Power Seat: Add more pop to your shots
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Just a chair and a partner to toss you tennis balls can help you add more pop to your shots.
© Tennis 15-30
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By Nick Bollettieri, of the Bollettieri Tennis Academy, who
has trained many collegiate and professional players, including 10 who
reached the world No. 1 ranking.
Everyday players often believe they must get stronger to have more
powerful shots. In truth, there’s no reason for physical stress. All you
need is a chair and a partner to toss you balls.
THE DRILL:
1. Sit in the chair with your backside fairly close to the front of
the seat. Have your legs spread apart and keep your shoulders parallel
to the net.
2. Take your racquet back just as you when you stand and hit.
3. Accelerate your racquet head through the point of contact.
4. At the end of your follow-through, the palm of your hitting hand should face outward.
5. Now get off the chair and maintain the same wide base when you
hit the ball. As you swing, raise up from your legs. This will give you
balance and power.
One last tip, and it’s crucial: Tension is the enemy of power. Do
not hold your racquet as if it were a life raft. Relax your fingers and
your hand. Be loose with your entire body. Let the racquet do its work
and soon you’ll not only have more power, but more power that you can
control.
