What concept should a middle school tennis teacher explain to help a student establish a more stable ready position?

• A. Keeping the center of mass within the base of support to maintain stability
• B. Tall posture with arms extended
• C. Looking straight up
• D. Holding breath during movement

Answer: (A)

Stability in the ready position comes from keeping the body's center of mass over its base of support. The base of support is the area between and including the feet when you stand, and the center of mass is the point where the body's weight is evenly balanced. When these align, you can shift quickly in any direction without tipping.

In tennis, a proper ready position means feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, weight slightly forward on the balls of the feet. This setup lowers your center of mass and keeps it well within the base of support, so you can react to a ball with fast lateral steps and maintain balance during quick movements.

By contrast, a tall posture with arms extended raises or shifts the center of mass upward and can narrow your effective base, making you less stable when you need to move suddenly. Looking straight up disrupts alignment and can throw off balance, while holding your breath creates tension and reduces your ability to move smoothly and responsively.

Focus on maintaining a low, balanced stance with the center of mass over the feet, and you’ll have steadier footing and quicker, more controlled reactions in game situations.