3.0 rallying with a +40 4.0 (Video)

[Dimcorner]

He said he plays locally as a 4.0.
I'm the one closes to camera, 3.0 37 yrs old and playing for about 14 months now.
http://youtu.be/C5eSY68zXgc


This was me 9 months ago.
http://youtu.be/2EWBAFm1E1A

I have been mostly working on getting a 2 handed backhand and not arming the ball as much on forehand.

I feel that I'm trying to hit with TOO much speed. I don't know how to explain it but sometimes I think I'm trying to spin it too much. I also feel I'm hitting off the back foot maybe? Could that be why the reason for the previous point?

 

[Roger Wawrinka]

Is there really hitting the ball with too much spin and speed? So long as the balls in I mean?

 

[Dimcorner]

Is there really hitting the ball with too much spin and speed? So long as the balls in I mean?

I feel I'm trying too much to get the spin and depth. I see other videos and people seem WAY more relaxed than I am when hitting.

 

[Rozroz]

looks like you are 4.0 and he's 3.0

 

[Maui19]

looks like you are 4.0 and he's 3.0

That's what I thought too.

 

[xFullCourtTenniSx]

I feel I'm trying too much to get the spin and depth. I see other videos and people seem WAY more relaxed than I am when hitting.

People look more relaxed because they learn to hit on balance and use their weight and core instead of their arm. Also, they position their feet very well, which allows them to be balanced properly when hitting the ball, which allows them to fully utilize their core muscles to hit the ball.

tldr; Work on your footwork my dear Watson.

looks like you are 4.0 and he's 3.0

Or the other guy is a massive dick of a 4.0. Bad angle, not gonna really comment. Eyes hurt watching it.

Also, keep in mind, you don't need to look good to be a 4.0. You just need to play competitively in matches with 4.0-rated players. You may hit like **** during rallies with friends for fun, but if you actually get things done in a set, none of that ugly **** matters. I'm more wondering if this guy plays 3.0 level in a match situation. Pretty easy to hit at a 3.0+ level in rallies, much harder to do it during a match.

 

[Dimcorner]

I agree, I need to work on footwork and correct weight transfer. I feel I can get to the balls quick enough but don't know what to do with feet once I get there.

Damn this badminton footwork. Courts are so much smaller that they teach you to cover 22 feet in 3 lunges.

 

[dominikk1985]

you are not a 3.0. did you play competitve badminton before? for a beginner you are very good.

I think you want to fool us, you have made not a single error in that whole session. I mean you even hit a BH overhead, no 3.0 can hit that. I would say 4.0 or even 4.5 if you take it easy here.

 

[Dimcorner]

Thanks for the vote of confidence!

I play REALLY competitive badminton (I actually play and will place/win regional and some state tournaments). 90% of the shots in badminton are overheads and the backhand in badminton is done with your back turned to the net (if it's over your head) so I'm fairly comfortable doing those 2 shots. I'm still learning footwork, spin, angles, and building points in tennis.

I especially have problems if opponents give me fluff balls and I have to hit a ground stroke or if they moon ball it and I'm in the back. Right now I just try to rush up and take it as an overhead (I currently hit a better overhead BEHIND the baseline than an above the shoulder forehand).

I will probably get killed by a decent 4.0 because I'm still working on controlling my angles and changing angles. I also have to figure out the weight transfer (or at least do it instinctively) so I can be more relaxed on the shots.

 

[RetroSpin]

I have some advice for you. Don't try to play at 3.0 in a tournament unless you want to catch a lot of grief about sandbagging. Those are 4.0 strokes, soon to be 4.5.

 

[Lack]

You are very good for 14 months . When you hit your forehand point your elbow to the ball and get your racquet back at the same time. Don't drop your left hand after the contact, always keep your left hand above your left shoulder and catch the racquet with between your index finger and your thumb. That way, you can hit your forehand with your shoulder relaxed.

 

[Power Player]

Get to the side on each stroke. You are too open to the ball right now. Get your feet and body facing the side fence and then open your stance and hit. You will get a lot more easy power.

The reason you feel like you are hitting with too much speed and spin is because you are working harder than you need to.

 

[josofo]

u are very good.

obviously no way are you a 3.0

 

[Dimcorner]

Get to the side on each stroke. You are too open to the ball right now. Get your feet and body facing the side fence and then open your stance and hit. You will get a lot more easy power.

The reason you feel like you are hitting with too much speed and spin is because you are working harder than you need to.

I think you hit nail on the head. I truly feel I am working WAY too hard to hit shots. In the group classes I went to they just said to close my stance but didn't say ANYTHING on what to do with my feet as I swing. Do I keep it closed? Do I open hips but keep feet closed? Do I bring the back foot up or the front foot back?

From what I'm getting from your suggestion it seems that I just keep my feet somewhat planted and just rotate my hips to open no? (kinda like a hockey slap shot?)

 

[Dimcorner]

I have some advice for you. Don't try to play at 3.0 in a tournament unless you want to catch a lot of grief about sandbagging. Those are 4.0 strokes, soon to be 4.5.

Thanks!

My tennislink league record last year was just about 60% wins but they were pretty much all tie-breakers so I think 3.0 was legit rating. My losses were straight sets thou. I think I just need more actual match situations. Also you can see that 9 months ago my swings were all over the place.

Thing is that I pick up tips and advice here and there on the boards and I go and try it and work on it. I am totally fine going to the courts with someone and just doing cross-court rallys without playing a match. In fact when I took this rally video I had been hitting serves by myself already for about 45 minutes before the guy showed up (never seen him before). I got some tips on things to change for my serve and I already was trying it (and worked good actually!) this morning for team practice.

 

[rkelley]

Seriously Dimcorner, you look like the 4.0.

Fh is good. Spin is good. If you want to drive it more add pace, but don't lose the spin. Hitting off the back foot on the fh is good generally too. You actually need to be able to hit off both your front and back foot depending on the situation, but a basic, modern fh where you have time to get to the ball and set-up is hit with the weight on the back foot and the stance fairly open.

The bh needs more work. Like your fh, get those hands out front and drive the butt of the racquet into the ball (2hbh or 1hbh).

Volleys look nice. Nice bh smash.

 

[Power Player]

I think you hit nail on the head. I truly feel I am working WAY too hard to hit shots. In the group classes I went to they just said to close my stance but didn't say ANYTHING on what to do with my feet as I swing. Do I keep it closed? Do I open hips but keep feet closed? Do I bring the back foot up or the front foot back?

From what I'm getting from your suggestion it seems that I just keep my feet somewhat planted and just rotate my hips to open no? (kinda like a hockey slap shot?)

What you do is get turned to the side as soon as possible. Just work on facing the side fence before the ball crosses the net to you and make sure your feet are pointed towards the side fence too. Your chin will be on your shoulder. From there you want your outside foot in line with the ball. That will help keep your weight behind the swing path when you hit. It also naturally will open you up on the forehand and allow you to step in on the backhand.

Keep your eye on the ball through contact and your chin will end up on the other shoulder on the follow through.

 

[Kenzik]

Forget the discussion about who's 3.0 or 4.0. I think you look like you're in your mid 20s rather than being 37.

 

[Dimcorner]

Forget the discussion about who's 3.0 or 4.0. I think you look like you're in your mid 20s rather than being 37.

LOL! Well that might catch up to me soon. I'm about to have my first baby (girl) towards the end of October. I hear that will put the years on you

Lots of exercise, low stress (don't let things bother you that you can't control or is not worth getting worked up about), and LOTS of sunblock!
My motto is you are only as old as you let yourself be so I always try new things with the mentality that I will learn it and it won't take me that much longer than most kids.
Whether I'm successful or not does not matter too much (see low stress above) but you HAVE to approach it optimistically.

Oh and stretch a lot and often. I can lay my palms on the floor without bending my knees (standing, not as a push up ).

 

[xFullCourtTenniSx]

Step

into

the

ball.

Think about being at the beach facing a hip height wave. You step into the wave so it doesn't knock you over. However, in tennis, you also rotate the hips, so the end result results in your back heel coming up at the very least (to whole foot coming off the ground and landing in front of you as if you were looking to walk to the net with a small stride). Hard to explain. Easier to watch pros hitting and trying to understand the mechanics behind the body movements.

 

[TomT]

He said he plays locally as a 4.0.
I'm the one closes to camera, 3.0 37 yrs old and playing for about 14 months now.
http://youtu.be/C5eSY68zXgc

Nice hitting Dimcorner. I like your strokes. You've definitely improved over the 9 months since the other video.

The video quality was good, enjoyed watching it, but try to get a tripod or something.

You're definitely way better than 3.0 level with your strokes and movement. You're probably going to get bumped up soon, I would guess. Oh, and yeah, I can see your hitting partner as being competitive at 4.0. You too, actually.

Keep the vids coming when you have time, and best wishes with the new addition. One of the better players in our league had a baby girl a few months ago, and his game is as good as ever.

 

[Power Player]

Step

into

the

ball.

Think about being at the beach facing a hip height wave. You step into the wave so it doesn't knock you over. However, in tennis, you also rotate the hips, so the end result results in your back heel coming up at the very least (to whole foot coming off the ground and landing in front of you as if you were looking to walk to the net with a small stride). Hard to explain. Easier to watch pros hitting and trying to understand the mechanics behind the body movements.

Yes exactly. I find this easier to do if your feet are set right, which is why I like getting my outside foot lined up to the ball.