how-did-waldner-block
Danttgeek asked 5 months ago
Did you guys work out how Waldner can block the ball with such an open face?
It seems to defy the laws of physics – it seems this is the key to his technique!
Tom Academy Coach answered 5 months ago
Hey! I think after spending time with him and watching closely how he blocks with this angle I would say it comes down to his contact on the ball and being very relaxed and not stiff when he’s blocking. This means he can have the bat angle a bit more pen than most players but it helps avoid hitting the edge and gives more surface area to hit with as we mention in the masterclass. He also pushes into the ball and is more active with the block than most players, if you have an open bat and are to passive the ball will fly off the end. He tends to add pressure into the contact as he hits the ball which controls the incoming spin and allows him to have this bat angle. But for sure to master this it does take time and some adjustment, but can help you be more positive when you get used to it and have a lot of control!
DanttgeekA bit more – hehe – it sounded like Dan was really spinning the ball. I have wondered about this ever since I started playing and thought it was by creating underspin and had somewhat been able to open the face by doing that – however watching him here in slow mo it didn’t look like that.
Your answer is really thoughtful and insightful Tom!
It sounds like it is a feeling thing, not hitting, not passive, not tense – like he is getting more dwell time maybe? I just don’t understand the physics behind how this works.
Have you been able to replicate this open faced blocking?
No problem, yeah it’s definitely a feeling thing and not being to tense for sure. I know what you mean about creating underspin and he does kind of do this when he punches through the block hard which you can see a bit later in the block video. Yeah the physics doesn’t seem to make sense though I totally agree, I feel like I have a slightly more open angle than others when blocking but probably not to the extent of Waldner. I think it’s something you really have to work on but the thing I would say is of course everyone is slightly different and even among the top players you will see them playing shots slightly differently so it is about finding how you feel most comfortable.
