Frequently Asked Technical Questions:

We are constantly receiving emails from people all over the world - coaches, players and parents alike who have being using The Bailey Method with great interest and great results.

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THE 2-FOOT PIVOT

Question:   Of all the 15 contact moves, why is the 2-foot pivot one of the first taught?

Answer:
Firstly, I love it’s straightforwardness. It is easy to shadow tennis (mimic without a ball but with racket in hand) and requires very little movement to the ball .

Second, it is very effective when a ball comes hard and straight at you …so you must learn to shorten the backswing….keep the feet wide….let the ball come you and hit the ball straight. A lot of players panic ….the secret is know what to do and then just execute!!!!
 
I also love it because it introduces the open stance and places a great emphasis on using the hips to generate power. It also teaches timing and feeling the ball hit the strings before performing the move. It also drives home the importance of using your legs to balance the body while staying down on contact!!!

Question:    Can you compare and contrast the 2-foot pivot with the low spin as they do both look quite similar?

 Answer:

   1. Both the low spin and 2 foot pivot are hit off the outside foot and are hit off very similar approaching balls. In general the 2 foot pivot is hit on a ball that is contacted closer to the body and hit from an open stance whereas the low spin is used on a ball that is contacted further from the body and hit from an semi-open stance.

   2. With both moves it is important to hit the ball at the side of the outside foot. Equally important is to make contact first before attempting the move. I love and always use the phrase  “Let the ball come to you!

Question:   How can you practice the 2 foot pivot by yourself?

Answer:  Like previously mentioned …hitting against a wall is great practice as the ball comes back very quickly and low off a wall with virtually no spin.

I also love the idea (and you can do this with most contact moves ) of getting a basket of balls and DROP FEED to yourself . i.e. drop the ball out of your hand,  out to the side in line with your outside foot and hit the ball on the full. This will work on racket head speed and after hitting a basket of balls you will really feel this in your legs!!!

Question:   What are some common errors when attempting a 2 foot pivot?

Answer: 

   1. Jumping up is a common error, so it is important to actually sink as you hit and keep the legs very relaxed. Always try and keep the feet well apart….don’t panic and  slide the feet together.
   2. Loosing your body alignment is also common as because the player feet are too close together and they panic when the ball comes too quickly.. A good way to check for this error is to observe your shadow with sun behind you! Look at the shadow of your body and racket on the court that the sun has created. The shadow on the court will show if your body is badly aligned (your ear, shoulder and hips should all line up) and will also show if your backswing is too big.
   3. Hitting the ball cross court when this shot suits a down the line or straight reply.
   4. Making contact too early. The contact point is too the side as the stance is open, thus let the ball come through. If you contact the ball too early the hips will spin around and the ball will dump in the net. It is also important to pivot on the balls of the feet and not the toes. Feel the ball hit the strings …then 2-foot pivot.
   5. Not finishing with the elbow of the racket arm pointing at the net after the swing is complete. It is common for the elbow to follow the feet and end up facing the side fence.

Question: Is the double handed 2 foot pivot easier then the 1 hand backhand 2 foot pivot? 

Answer:  I have always found that the 2-handed backhand is easier then the 1-hand because like the high ball on the 1-handed backhand you have the left hand to help stabilise and extend the swing when hitting open. I like to experiment with the 1 hander and see if they prefer to pivot the hips and have the hips only rotate to face the net …or….to not even the pivot the feet at all!! i.e. just hit off a semi-open stance with no toe turn….1-handers seem to prefer to hit semi-open and also keep a lot of the weight still back on the rear foot…..Watch Federer ….he does this a lot on his backhand….With the 1 hander the swing must be much more of a punch as if the swing ends up rolling over at the end …the player tends to fall off the shot.