Player Has Engaged His Torso Muscles by Turning His Back to the Opponent Before Making His 
Backhand Swing
Player Has Engaged His Torso Muscles by Turning His Back to the Opponent Before Making His Backhand Swing

Tennis: Shoulder Blade Cue for Better Backhands

Dick Moss, Editor, Physical Education Update.com

Are your students having trouble with their backhand? If so, they may be neglecting a tennis basic - a good shoulder turn before the stroke.

Without a good shoulder turn, the powerful torso muscles are excluded from the shot. The weaker arm muscles are the sole source of power and the result is feeble, inconsistent shots.

Cause
With so many new things to remember, beginners often simply forget the shoulder turn. Or, they have trouble visualizing their own movements and what they think is a full turn is actually
just a quick motion backwards.

Coaching Cue
Here's a coaching here that can help on both counts. Tell your students to always show their opponent the shoulder blade of their racket arm before making a backhand swing.

This will produce the correct amount of upper body rotation, a fluid backswing and a more powerful, consistent stroke. In fact, this simple movement can increase the power of the shot by 20%!


Reference:
1. Gregg Bell, "Show Your Shoulder Blade for Better Backhands." Tennis, September 1985.
2. J.C. Louis, "How to Hit a Perfect Tennis Backhand." eHow.com, 2008.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2142408_hit-perrfect-tennis-backhand.html


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