Playing level and missing into the net

I'm not sure if there is something to it but too me it looks like pros almost never miss a ball into the net. they will hit one long and especially miss the sideline but very rarely even hit the net cord, let alone the net.

on the other hand those very good college players:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-EHF9jLXTM

seem to miss quite a few balls into the net, especially when they go for winners (especially the red haired guy in the video).

on the other hand with the pros you see that much less:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC2qcfnTP-g

Of course I understand that pros are more precise in general and tend to make less overall errors but I think even if you normalize for the same errors pros will miss less in the net.

why is that? does it have to do with better footwork and balance?
 

5263

G.O.A.T.
I expect it is because most pro shots are being lifted and driven, getting good
topspin from big lift from the legs, instead of
rec player shots that are often just driven stepping forward at times.
 

Bergboy123

Semi-Pro
I've heard that it's better to miss long/wide than in the net, probably some connection to this. I also know it feels better to miss long/wide than to dump one in the bottom of the net :D
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
I expect it is because most pro shots are being lifted and driven, getting good
topspin from big lift from the legs, instead of
rec player shots that are often just driven stepping forward at times.

He mentioned "very good college players."
 

slowfox

Professional
I've heard that it's better to miss long/wide than in the net, probably some connection to this. I also know it feels better to miss long/wide than to dump one in the bottom of the net :D

Gotta do two things with each ball:
1. Get it over the net.
2. Get it in the court.

With the exception of them crazy around the net post passing shots, just getting the ball over the net is half the battle. Even if you hit it long, it's still 1 outta 2... :)
 

5263

G.O.A.T.
He mentioned "very good college players."

yes, I realize that, but I mentioned it this way by talking about each end of
the spectrum. The college players will tend to have aspects of both groups
even when they are quite good, and will likely make some of the same errors
as some rec players.
 

treblings

Hall of Fame
i heard an interview with Janko Tipsarevic where he stated, that the top pros clear the net higher than say youngsters at the futures level, who tend to hit as hard but generally lower over the net.
 

Wegner

Rookie
Height over the net

i heard an interview with Janko Tipsarevic where he stated, that the top pros clear the net higher than say youngsters at the futures level, who tend to hit as hard but generally lower over the net.

Yes, Treblings. If you sit at court level in a good pro match near the net, you'll see the ball clearing the net by two, three feet or more. It's the topspin that brings the ball down. Most pros hit close to 2,000 RPM on groundstrokes. Rafa Nadal over 3,000 RPM.
 

WildVolley

Legend
i heard an interview with Janko Tipsarevic where he stated, that the top pros clear the net higher than say youngsters at the futures level, who tend to hit as hard but generally lower over the net.

I heard him say it on this video where he's giving advice to a former Junior Wimbledon champion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AULbt7ZjcU

The examples the OP gave with video are I think a little misleading because more net clearance is normally hit on clay.

But there is probably a lot of truth the the claim that the bigger shots of the top 100 pros today are hit with more topspin than even among good college players. That would tend to mean fewer misses into the net along with more overall consistency. Overall consistency is probably a big factor, even among the wild top 50 players like Tsonga and Dolgopolov.
 

treblings

Hall of Fame
I heard him say it on this video where he's giving advice to a former Junior Wimbledon champion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AULbt7ZjcU

The examples the OP gave with video are I think a little misleading because more net clearance is normally hit on clay.

But there is probably a lot of truth the the claim that the bigger shots of the top 100 pros today are hit with more topspin than even among good college players. That would tend to mean fewer misses into the net along with more overall consistency. Overall consistency is probably a big factor, even among the wild top 50 players like Tsonga and Dolgopolov.

thanks for posting that link:) that´s exactly where i heard it
 

treblings

Hall of Fame
Yes, Treblings. If you sit at court level in a good pro match near the net, you'll see the ball clearing the net by two, three feet or more. It's the topspin that brings the ball down. Most pros hit close to 2,000 RPM on groundstrokes. Rafa Nadal over 3,000 RPM.

i had the pleasure to sit courtside at pro tournaments and watch many top pros over the decades.
what i find interesting about Tipsarevic comment, is that he thinks younger pros with lower rankings hit with less net clearance/topspin. i always thought that hitting wih topspin would be one of the first things that coaches would develop in their players from a young age on. that it was a priority to learn.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
yes, I realize that, but I mentioned it this way by talking about each end of
the spectrum. The college players will tend to have aspects of both groups
even when they are quite good, and will likely make some of the same errors
as some rec players.

Once again, it is not "college players" but "very good college players."

The difference is that many rec players with high net clearance get it by moonballing or mini lobs. It is quite different from getting it by aggressive top spin, which also has a large forward momentum. Quite a different beast altogether.

Very good college players do not really have anything in common with rec players. The gulf is huge. If you think that D1 players are like rec players, you are completely wrong.
 

5263

G.O.A.T.
Very good college players do not really have anything in common with rec players. The gulf is huge. If you think that D1 players are like rec players, you are completely wrong.

Given that I've played many, coached several, and raised 2 D1 college players, I expect that
I know quite a bit about D1 players as well as other levels.
D1 players actually make many mistakes that are similar to rec players, even
though usually their competitive level is much higher than most rec players.
This OP is an excellent example.
College players is inclusive of "very good college players" just so you know.
 

tlm

G.O.A.T.
Isner is a top pro now and still makes many of the same errors that rec players
make :)

There is a lot of truth to what you are saying. I have noticed that as much as the pro players are different from rec players, they also make a lot of the same mistakes when they are under pressure just like a rec player does.

As in playing it to safe when trying to close out a match, not getting first serves in when they need to the most. Making silly errors when their opponent is playing badly instead of keeping the ball in the court.
 

canny

Rookie
idk. Like what was said earlier pros hit with a lot of topspin and pull the ball back into the court it just works and and is the most consistent/competitive thing these days. Except for some flat hitters who drive the ball in the court. Their balls have less net clearance but are still long due to the nature of the shot. Rec players usually have improper technique especially when trying to incorporate topspin and usually dump shots. Flat hitters are the same just because of the lack of technique and skill they hit net shots too because they're just prone too.
 
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