WHY MOVEMENT, PREPARATION, AND CONTACT POINT MATTER MOST IN TENNIS
If you’ve been taking lessons or playing regularly at the club, you’ve heard this from me more than once: “Move your feet. Attack the ball. Racket up, lock it in, block it.” These aren’t just tennis catchphrases—they are the fundamentals of consistent, effective shot-making. Let’s break it down so you understand why these steps matter and how they impact your game at every level.
1. Move Your Feet – No Loitering!
Tennis is not a waiting game. If you’re standing still hoping the ball comes to you, you’re already out of position. Footwork is your engine—it gets you behind the ball early so you can prepare, balance, and attack. Great players never loiter between shots. They stay on their toes, adjust their spacing, and recover with purpose. The moment you stop moving, your timing, control, and rhythm fall apart.
Key Reminder: You don’t hit with your arms—you hit with your legs, by positioning yourself early and letting the swing flow from a solid base.
2. Attack the Ball – Never Step Back
Waiting for the ball to drop or floating backward is one of the easiest ways to lose control of the rally. You must go to the ball—close the distance and meet it early. This doesn’t mean you swing harder. It means you cut off time and space so the ball doesn’t push you around. Stepping into the court gives you balance, better court positioning, and more options.
Commitment is key: If you’re not attacking, you’re reacting—and reacting late leads to errors.
3. Racket Up – Lock It In
Having your racket up and prepared (around shoulder height or higher) puts you in position to strike the ball cleanly. The biggest mistake I see is players starting their swing from their knees or hips. That’s too late. When you “lock it in,” your racket is already in the launch position. It’s cocked and ready—like a loaded spring.
Why this matters:
• You reduce your swing time.
• You create more consistent contact.
• You eliminate panic swings.
4. Block It – Don’t Swing In
At the point of contact, your racket should be firm, clean, and forward. We don’t “swing in” across the body—we meet the ball in front, drive through the target, and hold the finish. This is especially true at the net, where control beats chaos. Even from the baseline, thinking of your shot as a “block and extend” rather than a “whip and swipe” helps you stay on plane.
Solid contact starts with a steady racket face.
5. Contact Point Never Changes
No matter the shot—forehand, backhand, or volley—your contact point should be in front of your body, off your lead foot. That point is your anchor. If it drifts (too close, too far back, or to the side), you lose leverage and accuracy. By keeping it consistent, your swing path becomes reliable and repeatable.
Consistency = confidence.
Final Thought
These are not advanced techniques—they are the heartbeat of smart, controlled tennis. The reason top players look so smooth is because they respect these fundamentals every single ball. I encourage you to be aware of your habits on court. Are you moving your feet before every shot? Are you setting up early, keeping your racket up, and attacking with intent?
Let’s train with discipline, not just desire. Because great tennis isn’t about trying harder—it’s about moving earlier, preparing better, and staying locked into the moment.
See you on the courts!
