The Biomechanics of Tennis

Balance

 

Balance is essential in a game of tennis to achieve maximum velocity and momentum during a backhand shot. A wide bos and a low cog (centre of gravity) is required to maximise stability when hitting a powerful backhand and seen in the image of Djokovic to the right, showing his stance when preparing to make contact with the ball, identifying his cog and bos. Stability allows for a more accurate shot when played as the cog is low allowing for maximum velocity as balance is improved. My balance is similar to an extent but can be improved, I have a very low cog allowing for a lot more stability upon the kinetic chain of my shot, my bos also contributes to my stability as it is a wide stance, further increasing my stability as appose to having a smaller bos. Furthermore "The non-dominant hand separates/moves back on point of impact." (Feisal Hassan, unknown) this is crucial to the backhand stroke as to maximise speed upon impact, as well as creating a fluent and consistent motion throughout the backhand. It is clear that my stroke can be improved through more bending of my knees when connecting with the ball as currently it can be seen that I do have a wide bos and a low cog allowing me to maximize my balance furthermore improving velocity and accuracy when the ball is hit. A lower cog also achieved when knees are bent appropriately in order to have good stability throughout the shot. “The body is most stable when the line of gravity falls through the centre of gravity” extracted from”, this applies to a game of tennis as the body is not stable upon hitting a shot where the log is not passing through the cog, as represented in my image, my log goes through the cog, this makes my body more stable. (Hede et al, 2011). As stated by (Feisal Hassan, unknown) “The stance should allow for good rotation”, this is represented in states that "feet should be shoulder width apart or wider to create a good ground force reaction", this represents newtons 3rd law to produce the maximal amount of velocity in the shot. Newtons law is seen in the image of my shot as it is clear that on impact there is a change of direction when connecting with the racquet, this is the reaction, the force is the force being applied upon the ball when I hit it.