holding both ends of the racquet with both hands.

Face the ball straight on and thrust the racquet out by extending both arms and using the legs. Do this holding the head of the racquet on both the right side of the body and the left to represent both forehand and backhand positions.

This is actually a perfect contact with the ball. The racquet is making a perfect alignment and connection with the ball and the body is in a perfectly aligned, leveraged position to the hands and racquet. This is why the contact feels so solid (no wobble). This is a fabulous way of learning the timing of how to let the ball come into the spring and thrust action much the way you would let a pinball roll into a pinball flipper.

Next slide both hands to the throat of the racquet and eventually add more coil and spring from the body. Gradually move your hands down the handle and into your normal positions (one handed if that is what you use) but still try to come back to the same linear thrust through the ball that you started with. As you turn more and move your hands lower on the racquet it will be more difficult to resist the urge to "swing" the racquet but that is the obstacle that you must learn to overcome in order to produce more consistent contact and control of your strokes. The forehand is even more problematic because the racquet "dislocates" from the body as it is extending on the opposite side of the hand as the body (racquet head and body are on opposing sides of the arm). This can make the tendency to "overswing" more of an issue on the forehand side.

Summary

For too long we have identified the racquet as the source of power and swing in our learning models. It is imperative that we change this thinking if we are going to develop more reliable methods. Remember the job of the racquet is to align and connect the ball into the spring and thrust action of the body and arm. The racquet should be used to create "connection" between ourselves and the ball rather than separation between us and the ball.

Once we get that notion we can easily make the shift into the more modern techniques of leveraged linear thrusts on the ball as opposed to centrifugal arcing that produce more slapping or tentative contacts. So get the swing out and the spring in, the result will have you jumping for joy.

Doug King studied with legendary tennis coach Tom Stow and was a former California State Men's Singles Champio and the former number one men's player of Northern California.

Doug is one of the country's foremost tennis teaching innovators. Founder of Acceleration Tennis, a revolutionary teaching system, King is leading the way in reinterpreting the traditional tennis model.

Doug King is currently Director of Tennis at Meadowood Napa Valley ( www.meadowood.com ), a Relaix Chateau Resort in St. Helena , CA .

For more information on Acceleration Tennis please email Doug King at dking@meadowood.com.