The Secret Game of Tennis Part 4:

The 45 degree Angle: It’s Role in The Secret Game

by Jack W. Broudy

This is the fourth in a five part series representing aspects of Jack Broudy’s new book The Secret Game of Tennis1998. We suggest that you read these articles in their order, beginning with Part 1, which you’ll find in the Tennis One Lesson Library.

Part 1, Part 2, Part3

Have you ever wondered how the great players find that perfect contact point on such a consistent basis? They are never too close or too far from the ball and they always look comfortable throughout the swing. It’s like they have an internal measuring stick guiding their body so when they make contact, their racket is the perfect distance and angle to the ball. Look how comfortable Rafter looks while he’s cradling the volley on his racket face and you can tell before Pete hits the serve it’s going to be sweet. How do these "knights" (men and women) of The Secret Game of Tennis pin point the perfect hitting spot every time? More importantly, how can you learn to draw in, or "accept" the ball into that same hitting zone these pros use?

There is a geometry and super-sensible philosophy for finding the ball out in the abyss, and funneling it into your perfect hitting point. The 45 degree angle can help you "line up" and hit the ball in that correct periphery with relationship to your body and the court. It is a very special (almost magical) angle in non-linear tennis. It is the equidistant point between the positive and negative space in each stroke. That is to say, the 45 degree angle is mid-point between the vertical and horizontal planes--the transition point in the figure 8--and in terms of tennis it is the point whereby the most control and power reside. Simply put, the 45 degree angle is where you’ll find the most natural and comfortable point of contact.

Look at the Sampras’ serve for example. He lines up with his left (front) foot at a 45 degree to the netpost, midpoint between the net and the side fence. He then coils around his "center", (refer to Article 3) with his right shoulder cornering the back fence to 135degree, his back now facing the net. At this point his entire body is lined up in that 45 degree angle to the net--left arm extended, left knee bent, both hips coiled around, right shoulder at 135degree--he’s poised and ready to uncoil in that same direction. He then uncoils with his racket head, and all of his energy moving up through that infinite 45 degree angle.

Linear players are more concerned with steering the serve. They pull their racket face down towards the court, which explains why most righties fall off-balance to the left, especially when serving wide on the deuce court. They pull away from this 45 degree plane, swinging down and to the left. (Emphasizing the wrist snap and follow-through, terms often heard in a conventional tennis lesson, is what causes this malfunction.) Natural momentum on the other hand, rotates and extends you up and through the ball, both left and right shoulder moving in relationship to the 45 degree angle. Staying on the 45 degree plane allows Pete to send the ball in any direction (even to change his mind in mid-serve, while still keeping in his natural flow. This is precisely why Pete’s serve is the best in the game--it’s the hardest to read.

Look at the other strokes in the game performed by the best. The contact points are all in the general direction of the 45 degree angle. The 45 degree angle is the bisection of the horizontal and vertical planes (illustrated below) that make up the figure 8 (refer to Article 2). The following diagram illustrates how 45 degree line specifically comes out of the figure 8 lemniscate as a transition point, whereby, in tennis terms is the most comfortable, in control and fastest point in the stroke--any stroke. It’s necessary when performing your strokes to emphasize this angle during the coiling and it’s inversion process, or you’ll find yourself "pulling off" the ball and putting your energies into "wasted space".

Volleys, for example are not taken "out in front." That cliche is often tossed around due to a lack of understanding of the stroke. Try volleying using this logic. Keep in mind the eventual energy flow and contact point are at a 45 degree plane to the net.

Face the net dead on, hands triangulated in front of you, sway your hips gently so your racket inadvertently moves in a figure 8 fashion in front of you, (similar, yet smaller, to waiting to return serve). Continue to roll out from the upswing to the forehand or backhand side creating a small coil, your right hip about 90degree to the net. Take a small, very natural step toward the net creating a new midpoint for the stroke, the 45 degree line. Continue inverting your hips as you progress in the figure 8 stroke. Your racket head goes out toward that infinite 45 degree angle and meets the ball. You’ll find this the most effortless and efficient way to hit volleys.

To quote Count Fritz Von Bothmer from his works in "Gymnastic Education":

"The human being standing, can be likened to a top which has an axis in its midst and over against this a horizon. When the top spins, a state of equilibrium is being maintained between axis and circumference. When, while spinning, the top "goes to sleep", it is resting in its own vertical axis; but the World horizon plays an equally important roll in this phenomenon. So it is with man. Learning to stand upright means learning to come to rest in one’s own vertical axis, but also in the cosmic periphery. Every human being that can stand and walk has found his own vertical axis, like a spiritual staff within him; and he also experiences his horizon. These two belong intimately together."

The 45 degree angle is what relates the vertical and horizontal planes, because they are at 90degree to each other. It happens to also be the most balanced point of contact. Start paying attention to it. 

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