The ready position in tennis is a fundamental stance players adopt to prepare for the opponent's shot and to be ready to react quickly. It serves as the foundation for all strokes and allows for quick movement around the court. It is the stance players assume before each point, providing them with balance, agility, and readiness to respond to their opponent's shots. Here's how to execute it:
Feet: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Keep your weight balanced evenly on both feet, ready to move in any direction.
Knees: Bend your knees slightly to provide a lower center of gravity, which aids in quick movements.
Body: Face the net sideways with your non-dominant shoulder pointing towards the net. Your body should be perpendicular to the net. Keep your upper body relaxed but alert.
Racket: Hold your racket with both hands in front of you, around waist height. Your dominant hand should be closer to the racket head, with your non-dominant hand supporting the grip.
Grip: Use an Eastern or semi-Western grip, which allows for versatility in shot selection and quick adjustments.
Eyes: Keep your eyes focused on the opponent and the ball, ready to anticipate its trajectory and react accordingly.
Movement: Stay light on your feet, ready to move in any direction. Maintain a slight bounce or shuffle to stay mobile and react quickly to incoming shots.
Anticipation: Try to anticipate where the opponent will hit the ball based on their stance, swing, and body language.
By adopting the ready position, you'll be primed to react swiftly to your opponent's shots while maintaining balance and control over your own game.
To learn more about the tennis ready stance as well as other tennis techniques schedule a private coaching session with Potomac Tennis Pro.