my strokes (5.5) if interested

[TonLars]

Posting videos of hitting, points and matches to reflect on and see progress through the years.

2012 Manitoba Open
Semis- http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/24146931
Finals- http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/24173860

2012 Saskatoon Futures Main draw 1st round:
https://plus.google.com/photos/10424...07425068425969

2011 US Open National Playoffs:
Practicing- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atOnitvN174
1st round- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOqghHrSgnI
2nd round- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfu0AF7R9UY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RvwS4StZbQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTrD2HsZNiA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko_MkEGaKKA

2011 US Open National Playoffs Northern section final:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?p=PLFC8A3C6DD64C003E

2011 Practicing with ATP top 100 Michael Russell:
Baseline: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lpc-Zaxv8PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifivP_KyN1c
Volleys: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiT7DY3iH54
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEXqvlSKGPc
Baseline points: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoFNlB-UcIo

USPTA Hard court nationals semi-final 2010
http://www.youtube.com/user/TonLars#...66066D2A86961A

2010 baseline game points:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf4z-U6Dlvk

Aquatennial Singles Final 2007. (Unfortunately you can usually only see one player from the camera angle)
1st set serving at 5-6 and tiebreaker:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md9oNXUBJUo
3rd set match tiebreaker to 10:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAhTCWMVpUY

Arby's Manitoba Open Doubles Final 2008
1st set serving at 3-3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fmLnL6FhwY
2nd set 4-5 down a break:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fHU90M0nuk

Comment if you like. As far as NTRP rating goes you could say Im a 5.5-6.0 out of college and playing regional open tournaments for prize money, and try to play some Futures circuit tournaments when I get a chance to play them.

[Duzza]

Were you a 5.5 in College playing D2? Isn't 5.5 surely D1 level? Anyway.....you have some very nice strokes, although they looks pretty mechanical you obviously get great depth and power on the ball. Film some points! I wanna see some FH and BHs together lol...

[ps60]

if that is 5.5, there must be many 5.5 out there

i am not too familiar with that self assess system.
i thought 5.5 are very powerful and great players.

[dave333]

Wow those look pretty similar to mine only diff is I finish around shoulder and I think my grip is more western.

Nice strokes, I still need to get more jacked to make mine as penetrating as yours (I'm only 14...)

[sapient007]

good swings on both wings.

[mucat]

Thats good stuffs there, TonLars.

Guys, don't look at the ball, it will apear to be slow in video. Instead, look at how clean, how consistent and more importantly, how hard he hit every ball. And how good the footwork to setup the shot and weight transfer, good stuff.

[goober]

Originally Posted by ps60

if that is 5.5, there must be many 5.5 out there

i am not too familiar with that self assess system.
i thought 5.5 are very powerful and great players.

I think he is is legit 5.5. He had a national ranking of 43 in D2 last year if you look him up. I didn't look up his whole record so it could be even higher. Most people would agree that the very top of D2 players would be a 6.0. Also he may have improved since last year.

And no there are not a lot of 5.5 level players out there.

[shindemac]

Pretty good. I'm sure you're much better now, so why don't u post a more recent vid. Too bad u gave away your ntrp. It woulda been fun to play the guessing game.

I agree with the other poster. You look a bit stiff and mechanical out there. That ball looks surprisingly slow for a 5.5. But I'm sure it isn't. Your footwork looks a little slow on your bh side.

[cys19]

Is the sound coming off the racquet from the poly? What racquet is that? Your forearm must be pretty strong to hold your takeback that way and have penetrating shots.

edit: Just realized they're synthetic strings from your signature

[TonLars]

Haha it is interesting to see both the positive and negative comments on this, as expected. Anyways, thanks to those who understand tennis better and can give some kind words. For those who think im not what I say, I dont know what to tell you but youll just have to look up results on the internet I guess. And im sure you understand playing points is much much different than just hitting because you have to move well and execute under pressure. This is just basic hitting. But I will say I missed like 2 balls total from both videos combined As for recent video of me, yeah this is all I got and its from about 2 or 3 years ago. Some of you are correct, I play more aggressively now although not much has changed in the way of trying to play very steady and patient, but indeed you should all understand that playing consistent and being able to run everything down is the way to succeed in tennis. Many players at any level need to realize that

Again, thanks for the compliments. Maybe someday I could get the 2007 version of my hitting on but I am a newb with this technology so probably not.

[blubber]

Just some observations. I'm in no position to evaluate you b/c, although it's not always easy to tell from video, you are clearly a good player and much better than me.

I'm guessing your backhand is your better shot. Looks like you get more power with it.

It looks like you have a short take back on your forehand side. That's good for playing against hard hitters b/c you can set your shot up faster but it robs you of some power.

What grip are you using on your forehand?

[TonLars]

Originally Posted by blubber

Just some observations. I'm in no position to evaluate you b/c, although it's not always easy to tell from video, you are clearly a good player and much better than me.

I'm guessing your backhand is your better shot. Looks like you get more power with it.

It looks like you have a short take back on your forehand side. That's good for playing against hard hitters b/c you can set your shot up faster but it robs you of some power.

What grip are you using on your forehand?

Thats actually a really accurate assessment, youre exactly right on both things. My forehand is different now than 2 years ago and im hitting it much more aggressively. Whats the grip- its pretty close to western, but probably not full.

[ufgatorkid]

Wow, nice footwork, strokes, etc. Lol, even nice calves!

[TonLars]

Originally Posted by cys19

Is the sound coming off the racquet from the poly? What racquet is that? Your forearm must be pretty strong to hold your takeback that way and have penetrating shots.

edit: Just realized they're synthetic strings from your signature

No I think you are right actually, because this is two years ago and I used different string back then. The racquet is the old Head Ti Radical and used it for about 8 years. Now Ive been using the Flexpoint radical for about 2 years

[TonLars]

Originally Posted by ufgatorkid

Wow, nice footwork, strokes, etc. Lol, even nice calves!

thanks lol. Speed is my strength, too bad I dont have points on video here. I dont see how people are saying my ball is so "slow", but I understand I suppose. I do make up for power by running balls down better than most people I play.

[cys19]

Originally Posted by TonLars

No I think you are right actually, because this is two years ago and I used different string back then. The racquet is the old Head Ti Radical and used it for about 8 years. Now Ive been using the Flexpoint radical for about 2 years

My friend is a 4.5-5 and he leads up his fxp radical. Do you? Just wondering if lead's necessary to hit penetrating shots at that level.

[Voltron]

I would have to say you are certainly a 5.5, if not better. Your forehand looks a lot like mine, albeit more consistent and powerful. I enjoyed the video especially because your forehand is similar, I suppose I can probably learn things from it. Thanks for the videos, you are a 5.5, despite what others have said. Good luck with the futures!

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Originally Posted by TonLars

Haha it is interesting to see both the positive and negative comments on this, as expected. Anyways, thanks to those who understand tennis better and can give some kind words. For those who think im not what I say, I dont know what to tell you but youll just have to look up results on the internet I guess. And im sure you understand playing points is much much different than just hitting because you have to move well and execute under pressure. This is just basic hitting. But I will say I missed like 2 balls total from both videos combined As for recent video of me, yeah this is all I got and its from about 2 or 3 years ago. Some of you are correct, I play more aggressively now although not much has changed in the way of trying to play very steady and patient, but indeed you should all understand that playing consistent and being able to run everything down is the way to succeed in tennis. Many players at any level need to realize that

Again, thanks for the compliments. Maybe someday I could get the 2007 version of my hitting on but I am a newb with this technology so probably not.

No matter what these guys may say, the truth is you have very fine strokes, and more importantly your results speak for themselves.

Good luck with the futures.

Best,

CC

[TonLars]

Originally Posted by cys19

My friend is a 4.5-5 and he leads up his fxp radical. Do you? Just wondering if lead's necessary to hit penetrating shots at that level.

I have never used led actually, no. Alot of players do though, and if I knew anything about equipment specifics and such im sure id be doing things differently myself. Different rackets play different though, and so you dont need lead if you just find the right stick. Most high level players are using heavier rackets the way it is.

[TonLars]

Originally Posted by Craig A. Clark

No matter what these guys may say, the truth is you have very fine strokes, and more importantly your results speak for themselves.

Good luck with the futures.

Best,

CC

thanks guys, too kind. Go back to the top if you like im going to put 2 more quick videos up and thats the last of what ive got.