ETI 041 | Quantum Tennis/Golf

• 
  ETI 041 Quantum Tennis/Golf

  Download this podcast – You may need to right-click and select Save Link As to download the file to your computer

Many interesting parallels have been drawn between the tennis serve and the golf swing. Once the tennis player (or golfer) gets the feel for the mechanical elements of the serve (or golf swing) then rhythm becomes the overriding issue. Does the swing build smoothly and gracefully? Is there economy of effort? Can the server (golfer) swing easily yet hit hard? Are the body parts coordinated so that the force from the legs moves to the hips, and then to the torso, and then to the shoulder, then the arm, then the forearm, then the hand, and finally the fingers?

Quantum Golf, by Kjell Enhager, explores the feel of the golf swing, one’s own perception of effort, and the task of letting the club flow. The book concerns the adventures of a student and teacher, as they learn about golf, one another, and life. And each chapter concludes with golf tips that can be readily translated to tennis and/or to life. This excellent book can be just the thing to change your perspective and unlock the “secrets” of the serve.

Enhager distinguishes between a classic swing and what he calls a “Quantum Swing.” The classic swing has all the correct biomechanical components, but is performed mechanically, and without rhythm. The quantum swing on the other hand, is produced without effort, and this “super fluid motion” results from the classic swing performed at the correct tempo and with minimum muscular tension. The following excerpts of Enhager’s golf tips have been rewritten for tennis. Changes in wording from golf to tennis have been italicized.

• “Watch people serve and recognize the difference between classical and quantum. See if the serve is effortless or strained. See if there is a smooth rhythm to their swing. Notice if your own serve is classical or quantum. Is the swing totally effortless? “
•  “The quantum practice grip is light and effortless. Lightly hold the racquet between your fingers. Let it swing like a pendulum. Notice how effortlessly and fast the pendulum swings. The principle is to do less and accomplish more.”
•  “Practice serving with your feet together, if you lose balance, you have swung too hard. Swing more lightly until it becomes easy to keep your balance. Improved balance will take you toward the effortless swing.”
•  ”The quantum practice grip is light, and effortless, feel light in the windup, and let this feeling carry over to the hit.”
•  “Practice serving without the ball and feel yourself getting to your “Q” or quantum contact point. Notice your arms, forearm, and balance. Are you breathing easily? Before each serve take a practice swing holding your quantum contact position for a few moments and remember the feeling of it. Once the image is clear, let go of it completely. Then go with the super-fluid motion.”

Podcast 41 - Quantum Tennis/Golf [ 2:35 ] Download