Is there a minimum height for staying low

Nigel C Asked 7 years ago

Hi Alois and Jeff,

It is usually coached that a proper playing stance is crouching and staying low. This allows a player to be more balanced and bent knees and a wide stance allow quicker movement. However as a shorter player (5ft 3.55555555555555 inches) crouching during the rally seems to put me at the wrong angle to play shots properly. Crouching nice and low for service returns is different as once the ball is played I will move forward or back as needed and my height adjusts naturally. I am not saying that during a rally I am standing upright but surely there is a theoretical height at which getting lower is actually weakening your shots. If this is the case then is there also a trade off for shorter people between a wide stance (which makes you lower) and being at the right height?

p.s. anyone got a spare stool? :o)

Alois Rosario Answered 7 years ago

Hi Nigel,

That extra .000000000000005 inches are important!

One of the main benefits of crouching is that you are engaging the legs to be able to move quickly.  The getting low is a side benefit as well.  So As long as your legs are engaged and ready to jump then you are low enough.

Maybe we can develop a PingSkills Stool!