So very true! Funnily enough, because I get tired, after I have been playing singles for three or four hours, I tend to be moving more efficiently than i was at the beginning. At the beginning, I relied a bit on strength to move about, whereas after you are exhausted, your body really relaxes, stops trying, and the motions become so effortless, relying on balance and technique rather than strength!

I hope some other people will tell us some things about there movement! I want to know if any doubles players out there have a preferred corner or movement drill? Perhaps with ones partner? Moving as a pair – its perhaps tactics, but its STILL movement training!

Great post Ed 🙂

Yeah, Xia Xuanze was a terrific mover. I have recently started watching a bit of Poul-Erik Hoyer Larsen: What a cracking player he was! He moved like a dream 🙂 Wasn't so impressed by Rashid Sideks movement – it didn't look so “fluid”.

I understand completely regarding having both feet side by side. I feel this is very good for going sideways, but gives nothing to help move forewards and backwards, which you would certainly need for getting to your round the head smash. However, I can't help but feel having your left foot forwards is a good idea for when your partner is serving. Although serving seems like an attacking situation where there is a chance your opponent will lift the shuttle from a good serve, I actually prefer to treat serving as defensive or “unsure” who is attacking. After a serve, there tends to be a lot of uncertainty as to whether you are attacking or defending, a good return means you're defending, a poor return or a good serve can mean you are attacking. Although you must always strive to attack, you must also make sure no area of the court is exposed! Therefore, i would chose a defensive stance when my partner serves, because I have a lot of court to cover (potentially).

Because of this, I think having your right foot forwards may actually be beneficial. This should make moving round the head easier than it currently is, and is perhaps more comfortable than having both feet level. Having your left foot behind you, should make your first few steps more effective in getting towards your round the head corner. Your left foot (around which you will probably pivot to become side on before you hit) is closer to that corner and thus you are effectively one step closer to that corner, even though you are standing in the same place. Perhaps this will make you one step further away from your forehand corner? I don't know. Thats why my forehand deep corner IS my hardest one, right foot forwards gives help for getting to that corner than the others. However, I can reach further and hit harder with my forehand side, so maybe I can get away with it? (Ideally I just become really really really fast EVERYWHERE right? 😛 )

I would love to hear if you try out using your right foot forwards (your racket foot) and how that feels/goes/helps/hinders etc 🙂

Thanks again for posting 🙂

Matt

p.s. I saw Taufik at the all england… I agree he is beautiful to watch movement wise!

Ed! Glad to hear back again on your progress. What you must understand is that I always (except when I am receiving serve) use a right foot forwards stance, so I am extremely used to moving in this way. It always takes time. I must see about setting up some sort of video recordings of movement patterns so that people can see them in action! Anyway! Keep at it and let us know how you go!

Its so very true paul! Nobody talks about specific doubles movements.

And it always pains me to hear about an injured Achilles… I hope this makes people ever more vigilant to learn correct hip/knee/foot alignment and correct lunging technique, as well as the correct foot placement when landing form a scissor kick or jump smash to relieve the stress from this fragile area!

I look forward to hearing what you have to say regarding movement, and to hearing other people tell us about their strengths and weaknesses when moving!

Matt

I can't wait to see your videos on Movement! That is a fantastic coaching result and she must be extremely pleased, and growing in confidence. A slight change in the movement skills – in this case correcting the “posture” of the shot, led to radical improvements! A lesson for us all!