ETI 038 Dead HandsDownload this podcast – You may need to right-click and select Save Link As to download the file to your computer
The 3 R’s of tennis – ready, read (where the ball is going) react!
As to your reaction – what precisely is your first move? What moves first, what initiates your preparation?
Really an important question. And the test to show you what your first move is as follows:
The server hits a strong serve to you (could be forehand or backhand) but halfway across the net the ball hits the tape – loudly. There was truly no way you would have known it would hit the tape, but in the moment from racquet contact to the tape you had more than enough time to read the ball and hopefully you reacted.
Dead Hands describes a type of (highly recommended) reaction where the opening move is simply a shoulder turn, but in one where the hands do not move up or down, but simply go along for the ride.
Develop this feeling and your strokes will be simpler, you will prepare more quickly, and someone might even tell you that, “Wow, you made that look easy!”
15 Comments
ERP
April 21, 2015I like the idea of simplifying. But I do think practicing a unit turn and a subsequent (and separate) adjustment to the height of the racquet takeback could, potentially, introduce a hitch to the movement.
Also, I really like the “3 R’s” concept. And I would add a fourth for “Recovery”. You could say that recovery is already incorporated into “Ready” but I think they are separate concepts. Recovery involves placing yourself in a tactical position after you’ve hit your shot. Ready is more, I think, focused on your split step and mental state.
Ray
April 9, 2015How many players say “it’s the slow balls that I have trouble with”? Your :Dead Hands, relate to this?
Jim McLennan
April 12, 2015Ray – with slow balls it is less about the hands and more about waiting and keeping your weight on the back foot longer – for with fast balls the turn and the step occur very close in time – but with slow balls the turn and the step are much faster apart – look for a podcast on “Moving in Twos”
Jim
Burnett
April 8, 2015Loved the dead hands concept. I have not evaluated where my racquet is in those situations. However, I do know that I am preparing to swing. The next time, I will try to notice if I have dead hands. Thanks!
Jim McLennan
April 12, 2015Burnett – keep me posted on how this works
Jim
kwok
April 8, 2015Jim,
at the end of your video, there is a message asking people to go to another website called “www. MoreTennisLesson.com” for more tennis tips. But when I click on that link, I got a big warning from the security system of my computer saying that that website is dangerous and I should not go there. So, Jim, are you aware of that message at the end of your video ?
Cheers,
Kwok.
antony
April 9, 2015Kwok – maybe you had a typo as the URL http://www.moretennislessons.com is a redirect to a listing of all the podcasts on this website.
Noushin
April 8, 2015Many thanks for sharing your invaluable priceless knowledge!
Ken
April 8, 2015“Set up a bet” – you made me laugh.
I love your tips as well as those from others. I have precious little time to practice in that I only hit the court once a week. But, oddly enough, I’m gaining ground on my mates that play 2 to 3 times a week.
Jane
April 8, 2015Thank you for the excellent advise to read the ball early and be ready with simple (Dead Hands) preparation. Have trouble reading the cues as to what type of shot ie lob, drive, etc the opponent is hitting. Can read underspin but cant always tell if will be a drop shot any advise would be great.
Jim McLennan
April 12, 2015Jane – this is an entirely different concept – for with an underpin backhand it is very hard to see if it will be a floater a stinger or a dropper – but if you are hitting the ball short and are deep and out of position then their dropper would make sense
Jim
Maura McKenna-Rossow
April 8, 2015I enjoy your lessons as a coach and as a player. I sometimes say to my students word for word what you said. Keep making videos.
— Maura
Jim McLennan
April 12, 2015Maura – will do (about the more videos)
Jim
Ray
April 8, 2015Critically important advice, Jim. As usual, you explain it verbally and visually so clearly. My instinct has been to run to the ball first and then get the racket back next. This little video on turning with dead hands and your prior one on the importance of practicing service returns are great.
Any hints on what to look for/where to focus your eyes so that you can “read” the direction of the serve quickly?
Jim McLennan
April 12, 2015Ray – not sure if I have clues or cues on this – but would say that if you are counting their serves and were the serve on big points you should be able to find out their preferences
Jim
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