Developing Strokes: Power vs. Placement

Legend has it that Andre Agassi's father taught his young son by telling him to hit the ball as hard as he could to learn how to generate maximum power, then figure out how to get it in later. While this might be an exaggeration of the development of Agassi's strokes, it is common knowledge the youngster's early development did emphasize power, rather than simply correct biomechanics.

By going for maximum power, young Andre learned how to use his hips, rotate his upper body, how to time his uncoil, how to accelerate his wrist, how to find the optimal contact point and other mechanics which contributed to maximal power.

One of the discussions tennis teachers have discussed for many years has been whether to develop tennis strokes using power and speed first, refining a player's accuracy as they progress; or whether to develop a sound stroke at a slower pace first, then adding pace after the player has developed control over the stroke.

The article goes on to discuss a conventional wisdom, the results of a study on practicing with power vs. placement and gives suggestions for helping players development the proper balance between power and accuracy in their strokes.