Today we are going to focus on one of my favorite topics in tennis or any sport, really—footwork! TENNIS TIPS BY ZACH MCELROY If you have been on the court with me, or next to me as I can be quite loud, I am sure you may have heard me say the following: “Feet establish a rhythm!” Did you know that the average number of steps a professional tennis player takes between shots is 10-12? How many do you take? Not everyone can take 10-12 steps like the professionals do or leap tall buildings in a single bound, but what can be done is your absolute best. Just taking four to five steps can change everything. Your contact point, your placement of your ball, your location on the court can all potentially change your opponent’s mind where they think they should hit the ball. When moving your feet,
you can be instantly twice the player on the court compared with not moving.
Here’s a golf analogy for you—in golf, the ball is stationary, and you get to set it up however you like. We don’t have that luxury in tennis. We are always on the move and that ball is coming fast. If our feet can keep up with the ball, then we will be better off in every situation! If your lower body is not moving and you try to hit a hard ball by swinging fast, there will be zero balance. Ultimately, you will be fighting your own body, and your body needs to work together from top to bottom to maximize your true potential! It may be silly, but it is true—nobody likes a stiff on the dance floor or a tennis court! So, move those feet, have some fun and always remember that “Feet establish a rhythm!”
35 October 2025
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