David Bailey's Training FootworkTennis Series

with David Bailey,
Founder of The Bailey Method (a research-based, data driver tennis footwork & movement training program);
footwork & movement consultant and trainer to over 21 Grand Slam players;
over 30 years of coaching experience;
USPTA World Conference presenter, writer for TennisPro Magazine and tennisplayer.net

Footwork and movement are vital to success in tennis, yet they are often overlooked when it comes to player development. Many coaches spend too much time on teaching stroke fundamentals and not enough time on the movement necessary to execute them.

Using a five-step progression methodology, David Bailey demonstrates four groundstroke techniques in this video, including the front foot hop, rhythm step down, low spin, and run-around transfer. Coach Bailey provides in-depth technique breakdown during these steps, allowing you to see how fundamentals can be implemented in a medium-to-large group setting.

Five Stages of Footwork Training

You will learn how to use a progressive teaching methodology to break down advanced footwork techniques. Bailey explains the teaching points he emphasizes for each of the four groundstroke techniques:

• Shadow - Players shadow the movement of the coach, using a template.
• Shadow the Move - Players shadow the movement of the coach again, this time without a template.
• Move into Lines - Players move into lines and take turns practicing the moves with a ball thrown by the coach.
• Remain in Lines - Players remain in lines and take turns practicing the moves, this time with a self-feed.
• Split into Two Groups - Players split into two even groups and use the same self-drop, only this time they play out the point.

Four Groundstroke Techniques

Coach Bailey begins by teaching players how to use the template (two colored discs) to teach form for the split step - a step that is vital in the sport of tennis. The split step, along with the necessary `ready steps' are emphasized throughout the four groundstroke techniques. Using his five stages of footwork training, Bailey begins teaching the first groundstroke technique: the front foot hop. Using the template, he breaks down the appropriate hip, body, and foot movement necessary to execute proper forehand and backhand technique associated with the front foot hop. Throughout the five stages, Bailey emphasizes ready steps, split steps, and recovery position.

Practice progresses and cycles into the other three groundstroke techniques, all shown through the lens of the five stage progression. As a coach, you will not only get a sound feel for how to demonstrate these shots to your athletes, but you will also get to see how they can be incorporated to teach multiple players at the same time.

One of the more valuable components of this video comes from getting to see how players progress from shadow moves all the way to live ball situations. Throughout the entire video, Bailey uses positive, concise phrasing to reinforce these techniques and provides a stimulating, exciting environment from which the players can thrive.

You will clearly see that Bailey has dedicated his coaching life to mastering the art of teaching footwork and movement to his players. Tennis coaches of all levels will greatly benefit from this video, as you not only learn the intricacies of proper movement, but you learn how to teach them in a way that makes it easy and fun for a group!

45 minutes. 2019.

with David Bailey,
Founder of The Bailey Method (a research-based, data driver tennis footwork & movement training program);
footwork & movement consultant and trainer to over 21 Grand Slam players;
over 30 years of coaching experience;
USPTA World Conference presenter, writer for TennisPro Magazine and tennisplayer.net

The best tennis players in the world move elegantly around the court with amazing footwork. All tennis players know the importance of good footwork - it allows athletes to get to more wide balls, hit more powerful shots, and recover more efficiently.

Yet, few players practice footwork consistently. For many, footwork seems too complex and boring to practice. Even experienced tennis coaches have trouble teaching it and getting their students interested in working on movement.

Thankfully, in this video, world renowned tennis footwork and movement training guru David Bailey presents how tennis footwork and movement training can be incorporated into practice. By following progressions that transition from easy to challenging, Bailey demonstrates a fun, dynamic way of learning footwork.

Rallying Footwork

The focus of this video is how to handle balls in baseline rallies. For most players, the majority of shots are hit from the baseline, and it is fundamental to be in an optimum position to handle different types of shots received. Rallying footwork involves maintaining a player's position on the baseline regardless of the speed or spin of the shot received. Coach Bailey guides a small group through four footwork patterns that can be utilized to handle these rally situations:

• The 2 Foot Pivot - Ideal to handle fast, incoming balls.
• 1 Foot Pivot - A way to generate a good mix of spin and power when the player has more time.
• Lateral Hop - Utilized when ball is a few strides away. A great footwork pattern to execute when the player wants to go cross court or short angle.
• Closed Backhand - The standard footwork pattern for one-handed and two-handed backhands.

Throughout the video, Bailey gives technical quick tips on how to adjust the forehand and backhand for each of the footwork patterns.

5 Stages of Footwork Training

With over 30 years of coaching experience to draw upon, Coach Bailey has developed a fun and effective progressive method of learning footwork. The power of this method is that even beginners can perform the footwork patterns and improve their movement. For each of the four rallying footwork patterns, Bailey demonstrates each stage of his footwork progression:

1. Shadow - This first progression is done without a racket. The player executes the footwork pattern at a slow pace with emphasis on performing quality repetitions for both the backhand and forehand.
2. Shadow the Move - The second progression is done at the baseline with the racket but no tennis ball. The player shadows both the forehand and backhand. The instructor can observe every player in a large group very easily.
3. Lines - In the third progression, the instructor introduces the ball with hand feeds. The player executes the footwork pattern for both forehands and backhands in a slow, controlled manner.
4. Self-Feed - In the fourth progression, the player feeds a ball to themselves and executes the footwork pattern. By this stage, the player will start to become more comfortable with the footwork.
5. Full Court - In the fifth progression, players self-feed and play out points. The emphasis is still on executing the footwork pattern correctly in a live ball situation.

Ideal for Groups

Coach Bailey's Method is perfect for learning in a group. In the early progressions which are done at a slow pace, the instructor can easily observe multiple players and courts executing the footwork pattern and make corrections as necessary. As the ball is introduced, the patterns can be practiced by the group with fun point-play. If the group has been diligent about going through the progressions slowly, each player will quickly experience better footwork and movement by the time they play points against each other.

Contrary to popular belief, footwork can be fun to learn, and, will greatly improve a player's results on the court! Coach Bailey demonstrates a quick and effective way to learn rallying footwork patterns in this great video.

35 minutes. 2019.

with David Bailey,
Founder of The Bailey Method (a research-based, data driver tennis footwork & movement training program);
footwork & movement consultant and trainer to over 21 Grand Slam players;
over 30 years of coaching experience;
USPTA World Conference presenter, writer for TennisPro Magazine and tennisplayer.net

David Bailey shares many of the progressions and training tips he uses to teach defensive footwork for tennis players. You'll learn multiple footwork patterns and shots specific to defensive play that will ensure you're never caught off-guard by an aggressive opponent during a match.

Defensive Footwork

The focus of this video is how to handle balls that put the player in a defensive position. Defensive footwork is needed when a player is pushed very wide or back off the baseline by a high, floating ball. Coach Bailey guides a group of players through four footwork patterns that can be utilized to handle these defensive situations:

• The Mogul Move - The most common method to handle wide balls.
• The Power Move - A fun footwork pattern to generate more power on wide balls
• Backfoot Hop - A way to handle balls that push the player back and still generate lots of topspin.
• Reverse Spin Move - For players who love to hit semi-open and generate a heavy ball - even from a defensive position.

Throughout the video, Bailey gives technical quick tips on how to adjust the forehand and backhand for each of the footwork patterns.

5 Stages of Footwork Training

With over 30 years of footwork and movement training coaching experience to draw upon, Coach Bailey has developed a fun and effective progressive method of learning footwork. The power of this method is that even beginners can perform the footwork patterns and improve their movement. For each of the four rallying footwork patterns, Bailey demonstrates each stage of his footwork progression:

1. Shadow - This first progression is done without a racket. The player executes the footwork pattern at a slow pace with emphasis on performing quality repetitions for both the backhand and forehand.
2. Shadow the Move - The second progression is done at the baseline with the racket but no tennis ball. The player shadows both the forehand and backhand. The instructor can observe every player in a large group very easily.
3. Lines - In the third progression, the instructor introduces the ball with hand feeds. The player executes the footwork pattern for both forehands and backhands in a slow, controlled manner.
4. Self-Feed - In the fourth progression, the player feeds a ball to themselves and executes the footwork pattern. By this stage, the player will start to become more comfortable with the footwork.
5. Full Court - In the fifth progression, players self-feed and play out points. The emphasis is still on executing the footwork pattern correctly in a live ball situation.

There will be times during a match where all players must go on the defensive in order to win points. This video from Coach Bailey will help you shore up your defensive footwork, or teach it to your athletes, so you can emerge victorious in more matches.

58 minutes. 2019.