Bolleteri Technique Flashcards
What is consistency?
Keeping the ball in play is also known as consistency. The player should always have the goal of hitting one more ball over the net then their opponent does. Impatient players may want to go for a big shot early. Coaches can allow this, but they should make sure the player earns this by forcing them to put a specific number of balls in play before this.
*Keep the ball in nplay but dont push
*keep the ball in play for a certain number of strokes, then go for the winner without waiting for margin of error.
*keep the ball in play until the opponent misses
Hitting to a Certain Spot
hitting to a certain location is known as placement. The first priority is keeping the ball in play. The next challenge is to place the ball to selected areas.
Why is depth important?
Depth prevents a player from gaining control. The player must achieve depth early in the development of a point. Adding more height clearance over the net will produce deeper balls.
What is the importance of reaction and anticipation?
How a player reacts is indicative of their playing level.
*A lower intermediate player reacts to the ball after it bounces on his side.
*A solid intermediate player reacts to the ball as it crosses the net.
*An advance player reacts to the ball when it leaves the opponents racket.
*A top player can anticipate with accuraccywhat type of ball will cross the net and where it is likely to go by looking at the racket face, the level of contact, and the opponents body position.
*Players should be quick to read what type of ball they are receiving and where in the court they need to position themselves.
What are things to observe from your opponent that can help with anticipation?
Players should mentally track the tendencies of opponents- their favorite shots, habits under pressure, and preferred patterns of play.
*Check the book on the opponents preferences before the match.
*Observe the opponents position, stance, and preperation.
*Note the angle of the racket.
*Notice whether the swing is low to high or high to low
*note the speed of the swing
What should you look at to anticipate the opponents serve?
*Height of toss (i.e. does it vary with certain serves)
*Direction of the toss
*Variety of leg use
*Amount of the hip and shoulder rotation
Having power or “controlled Power”
Players need to be familiar with the flow and feel of the ball, how it bounces, and what it can do. They must gain this understanding before they should be concerned with power.
*Knowing something about the ball
*Knowing how to get ready for the ball and how to move toward it.
*Knowing what happens at contact
Coordinating the racket, the body, and timing with the ball.
When coaching, how many segments of the game should you teach at once?
Coaches should teach one segment of the game, when that is understood, then go to the next adjustment of correction.
What are 2 things you should never do if you want to become better at anticipation?
*Never think you cant reach a ball. If you try for every ball, even the impossible ones, you’ll reach balls you never thought possible.
*Never let the ball bounce twice in practice, if you train yourself in this manner, you will learn to pick up the ball earlier
What is the process for recomending the student change and aspect of their game?
Change is scary. Its best to introduce changes gradually so the stutent is less rattled. Consider all factors for making changes.
- Define the situation. (i.e. “ I notice you are having some dificulty hitting crosscourt”
- Be sure that both the player and coach are sure that the problem exists.
- Determine the recomended solution.
Describe the athletic foundation
- Wide base of support ( one and a half to three shoulder lengths apart.)
- Low center of gravity (helps with eplosiveness, reactions, and limits fatigue
your athletic hieght should measure 6-12 inches below your normal standing hieght.
you achieve this by bending your knees to lower your hips while maintaining upright back posture.
- Balance on the balls of the feet (aids with momentum and reaction)
- Reinforced back posture ( efficiently channels the power generated from the lower body up to the shoulders. Ensures shoulders remain level and stable durring strokes. Helps head to remain still)
Tractor or race car?
Split Step
The split step maneuver is used by top players to position the upper body with forward momentum. The technique involves jumping slightly off the ground while dropping the feet backward to position the upper body on a lean forward. It is timed when the opponent makes contact with the ball. It occurs not only during baseline rallies but also around the net when recovering after a volley.
Elevated Split Step (return of serve footwork)
The elevated split step is often used just before returning the serve and when moving latterally. It is a split step that elevates the body off the ground perfectly timed to the opponents contact point. Apon contact with the ground, the player lands left foot then right to move right. The player would land right foot and then left to move left. Notice the knee turned out to the side, the outstretched arm, and the abrieviated backswing.
Split Step and Drive
As soon as a player lands from their split step, they should turn sideways to the direction of the ball. The outside leg turns when landing and the upper body weight is leaning forward. This creates a powerful push off the outside leg. The player then runs sideways to the ball.
Shuffle Step
A technique where the feet never cross over but where they come together. Shuffle steps are mostly used during recovery in order to cover short distances. It is slower and less effective then crossover footwork for larger distances.A combination of crossover steps and then shuffle steps when you get closer to the target can be used. Shuffle steps naturallly kill your momentum.
Crossover Step
Crossover step is the quickest and most commonly used lateral footwork pattern. The opposite foot crosses over in front of the foot nearest to the direction of movement. It is like sprinting but the core body remains more aligned toward the direction of the net. Can be used during both recovery and moving to hit the ball.
Closed Stance
Common with single and double handed backhands. Closed stance has a lot of problems. It restricts core rotation, shot selection, recovery, and can cause injury.
Neutral Stance
This is an ideal option when there is enough time to step forward into a shot. The weight transfer in the neutral stance starts on the back foot, then transfers onto the front foot befor contact. It is important to maintain your athletid foundation for the weight transfer to be effective.
Open Stance
Open stance is the best option when there is very little time to set up. In the modern game you need to be able to hit from an open stance on both the forehand and the backhand side. To be effective you must load your weight onto the foot closest to the ball and avoid transfering your weight to the other foot. Pivot the shoulders and hips during the loading to face contact. The fron knee on the open and semiopen should be pointed to the inside for balance
Continental Grip
Palm faces upward
Eastern Forehand
palm faces forward
Eastern Backhand
Semi-Western
palm faces forward and upward
Semi-Western Backhand Grip
Advantages:
*Topspin
*Specialty shots- angles and topspin logs from medium height balls
*Heavy spin from high balls
Disadvantages
*Dificult to apply underspin
*Dificult to hit drop shots
*Difficult to hit flat drive
Difficult to hit very low balls
Western Grip
Palm faces upward
Advantages:
*Best for very high balls
*Can attack high balls
*Can generate immense racket-head speed
*Topspin
Good for topspin lobs and angles from medium height balls
Disadvantages:
*Very difficult to hit low balls
*Cannot slice,chip,or hit drop shots
*Very large grip change required
Difficult to drive the ball for passing shots
Two Handed Backhand
Forehand
Pull the Trigger!
This concept allows you to maximize racket speed and power. You should pull the racket out of a backswing, driving the butt of the racket toward the ball and then through the ball toward the target. This action allows you to use your racket as a tool and apply leverage.As you pull forward, keeping your arm flexible and swinging out across your body, the racket head will meet the ball with maximum force. Power and consistency are not the result of snapping the wrist but of accelerating the tip of the racket when meeting the ball and then extending the butt of the racket to the target area. Too many people snap the wrist and have no follow through.
Forehand
Use the Opposite Arm
The non hitting hand is very important. Think about how sprinters, baseball pitchers and skiers use thier arms as part of the motion. The non hitting arm does the following
- Holds the racket in the ready position.
- Holds the racket as the player pivots into the swing pattern.
- Points out towards the oncoming ball
- Adds balance and generates power by sweeping across the chest helping you to hit through contact
Forehand
Load the hips
Loading the hips incolves centering your body weight into the back of the stance and down. As this happens, the body coils lide a spring, allowing you to uncoil into the shot. Practicing your stroke while maintaining your balance on the back foot throughout will help you develop the feel for this power source
Forehand
Recovery
Recovery after the forehand shot must be immediate. Recovery should be started the instant the ball is hit. The better your balance the quicker you can recover. You can push off and use body momentum to help recovery.
Forehand
Follow Through
A full extensoin of the hitting arm on your follow through will help you maintain a good swing path, smooth stroke, ensure racket acceleration, and prevent you from trying to guide the ball. Let the racket head continue well through contact and continue to where you are hitting the ball. Many top players end with their hitting elbow pointing at the targeted area.
The One Handed Backhand
Balance and foundation are more important with the OHB because there is only one hand on the racket. The OHB is most effective from a nuetral stance but can be hit from closed or open stances as well. Weight should be on the front foot ASAP. You must resist the tendency of the body to rotate open. The opposite arm acts as a counterbalance that will help prevent rotation.
*Perform a quick shoulder turn while positioning the butt of the racket to drive forward. The butt of the racket should be pointing at the ball beneath the height of contact. The take back is varied.
*As the stroke begins the arm extends fully but is not locked at the elbow. The arm becomes a lever and the rib cage the folcrum.
*Follow throgh with weight on the fron foot leaning into the shot.
One Handed Backhand
Knifing Slice
Continental or slightly Eastern forhand grips are acceptable. You have to try not to have the racket face too open or the slice will float. Get the weight and balance on the front foot as soon as possible.
*Quickly turn the shoulder to the ball and have the racket in an upward position. Move to the ball in this stance.
*Get into the power position. Use the non- hitting hand to lift the racket above the non hitting shoulder. The non hitting hand should be pulling back on the throat of the racket in order to create leverage. The hitting hand should be level with the hitting shoulder creating an L shape.
*Cut downwards and a little forwards on the back of the ball. The non hitting hand does the same motion in the opposite direction for balance and to keep the body sideways.
Be Aggressive
Two Handed Backhand
*Be quick to get into the lock-in position neutral stance. The racket should be raised and you should be looking over your right shoulder. The takeback should be quick and the weight should be on the back leg.
*The swing begins. The racket drops and the body weight pivots onto the front leg. The arms should do a full extension with a follow through behind the back. The swing should end in a recovered position.
*Keep your wrists out of it.
