TennisOne Lessons

Is the Open Stance For You?

Dave Kensler - Peter Burwash International (PBI)

When I first learned to play tennis it was in the traditional mode; turn sideways, take your racquet back, bend your knees, watch the ball, step towards the net, swing, and follow-through.

As my skills progressed, it didn't take me long to realize the impracticality of this “system.” I simply didn't have time to do all of those things when my opponent hit a powerful shot at me and once I was forced to start running, it was impossible to remember, let alone execute all those “checkpoints.” However, at least I had a foundation from which to play tennis as limiting as it may have been.

Let's examine two of the traditional values, “turn sideways and step towards the net.” When I first learned to play tennis there was no specific phrase to define this position, now it is called a “closed stance.” Yet we often see pros on the tour and perhaps even our opponents hitting with an “open stance.”

Most people adapt to the open stance naturally without even trying to do so. Returning a powerful serve would be one example. In that case, you may only have the time to react with your hand/racquet.

However, if it is not a hitting position you have consciously added to your game, then this article will help you in the decision making process. As I have stressed in other articles for TennisOne, I am a huge advocate of adding options to your game. If you can hit a forehand groundstroke flat, with underspin and topspin then you have more options than the person who can only hit with topspin. The same goes for how you position yourself to hit shots. Being able to hit both from both a closed and open stance position gives you more options.

Open Stance vs Closed Stance – What Is the Difference?

To simply the process I think the best way to define the two is by the very last step taken before the swing begins(Assuming you are not running to hit a shot). When hitting with a closed stance (for a right-handed player hitting a forehand groundstroke), the left shoulder points more or less towards the net and final step is taken with the left foot also towards the net.

In the open stance the final step is taken with the right foot in a more lateral motion kind of as a “plant” or “anchor,” and you are literally facing the net during the swing.

There are three distinct advantages when hitting with an open stance versus a closed stance.

1. Recovery steps have been eliminated. In a closed stance, when you take the final step towards the net you also have to reverse the step to return to a ready position after the ball has been hit. Or you can take one more step with your right foot (Using the above forehand hitting situation) but that move takes you one step further to the side. Either way, you have to take extra recovery steps to compensate and this can rob you of time needed to get ready for the next shot. With an open stance you are already facing the net after the shot.

2. You are “naturally” in the ready position. This of course is closely related to the point I just made. Once you swing and hit the ball, you are ready for whatever your opponent will do next.

3. It helps minimize hitting late. It is easier to keep your hitting hands and racquet out in front of you with an open stance thereby reducing the chances of the ball getting behind you. Again using the forehand groundstroke scenario, on a closed stance your right shoulder, hand, and racquet are behind you in the preparation and early swing stages of the stroke. Over the years I have helped many a student who complained of hitting late by having them add an open stance to their game.

When to Use an Open Stance?

As I noted earlier, I think many tennis players already use an open stance even if they are not trying to do so. Some of the more common situations are; returning hard hit groundstrokes or; balls hit right at you or so close maybe only one step is needed to reach the ball; when you are tired or simply cannot move around the court very well; returning a “big” serve.

Wnen volleying, particularly in doubles, it is often more practical to hit most of the volleys open stance because the reaction time is so short. I often tell my students unless they have to take a crossover step to reach a volley they should try to hit with an open stance because in part it allows them to keep facing the net and be ready for the return shot. At the net the first reaction should be with the hands and racquet, not the feet.

Groundstrokes

Since the average tennis player is going to hit more groundstrokes than any other shot, let me address some additional issues pertaining to the open stance forehand and backhand.

Forehand

Because you are facing the net there is a tendency to pull your hitting hand/racquet across your body too soon rather than hitting through the ball. This is why you will see people hitting from an open stance look like they are "slapping" the stroke. Rather than the arm and racquet moving more in a straight line, the swing pattern takes on a semi-circle motion. Obviously once the slapping motion happens the ability to control the ball is reduced.

Whether you intentionally position yourself to hit an open stance forehand or you end up in that position due to being tired or lazy, there are some common denominators which will help you execute the shot well. The key is to maximize control of your hitting arm/hand and the racquet.

• Use the opposite hand to help prepare the racquet. It will help stabilize the racquet and force you to turn the upper body into position (make a unit turn).

• Find a swing speed which you can control. Hitting open stance does not mean you have to hit for power on every shot. Sometimes simply slowing down your arm/racquet speed can eliminate a slapping motion and add an element of control to your stroke. If you are driving a car on a wet road and start to feel a loss of control, do you accelerate or slow down?

• At contact, squeeze the bottom three fingers of your hitting hand, this will help add firmness to the wrist and further reduce any slapping motion.

• Move the hitting hand/racquet towards your opponent. If you are still having trouble with your arm/racquet coming across your body too early then practice "catching" the racquet head in front of you with your opposite hand. On a right-handed forehand the racquet head "returns" to the left hand. This is also a great technique to use for slapping shots in general or to learn how to slow down the swing speed.

The pros, because they swing so powerfully, often appear to pull their hitting arm / racquet across their bodies...What you see is the end of the swing. But if you watch closely(slow motion) from the early preparation to the follow-through you will see a much longer contact area than often appears to the naked eye.

Your comments are welcome. Let us know what you think about Dave Kensler's article by emailing us here at TennisOne.

Dave Kensler has 23 years of teaching experience with Peter Burwash International (PBI), the most successful international tennis management company.PBI directs tennis programs at 60+ exclusive resorts and clubs in 23 countries and has taught over 3 million students in their 30 year history. For information on PBI tennis destinations and employment opportunities please go to www.pbitennis.com.All PBI Tennis Professionals play with WILSON racquets and wear WILSON shoes.