Improving Your Posture for Perfect Shots

You know that moment when the ball strikes the sweet spot of your racquet and you send the perfect shot sailing by your opponent. What a great feeling! And you know that agonizing feeling when you just can't hit the right shot on a consistent basis. Here are a few simple postural tips that will help you deliver more great shots.

Why focus on posture to improve your shots? Think of your posture as a snapshot of how your body is functioning. When you are standing tall with your shoulders wide and your legs aligned, you are in an efficient posture and need very little energy to stand or move. With proper posture you can create that efficient swing necessary to place the racquet head in just the right place to contact the ball to produce that perfect shot. Conversely, when you are out of alignment, you have to make adjustments - in other words compensate - to place your racquet in the right place. This requires much more energy than the aligned shot and makes it very challenging to consistently play well.

You can benefit on and off court by connecting with Fitness Professionals who teach posture and programs like yoga and Pilates that include proper alignments.

How can you adjust your posture so that you can consistently position your body in a more efficient place? Try the following exercise while standing in front of a mirror. First, imagine there is a string attached to the back of your head and someone is pulling you gently towards the ceiling. Your legs should be straight yet relaxed. Be sure that your back is relaxed and not overarched or slumping. Next, think about your shoulders being wide and your arms hanging free and relaxed. Last, maintain this feeling and rotate your body lightly and easily from the left and to the right. Imagine you are rotating your body as if you are hanging from that string on the back of your head.

Use this visualization the next time you are hitting some practice shots. The more aligned and relaxed you can make your posture, the more easily you can place your racquet in the right position. And the more consistent you can be in placing your body and therefore your racquet in the correct position, the more great feelings you will experience as you hit perfect shots!

Dr. Evan Osar

www.osarconsulting.com

773-343-4012

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