ATTN:Those who breakdown the shots of pros

[el_mago]

To those who do a breakdown of the shot of a pro: Would anyone of you mind breaking down Guillermo Coria's dropshot for me and others to see? It would just be really nice for me to see the whole sequence.

Thanks

[el_mago]

Just wanted to refresh it so those who do the breakdowns will notice this.

[el_mago]

Bungalo Bill,

If you're still online, I know you're one of the posters who previously did this, would you mind thinking of breaking down Coria's drop shot?

Thanks

[Tomek_Pl]

Do you have a video of Guillermo Coria's dropshot?

[el_mago]

Do you have a video of Guillermo Coria's dropshot?

No, I would try to do it myself, but I haven't broken down any pro's strokes myself and I do not know where to find a video of his shot over the internet.

[Bungalo Bill]

No, I would try to do it myself, but I haven't broken down any pro's strokes myself and I do not know where to find a video of his shot over the internet.

Well I dont know of a video that shows him hitting a drop shot. Is there a reason you need to learn his drop shot? A drop shot is more of a feel shot. For the USPTA certification you need to be able to hit a drop shot from no-mans land and have it bounce three times in the court before it passes the service line. Would that help? There is some technique on the shot but it is mostly feel once you know how to volley, hit lobs and groundstrokes. It is sort of a combination of these shots with a lot of touch and feel.

[el_mago]

Well I dont know of a video that shows him hitting a drop shot. Is there a reason you need to learn his drop shot? A drop shot is more of a feel shot. For the USPTA certification you need to be able to hit a drop shot from no-mans land and have it bounce three times in the court before it passes the service line. Would that help? There is some technique on the shot but it is mostly feel once you know how to volley, hit lobs and groundstrokes. It is sort of a combination of these shots with a lot of touch and feel.

I have known all of this. I also was practicing and still practicing starting at the service line and hitting a drop shot, having it bounce three times in the service box before passing the opposite service line. As it keeps getting better I moved farther back, so far I think I got most of the technique down because I've also tried hitting drop shots in hitting sessions and I know to have more room for error to hit it when I'm inside the baseline and my opponent is out of position, but I think I have to improve on my touch and feel a little bit more as well as timing involved in hitting a dropshot and the disguise you put into it. I would just really like to see the whole visual sequence shown and explained on Coria's dropshot to see all the disguise,technique, and timing he puts into his amazing shot.

Thanks

[Bungalo Bill]

I have known all of this. I also was practicing and still practicing starting at the service line and hitting a drop shot, having it bounce three times in the service box before passing the opposite service line. As it keeps getting better I moved farther back, so far I think I got most of the technique down because I've also tried hitting drop shots in hitting sessions and I know to have more room for error to hit it when I'm inside the baseline and my opponent is out of position, but I think I have to improve on my touch and feel a little bit more as well as timing involved in hitting a dropshot and the disguise you put into it. I would just really like to see the whole visual sequence shown and explained on Coria's dropshot to see all the disguise,technique, and timing he puts into his amazing shot.

Thanks

Feel is very difficult to teach and learn from a video. Also, having a sixth sense of when to hit your drop shot with various opponents also is very hard to teach and see from a video.

When I hit a drop shot it just happens. Adjusting the tension of your hand on the grip is where the feel comes from. Also, the non-dominant hand plays a role in feel shots. For that matter, your whole body does. But mainly it is in the hands.

As far as when to do it, I have always let it come naturally - I just sense it. We could be in a rally and then - bam - there is the drop shot and the opponent scurrying in to get it. Because my game is not built around finesse, the drop shot if not timed right or hit right can come back to haunt me.

Maybe the finesse players on the board can add more and give you more tangibles.

I can give you this, if you like to drop shot and when you see your groundstroke is deep and you move your opponent further away from the baseline - that is when you want to mix in your drop shot.

What this does is twofold. First, if you can burn your opponent several times with the crop shot his recovery steps begin to slow down as he also has to anticipate a change of direction in his movement. Second, this allows you to mix in the crosscourt shot to get him on the run when he isn't sure what you will respond with. The slight hesitation in his recovery gives you a big edge.

So in other words, hit a deep shot crosscourt and when you see your opponent back up a step to get the ball in his strike zone, step in a bit to hit the ball sooner, as he is recovering towards the center, drop shot him towards the same side on an angle and come in to close the angles on him. Don't come in too far or he might pop it over your head!

You probably know this but thought I would add it in.

[el_mago]

Feel is very difficult to teach and learn from a video. Also, having a sixth sense of when to hit your drop shot with various opponents also is very hard to teach and see from a video.

When I hit a drop shot it just happens. Adjusting the tension of your hand on the grip is where the feel comes from. Also, the non-dominant hand plays a role in feel shots. For that matter, your whole body does. But mainly it is in the hands.

As far as when to do it, I have always let it come naturally - I just sense it. We could be in a rally and then - bam - there is the drop shot and the opponent scurrying in to get it. Because my game is not built around finesse, the drop shot if not timed right or hit right can come back to haunt me.

Maybe the finesse players on the board can add more and give you more tangibles.

I can give you this, if you like to drop shot and when you see your groundstroke is deep and you move your opponent further away from the baseline - that is when you want to mix in your drop shot.

What this does is twofold. First, if you can burn your opponent several times with the crop shot his recovery steps begin to slow down as he also has to anticipate a change of direction in his movement. Second, this allows you to mix in the crosscourt shot to get him on the run when he isn't sure what you will respond with. The slight hesitation in his recovery gives you a big edge.

So in other words, hit a deep shot crosscourt and when you see your opponent back up a step to get the ball in his strike zone, step in a bit to hit the ball sooner, as he is recovering towards the center, drop shot him towards the same side on an angle and come in to close the angles on him. Don't come in too far or he might pop it over your head!

You probably know this but thought I would add it in.

I would describe myself as a bit of a finesse player. My game is mainly based on my court coverage and trying to move my opponent around. This is how I usually utilize the drop shot: I usually jerk my opponent side to side or mix it up then after he's really scrambling I hit the dropper. My opponent usually is out of position and hits the ball near the service line when I do this. Just in case he gets to the drop shot, I move to the net and get ready to volley back. So any finesse players who can give me further help please do, and thank you for all the help Bungalo Bill!

[Bungalo Bill]

I would describe myself as a bit of a finesse player. My game is mainly based on my court coverage and trying to move my opponent around. This is how I usually utilize the drop shot: I usually jerk my opponent side to side or mix it up then after he's really scrambling I hit the dropper. My opponent usually is out of position and hits the ball near the service line when I do this. Just in case he gets to the drop shot, I move to the net and get ready to volley back. So any finesse players who can give me further help please do, and thank you for all the help Bungalo Bill!

PERFECT! That is a great game plan for the drop shot. I would hate to play you!

[el_mago]

PERFECT! That is a great game plan for the drop shot. I would hate to play you!

:mrgreen: Thanks for the compliment Bungalo Bill, but my overall game still needs a lot more improvement to get it to the highest level it could be.

[fastdunn]

Hey guys. What other shots you should be able to demonstrate to get USPTA certified ?

Thanks
FD

[Bungalo Bill]

Hey guys. What other shots you should be able to demonstrate to get USPTA certified ?

Thanks
FD

Let''s see if I can remember...

1. Serving: You have to be able to serve to all areas of the service box and the targets setout for you. That means wide serve, up the T serve, middle serve. You have to be able to hit targets with your 1st serve, you choice of a spin serve.

2. Volleys: Have to volley to different targets or sqaures on the court.

3. Have to hit lobs and have them land in the target areas in different parts of the court.

4. Drop shots: mentioned above

5. Groundstrokes: Need to be able to rally at a college level pace and hit to targets.

6. Need to be able to hit slice backhands to different targets.

Within each test, you have to get a certain amount in the target to qualify.

I have heard that in some parts of the country they are less strict - in So. Cal. the tester was a bigshot in the USPTA and was very strict.

Oh, almost forgot - form and technique is very important.

[fastdunn]

B.B, it sounds quite tough. It's all about control !!
Depending on the size of target, it would be really tough....
Anyway, thanks, BB.

[degreefanlindi]

Just a question about becoming certified from a former college player. I've played tennis since age 7 and am not 21. I also played two years of college at the Division III level, but am now graduated. Based on those facts, how would you recommend I prepare for becoming certified? Will I have a problem with the physical part of the test or is it pretty much at the collegiate level....I have good groundstrokes and could probably hit the targets on serve, volley, etc. I just worry that I won't pass the written or physical teaching part, including feeding tennis balls? Do you have to perform a group and individual lesson? What do you recommend to prepare for this? Thanks....

[Bungalo Bill]

Just a question about becoming certified from a former college player. I've played tennis since age 7 and am not 21. I also played two years of college at the Division III level, but am now graduated. Based on those facts, how would you recommend I prepare for becoming certified? Will I have a problem with the physical part of the test or is it pretty much at the collegiate level....I have good groundstrokes and could probably hit the targets on serve, volley, etc. I just worry that I won't pass the written or physical teaching part, including feeding tennis balls? Do you have to perform a group and individual lesson? What do you recommend to prepare for this? Thanks....

Well there is no doubt you need to have the strokes. It is foolish to teach without being able to hit a volley from a slow incoming ball. However, I do know and have seen some coaches that I scratch my head and wonder how they got certified! I do know the USPTA had a "lite" certification at one time but did away with it. Maybe these people got in then.

If you have decent strokes and are a 4.5 and above you can get certified. I don't think you will have a problem with the physical stroke side. But the stroke exam is only part of the whole certification! You still have to pass a:

1. Written Exam: This consists of tennis history, tennis rules, tournament development, business, 10 Cap system, grips and their pros and cons, strokes, NTRP knowledge, System 5, Little Tennis, etc...

2. Teaching Exam: This consists of teaching a group lesson and a private lesson. As the instructor demonstrates you need to identifying errors within a stroke. Also, provide shortcuts to help a player improve quickly.

3. Stroke Exam: This is what I mentioned above where you have to hit forehands, backhands, slice backhands, serves, volleys, drop shots, lobs, etc. to targets and have to score a certain amount of points to qualify.

You have to pass ALL of these tests, otherwise, you have to come back at another time to pass the exam you failed.

If you study and have the strokes, you won't have a problem. Do your homework and ask USPTA pros about tips and things to be aware of so you can be ahead of the game. You can even ask me if you want!

[Ash_Smith]

There is no trick to become a qualified tennis coach, although I've not taken the USPTA awards I am a Professional tennis coach in the UK having taken the LTA DCA and CCA qualifications. I've also been a mentor for tennis assistants taking their DCA and the best way to get yourself ready to take any coaching qualification is spend time working with a qualified coach - even if that means volunteering after work or at weekends. Most coaches I know are happy to have an assistant with them (especially if they don;t have to pay them!!!) and it will allow you to pick up lesson structure as well as ideas for warm-ups and cool-downs, coordination drills, S.A.Q. and tactical/ technical/ mental and physical instruction. Remember, coaching tennis isn't all about how well you can play, it's about how well you can impart the correct knowlede at the correct time for a particular player.