correlation and causation

[certifiedjatt]

I see this on youtube, TV during tournaments, hear it on the courts, and read it everywhere, including here: Tennis pros and ''analysts'' often confuse correlation with causation when analyzing a player's stroke. For example, one of the most overrated statements is the need for a "low knee bend" on almost all strokes, especially the backhand. Of course, Federer is generally cited as a reference. The problem is, in some videos his knees are bent, and in others, they're almost completely straight. This of course is how things should be; bend them as you need to, depending on your ideal strike zone. But commentators and club pros consider knee bending a prerequisite for good strokes.

This video below is a perfect example of correlation and causation. Just because a player appears a certain way, makes a certain gesture, does not mean that that gesture, that way of appearance, or body stance, is the reason (or cause) he/she is able to hit a stroke a certain way, with proficiency.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RORTYH588cE&feature=related

[Steady Eddy]

Yep, reminds me of the late 70's and early 80's. Many players thought that it was a good idea to imitate Borg's haymaker forehand. Yeah, Borg was a good player, but mostly because he was so quick and so fit. His form wasn't especially worth imitating. Then McEnroe came along with that weird rocking motion before his serve. McEnroe was an effective server, but this wasn't because of his style. It worked for him, but I've yet to see another McEnroe. Base your game on science, don't just be a copycat. What works for one player, won't necessarily work for everyone else.

[ProfoundBasic]

Yep, reminds me of the late 70's and early 80's. Many players thought that it was a good idea to imitate Borg's haymaker forehand. Yeah, Borg was a good player, but mostly because he was so quick and so fit. His form wasn't especially worth imitating. Then McEnroe came along with that weird rocking motion before his serve. McEnroe was an effective server, but this wasn't because of his style. It worked for him, but I've yet to see another McEnroe. Base your game on science, don't just be a copycat. What works for one player, won't necessarily work for everyone else.

This has to be a case of "do as i say, not as i do." Jack Nicklaus 1974

[Thud and blunder]

Wait a minute! You mean picking my butt and yelling 'Vamos' isn't going to improve my game....getoutahere.

[certifiedjatt]

Wait a minute! You mean picking my butt and yelling 'Vamos' isn't going to improve my game....getoutahere.

i know, it's disappointing. i tried the federer "pull my hair back up over my ears instead of getting a hair cut" thing, and it did nothing for my DL backhand.