In this lesson, we begin an examination of the significance and dynamics of the takeback. In the two photos below, we illustrate a key factor in the takeback: the racquet is first brought back close to the head. This curious phenomenon is supported by neuroscience in that, by doing this, you can obtain a very accurate sense of the location of the racquet in three-dimensional space. The clarity of this "marker" is essential for continued accurate processing of the path of the racquet.

Try this experiment: while holding your racquet, close your eyes and move the racquet close to your head and then farther away. Note the difference in how clear the location of the racquet is in your mind as you do this. This is not an illusion or a matter of suggestion, but an example of how your brain can obtain an accurate sense of where the racquet is because of where your hand is. Now move the racquet head close to your head and then move the racquet butt close to your head and note the difference in clarity of the location of the racquet butt. You will probably feel more comfort in knowing where the racquet face is located than in knowing where your hand and the butt are located.

Getting the racquet close to your head is the first stage of the takeback, at which point you provide your brain with a very accurate "fix" on the position of your hand and the face of the racquet. From this position, you are ready to move the racquet back to the next stage of the takeback, which will be the subject of our next lesson.