Give me some pointers!!

[Otherside]

http://www.youtube.com/user/peterlappland


This is my playing some of my first claycourt tennis in 6-7 years=) I didn't know how to cut in the clip so iit takes a few minutes before I start hitting the ball decent=) My movement towards the ball is terrible since I've been playing indoors at a fast carpet for the last 5 years.
I would like to shorten my swing on the forehand and use my body more instead of just the arm. I compeeted as a junior and now I'm gonna start playing again if myarm holds up.
Give me lots of tips=) I'm moving to a bigger town this fall where I will get coaching, I've just been playing for fun without a coach the last couple of years.

Thanks

Peter Sweden

[Voltron]

Which guy is you? Random blond guy with enormous swings on every shot? (volleys included) Or are you Random Dark Hair guy with enormous swings on every shot except backhand, which he takes way to close to his body? ;)

[Serve_Ace]

maybe hes both

[Otherside]

Which guy is you? Random blond guy with enormous swings on every shot? (volleys included) Or are you Random Dark Hair guy with enormous swings on every shot except backhand, which he takes way to close to his body? ;)

The second one=)

After sex minutes I start to hit the ball once in a while. I thought it would look much worse on video since I feel like a clown on the court sometimes. I dont have any goals withe my tennis. Just play some tournaments and have fun, My back cant take bodybuilding anymore so I have to do something and I'm having so much fun playing again. My physicue is my strength. I've taken of 10kgs since christmas so I'm on my way to be able to move on the court again.

Peter

[Voltron]

maybe hes both
Uh-oh, I think you might be right! :shock:
The second one=)

After sex minutes I start to hit the ball once in a while. I thought it would look much worse on video since I feel like a clown on the court sometimes. I dont have any goals withe my tennis. Just play some tournaments and have fun, My back cant take bodybuilding anymore so I have to do something and I'm having so much fun playing again. My physicue is my strength. I've taken of 10kgs since christmas so I'm on my way to be able to move on the court again.

Peter Sweet, what I'd suggest is to split-step more, and to try and not catch your backhand so close to your body. Also, on your forehand, try not to have such a huge backswing, just try to use the kinetic chain and get your whole body into the shot. You won't need such a huge backswing, seriously.

[Otherside]

Uh-oh, I think you might be right! :shock:
Sweet, what I'd suggest is to split-step more, and to try and not catch your backhand so close to your body. Also, on your forehand, try not to have such a huge backswing, just try to use the kinetic chain and get your whole body into the shot. You won't need such a huge backswing, seriously.

I absolutely have to shorten my forehand swing after watching this.
Thanks alot!

[Grizvok]

Are you kidding? He split stepped very often I thought BUT he tried making it WAY too exaggerated to the point where it looked pretty ridiculous.

You really don't need to be jumping a foot into the air for a split step; you are hurting your ability to get set up well for the next shot.

[Otherside]

Are you kidding? He split stepped very often I thought BUT he tried making it WAY too exaggerated to the point where it looked pretty ridiculous.

You really don't need to be jumping a foot into the air for a split step; you are hurting your ability to get set up well for the next shot.

Noticed that to, looked pretty stupid totally agree=)

[Grizvok]

Noticed that to, looked pretty stupid totally agree=)

I wouldn't really worry about how it looks, but more about how it affects your game in general. I thought your split steps were pretty frequent to say the least (which is good of course) but the little jump was simply robbing you of time.

[Otherside]

I wouldn't really worry about how it looks, but more about how it affects your game in general. I thought your split steps were pretty frequent to say the least (which is good of course) but the little jump was simply robbing you of time.

I'll think about that!
It's great nice to get some tips, I haven't had a practice with a coach in 7-8 years.

[Quasar]

You should grip your forehand less western. Somewhere in the frying pan / semi western area. You will get more power that way and still as much topspin just by hitting up on the ball.

Also, I hate to break it too you, but a big, strong upper body is not going to help you much in tennis. Look at Federer, the guy has non existant arms, chest, and shoulders. But his legs are actually pretty strong, and they are definitely really quick and springy. You are kind of the reverse of this. Your legs need to be in a little better shape to carry your upper body around. You would benefit a lot from some agility and footwork drills.

[Otherside]

You should grip your forehand less western. Somewhere in the frying pan / semi western area. You will get more power that way and still as much topspin just by hitting up on the ball.

Also, I hate to break it too you, but a big, strong upper body is not going to help you much in tennis. Look at Federer, the guy has non existant arms, chest, and shoulders. But his legs are actually pretty strong, and they are definitely really quick and springy. You are kind of the reverse of this. Your legs need to be in a little better shape to carry your upper body around. You would benefit a lot from some agility and footwork drills.

Dont worry I know this. I'm a workout addict, I have no blocks in my head when it comes to training. I'll do whatever it takes. As a junior I won every running contest I entered so I had fast feet and lots of stamina. I was at 100kgs 2 years ago and 90 kilos this christmas. Today I'm at 80 and I have great times at running again. Far from when I compeeted but I do 10km in 46 minutes. 38 when i was 13=)

A strong upperbody is not necesseray when u have flawless strokes as Fed but just look at Agassi how much upper body power he used.

I havent been able to do agility and footwork drills since I've been so heavy but now I've started doing them. My movement is allready so much better than it was 3 months ago.
I was not offended by ure post hope it doesn't seem like that. The only thing u were wrong about are my legs. They're not to small but to big. I have to much mucle on them to be able to move the way I want so I've stopped working them 3 weeks ago. If this was a BB forum I would post a pic but this is not the place=)
As I've said I've competed in Bodybuilding so Iknow my strengths. My worst part is actuallt my shoulders. Quads are one of my best musclegroups.
I took a madical exam 4 weeks ago and my lounge volume and resting pulse are superb so There is potential to get a really good tennis physique for me ala Nadal, I just have to rearrange my work out hours a bit and most importand I always have to look fitter than NAdal=)

Do u have any tips where I can find tennis drills for footwork?

Peter

[Rickson]

After sex minutes I start to hit the ball once in a while.


Doesn't everybody?

[Quasar]

Dont worry I know this. I'm a workout addict, I have no blocks in my head when it comes to training. I'll do whatever it takes. As a junior I won every running contest I entered so I had fast feet and lots of stamina. I was at 100kgs 2 years ago and 90 kilos this christmas. Today I'm at 80 and I have great times at running again. Far from when I compeeted but I do 10km in 46 minutes. 38 when i was 13=)

A strong upperbody is not necesseray when u have flawless strokes as Fed but just look at Agassi how much upper body power he used.

I havent been able to do agility and footwork drills since I've been so heavy but now I've started doing them. My movement is allready so much better than it was 3 months ago.
I was not offended by ure post hope it doesn't seem like that. The only thing u were wrong about are my legs. They're not to small but to big. I have to much mucle on them to be able to move the way I want so I've stopped working them 3 weeks ago. If this was a BB forum I would post a pic but this is not the place=)
As I've said I've competed in Bodybuilding so Iknow my strengths. My worst part is actuallt my shoulders. Quads are one of my best musclegroups.
I took a madical exam 4 weeks ago and my lounge volume and resting pulse are superb so There is potential to get a really good tennis physique for me ala Nadal, I just have to rearrange my work out hours a bit and most importand I always have to look fitter than NAdal=)

Do u have any tips where I can find tennis drills for footwork?

Peter

Yeah, post a pic of your quads....with a tape measure around them!....haha I'm just kidding. I guess I couldn't tell from the shorts hiding them and was just going by your calves. 100kg down to 80 is quite a difference. I would not stop working out your legs though, just do more of a medium intensity maintenance workout. Long distance running is not very beneficial for tennis. Short sprints and short rest is the way to go. And in all kinds of directions. Sliding sideways, running side to side changing direction, forward and back. Then with a racket just the drill of having somebody with a hopper hit you balls from sideline to sideline so you have to run get in position and hit it, change direction and quickly get back to the other sideline to hit another ball, over and over again sets of ten or so is always a great basic tennis agility drill. And then have them mix in short balls you have to run to then a deep ball you have to get back for, etc. Ten sets of ten balls like those with a minute or two rest inbetween will do a lot for you. When you go back to regular tennis it will seem really easy.

[Nellie]

Some thoughts I had (please feel free to ignore):

On the forehand, I think the takeback is a little too long and the swing too much arm. Specifically, I like your shoulder rotation, but noticed that almost all of you energy comes from swinging hard with your arm and shoulder. The rest of your body (the torson and legs) appears to follow your big arm swing. By this, I mean that the big swing causes your weight shift (to keep you from falling down). The problem with a big arm swing is that: (1) you will get tired and (2) the stroke timing is hard and will break down frequently during a match. If you watch better players carefully, the arm swing is very minimal, and follows the weight shift. I think of it as the weight shift from right to left pulling the racquet and arm through the contact zone. For example, you will see pros like Roddick using a double bend, in which their elbow is locked to their sides throughout the stroke until the contact.


About the backhand, it looks like an okay stroke. I would suggest a more forward contact point with more extension of the left arm.

Other general comments:

1) try to take more small steps instead of big jumps

2) try to bend more at the knees and not at the waist. If you watch a great soccer player (like Ibrahimovic!) they run with bent knees and a straight back.

[Otherside]

Thanks alot Nellie and Quasar, superb posts!
Quasar: From now on I will only do drill exercises. I had to do some distance running to get some stamina since I didn't feel it coming fast enough when I just did intervalls and jumprope. I'll try your tips no doubt! I'll keep doing 2 sets of legs a week so I'll get to keep my muscles there but I don't want them any bigger. When I did really hard leg workouts I moved like a Fridge for two days on the court earlier so no more of that=)

[Otherside]

Some thoughts I had (please feel free to ignore):

On the forehand, I think the takeback is a little too long and the swing too much arm. Specifically, I like your shoulder rotation, but noticed that almost all of you energy comes from swinging hard with your arm and shoulder. The rest of your body (the torson and legs) appears to follow your big arm swing. By this, I mean that the big swing causes your weight shift (to keep you from falling down). The problem with a big arm swing is that: (1) you will get tired and (2) the stroke timing is hard and will break down frequently during a match. If you watch better players carefully, the arm swing is very minimal, and follows the weight shift. I think of it as the weight shift from right to left pulling the racquet and arm through the contact zone. For example, you will see pros like Roddick using a double bend, in which their elbow is locked to their sides throughout the stroke until the contact.


About the backhand, it looks like an okay stroke. I would suggest a more forward contact point with more extension of the left arm.

Other general comments:

1) try to take more small steps instead of big jumps

2) try to bend more at the knees and not at the waist. If you watch a great soccer player (like Ibrahimovic!) they run with bent knees and a straight back.

Today I shortened my forehand swing quite a bit and it was a huge difference. HAd 10-15 winners on the forehand today. My forehand often breaks down so I totally agree with ure post. I'll think about ure advides and next week I'm gonna get some coaching in another town so we'll see what happends. Also went to get my arm checked at the doctor today so hopefully I can start serving soon.

[Headshotterer]

your shots are disguisting
too much arm

[Quasar]

Yeah, take the racket back by holding your arm(s) in front of your chest and turning your shoulders with it all together. Then loop it down under with your arm as you hit the ball. Like the guy at the beginning of the video does. Copy him.

[Andres]

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/images/breeds/pointer.jpg

http://www.verdespampas.com/figuras/pointer.jpg

http://todoanimales.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/pointer.jpeg

http://www.dogsindepth.com/sporting_dog_breeds/images/Ranger_english_pointer.jpg

[BravoRed691]

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/images/breeds/pointer.jpg

http://www.verdespampas.com/figuras/pointer.jpg

http://todoanimales.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/pointer.jpeg

http://www.dogsindepth.com/sporting_dog_breeds/images/Ranger_english_pointer.jpg

Im not mush for giving pointers but i must say that these are some wonderfully beautiful ones...

BR

[Otherside]

Im not mush for giving pointers but i must say that these are some wonderfully beautiful ones...

BR

agree=) nice pointers

[Otherside]

Yeah, post a pic of your quads....with a tape measure around them!....haha I'm just kidding. I guess I couldn't tell from the shorts hiding them and was just going by your calves. 100kg down to 80 is quite a difference. I would not stop working out your legs though, just do more of a medium intensity maintenance workout. Long distance running is not very beneficial for tennis. Short sprints and short rest is the way to go. And in all kinds of directions. Sliding sideways, running side to side changing direction, forward and back. Then with a racket just the drill of having somebody with a hopper hit you balls from sideline to sideline so you have to run get in position and hit it, change direction and quickly get back to the other sideline to hit another ball, over and over again sets of ten or so is always a great basic tennis agility drill. And then have them mix in short balls you have to run to then a deep ball you have to get back for, etc. Ten sets of ten balls like those with a minute or two rest inbetween will do a lot for you. When you go back to regular tennis it will seem really easy.

Have been following ure advice all summer. HAd a bad break with a throat virus that lasted for 4 weeks. BUt now at it again. Only playing tennis once a week and I do some brutal intervalls 3 times a week + weightlifting 3 times a week.
My intervalls look something like this. 5-10 minutes HIT, 15 minutes jumprope really fast, getting quite good at it now. Then 10-15 minutes short runs, sidesteps, jumping and more. I do all the last stuff with the raquet in my hand. down at 78,5 kgs now so will soon stop my dieting. In a week I'm moving to a big town with a big tennis club and will get coaching there so will be super fun to see how things wil turn out. My fysical status is getting quite extreme. HAve done some tests at an institute and looks really promisising, I'm also getting some serious heat at the serve when my arm is starting to hold up.

[Quasar]

That sounds good, nice discipline, you seem to have gotten the body type of a faster more athletic tennis player. Now any new techniques you learn will be that much more effective and fun to use.

[Otherside]

That sounds good, nice discipline, you seem to have gotten the body type of a faster more athletic tennis player. Now any new techniques you learn will be that much more effective and fun to use.

I'm at 78,5 kgs now so I cant get much lighter now, I still wanna keep my muscles=)
movement is improving constantly, I'll upload some vids from this weekend

the retard splitsteps are getting fewer andI'm trying to avoid those small steps I did earlier.
SHorten the forehand will be next when I start playing with a coach.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tspQ76-4X5Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgNKBwjZumg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z3B__xqmnM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO63adf1JV4

[Otherside]

Played my first match for the team this weekend. won it 6-3 6-1 so I was pleased. Hit 11 aces and played really safe on his forehand which he missed alot.
The serve is really coming around with my arm working again. Getting tons of spin and kick when I can go for it again.