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Coaches Corner - tip of the month

APRIL/MAY 2011:

JAW DROPPING

Jak Beardsworth Tennis: April/May Tips articleNo, I’m not referring to what occurs after witnessing a truly amazing event, an event that was so incredible that it was both figuratively and literally a jaw dropper. I am referring to the ideal manner in which you position your jaw when on the court in general, and more specifically to the moment at which you’re striking the ball – slack jawed (see image).

Consider for a moment those individuals who find it necessary to wear a mouth guard to negate their serious teeth grinding response to stressful dream states and promote jaw relaxation. Even if you, like most, do not find a mouth guard necessary, I’m sure that on occasion you wake up with the realization that you experienced what might have been an anxious night in dream land.

Next time you’re walking through your club or park to your court take a moment and observe player’s faces at the shot making moment. What you see will, first and foremost, amaze you, and then probably elicit a chuckling smile. They’ll be players fiercely baring their teeth, ones with eyes bulging, ones with eyes squinting, and many with jaws held tight with the lower portion often misaligned to one side. Some of these facial expressions are reminiscent of threatened characters in chainsaw movies.

Even players who breathe – exhaling through their stroke to promote relaxation – can be victims of excessive muscle tension specifically triggered by the signature sound that they make, especially in Clubland.

That audible sound should, in its “melody” if you will, facilitate relaxation instead, not the heightened fight-or-flight state our ancient ancestors experienced at the site of a large predator bearing down on them. It should not draw you into an in-between-zone that’s either too tentative or too jacked-up.

The signature sounds of today’s tour professionals are, interestingly, all over the board from the shrieking of Sharapova and Azarenka, to the combative grunts of Nadal, to the more serene and even keeled tone of Andy Murray – if there’s anyone that needs that it’s the emotional Scot, to the mostly inaudible, always expressionless, Federer.

I still clearly recall just about everyone naively poking fun at Pete Sampras’ ever present slack jaw’dness both during and in between points back in his prime. They didn’t get it folks. Perhaps they were too conditioned previously by the Connors-McEnroe sounds and sights of fury. I have no idea whether or not Pete learned that, along with the relaxed tonal quality of his exhalations, or it just came naturally along with his easy going manner. I suspect the latter. I do know that he was, and still is on the Senior Tour, an unbelievably good role model regarding that component’s part in enhancing one’s overall mental toughness in a game fraught with never ending stressful situations.

Questions and comments are welcome at anytime for all tips present and past via email.

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Tips Archive

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  • June/July, 2011 HARD COURTS, SOFT COURTS, and YOUR BODY'S ADAPTATION [read more]
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