how do pros feed?

[andyroddick's mojo]

I often see pros do sort of a under loop feed, where they sort of drop the ball, and then hit it with a continental grip, after they have winded up all the way around. I can't seem to feed like this, but seems like an efficient way since many pros and even just good players feed this way. Can someone show me a video link or maybe tell me how to do it?

[TENNIS_IS_FUN]

I also would like to know this....

[fishuuuuu]

Just drop it and feed it up in a loop with an eastern (not continental grip).

[fishuuuuu]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=tPXx9pqpdpQ

There's an example, don't think about it too much.

[andyroddick's mojo]

you're right, it is eastern. I can tell because I saw a video of nadal doing that feed but he wasn't using his western grip nor was it continental. It definitely looked eastern.

[nikolaih]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=tPXx9pqpdpQ

There's an example, don't think about it too much.

"Look at that guy's backswing on the 2HBH!!1 Is he even a 3.0? No pace on his BH either. Maybe I'm rating myself to low. Blah blah blah.." ;)

[thejackal]

they feed like they dont care. simple as that.

[andyroddick's mojo]

But i want to have consistent feeds. I always feel a bit embarassed when we're warming up and my feed goes super high to the baseline, or bounces a few feet before the service line. The pros seem to all know a certain technique for consistent feeds.

[frayed]

It's all about repetition and will become 2nd nature over time. Just don't worry about it and keep rolling. :)

[Trinity TC]

How hard are you hitting it and how much spin are you putting on the ball? Aim low and hit it hard. You've got no pace to work with so you gotta hit the ball pretty hard. You're right...it's not as easy as it looks. :cool:

[Baghdatis72]

I do that quite often with a forehand and it's not that hard in my opinion. It's a matter of timing and correct movement.

[JCo872]

I have some frame by frame video of pros feeding the ball. I'll post later today...

[sloe_torture]

But i want to have consistent feeds. I always feel a bit embarassed when we're warming up and my feed goes super high to the baseline, or bounces a few feet before the service line. The pros seem to all know a certain technique for consistent feeds.
These pros have consistent feeds do it for hours on end everyday with their practice partners. I'm sure you'd be consistent too if you did it every day. How about going out to the courts with a basket of balls to work on your feed? You'll definitely get more looks on the feed than pounding out 100 mph serves.

[andyroddick's mojo]

thank JCO, i just don't want to look like a fool who has all these crazy feeds, otherwise people blame lost points on bad feeds.

[MasterTS]

The ball feed is just a paceless and spinless start to the rally. It is usually just a solid flat contact which can be hit in any grip. Just meet the ball.

[Swissv2]

But i want to have consistent feeds. I always feel a bit embarassed when we're warming up and my feed goes super high to the baseline, or bounces a few feet before the service line. The pros seem to all know a certain technique for consistent feeds.

Just takes repetition and you will get it.
I started out not feeding that well, but when I had to do it for 2-3 hours straight, I got used to it very fast.

I can feed a ball within a 2-3 foot range between each other for 100+ balls in a row now (before I could only do at max 5-10)

[slice bh compliment]

I used to hit with a guy who had just finished playing satellites. He was the biggest Boris Becker fan I've ever seen and would bounce feed with a flat backhand a lot like Boris himself after a point....giving it to the ballboys on the other side.

Strange habit, but kind of contagious, even when you're warming up or playing baseline 11 points or 21s. I started doing it, too, and I still do it at times. Sometimes, a slice, sometimes a mild topspin. Not exactly practical, but kinda cool.

[Mahboob Khan]

Slice BH compliment. Nice to see you at this forum. I let Kathy take over "Mahboob - Sidetracked to Politics and Religion" thread.

Basket Feeding during practice, during matches? I guess, the poster means feeding during a match. Yes, as Slice BH Compliment says, it's best to feed the ball via a forehand or backhand and decency would require that you send the ball to your opponent's forehand unless he or she wants it on the BH side. Bounce the ball and feed it/return it via a proper forehand. Example: If on the last ball I missed my BH slice, I will toss the ball to my left and will send it via a BH slice. But generally, I use my forehand to feed/return the ball to my opponent.

In my coaching classes, particularly if I am working with large group, I may use double rhythm feeding (I use continental grip, and feed the ball out of the air). If I am feeding to just one player, I may adopt "drop-feed" or "bounce-feed" method because live ball is better than a dead ball and bounce-feed is better than "feed out of the air" feed.

Kathy might tag behind and add her insight to this.

[Mahboob Khan]

The ball feed is just a paceless and spinless start to the rally. It is usually just a solid flat contact which can be hit in any grip. Just meet the ball.

It depends on the level of play. Yes, if I am working with a beginner, I might use a dead ball, a non-jumping ball, a paceless ball, enabling the beginner to time it. With enhanced ability, the feeding method can be changed. But here the question was How the Pros feed; so he wasn't referring to beginners.

[ShooterMcMarco]

I have some frame by frame video of pros feeding the ball. I'll post later today...

bump :mrgreen:

[JCo872]

thank JCO, i just don't want to look like a fool who has all these crazy feeds, otherwise people blame lost points on bad feeds.

Understood. I had the same problem once and it was frustrating. It's easy to fix though. Here is a complete breakdown of the ball feed :)

http://www.hi-techtennis.com/ball_feed.php

[ShooterMcMarco]

Jeff, they all use an eastern dont they? Kinda funny we're analyzing a feed, but I'm a bad feeder and I can definitely use this info, haha.

[andyroddick's mojo]

wow jeff, thanks a lot, this is exactly what i was looking for.

[JCo872]

wow jeff, thanks a lot, this is exactly what i was looking for.

Sure thing. Also I just added another video to that link. It is a direct side feed. It's amazing how these guys all feed the ball the exact same way.

[JCo872]

Jeff, they all use an eastern dont they? Kinda funny we're analyzing a feed, but I'm a bad feeder and I can definitely use this info, haha.

Exactly. Eastern grip. Funny, but man, its a more common problem than people realize. I'm glad andyroddick's mojo brought it up.

[Zets147]

I gotta practice the "feed" :D

[andyroddick's mojo]

Exactly. Eastern grip. Funny, but man, its a more common problem than people realize. I'm glad andyroddick's mojo brought it up.

haha, you are very welcome. Thanks a lot JCO, those vids help a lot. I really do find it amazing how these pros feed with such ease, but the ball continues to travel the same height, enough spin, and goes perfectly to the person on the other side of the court.

[ipodtennispro]

Gotp:

http://iws.punahou.edu/user/lcouillard/2006/06/feeding_tip.html

ipodtennispros.com

[noobplayer]

hey ipod u go to punahou in hawaii?

also seems like when feeding the ball, they hit the ball b4 it lands. i have always tossed the ball up, waited for it to bounce then smack it over