Source:

http://www.nickbollettieri.com/tips/index.cfm?tipID=8

Tennis Hitting Stances

The four stances are neutral, open, semiopen, and closed.

Neutral Stance

Open Stance

Semi-Open Stance

Closed Stance

	Neutral Stance The neutral stance serves as the cornerstone for all others. I still teach this stance first even thought the open and semiopen stances are becoming increasingly universal. The neutral stance allows the student in the early stages of development to experience shifting weight and body rotation toward the target area. From the normal ready posture the player begins the backswing by turning the hips and shoulders, stepping out, and shifting the weight to the outside foot. The player steps forward with the inside foot and shifts the weight onto it before starting the forward swing. The weight stays on the front foot until after contact. The player remains balanced during the follow-through and recovery. Bringing the back foot up and around naturally to maintain a strong foundation will ensure that the player remains balanced and ready for the next shot. Initially I instruct my students to hold the back foot behind the front after contact. This allows the student to follow through toward the target with the shoulders balanced. The next progression is to move the back foot up and around naturally, transferring the weight after contact. The neutral stance is the preferred stance to hit both single-handed and double –handed backhands because it allows the player to move body weight in the direction of the target. The neutral stance provides the best foundation from which to execute, follow through, and recover efficiently unless the player is facing a very difficult ball on the run. Until the last few years, the neutral stance (some call it the closed stance) was the accepted way to hit the forehand, single-handed backhand, and double-handed backhand. I still maintain this selection for the beginner and low intermediate, but I keep them on notice to adopt the open stance, especially on the forehand and two-handed backhand. If for some reason your student hits with a semiopen to open stance, do not panic and say, “No, No, No!” Simply observe the results and make and adjustment if necessary. Let the player do either if the result is positive.
	Open Stance The open stance is becoming more widely taught and used at all levels of play. It introduces the student to the principles of stepping out, shifting weight to the outside foot, hip loading, and the unit turn. From the normal ready posture the player begins the backswing by turning the hips and shoulders, stepping out, and shifting the weight to the outside foot. The player keeps the weight on the outside foot until after contact and remains balanced during the follow-thought and recovery. I see too many players shift their weight during the swing and pull off the ball from this stance. The open stance is ideal for situations when the player has little time to prepare, when the opponent forces the player out of position at the baseline, or when the player must react at the net. The “killer forehand” and all high forehands should be hit with this stance because it allows the player to load up on the outside hip and explode into the shot. With more players using semiwestern and western grips, the open stance is here to stay. Players should practice hitting forehands, backhands, volleys, and return of serves from this stance. I see two common mistakes with the open stance. · The first mistake is shifting the weight from the outside leg to the inside leg before making contact, often caused by being too close to the ball. · The second mistake is loading the hip and stepping onto the inside foot before or during contact. A simple drill to offset this problem is to have your student lift the inside foot slightly off the ground, thus forcing the outside leg to be the foundations of the stroke. Coaching Tip When working with a beginner to low intermediate my choice is the neutral stance. But pay attention to what stance your student uses. If the player naturally hits with a semiopen to open stance, it’s OK. This indicates that he or she is developing a comfortable personal style.
	Semiopen Stance The semiopen stance is based on the same principles as the open stance. I teach this stance from the normal ready posture and instruct my student to use it freely within their style of play. From the normal ready posture the player beings the backswing by turning the hips and shoulders, stepping out, and shifting the weight to the outside foot. As with the open stance, the key to the semiopen stance is maintaining a strong foundation. The player must keep the weight on the outside foot until after contact and remain balance during the follow-through and recovery. The semi open stance, like the open stance, is ideal for situations when the player has little time to prepare, when the opponent forces the player out of position at the baseline, or when the player must react at the net. The play should hit the “killer forehand” and high forehand with this stance because he or she can load up on the outside hip and explode into the shot. With more players using semiwestern and western grips, the semiopen stance is here to stay. The student should practice hitting forehands, backhands, volleys, and return of serves from this stance. There are no hard-and-fast rules as to when a player should use one stance rather than another. I encourage my students to use either stance based on their style of play, grips, movement skills, and stage of development. Both the semiopen stance and open stance are products of today’s power game and more widespread use of the semiwestern and western grips. The speed and power of professional tennis has dictated that players adapt their games to the way the game is now played. In addition, the more widespread use of both the semiwestern and western forehand grips allows players to generate tremendous racquet-head acceleration and power from either a semiopen or open stance. While the neutral stance is still my preferred stance for most levels of play because it provides the best foundation and balance for the stroke, the shift toward the semiopen and open stances is becoming more evident as the game evolves. Technique Tip Player should practice setting up with both a semiopen and open stance on the forehand, backhand, volley, and return of serve. They should learn to recognize which balls they can step in and hit from a neutral stance within their style of play.
	Closed Stance The closed stance should be avoided when hitting forehands and double-handed backhands from a stationary position. The drawbacks of this stance are that · The weight does not move in the direction of the target area, · It is almost impossible for the hips and shoulders to open when making contact with the ball, · Shot options are limited, and · Recovery requires more time. Players sprinting to get a wide ball will find it difficult to adjust the feet and step toward the net at contact. As a result, players should make contact on the run, take an extra step or so after contact, and then recover as quickly as possible. A closed stance delays recovery, so players must be sure to offset this with a powerful recover. It is acceptable and even recommended, however, to use a closed stance when hitting on the run. Although the closed stance is a poor cousin to the neutral stance, the player should hit both the forehand and single-handed backhand from a closed stance when forced wide and on the dead run. The player must remember that hitting from a closed stance delays recovery and leaves him or her momentarily out of position. Neutral Stance Versus Closed Stance Years ago I labeled the neutral stance as a closed stance. But with most professional players hitting from semiopen and open stances., I now call it the neutral stance. The neutral stance and closed stances are significantly different when discussing a stationary hitting stance. The neutral stance allows the player to · Maintain a strong foundation and good posture throughout the swing, · Transfer the weight toward the target area, and · Maintaining a balanced recovery with the back leg moving up and forward, bringing the shoulders and hips square to the net. The closed stance hinders the player by · Closing out the hips, eliminating any hip rotation during the forward and contact segments of the swing, and resulting in hitting with only the arm, · Preventing transfer of weight toward the target area, and · Forcing the player to take additional recovery steps before squaring to the net with the hips and shoulders. Note that at time a closed stance is preferred when on the run.

Stances in Review

Throughout a match the player will be forced to use a variety of stances. Overall, the stances the player uses are both individual and a natural extension of his or her style of play. The “natural” stance for any shot is ultimately influenced by position on the court, the difficulty of the oncoming ball, the player’s grips, and his or her physical conditioning.
In the next season on the practice court, the player should take a moment to evaluate his or her stances. Making a slight adjustment may improve the player’s shots. Above all, my advice to players is to maintain a strong athletic posture at all times and use a stance that complements their style of play.