Question 172: Is it strange for my right foot to come forward when serving? My grip keeps getting thicker...

Answer

▶ A big server who lands on their right foot

First of all, having your right foot come forward is notparticularly strange (even for a right-handed server).

I assume you mean your right foot comes forward at the finish, but there is even coaching that encourages stepping forward like that tofacilitate weight transfer.

If that is a movement that happens without you being conscious of it, there is absolutely no problem.

There was a player named Boris Becker, and he was a big server who exceeded 200 km/h with a style of landing on his right foot.

But I don't think anyone would say that was wrong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gqomeA9xKs

▶ There is no such thing as a correct form

People say, "Let's hit with the correct form," but in the first place,there is no such thing as success or failure in form, whether it is correct or incorrect.

There is no fixed correct answer.

This is because form appears as a necessity that arises according to the image the player has at that time and in that situation.

▶ Becker's grip was also thick

Also, regarding the issue of your grip becoming thick, Becker also hit serves with a slightly thicker grip.

A thick grip doesn't mean it's wrong, and it doesn't mean you can only hit flat shots because of a thick grip.

Of course, I don't intend to say that everything is the same just by citing Becker as an example, but if you look around public tennis courts,you can find many players who can control their serves with a thicker grip.

▶ Form is a "result," not a "cause"

Conversely, there are countless people who cannot put spin on the ball even if they change to a thin grip just in terms of form.

Of course, a thin grip is not wrong either.

The form that appears as that shape, following the image integrated with the person's muscle strength, flexibility, and sense of catching the ball at that time, is a "result" (it is not the "cause" that allows you to put spin on the ball).

▶ How can I put spin on the ball?

Certainly, due to the structure of the range of motion of joints such as the shoulder, elbow, and wrist, a thin grip is rational for putting spin on the ball when serving, but at this stage, I suggest you not be conscious of your grip.

This is because, based on an integrated image, even if you hold it thinly, when you drop the racket,it will change to a thick grip anyway.

So, how can you put spin on the ball?

The way it curves, drops, and bounces,the mechanism of trajectory change due to spin—try to visualize the ball type you are hitting, such as the feel of the impact and the sound, and then try to see the spin of the ball as it flies, even if you can't see it.

If you can't see the spin at all, it is also effective to "get a taste of spin" by slowing down the speed or using colored balls such as "PLAY+STAY".

Eventually, your grip will naturally change to the optimal shape for you.

▶ You get tense because you fix your form

It is inevitable that the ball will stop flying if you put strength into your arm (fist) while trying to fix it to a thin grip.

People say "fixing your form is important," butyou get tense because you fix your form (related article "The spell of 'fixing form'").

If you are conscious of your form, you get tense -> because you are tense, the ball doesn't fly -> because it doesn't fly, you get even more tense; this can become a vicious cycle (related article "What are the tips for not getting tense?").

▶ Ichiro said, "'Changing' and 'becoming' are completely different"

Just because you corrected your form (including your grip) does not mean you can hit the ball as you imagine.

The appropriate form appears for hitting the ball that you have as an image.

Ichiro said (Monthly Slugger, published by Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing, April 2001 issue):

" What I want to say is that I didn't change my form, it changed. I think changing and becoming are completely different" (related article "Self-affirmation itself is a 'treasure' that makes talent bloom").

▶ You "cannot change" but you "will change"

It is important to wait until things change, rather than forcing a change.

As is often said, you cannot "change" others, but if you unconditionally affirm others, your image will be refreshed, and it is the same as both you and them "changing."

If you rush to change only your grip to match the textbook first (because even if you hold it thinly, it will change to a thick grip when you drop the racket), you will likely end up blaming yourself for not being able to do it and falling into self-denial that deepens your worries, so please be careful.

▶It is fine as it is for now

First, the major premise is to affirm your own way of hitting and form by saying, "It is fine as it is for now."
If you base your image on "this is bad" or "that is wrong,"
you will end up with a bad and incorrect tennis game.
To put it another way,
"know that you have enough" (related article "The 'Only Way' to Get Motivated").

Positive change (evolution) starts from there.

Tips for Instant Tennis Improvement TENNIS ZERO
(Tennis Zero)
https://note.com/tenniszero

For free email consultations, inquiries, opinions, concerns, etc.,
contact us here
tenniszero.note@gmail.com