In our last reading note, we explained the importance of putting small balls and picking high balls in tennis. Today's reading notes will introduce the technical points of putting small balls, how to cover up the intention of putting small balls, the timing of putting small balls and the choice of routes.
The core of putting a small ball is "small", and this "small" is mainly reflected in the lack of degree. As the famous aesthetician Zhu Liangzhi said in "Quyuan Fenghe", "Chinese art emphasizes the external dryness and the middle anointing, like light and solid. Park Mo-sung-woong's life is not sought from brilliance, but from thinness. 'The tip of the pen is cold and the tree is thin, and the ink is light and the wild cloud is light', which reflects this unique aesthetic taste. ”
In this sense, the winning points of tennis matches with extreme speed and angle are bloody, while the lightweight and intelligent small ball has a unique aesthetic taste and can also cause applause.
I think that the beauty of tennis is not only limited to violent pumping, but also the light release of small balls, which explains what is called the beauty of wisdom and the beauty of elegance. From the technical characteristics, the upper spin ball emphasizes the strength of the foot, the bounce high and the landing point is deep, while the small ball is light, the bounce is low, and it falls near the net. These two extreme contrasts together constitute two very different aesthetic qualities in the sport of tennis.
The purpose of the small ball is to make the opponent bounce twice before receiving the ball, or the opponent rushes to the position and then throws a vegetable ball back due to losing his balance, so that you can easily hit a cross ball or pick a high ball.
When you find that your opponent is tired of running and breathing heavily at the bottom line, cold and small balls can make your opponent physically and mentally exhausted. At the same time, putting a small ball can also pull a player who is good at bottom line holding off the comfort zone, allowing him to move frequently in the field, so that you can find more scoring opportunities.
First, the technical points of putting small balls
The swing action of putting a small ball is more similar to that of cutting a ball, generally using a continental grip, and the standing position is mainly semi-closed or closed footwork, and the entire swing amplitude is small. If you put a small ball during the movement from the bottom line to the front of the net, the pull and swing range should be smaller, the swing trajectory should be more downward, and the shooting surface should be more open. To put it simply, the most important thing about putting a small ball is the control of the force, and the discharge force is moderate, both to let the ball pass through the net, but also not to let the ball fly too long.
Second, how to cover up the intention of putting a small ball
Deception and concealment of intent are the most critical elements of putting a ball. High-level players usually make a fake action of pumping the ball before releasing the ball, and then quickly change the way they hold the ball to release the ball. Amateur players often can't do the realistic fake actions of professional players, and more amateur players often make self-defeating mistakes when making fake moves, resulting in mistakes in putting small balls.
As a result, Smith advises amateur players not to put small balls frequently, a deceptive tactic that can only be used occasionally. Also, at the beginning of the game, it is not recommended to put a small ball when your hand is not hot.
Third, the timing of the small ball
When it comes to putting a small ball, in addition to the aforementioned attempt to conceal intentions, it is also important to choose the right timing. Smith believes that the following situation is more suitable for putting a small ball.
First of all, the opponent's bounce height is between the waist and chest, too high or too low is not the ideal time to put the ball.
Second, you'd better hit the ball during the upward phase of the opponent's coming ball or when it bounces to the highest point. If you only start hitting the ball during the descent period, it gives the opponent more time to react and is not conducive to masking your intention to put the ball.
Third, don't make up your mind or put small balls when your body is out of balance. Putting a small ball must be your careful premeditation, you have to make a prejudgment of the bounce height and landing point of the opponent before hitting the ball, once the prediction is accurate and in line with the timing of the small ball, you can release an ideal ball. Conversely, when the opponent's ball does not meet your expectations, or your body loses balance, you should avoid putting a small ball.
Fourth, don't put a small ball near the bottom line. Generally speaking, the position you put the ball should be in the field, such as standing between the bottom line and the serve line, so that the small ball released has a short flight path, and the opponent often has no time to react. Conversely, if you stand near or put a small ball behind the bottom line, the tennis ball will have a longer flight path and the opponent will have more time to defend the ball.
Fourth, the choice of the line for putting the ball
The purpose of putting a small ball is to shorten the reaction time of the opponent, so the ideal small ball landing point should be close to the net. In addition, the straight ball has a shorter flight distance than the slash ball, leaving the opponent with shorter reaction time, and in the same case, it is better to choose to put a straight line than to put a slash. But this is not absolute, it is simpler to put a slash ball than a straight line, and the slash ball is closer to the sideline, the opponent needs to run sideways to the edge, the difficulty of running will be slightly greater, and the running distance will be slightly longer. In general, the route of putting small balls should be flexibly mastered according to the actual situation.
Another point to emphasize is that many people tend to reduce the force too much in order to make the released ball as close as possible to the net, resulting in the release of the ball failing to pass the net.
The lesser of two evils. Instead of losing the net too much, let the ball cross the net first. Because just the net means you immediately lose the point, and even if the ball is not close to the net after the net, the opponent may still make a mistake or return a vegetable ball when he comes to deal with it. Therefore, for many people, instead of reducing the force too much and causing the ball to not be put on the net, it is better to make sure that the ball passes through the net first.
In addition to the above four aspects, it is also crucial to put a small ball on what kind of court. The slower and softer clay courts are undoubtedly the most ideal for small balls. Most of the tennis courts in our country are hard courts, which is obviously not conducive to the release of high-quality small balls. However, the speed and bounce of each field are not the same, and in the tennis courts where you often play, you may wish to compare the bounces and speeds of these courts to find the best course for small balls.
In addition, if you often go out to play, you will be exposed to different courts, you can try to compare it with the court you usually play before the game, and be prepared in advance whether to put a small ball.
The above is the content of putting small balls in "Absolute Tennis", and I added some of my own understanding without violating the author's original intentions. As I said at the beginning of this article, putting a small ball reflects the unique aesthetic taste of tennis. Attentive readers may have noticed that the seven accompanying drawings selected in this article are art paintings of famous tennis figures, can you recognize who they are? Feel free to write their names in the comments section.
In the next reading note, we will introduce the content of picking high balls, focusing on defensive high balls and offensive high balls. Stay tuned. (Source: Tennis House Author: Yun Cirrus Yunshu)