Body/Hip/Shoulder Rotation: Few Q's

[Owfred]

I have used the western grip for a while, but even after so many weeks of practice, it still is really inconsistent. I noticed that sometimes I hit the ideal shot (everything feels in place) other times not (esp. nerves affect me).

Is the hip rotation the initial step in a western forehand? Should the arm movement be directly in sync with the hip rotation? how can I do this consistently (any drills appreciated)? Sometimes it seems that my arm dominants...

Many times when i get tight, i notice i swing with all arm, which looks bad and IS bad. Other times, balls just sail (hardly enough spin). Sometimes I notice people with way less extreme grips hit better topspin much easier than I do, so I know I am doing things wrong with the western. I know it is the inconsistency of my swing pattern that leads me to more inconstincy.

[pushing_wins]

I have used the western grip for a while, but even after so many weeks of practice, it still is really inconsistent. I noticed that sometimes I hit the ideal shot (everything feels in place) other times not (esp. nerves affect me).

Is the hip rotation the initial step in a western forehand? Should the arm movement be directly in sync with the hip rotation? how can I do this consistently (any drills appreciated)? Sometimes it seems that my arm dominants...

Many times when i get tight, i notice i swing with all arm, which looks bad and IS bad. Other times, balls just sail (hardly enough spin). Sometimes I notice people with way less extreme grips hit better topspin much easier than I do, so I know I am doing things wrong with the western. I know it is the inconsistency of my swing pattern that leads me to more inconstincy.

you trunk starts it, then your arm takes over

also focus on your non dominate arm, to ensure you are not flailing away at the ball.

my 2 cents

[Owfred]

Thank You, any drills I could do to help me develop/perfect the synchronization of the rotation and arm movement? I tend to stop doing this when I play too conservative or tense...

[limitup]

Is there a particular reason you've decided on a full western? Since it doesn't sound like you've spent too much time on it, perhaps you might consider the less extreme Semi western. The problem with the Western is that your margin of error is much smaller, so your timing has to be that much better. I also struggled with this as a beginner, and still do somewhat. I wish I had just started with a SW which is an easier grip to hit with. Then once you get that down you can always continue practicing the full western. It's great to be able to hit with both. I just went about it backwards and learned the full western first like you are doing, and I honestly don't recommend it. If you ask me it's like learning how to run before you can walk.

[MoneyBall]

Thank You, any drills I could do to help me develop/perfect the synchronization of the rotation and arm movement? I tend to stop doing this when I play too conservative or tense...

I too forget to swing with my body when I get tense..For the past few months I have been figuring out how to conquer this habit. What works for me now is first loosening my grip on the handle. This doesn't mean that you are going to use your wrist, you'll still need to set your wrist. The second step is taking the ball earlier. You may need to take a more compact backswing for this. One drill I do with a buddy is hit topsin inside the service line for long duration. If you can do this drill well, watch out!. You'll be confident in tight situation which translates to being relaxed and ready to unleash havok.

[papa]

I know it might sound silly to some but you're got to play this game with your legs - if your legs don't/won't work, nothing else will be right.

One of the reasons you might be having problems (just a guess) is that you might be hitting off you rear foot.

[pushing_wins]

I know it might sound silly to some but you're got to play this game with your legs - if your legs don't/won't work, nothing else will be right.

One of the reasons you might be having problems (just a guess) is that you might be hitting off you rear foot.


papa

are you the papa from revolutionary tennis website??


great site btw

[Owfred]

Is there a particular reason you've decided on a full western? Since it doesn't sound like you've spent too much time on it, perhaps you might consider the less extreme Semi western. The problem with the Western is that your margin of error is much smaller, so your timing has to be that much better. I also struggled with this as a beginner, and still do somewhat. I wish I had just started with a SW which is an easier grip to hit with. Then once you get that down you can always continue practicing the full western. It's great to be able to hit with both. I just went about it backwards and learned the full western first like you are doing, and I honestly don't recommend it. If you ask me it's like learning how to run before you can walk.

I have been playing with a western for quite a while, but I don't quite get the feel and rhythm all the time. Many times it does work, the rest of the time, its bad. I am guessing that timing, where I hit the ball, and proper rotation happens by luck or coincidence a lot for me, and other times, when I think about my stroke, I miss those steps I want to have. I think I spent about 2
years with it already.

I use to use a E/SW when i first learned, but no one ever taught me how to play,and I would practice incorrectly ( swinging hard all the time in practice). Then when i heard about SW, I switched to it, but did so incorrectly to a Western. It worked well when I took a good long swing and swung fast, but still the consistency never developed

I know it might sound silly to some but you're got to play this game with your legs - if your legs don't/won't work, nothing else will be right.

One of the reasons you might be having problems (just a guess) is that you might be hitting off you rear foot.


Ah occasionally I do when I am on the run, but when I practice, my rear foot ends up in the front after the followthrough. I hit long more often than in the net though.

[limitup]

One of the reasons you might be having problems (just a guess) is that you might be hitting off you rear foot.

Pros hit off their rear foot ALOT ...

[Owfred]

Pros hit off their rear foot ALOT ...

Yes, but again, they are pro's right? I noticed I do tend to hit of the rear foot occasionally, and when I do, I actually get in most of time. Its the shots that I have time to think about and hit correctly that I mess up most of the time.