At the end of February, I had the bright idea of writing a weekly post featuring each training technique that made a cameo appearance during the Netflix docuseries ‘Break Point.’ I thought it would produce a few weeks of interesting content. We just passed the six-month mark of the endeavor, and I am still mired in episode 3 of the first season. Fortunately, some of the exercise techniques are starting to repeat themselves.
For example, toward the end of S1 E3, Paula Badosa is seen performing shadow swings using her service motion. I previously touched on this topic in Nadal Shadow Swings and Bounding, which was also inspired by the Netflix docuseries.
A shadow swing is simply going through the motion of hitting the ball… without hitting a ball. It is actually somewhat of a controversial training technique for tennis. Many credible coaches scoff at the idea of shadow swings as a method to master technique more rapidly. However, it is worth mentioning that the pros frequently use the technique, as evidenced by this series. At worst, it is an effective way to loosen up before matches within a confined space.
In this particular instance, Badosa appears to be using the shadow swings as a form of pre-match rehearsal. By visualizing the shot as she goes through the motion, she is firing the neurons associated with positive muscle memory. That should theoretically make it easier for her to serve with confidence once the match starts.
When loosening up for a match or whenever you need to burn off some tension, shadow swings might help. It is what the pros do.
Those shadow swings also help dissolve tension between you and other humans. Go home and take a few shadow swings at your imagined image of them and it will calm you down!😊