A
Agility (n.): The ability to change direction quickly and efficiently.
Abduction (n.): Moving a limb away from the centerline of the body.
Alignment (n.): Positioning of shoulders, hips, and feet relative to the target.
B
Balance (n.): Maintenance of a stable center of gravity while moving or hitting.
Base (n.): The distance between the feet; a wide base provides stability.
Braking (v.): The use of leg muscles to stop forward or lateral momentum.
C
Center-of-Gravity (n.): The point where body weight is concentrated; keeping it low is vital.
Core-Stability (n.): Strength of the trunk muscles connecting lower and upper body power.
Crossover (n.): A footwork move where one foot crosses over the other.
D
Dorsiflexion (n.): Upward bending of the foot at the ankle, used during the split-step.
Deceleration (n.): Controlled slowing down of the body or racket after movement.
Drive-Leg (n.): The leg that pushes off the ground to initiate power.
E
Explosiveness (n.): Ability to generate maximum force in a very short amount of time.
Extension (n.): Full reaching of the arm or leg to maximize leverage and range.
Eccentric-Load (n.): The loading phase where muscles are stretched before contraction.
F
Footwork (n.): Steps and adjustments used to get into best hitting position.
Flexion (n.): The act of bending a joint, such as the knees before a serve.
Fulcrum (n.): The pivot point (like the elbow) around which the racket rotates.
G
Gait (n.): The specific pattern of a player's stride when running.
Glute-Activation (n.): Using hip muscles to provide power and stability.
Ground-Force (n.): Energy pushed into the court by the feet returned as power.
H
Hip-Rotation (n.): Turning of the pelvis; the primary engine for modern shots.
Hop (n.): A small, explosive jump used to reposition or maintain timing.
Heel-to-Toe (adj.): The rolling motion of the foot during a proper stride.
I
Impulse (n.): The product of force and time, determining change in momentum.
Instability (n.): A lack of balance leading to inefficient strokes or injury.
Internal-Rotation (n.): Inward turning of the shoulder joint during follow-through.
J
Jump-Step (n.): An aggressive move where both feet leave the ground to reach a high ball.
Joint-Stacking (v.): Aligning joints to safely handle high physical loads.
Jog (v.): Low-intensity movement between points to maintain blood flow.
K
Knee-Bend (n.): Lowering the center of gravity to stay balanced and "get under" the ball.
Kinetic-Chain (n.): The linked system of muscles and joints that work together to hit.
Kinematics (n.): The study of the geometry of motion without regard to forces.
L
Lateral-Step (n.): A sideway step used for coverage along the baseline.
Lunging (v.): A deep, reaching step to get to a ball far away.
Loading (v.): Preparation of the muscles (stretching) before explosive movement.
M
Mobility (n.): The range of motion available in the joints.
Momentum (n.): The quantity of motion based on mass and speed.
Muscle-Memory (n.): Neurological process making complex strokes feel automatic.
N
Neutral-Stance (n.): Hitting with feet aligned parallel to the sideline.
Neuromuscular (adj.): The connection between the brain and muscles for coordination.
Node (n.): A specific point in the kinetic chain where energy is transferred.
O
Open-Stance (n.): Hitting with the chest facing the net and feet spread wide.
Orientation (n.): Body's awareness of its position relative to ball and net.
Opposition (n.): Using the opposite arm or leg to balance hitting force.
P
Pivot (v.): Turning on the ball of the foot to rotate the body during a stroke.
Plant (v.): Firmly placing the foot on the ground to provide a stable platform.
Posture (n.): Alignment of the spine, affecting balance and swing efficiency.
Q
Quadricep-Load (n.): Using front thigh muscles to store energy during knee bend.
Quickness (n.): Ability to react and start a movement in a fraction of a second.
Quad-Power (n.): Explosive force generated by the legs for jumping or sprinting.
R
Recovery (n.): Movements made to return to the center of the court after hitting.
Reaction (n.): The physiological response to the opponent's shot.
Range-of-Motion (n.): The full distance a joint can move.
S
Split-Step (n.): A small hop taken as the opponent hits to prepare for any direction.
Stance (n.): The specific arrangement of the feet during a shot.
Shuffle (n.): A series of small, side-to-side steps for fine-tuning position.
T
Torque (n.): The twisting force generated by the torso rotating against the hips.
Triple-Extension (n.): Simultaneous straightening of the ankle, knee, and hip.
Tracking (v.): Visual and physical following of the ball's flight path.
U
Upper-Body-Coil (n.): The rotation of the shoulders relative to the baseline.
Unloading (v.): The phase where stored elastic energy is released into the swing.
Upright-Posture (n.): Keeping head and spine straight to maintain balance.
V
Vertical-Leap (n.): The height a player can jump for an overhead or serve.
Velocity (n.): The speed of a specific body part (like the hand) during a hit.
Vaulting (v.): Using the momentum of a run to "launch" into a shot.
W
Weight-Transfer (n.): Moving body mass from one foot to the other.
Wide-Base (n.): A broad stance that prevents being knocked off balance.
Walking-Step (n.): A slow, controlled step used during the setup of a serve.
X
X-Step (n.): A crossover footwork pattern used for moving quickly across the baseline.
X-Core-Power (n.): Diagonal core strength connecting the right hip to the left shoulder.
X-Pattern-Run (n.): A movement drill used to improve multi-directional agility.
Y
Yielding-Phase (n.): The split-second where a player absorbs ground force before pushing off.
Yoga-Flexibility (n.): Long-muscle flexibility used to prevent injury during extreme reaches.
Y-Axis-Stability (n.): Ability to remain balanced while moving forward and backward.
Z
Zero-Step (n.): The "ready position" before any movement has occurred.
Zig-zag-Cut (n.): A sharp, angled movement used to change direction.
Zone-Movement (n.): Specialized footwork used within a specific area of the court.
