Theories of the Game

To Coil or Not To Coil

by Jack W. Broudy

To Coil or Not To Coil, that really is the question. It seems that ever since I can remember, there were always two types of players: the ones who develop movements and momentum, fluidly coiling and unleashing their shots seemingly out of nowhere, and those who “muscle” or “push” the ball with linear-type rigidity. Those who push the ball can even be hard-hitters, but they lack the innate style and unknowing wisdom of the more graceful “natural” looking players - Gimmelstob vs. Rios or Rusedski vs. Agassi. Granted, all four are excellent top competitors, but Rios and Andre are more fascinating to watch.

Most pros have mastered this skill to some degree (on at least one stroke), but you rarely find this mastery at the tennis proletariat level. It remains one of the mysteries of the game. The “tennis elite” recognize it only as God-given talent, having no clue as to where it comes from and how to reproduce it. They believe players each have their own way of creating a stroke and there’s no physiological or geometrical basis for it. You just do a lot of drilling and the greatness will emerge, causing change and evolution that the next generation will attempt to emulate. Well folks, I don't accept that. I’m hear to tell you that there is a way to perfect the coil and it is discernable and attainable to anyone who is open-minded and ready to pay attention to a new “operating system.” But you won’t find the answer in “low to high”, “racket back early”, “turn sideways” or any of the other overplayed tennis jargon.

Agassi's fluid, graceful movement is a joy to watch.

The Coil

Watch how Andre or Marcelo leave their racket slightly forward as they pull from their center, creating a full body coil. The racket is logically the last thing that moves once the hips have turned, pulling the shoulders and knees and finally the arms and a tugging at the feet. This is what creates the tight coil; the fact that the racket stays facing the court. Then, as the hips are twisted back into the court, the racket continues to “lengthen behind them and is eventually flung forward (at the 45º angle-- “The Secret Game” part 3).

This then is a complete contradiction to what is currently being taught: The racket is actually the last thing to come “back” and the last thing to pull into the ball. The arm and racket act as an extension from the center. The arm and then racket are “pulled” in both directions, the backswing and the follow through. The actual stroke of the ball is an “after-thought” to moving the body in a “super-sensible” way, starting from the center.

Geometrical Principles

It is not difficult to achieve this coil, but you must first understand a few basic geometrical principles. Number one, the theory of “polarities”; the equality and symmetry between the positive and negative forces - in this case the body. You have an upper and lower divided at the waist, and a left and right side. Now understand that all four polarities of your vertical and horizontal planes must be represented at all times to have equality and fluidity in your strokes.

Watch how Andre leaves his racket slightly forward as he pulls from the center, creating a full body coil.

Try this: Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart and a slight bend in your knees. Arms outstretched in front of your heart, hands a few inches apart. Starting at your hips, twist them very slowly to the right but leave your hands, knees and shoulders facing forward. Notice that the hips move first and then there is a sequence of movements that work their way up and down the body, uniformly from the hips, your center. Your knees and shoulders come around symmetrically, and finally your hands and the tug at your feet, grounding you for the perfect continuation.

Once you can no longer twist in one direction, begin the slow turn, hips only, in the other and watch the rest of your body follow suit in an orderly and graceful fashion - once again shoulders/knees, then hands and the tugging at the feet. You’ll notice that your hands continue moving to the right even as you are moving your hips now in the other direction. Get the idea?

This is just a quick example of how easy it is to partially understand the coil. This is what players ought to be working on if they want to get a feel for the game, and not merely keep score. There are ingenious yet simple ways to create the perfect coil but most of the tennis world hasn’t caught on yet.

Remember, working on principles that help uncover mysteries like the perfect coil makes tennis a brand new sport for players. In fact, it becomes a sport, filled with artistry and beauty, rather than merely a game of score and ego. A more rewarding game, filled with a higher level of fun, relaxation, and overall satisfaction. And let's not forget, these principles can help you to play like a real tennis player. You know, like the ones you want to watch, no matter who they’re playing.

Last Updated 9/1/98. To contact us, please email to: webmaster@tennisone.com