TIMING - WHAT IS IT AND HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE IT?

The right foot supplies timing and energy 
for this open stance forehand

DESCRIPTION

Good timing is essential in every sport. Timing can involve swinging an object at a ball, such as a tennis racquet or golf club, or, in football, you must achieve timing in your leg and foot to kick the ball successfully.

Timing is also essential when throwing something. When throwing a basketball, you use a wrist action, and skilled players can throw half the length of the court with ease. For the ball to cover that distance, something else must assist the wrist. Wrists can't function that efficiently without the help of good timing.

But what exactly is timing, and how is it achieved? If you are like most tennis players, you know when you have timed the shot well (or not) but are not sure what occurred for you to achieve it. How can you re-create perfect timing without knowing how you achieved good timing?

Timing involves the successful synchronisation of Ground energy into the ball so that optimum timing is achieved 

This ground energy can be transferred to a racquet, a golf club, a leg (kicking a ball), or even a wrist (to propel a basketball). 

In the above examples, energy is created by interacting with the ground through your legs. Timing is created by interacting with the ground and biomechanically sending that energy through your legs, to your swing, and ultimately, the ball. Sending that energy too soon or too late means inefficient energy transfer—poor timing.

THE DRILL

Here are some suggestions to help you understand and improve your timing.

• Ground energy can be transferred through either the right or left foot, so try to hit off either foot as required during practice. You will probably need to use different feet when the ball is short or deep. Practice becoming proficient using either foot for Ground inertia.

• Leave the ground when you make contact with the ball. By jumping to hit the ball, you are practising extreme ground interaction. This exercise will help you become comfortable with the concept and automatically improve your timing.

• After hitting a ball, pause momentarily and maintain balance over the contact foot. Now, lift the opposite foot off the ground. This will train your brain to fully organise a contact foot for the stroke each time you approach the ball.

Becoming proficient with your contact foot will dramatically affect your timing, which will directly affect the quality of your game.