The Tennis Footwork Myth Killing Senior Players (Do This Instead) I John Craig

About this episode

John Craig discusses the misconceptions around footwork in senior tennis and introduces his 'Footplay' system for improved movement.

📋 Episode Description Most senior players think they move badly because they're slow. John Craig says that's the wrong diagnosis entirely. In this episode, John — whose "Footplay" system has transformed movement for players well into their 70s — reveals why chasing speed is a trap, and why the real unlock is rhythm, continuous motion, and learning to touch the court instead of hit it. Whether you're stuck flat-footed at the baseline or losing the net battle in doubles, this conversation will completely reframe how you think about your feet — and why your strokes have been suffering for it. 🎯 Key Takeaways "Footwork" is the wrong word. It implies effort and strain. John calls it "footplay" — and that mindset shift alone changes how your body moves on court. Your strokes follow your feet, not the other way around. If your groundstrokes are breaking down, the problem probably isn't your swing. The #1 mistake senior players make: Standing still. Movement isn't about speed — it's about staying in motion. The moment you stop, your athletic switch turns off. Learn to "touch" the court, not "hit" it. Soft knees, soft ankles, springboard feel — this is what keeps you light, balanced…

People in this episode

Host: Mike Rogers

Guest: John Craig

Topics covered

• tennis footwork
• senior tennis
• movement techniques
• athletic performance
• injury prevention

Keywords

• footwork
• senior players
• tennis movement
• rhythm
• continuous motion
• injury resistance
• groundstrokes
• split step

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Performance Plus Tennis, Senior Tennis Unpacked

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