TIP OF THE WEEK
Loop With Your Legs
By Carl Danner
A world-class loop starts at the floor when players push off to coil muscles in their core. The subsequent unleashing of that stored energy helps give high-level loops their amazing spin and speed.
You need to do the same to create a loop with serious power, or to handle a heavy push or chop. As well, learning to loop with the legs is a critical step for developing players at about age of 12 or 14. Relax your arm and shoulder, crouch a bit with your legs as the ball arrives, and spring forward as you let 'er rip. If you can get the timing of this move down (including a swing that is slightly delayed from the crouch and spring), you can develop spin and speed that will surprise even your higher-level opponents.