Correct footwork timing

Francisco Cespedes Grau Asked 8 years ago

Hi Alois and Jeff, im here with another question :D

Few days ago I tried a drill to get better against pushers who force you to play always the backhand topspin (pushing to backhand, of course)

This is the drill:

I serve short backspin, parther pushes to my bh, I push too, and then my partner can push to bh or fh, if he push to my bh I need to pivot, but I need to see it because if I pivot early he will push to my fh.

Well, the problem here was... it seems I start to pivot a fraction of second earlier before my partner do the push, but when i wait to look at the ball very nice I start too late to move and I dont have to get the correct position.

I think this is the main reason because in games I usually cant get the position first and then do the stroke.., when I do fixed drills this is not a problem.

Some advice how to get the footwork timing correct?

Thank you!

Alois Rosario Answered 8 years ago

Hi Francisco,

I like the drill.  It is very match like so will help you once you can get better at it.

I would keep working on the same drill.  This will increase the speed of your movement around the corner to pivot.  Really watch the ball carefully and when you recognise the ball to move around on, make sure your movement is explosive and not just a slow movement around.  Work with both legs in a fast jumping motion.

The other thing to consider, in the long term, is to improve your backhand topspin in that situation so that you don't need to move so much and get caught out of position.