Monster Memory

COMPACT   "THE TRUE MEANING"

Here is a general description that depicts levels of play with their associated swing tendencies.

PLAYER LEVEL         SWING TENDENCIES

Beginner                       Usually Large Swings

Intermediate                  Becoming More Compact

Advanced                      Very Compact

I believe the idea of tennis players being “Compact” is often misinterpreted.  Tennis players who are interested in elevating their game could save a great deal of time and money if they understood the above description which, by the way, cannot be disputed. 

First of all, let’s define the term “Compact.”  The term Compact refers to a measurable distance, which is usually described as small, short, little, etc....Although, when I use the term Compact to describe swings or levels in tennis, there is a critical issue we must mention.  Compact in tennis, when looking at ground strokes, uses the ready position (both hands holding the racket out in front) as a start point, measuring the deviation from this spot with all players, at all levels. 

For example, when hitting forehands the high level player starts out in the ready position and simply rotates their torso, keeping their hands in the same spot (no movement).  The lower level player, from the ready position, quickly aborts this initial unified preparation phase and sends the racket back (usually too far) often on its own, with no help from the torso or the non-dominant hand.  Once the high level player achieves this (torso turn), only now does the dominant hand stray from this important, out-in-front ready position and travels maybe 1 foot or 1 ½ feet.  Our lower level player, already logging major miles, continues to travel solo (no trunk/non-dominant hand), essentially arms the ball, which often results in arm injury.  Nevertheless, little movement/variation from the out-in-front ready position, with our hands together at the midline of our body, is what high performance players simulate.

Lastly, staying Compact also infers that high level players will be more likely to use a greater percentage of their non-dominant hand, whereas the lower level players’ non-dominant hand is relatively non-existent.

My theory of the various levels, and the above player description associated with each, assumes you agree with this overall methodology - my 3 - 33 concept - which states:  Most people find success with 3 items because there is less chance of making a mistake, whereas 33 items has a higher error/ratio.  It is possible I could do better with the group of 33 and get 32 correct and only show 1 out of 3 correct with the other group, but over and over in life, higher percentage equals fewer items.

Having said that, in this context the word Compact is defined as the distance away from the center midline of our body (with hands on the racket out in front) both on the take back and follow through.  Nevertheless, this concept becomes increasingly difficult to implement, since most players are not experts at movement analysis; so what players think they see happening usually differs from what is attempted.

In conclusion, The American Way might not be The Best Way.  I sign off with The American Way Cliché, it states:

If a little is good, then a lot must be better.......?????  

DAVID STANISIC

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY 2008

When I am on court with a lesson and feel their technique/mechanics are sufficient, I immediately turn to my 10/10 Concept to solidify their ground strokes. 

First I ask the student this question: 

1.  When the ball comes over the net, approaching you, when do you start to swing?  Usually this causes slight indigestion, and often provokes a confused look.  Once we come to the conclusion they use mostly a feel for when to strike the ball, I present this to the student:

2.  Don't you agree, the ball that comes over is always different from the last?   If we took the best player in the world and asked them to hit 20 balls in the same exact spot, they might duplicate 3 or 4 but certainly not 13 or 14.  So in terms of pace, spin, depth and placement, most balls we experience are inherently different every time.  According to my experience over the past 9 years, player development has convinced me that players generally have no idea, really, when they are striking the ball, starting to step forward to strike the ball, etc.....

I BELIEVE THIS IS A UNIVERSAL ISSUE WITH PLAYERS WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED

Players try to hit or time a ball that comes over different every time, but do not have any idea when they start their swing for each ground stroke.

Believe it or not most players never even think about when they should be starting their swing.

I then introduce my 10/10 Concept.   I have players focus on this concept when striking each ground stroke.

 Rule #1.  When the ball gets a distance of 10 feet from them, step forward and start the racket forward.  Essentially, I like to use the service line as a visual gauge when the player is on or around the baseline.

Rule #2.  Try to always stay behind the ball 10 feet from where the ball bounces on your side.

Rule #3.  Throw out and never use these two words:  LATE / EARLY.  These two words are what I call abstract terms, not really defined.  What is late for one person might be the complete opposite, early, for another person. They simply are not nearly accurate/sufficient.  

Once players are familiar with the concept, I ask them to focus with conscious intent:  “WHEN” the ball reaches that 10 foot distance, to step forward and comfortably start their racket forward to strike the ball.  I also make them aware, after a few trial/error attempts, that initially they might feel like their swing is just a bit slower. This is because most players swing too late and develop a fast swing, not by choice.  Usually I find that players use nothing but a feeling to trigger them to strike each ball. I guess that explains why club players often take too big of a swing, too fast of a swing, and often appear not ready.

BENEFITS

One of the greatest benefits of my 10/10 Concept is how easy players are able to de-personalize the game. This is critical to the success of high level players or any level player for that matter.  For example, players often, because of human nature, emulate the ball:  The ball slows in speed, as a result their preparation/movement also emulates the ball and slows as well, often resulting in players getting lured into playing the style of their opponent.  I use the term "de-personalize" because I want players to focus on the ball, the speed, the spin, the distance, etc......rather than the other person.

Second, and possibly a greater benefit, is how using this 10/10 Concept alleviates pressure.  With players focusing on each ball individually, there is less time for players to get off track, and think about winning. Dialing in the distance and starting forward on each ball does not leave a lot of room for thoughts players usually experience like, "I need this point," or "I have to win this set."  Remember, there is a difference between wanting to win and doing what it takes to win.

1.  They now can go forward on each and every ball.

2.  They notice that balls they are hitting are landing shorter (This means that they can hit the ball harder and still keep it in play).

3.  They time the ball much better and hit a cleaner ball.

4.  They notice that their swing is slower or more controlled, as opposed to the lightning fast swing.

5.  They are amazed that they previously used nothing as a gauge to strike each ball.

Finally, when we hear coaches preaching:  "You shouldn’t have to think about when you should strike each ball," usually because they themselves do not, makes about as much sense as jumping off a bridge because your buddy did. The person preaching that theory may have to focus on 'when' to pull the trigger, but the point is ‘they do it,’ meaning--start forward consistently when the ball is a particular distance.  If a player does not have this constant engrained, and starts forward at a particular distance, they had better start.  Quite frankly, it is fantastic when a player does not have to think about starting forward, when it becomes second nature, but I can assure you that is a player that has been monitored for years (meaning has taken lessons) and considered advanced.

 

 

Monster Memory