B.E.S.T. System Mechanics Section – An Introduction

The Biomechanically Engineered Stroke Technique (B.E.S.T. System) is a stroke mechanics development system. It is based on three decades of basic (academic) and applied (field) research, and based on extensive on-court testing and experience.

In general, the system seeks to construct tennis strokes based on optimizing neuromuscular-skeletal function and capabilities. As such it was developed by assessing many players using 3D Motion Analysis and other observational tools. The system models are composites of information and not based on any particular player(s). The system is constantly evolving as new information is gained and interpreted.

At the heart of the B.E.S.T. System is a mechanical definition of an optimized model for each stroke based on the research. Yet the system is a development tool and therefore must go beyond simply a definition to define a complete teaching system. The following components are included in the system for each stroke:

• Base Stroke Model – Definition of mechanical stroke attributes for average (height, speed, position) incoming shots.
• Adaptations to Model – Alterations to the base model to handle specific incoming balls and produce desired shot output.
• Acceptable Model Options – Motions not explicitly defined in the model but not negatively impacting core mechanical attributes of the model.
• Shot Output Considerations – Implementation details of the model needed to execute the full array of shot outputs (speed, spin, trajectory, direction).
• Teaching Pedagogy – Details of the decisions, methods and progressions used to teach the model strokes, adaptations and associated shot outputs.
• Drills and Training Methods – Specific drills utilized to develop and train the model strokes, adaptations and associated shot outputs.
• Problems and Solutions – Common problems encountered when developing the model strokes along with best practice solutions to these problems.

The primary intent of including the B.E.S.T. System in the TCPR Knowledge Base is to clearly define the base stroke models for our readers. System concepts have trickled down, been presented (with and without permission), repackaged and even plagiarized often over the last decade. Due to the complexity of the models, however, the key components have been misinterpreted and therefore misrepresented.

The secondary intent is to define the implementation details described above as a resource for coaches, players and parents. The concepts will be presented in expanded detail through the “Stroke Mechanics University” platform in full feature advanced courses in the future. The B.E.S.T. System represents at least 30 years of my experience in tennis and I hope the presentation here will be useful, but at least clear up misconceptions.