The idea of "Best Practices" is that there's a "standard" way to do some things that tends to give the best results, and that we should only deviate from that way when there's a compelling reason. This doesn't mean there's only one right way for everybody - a person's psychology or physiology may make a non-standard way of doing something better for them. But non-standard ways are non-standard because they usually have some drawbacks, and it's important to recognize the drawbacks and weigh them against the advantages for you.
A common example of this is the Best Practice called a "pendulum stroke". A "pendulum stroke" is considered a Best Practice for a few reasons:
1. it's the easiest way to ensure a straight and level stroke at contact
2. it's the easiest way to ensure correct stroke speed at contact
3. it's the easiest way to be consistent
The important drawback for a non-standard stroke such as a "piston stroke" is that it's a more complex movement involving more body parts and so is inherently more difficult to control precisely. With lots of practice you can probably learn to control it pretty precisely, but not as easily (and maybe not as precisely either).
Best Practices also teach important principles that non-standard practices don't - such as the importance of minimizing movement.
For most players, and particularly for newer players, the pendulum stroke and other Best Practices are the best way to start even though they may not be how everybody ends up. "It's all personal preference" is usually bad advice and we do developing players a disservice with it.
pj
chgo
A common example of this is the Best Practice called a "pendulum stroke". A "pendulum stroke" is considered a Best Practice for a few reasons:
1. it's the easiest way to ensure a straight and level stroke at contact
2. it's the easiest way to ensure correct stroke speed at contact
3. it's the easiest way to be consistent
The important drawback for a non-standard stroke such as a "piston stroke" is that it's a more complex movement involving more body parts and so is inherently more difficult to control precisely. With lots of practice you can probably learn to control it pretty precisely, but not as easily (and maybe not as precisely either).
Best Practices also teach important principles that non-standard practices don't - such as the importance of minimizing movement.
For most players, and particularly for newer players, the pendulum stroke and other Best Practices are the best way to start even though they may not be how everybody ends up. "It's all personal preference" is usually bad advice and we do developing players a disservice with it.
pj
chgo
