What is more important in your opinion?

[djarvik]

What is more important in your opinion for a consistent rally stroke production? We know that all of the elements are important, but if you had to place one above all, even by a slightest margin, what would it be and why?

Timing - making contact with the ball in the same spot on each shot.

Rhythm - swinging with consistent racket speed on every stroke.

Technique - having an efficient swing technique.

Footwork - being able to position yourself in the best spot for every swing.

[ydderFx]

Technique probably number 1. But they all fall together. With good technique generally comes good timing with decent footwork you can get a good rhythm. Just ask David Ferrer he is the boss of footwork and rhythm.

[Ali-Iqb93]

All is important but I would say technique is the important of all.

EDIT - lets leave the single double bent discussion out of it. We have a thread for that.

- djarvik

[Moralspain]

From my point of view i'd say footwork, the intermediate level player needs to get the best position in order to execute a good stroke. If you're a 6.0 player and your technique is superb then you will probably hit decent shots without being in the best position, anyway that player will have a good footwork anyway

[Ali-Iqb93]

Footwork is important but when you get a good grip over the basics then you can simply hit great shots by simply even standing. Soo I would say learn footwork first. Once you are good at it and positioning as well, then it all depends upon your swinging technique

[djarvik]

I know they are all important ...but if you had to pick one over the other, by the smallest margin....and why.


Here is some more food for thought:

- Vast majority of recreational players that get stuck around 3.0-3.5 because of lack of timing. They usually have sound technique on their swings.

- Sense of rhythm is stronger in players who play musical instruments, sing or dance.

- Our brain will adjust our perfect form when we are unable to make contact with the ball at the desired location, thus altering our technique.

[Coolhand Texas]

big fan of the footwork. I always work on the footwork. When federer is playing well and hitting his forehand what is it because of? His footwork. It allows him to get in the best position possible.

In my opinion, one of the best guys on tour who has the best footwork is the little beast David Ferrer. Watch him and see how he gets into almost perfect position to hit the ball. Without the footwork no way he ends up being in the top 10.

[djarvik]

Indeed, footwork is really important.

(just being a devils advocate here, not disagreeing, just want to provoke more discussion)

What if your footwork gets you there on time, but your hand-eye coordination causes you to constantly miss-time the ball? As you may know, our brain functions "in the future" on every stroke. The reality is that our brain builds a picture of a contact point before the ball is there and follows it. This means that "building" that picture as fast, as precise and as efficient as possible has a direct affect on your timing, on your contact point and on the outcome of your stroke. That happens regardless of how "soon" you get to the hitting spot. You maybe waiting there for a full few seconds and still miss-time.

Still stay by your statement?

[TomBs]

Footwork, as technique, rhythm and timing are irrelevant if you don't even get to the ball.

[djarvik]

Spot in in my opinion.

Footwork first. If you not there, everything else fails. Technique second, as without knowing how to get the ball over the net, even if you there - you doomed. Rhythm is a sure way to perfect timing. Timing is everything at that point.

[VillaJ100]

yes footwork all the time.

[Rob ITST]

Footwork.

[Corbon]

Clicked Timing before I read your first post.

Well if your overall timing is off, then everything else is. But if by Timing you mean hitting the sweet spot on every hit then it's not as important as footwork.

[Corbon]

Footwork, as technique, rhythm and timing are irrelevant if you don't even get to the ball.

A Wheelchair Tennis player would be greatly offended by the poll result.

Just getting to the ball is not what I understand about footwork. Otherwise you could just hand Usain Bolt a racquet and watch him destroying everyone. Putting yourself in a good position before hitting the ball is. Unless you mean that sheer running speed is also part of it.

[L Sanchez MD]

You forgot the fifth option:
Frame skill
The ability to hit a clean winner off the sweet spot of the frame. Usually a smash-dropshot, or an unintentional drop volley.