Wednesday, March 18, 2009

More revelations

Warming up makes a dramatic difference in the quality of my technique and the ability to focus. 

Physical warm up entails getting the heart rate up to 160 on the stationary bike, flushing the stiffness out of my joints through step lunges - sprints - side steps, stretching out the tensions in my hips and legs from pulling my back, and hitting the ball to myself until I am consistent with my lengths and widths.

I noticed a big difference in my solo drills before and after I warmed up with all of the rituals.

Counting ratio of good vs. errors today with solo drills was a first.  I had numbers like 31 - 7.  It was very difficult to count and focus on hitting the ball.  I think this is a good drill.

On the subject of footwork techniques, I realized I didn't know how to drag my trailing foot stepping from side to side.  I also tried a couple of times during the solo drill to drag my foot when I lunged on my right foot for the forehand.  Balance is much easier and recovery is smoother when I forcibly drag my foot.  

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