Bailey’s Blog

Bruce Lee in his training learnt rhythm and flow from dance and speed and footwork from his martial arts. In tennis you need both…..I’ts like Ying and Yang from martial arts. Ying is the soft style and Yang is the hard style i.e. dance (Ying) and martial arts (Yang).With tennis sometimes you need a hard approach i.e. fast and explosive (balls in the challenge zone) and a soft approach i.e. rythmical and flowing (balls in the comfort zone).The key is to know when to be hard and when to be soft and to master both. 

Bruce Le always said that “Two steps is better then 1″! In relation to moving on the tennis court, when ever you are attacking the ball with your feet i.e. either moving forward to a short ball or across in your comfort zone….move so you are taking two medium steps as against one big lunging step. Move in such in such a way that the upper body is kept in good alignment with your base and you are therefore avoiding the cardinal sin of poor balance which is reaching for the ball.  

Bruce Lee said “Any system, however intelligently designed becomes a cage if the student becomes obsessed with it!”  Tennis is fluid and unpredictable and therefore there is no ideal way. Rather, there exists only possibilities dependant on what options and openings your opponent present to you during the match.

If you get a change to read any of Bruce Lees’ books on his training and thoughts don’t hesitate as his writings have had a huge influence on me. He was a pioneer in his field of martial arts because he was a real student and wasn’t afraid to create his own style or his “OWN WAY’ of combat. Over the next few Bailey Blogs I would like to share some of his philosophies starting with my favourite. He was famous for this quote and I love it and use it often….”Be like water my friend”. I think this adequately describes Roger Federer as he flows around the court, he is never stagnant with his movement. But don’t be deceived by water. On the surface it appears soft and gentle….but once flowing, it can’t be hurt or punched, and it is amazing the damage this incredible sustance can create.

My dad, who has played tennis at the highest level for 70 years once said “When you play tennis, forget about the ‘if only’ i.e. if only I hit that smash away, if only I won that match point ! What occurs on the tennis court and life in general is about what happens in reality. So, concentrate on what REALLY happened, and learn from your good and bad shots.

Leaders are pioneers. They are people who venture into unexplored territory. Footwork has always been for some reason somewhat untouched in the world of tennis. Just moving your feet is not enough information. Learn the Bailey Method, watch the professionals move their feet on the court and you will be amazed with what you will see and learn. Then have some fun by following my R.A.K.R.A.A learning philosophy……Research your own experience. Absord was is useful. Keep on experimenting. Reject what useless. Add what is your own and finally Always trust your training!