When looking at any tennis stroke, it is important to break the stroke down into smaller, bite size chunks of instruction. To do this I am using a process called Kaizen. I explain the Kaizen process as continuous improvement through standard work, or standard process. The idea is to make the instruction simple enough to follow, but also simple enough to remember. The instructions are to the point and focus on key steps to deliver the desired outcome.
Kaizen Work Sheet
The above is a Kaizen Standard Work Sheet I use with my students in person, and for online training. The students actually recognize when they have missed a Standard Work Step, and in many cases they can self correct themselves while playing. Combining the Kaizen Work Sheet method, with Video lessons, or in person one on one, is a powerful way to quickly develop good form and good habits.
The Goal
The Goal of the Standard Work is to be clearly set and the instruction is to be clearly identified.
The Best Practice Image
The Best practice image is to supply the student/player of the image they should attain when following the Standard Work Steps are followed precisely.
The Standard Work Steps
The Standard Work Steps are the details in step by step order to perform the Goal. Each step builds on the next, until the Goal is achieved. If any of these steps are missed, or done incorrectly, it may put the next Goal in the process in jeopardy.
Key Takeaway
The Key Takeaway depicts the importance of the standard work steps, as it relates to the next standard work movement or shot.
Why is the ready Position so important?
Without the ready position being performed correctly and consistently, all of your shots, whether it be a forehand, backhand, volley, will lack balance, fluidity, power, and control. The ready position is used when:
- Returning Serve
- After you have hit your shot and waiting for the return
- After you have served and waiting for the return
- When ever you retrieve a ball, return to center of court in the ready position
- If you are at the net, you are in the ready position.
Try this Standard Work. Repeat the steps over and over until the ready position becomes automatic. Without the proper, fundamental ready position, the rest of your game will suffer.
Be ready to explode into our next section in this forehand series. We will be looking at the split step and the unit turn in our next Standard Work.
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