TFP 427: Move Faster to Every Ball — Simple Drills That Actually Work with Dean Hollingworth

In this episode of The Tennis Files Podcast, host Marban Iranshad sits down with movement expert Dean Hollingworth to dive deep into the critical yet often overlooked aspect of tennis: efficient on-court movement. Hollingworth emphasizes that the key to better movement isn't just doing more drills, but selecting the right ones that elicit the desired response—like explosive split steps, proper shuffling, and effective crossovers. He breaks down common mistakes, such as overemphasizing vertical motion in shuffles or misusing the crossover as a true running motion, and stresses the importance of dissociating upper and lower body for optimal positioning. A major theme is moving early to the ball, not just on time, to allow for better preparation and power generation—especially in closed stance backhands. Hollingworth also highlights the overlooked role of deceleration and recovery, noting that many players focus only on getting to the ball but neglect how to return efficiently. He advocates for a holistic training approach including mobility work, plyometrics, strength training (especially single-leg exercises), and cognitive stress drills to simulate match conditions. The episode concludes with a strong call to action: prioritize 20 minutes of focused movement and strength work before every practice, and consider enrolling in Hollingworth’s upcoming Tennis Movement Masterclass for a comprehensive, video-driven deep dive into all aspects of tennis-specific athleticism.