Finding my strokes after 20 years. Stroke video inside

[Greg G]

Working on a wider, lower base and a looser arm. Thigh wrapped. Fingers taped. I'm starting to look like the walking wounded out there

http://youtu.be/62VZZReF0M0

Side view:

http://youtu.be/vrRJ3y0VsL4

I think it's looking better. It's starting to feel more natural, and I find the classi stuff creeping in less and less.

[Cheetah]

meet the ball more out in front of the body.

[Greg G]

Will work on the contact point, thanks! Got a touch of golfer's elbow after today's hit

[Limpinhitter]

Originally Posted by Greg G

Will work on the contact point, thanks! Got a touch of golfer's elbow after today's hit

Remember when I recommended that the contact point should be at least 2 feet in front of your right foot. In your most recent video, it's not even 1 foot out front.

Remember when I also said that a loose grip increases power and clean ball striking. It also cures tennis elbow.

[Greg G]

I'm tryin! It was pretty loose today

I think I now know what a dead poly feels like.

[Power Player]

Op I think you are clearly a solid player. Nice vids. I liked your classic strokes a lot. Very consistent and solid.

[Limpinhitter]

Originally Posted by Greg G

I'm tryin! It was pretty loose today

I think I now know what a dead poly feels like.

BTW, your swing path continues to improve. I don't know how you feel about your ball flight/shot making, but, your stroke is starting to look pretty darn good. Keep up the good work.

[Greg G]

Originally Posted by Limpinhitter

Remember when I recommended that the contact point should be at least 2 feet in front of your right foot. In your most recent video, it's not even 1 foot out front.

Remember when I also said that a loose grip increases power and clean ball striking. It also cures tennis elbow.

Yeah I saw it in the video- will make an effort to make earlier contact! Ball flight is very nice, the topspin does really allow me to hit out. And I do notice it bothers the guy I'm hitting with, more than the flatter shots. I used to not for a side, but now I kind of like running around the backhand since this new forehand has opened up a lot more options.

I dunno about approach shots though- perhaps these are better flattened out?

Gotta ice up and have the racquets restrung. Speaking of which- for this heavy practice, should i go with a comfort string instead of poly?

Thanks again guys!

[Swissv2]

Originally Posted by Greg G

Yeah I saw it in the video- will make an effort to make earlier contact! Ball flight is very nice, the topspin does really allow me to hit out. And I do notice it bothers the guy I'm hitting with, more than the flatter shots. I used to not for a side, but now I kind of like running around the backhand since this new forehand has opened up a lot more options.

I dunno about approach shots though- perhaps these are better flattened out?

Gotta ice up and have the racquets restrung. Speaking of which- for this heavy practice, should i go with a comfort string instead of poly?

Thanks again guys!

Poly is very hard on the arms when you are trying to change your stroke. I know this well

Contact point further out in front = hitting the ball just a touch earlier (you look like you hit late)

[5263]

Originally Posted by Limpinhitter

Remember when I recommended that the contact point should be at least 2 feet in front of your right foot. In your most recent video, it's not even 1 foot out front.

Remember when I also said that a loose grip increases power and clean ball striking. It also cures tennis elbow.

He can't hit out front because he does not drag the racket with a laid back position.
He can't have a loose grip because he uses his hand to muscle the racket head
around.
Makes it hard for him to use your good advice.

[Greg G]

Hmmm is it like a chicken and egg thing?

[Greg G]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Op I think you are clearly a solid player. Nice vids. I liked your classic strokes a lot. Very consistent and solid.

Thanks! My tennis brain is the one that's really suffered from the 2 decade layoff! I am almost useless playing sets right now.Unforced errors all over

[Greg G]

OK let's try some pictures. Maybe we can really dissect the issues here:
From the back:


Is my wrist not laid back enough? Arm not lagging?

From the side:


Wow. OK clearly a late contact.

Please, have at it

[Greg G]

Ouch. Just woke up. It's more than a touch of GE, I'm afraid. Guess I'll have to take a week off.

This last hit, I tried a looser grip, holding the handle more with the ring and pinky. Was ha a bad idea?

[Power Player]

The problem is that you are getting way too much instruction from people you have never seen play and that are not on the court with you.

All I can say is that my strokes have gotten very good from not thinking about the racquet hand at all and instead really focusing on my prep and using my offhand and hips to open up on time for the stroke. It is a lot less to think about and the result is that my strokes are a lot more reliable in match play.

To help with this I would suggest visiting this site:

http://lockandrolltennis.com/forehand/

[Greg G]

Originally Posted by Power Player

The problem is that you are getting way too much instruction from people you have never seen play and that are not on the court with you.

All I can say is that my strokes have gotten very good from not thinking about the racquet hand at all and instead really focusing on my prep and using my offhand and hips to open up on time for the stroke. It is a lot less to think about and the result is that my strokes are a lot more reliable in match play.

To help with this I would suggest visiting this site:

http://lockandrolltennis.com/forehand/

Oh I watch his videos daily

To be fair, I did ask for advice, and so far it has been pretty spot on! The guys helped (and are still helping) me understand the nuances of the modern forehand, which are only painted in broad strokes on the lock & roll video.

Even before I stopped playing 20 years ago, my forehand was my weaker shot which frustrated me no end. I could place it, but really not rely on it in long rallies. I had reached the point where I would prefer the backhand on center hit balls. And I could not for the life of me hit a really good inside out forehand. The transition to angular momentum as a source of power has been quite an eye opener, and I am gaining confidence in it with each hitting session. I'm sure elements of my classic forehand will still be useful in certain situations- but it's nice to have a reliable forehand which I can use as a weapon.

I agree that eventually I have to get back to the point where I don't think about the minute details. I'm sure I'll get there eventually. Util then, it's nice to get advice from all you guys. Rest assured I do evaluate everything here with an open yet critical mind.

[Power Player]

Nice..yeah I think the LnR is awesome because once you get your forehand dialed you won't even think about how your wrist is, and things like that.

For example, on your first vid youtube was being slow, so it froze right where you were actually pointing the buttcap at the ball and about to swing to contact on the forehand. It looked perfect in that aspect.

Also my coach is pretty highly ranked and when I ask about all the nuances he tells me that those are there from my experience and not to worry about it. He fixed my backhand in one lesson..it was crazy. So I am just passing that perspective on to you as an alternative.

I would suggest preparing earlier to fix that contact point. Its just footwork really..boils down to fitness and the dedication to split step right before your opponent makes contact.

[Greg G]

Thanks! Yes I am working on regaining tennis fitness, as much as I can. It's definitely 100% better than a month ago! Shifted my gym routing to interval training. Worked on lunges and reaction time exercises today, since I had to rest the arm.

Had the racquets restrung with a multi for now (Prince Premier LT 17), hopefully it'll help the arm when I can hit again.

Well a short rest is probably good. In retrospect, I was probably ignoring the warnings my body was giving me. At least I can shadow swing at home with no pain.

[Greg G]

Comparing my stills with the LnR ones, the racquet does not lag behind my hips. Explained there as:

Picture 6 Key point: notice that the body is square to the net while the racquet is pointing backwards. This is the delayed movement

[Power Player]

That is a huge part of it. What I do is make sure my offhand is pulled across my body before I make contact. That will put your swing back on time and you will hit clean. This motion is also connected to the hips opening up as well.

That lag is the real secret to hitting your strokes, having good timing, and effortless power as well.