“10s Whenever” Newsletter Vol. 158

Written by: Staff on 29th March 2014

"10s Whenever" Newsletter Vol. 158 |

Man in the box analyzes Roger Federer – By Andy Fitzell

I am Andy Fitzell, the man in the box. So, who cares? Well, if you want to know just how Roger Federer is able to hit with such amazing accuracy on his forehand or how #1 ranked doubles player Bob Bryan bombs his serve, you might want to read on.

No, I am not a professional mime as some have suggested; I am a tennis coach and researcher. For the past several years, the forward thinking minds of those who run the BNP Paribas Open have granted tennis icon (and my mentor of 25 years), Vic Braden and me, a very special privilege: to station 3 small cameras on stadium court to capture footage of today’s elite players.

In the computer lab, I then use this footage and a sophisticated software program to digitize the players’ body joints, five parts of the racket, and the ball, frame by frame. The result is rendered as a skeletal image (figure 1.) Body segments and the racket, can then be calculated for speed, acceleration, degrees of movement, racket head placement at ball contact, and many more kinematics. Vic and I then use this important information to train coaches, help players enhance performance, and prevent injury.

For example, Roger Federer swings out and up towards his target for over 4 feet before finishing across his body. Take your racket and try to swing through a doubles alley (which is 4.5 feet in width) and you will get the feel of how Roger extends his arm on his forehand. Doubles champion Bob Bryan’s serve toss only drops 3 inches before contact, which helps him maintain a continuous motion and makes timing the hit easier. The reverse is true with a high toss.

So why the box? Let me explain. The box, or The Grid, as I call it, is filmed on the court before and after match play. It is later digitized and used as a spatial reference which allows the computer to make the important calculations. Without the grid none of this is possible.

So if you ever see the man in the box, smile and say hello, because he is not a professional mime or a walking art exhibit, but someone passionate about improving the game of tennis around the globe.

Editor’s Note: Also, here is the link to the Wilson Tennis commercial with Fed…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHiRrqGW93o

You can contact Andy Fitzell: andy@fitzelltennis.com

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