Hitting controlled shots on the run is usually the difference between good and really good players.

Hitting controlled shots on the run is quite challenging, because the parts of the brain that control the arms and legs are very close to each other.

Therefore, when you run fast, the excited brain center for moving your legs affects (arouses) the center for moving your arms. So usually when you run fast you also swing fast.

This is seldom best, because if you are running, you are not well positioned to hit hard with good consistency.

You must learn to run fast and move your arms (and racquet) much slower. The following 4 steps will teach your body how to move your legs fast and your arms slowly.

11 Comments

  • Terry

    Reply Reply March 23, 2013

    Thanks for explaining how to handle this shot. I have a tendency to rush to the ball and swing a little too hard, and I need to slow down and give the ball more net clearance. I also want to know how to achieve your smooth, compact swing, and when to vary your swing speed during a game.

    • Tomaz

      Reply Reply March 23, 2013

      Hi Terry,

      I suggest you exaggerate at first and practice receiving fast balls (have someone play fast to you) but your goal is to play the ball just over the net in the service box.

      That will break this pattern or responding with a fast ball to a fast incoming ball.

      The second key is in your mindset: try to remain calm even though the ball is coming fast and your body might be moving fast. It takes time and practice to master this but this is the right way.

      As for smooth strokes, they are the result of calm mind (which shows in a calm and relaxed body!) and lots of repetition of hitting shots without pressure. (not playing for points)

  • ECHEZONA

    Reply Reply March 24, 2013

    Thank you for your efforts that are yielding good results

  • David

    Reply Reply March 26, 2013

    This is an excellent tip as you teach your brain focus on the arm with these steps.
    Another suggestion is you can try put your racquet slight ahead of your body when you run so you only have a very short back swing. This will be very similar to step 1 – touch the ball. The run itself will create acceleration by itself so your arm should be less active when you hit the ball.

  • Peace Prachuab Kurdnir

    Reply Reply March 7, 2014

    Thank you… Good Instruction.. Please send me more..

  • Petko

    Reply Reply March 24, 2014

    Thank you Tomaz!

    I am pleased from this tip. It will help me very much. And I’ll be glad if I understand how to control my shots, when the balls are closed to the servis line or the net and I’m fast running.

    All The Best!

  • Bhaskar

    Reply Reply August 23, 2014

    Thanks Tomas

    A great tip for beginners like me and I think I can rectify my problem with ur advice

  • geo

    Reply Reply May 11, 2015

    Thanks Tomaz, That makes sense, I’ll try it out.

  • Darlene

    Reply Reply July 18, 2015

    makes sense thanks

  • Luca

    Reply Reply January 1, 2016

    Hi Tomaz, after losing equilibrium and falling forward while trying to reach the ball my teacher told me to slow down before hitting, from your video I take it that it was only half right cause I can slow down the arm while moving fast on the legs, is that correct?

    Nice job you are doing anyway.

    • Tomaz

      Reply Reply January 1, 2016

      Hi Luca,

      Ideally you want to stop before hitting the ball. Is that’s not possible you want to at least slow down, that includes legs too.

      And as you can see in the video, you must be quick first so that you “buy yourself time” where you can than slow down and play in a more calm position.

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