The Functional Tennis Podcast · Fabio Molle

Does the Saber Improve Your Tennis? Here’s What the Data Shows

·51 min·4 clips

Dr. Nick Boussatil exposes the shocking truth: there's almost no scientific research on tennis training aids.

This episode of The Functional Tennis Podcast features host Fabio Molle and biomechanics researcher Dr. Nick Boussatil discussing a scientific study on the Functional Tennis Sabre training tool. Dr. Boussatil's research focuses on how training aids influence skill development and biomechanics in tennis. The conversation centers on the Sabre's role as a constrained training tool and its impact on player adaptability and stroke mechanics. The study specifically analyzed how the Sabre influences forehand stroke mechanics, accuracy, and motor learning compared to a player's standard racket. Dr. Boussatil's research was conducted in a lab environment designed to mimic a real tennis court, using motion analysis technology. Key mechanical findings showed a 3-4 degree difference in shoulder internal rotation during the acceleration phase when using the Sabre. The tool also resulted in a more angled racket face pointing into the court on cross-court shots and a straighter racket at contact. Participants in the study took up to 20 attempts to achieve 10 successful shots when first using the Sabre, showing initial rigidity in movement. Observations indicated players adapted their movements and improved outcomes by the end of the trial period. The smaller 37-square-inch hitting surface likely reduces ball-on-string contact time, promoting movement adaptation. Dr. Boussatil's primary takeaway is that the Sabre is more effective as a baseline tool for full-speed hitting rather than for mini-tennis. A major insight is that the Sabre acts as a "circuit breaker" to disrupt a player's autopilot mode and promote movement adaptability. The tool sits between a technical tool and a perception tool, potentially aiding gaze behavior and focus at contact for advanced players. It indirectly encourages better footwork, as the smaller surface area may require earlier and more efficient movement preparation. Dr. Boussatil suggests its power lies in training design, using it briefly within drills to challenge players and then returning to their standard racket. The tone is educational and conversational, blending scientific research with practical coaching applications. The style is interview-based, with the host asking direct questions to unpack the study's methodology and implications. This episode is ideal for coaches, players, and parents seeking a science-backed perspective on skill acquisition and the use of training aids. Listeners looking for entertainment-focused content or definitive, simple technique tips might find the detailed biomechanical discussion less engaging.

As heard by us

Useful struggle, backed by tennis data.

The episode frames the Sabre as a serious question about how players learn. Fabio Molle and biomechanics researcher Dr. Nick Boussatil talk through a study that looks at stroke mechanics, accuracy, and motor learning, while keeping the focus on what constrained practice changes…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Press play when your practice needs a smarter kind of friction.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from The Functional Tennis Podcast