Last weekend I mapped out exactly how long it will take to fully break down the montage of Maria Sakkari’s insane training clips that appeared in S1 E3 of the Netflix series “Break Point.” The good news is that I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. The bad news is that every Tuesday from now through Labor Day will be all Sakkari all the time.
Elevated Lateral Bounds are next up in Sakkari’s gym workout. She is seen performing lateral leaps up onto what appears to be a weight stack. For tennis players, a variation of this exercise can be performed on the court by bounding back and forth across the alley. Another alternative that is good for tennis is to perform the lateral bounds onto a Bosu Ball, which adds an element of instability but somehow seems safer than the weight stack that Sakkari is using. The box jump apparatus is an alternative closer to what Sakkari is seen doing.
A lateral bound is essentially a broad jump performed from side to side. To perform this exercise, start by standing on one leg and jumping as far as possible to the side while maintaining balance on the landing. That position is held momentarily before repeating the movement in the opposite direction.
This functional movement is excellent for tennis players because it develops an explosive first step while also working on stopping and maintaining body control. That is essential for hitting consistent shots. It also helps the player rapidly change directions on the court, which is frequently required in the sport.
Usually, this is where I would caution readers to work with a well-qualified personal trainer while attempting elements of Sakkari’s workouts. However, Lateral Bounds are so mainstream for tennis that it might be OK to do this one with much more limited supervision. In terms of a Sakkari exercise, this is about as sane as it gets.
