Tennis Tips

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 52, 28 September 1934, Page 6

Tennis Tips

hi. FOOTWORK IS THE ‘LOW DOWN’ ON TENNIS SUCCESS By Dexter G. Dey Staff Writer of the Christian Science Monitor In my travels I have seen players on both public and private courts, swinging their rackets at the ball in apparently perfect form. Players competing in some of the minor tournaments also have been observed flawlessly swinging their bats. Yet, in both instances, the players lacked complete control over the ball. The entire difficulty centred in the position of the players’ feet at the time the ball was hit. Therefore, to play a good game of tennis, it is imperative that close atention be given to footwork. It is true that many of the highranking tennis players do and can break rules of good form with more or less success in completing a stroke. But the average player will not be able to rise above a fair game, regardless of the time he or she puts into practice, if footwork is neglected. I took this footwork subject up with Ralph E. Chambers, Longwood’s professional and United States Military Academy tennis coach. He says “Footwork is, without a doubt, the basic fundamental of weight control. “Modern tennis has become so fast that one is oftentimes caught in a position which allows no time to follow orthodox rules. Whenever time permits, it is always to the players’ advantage to follow these rules, as footwork provides correct body positions for the strokes which are necessary to their successful completion.” “Now for the forehand stroke. All weight should travel forward, and should pass from your back foot, to your forward foot, at the moment of stroking the ball. Never allow your weight to be going away from the stroke. Falling away from your stroke will usually result in a weak and poorly-placed shot.” These same rules apply for a backhand shot. In that case, however, your feet pivot to the left, with your right foot in readiness to come slightly across and forward as the stroke is executed. Chamber adds a word of advice, “Try to follow the rules of footwork whenever time permits. Keep yourself on balance. Never let the ball drive you back on your heels, and remember to bend the knees. “This footwork discussion has been explained with the view that the player is right handed. If the player is left handed, the situation must, of necessity, be reversed.” Chambers’ reference to left handers reminded me to jot down this memo : “Add Marjorie Sachs’s name to (office) list of Bermuda champions. Incidentally, Miss Sachs, a graduate of Radcliffe College, winner of the United States indoor women’s championship in 1931, the intercollegiate girls’ title in 1932, and the women’s singles crown of Bermuda only recently, is a left hander, and one of Ralph’s star pupils.