Why Are You Telling Me To Stay Low In Tennis?
When it comes to playing tennis, there's a lot of advice out there on the best way to improve your game. But one of the most important things you can do is to make sure you stay low to the ground. When we say “stay low,” what we really mean is to maintain a low center of gravity. There are solid reasons why staying low is so important in tennis.
You'll Be More Balanced
When you have a low center of gravity, it will be easier to keep your balance, and you’ll find that your shots will be more consistent.
You'll Be Quicker
When you are closer to the ground, you’ll find that your legs will be able to push off quicker, allowing you to get to balls faster.
You'll Generate More Power
When you have a low center of gravity, you’ll be able to generate power in your shots, as it’s easier to transfer energy from your legs to your arms and to the ball.
But how do you stay low when you're running around the court chasing the ball? Here are some tips.
Bend Your Knees
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's important to remember to bend your knees when you're playing tennis. When you bend your knees, it allows you to get closer to the ground and maintain a low center of gravity, helping you stay balanced.
Use Your Leg Muscles
Your leg muscles are some of the strongest muscles in your body, so use them! When you're running around the court, make sure to use your leg muscles to generate power and keep yourself low to the ground. You'll be surprised at how much difference this makes.
Don't Stand Up Straight
Standing up straight might feel natural, but it's actually one of the worst things you can do when playing tennis. When you stand up straight, it makes it harder to bend your knees and use your leg muscles. So instead, focus on keeping your back slightly arched and your chin down. This will help you stay in a good position and stay low to the ground.
Move With Quick Small Steps
One of the best ways to move smoothly and efficiently on the court is to take small steps. When you take large strides, your body has to adjust its center of gravity, which can slow you down and make you less agile. Smaller steps, on the other hand, help you to maintain your balance and can even increase your speed. In addition, taking small steps allows you to make last-second adjustments more easily, which can be the difference between making a shot and missing it entirely.
Keep Your Weight On Your Toes
It is natural to want to put your weight on your heels when you are standing still. However, when you are playing tennis, you want to keep most of your weight on your toes. This will help you stay low and will also help you move quickly.
Stay Light On Your Feet
Another way to maintain a low center of gravity is to stay light on your feet. This means not stomping down hard when you run - try to land softly on your toes so that you can quickly move in another direction if necessary.
Tennis is a sport that is all about movement. You need to be able to move quickly and efficiently around the court if you want to win. And one of the best ways to do that is to stay low to the ground. By following our tips, you'll be able to move around the court with ease and keep your opponent on their toes (or rather, off balance)!
"The Philosophical Tennis Player: Thinking Your Way To Winning" offers a unique perspective on the sport of tennis. This book provides guidance inspired by philosophy to help you rethink the game and reach your peak performance. The author breathes life into abstract philosophical concepts, transforming them into tangible strategies everyone can use to become a successful player. Readers will gain insight into the psychological aspects of tennis and recognise the timeless values that extend beyond the confines of the court.
About The Author
Darren Teo is the founder of Play! Tennis, the most Google reviewed tennis academy in Singapore. His passion for making tennis accessible to everyone regardless of their age, experience and ability continues to drive his work at the school. He is a thought leader in LinkedIn with 14,000 followers.