What is wrong with this picture

[gindyo]

I finally got someone good to hit with. This kid is fresh reqruit in a div1 college and is kicking my butt pretty well , but... so far I have taken 3 or 4 sets off of him wihch is pretty good for my standards.

here are a couple of clips from today:
on my serve:
http://youtu.be/UofaJz0EAJU
on his serve:
http://youtu.be/M8-NpEyfugg

[Cheetah]

pretty good.

that guy has good form and good rhs.
i like the rally @ 17s. He hit 3 good heavy balls to you. not much u can do there.

[mightyrick]

Nice stuff. You hung with him well. It looks like your slice backhand deserted you a few times because of his pace. When I play guys who hit that heavy, I end up having to use a much more extreme grip to slice it back.

But that was great stuff.

[gindyo]

Originally Posted by Cheetah

pretty good.

that guy has good form and good rhs.
i like the rally @ 17s. He hit 3 good heavy balls to you. not much u can do there.

yeah he is pretty good and my only chance is when he is in self-destruct mode and my serve works well, that is how I was able to take a few sets.

[Limpinhitter]

Originally Posted by gindyo

I finally got someone good to hit with. This kid is fresh reqruit in a div1 college and is kicking my butt pretty well , but... so far I have taken 3 or 4 sets off of him wihch is pretty good for my standards.

here are a couple of clips from today:
on my serve:
http://youtu.be/UofaJz0EAJU
on his serve:
http://youtu.be/M8-NpEyfugg

Hey Gindyo, that was good. You played some good points and put him on defense on serve a few times. But, you need to UP the intensity of your shot preparation to handle his power. Many times you were caught not quite set up and ready to hit when you needed to be.

[gindyo]

Originally Posted by Limpinhitter

But, you need to UP the intensity of your shot preparation.

You are correct. This is a big problem I see every time I watch myself on video. My intensity and movement are horific. The problem is that I am so used to this tempo that it feels normal and in order for it to be anywhere close to right I really have to push myself and get out of my comfort zone. The other problem is the level of the players I usually hit with. Most of them are in the 3.5-4.0 range with not alot of pace and consistency and they dont require a whole lot of intensity. It is only when I meet players who can hit hard with consitansy that I realize how slow I really am. Hopefully this guy will stick arround this summer so I can use him a measuring stick for my progress

[Limpinhitter]

Originally Posted by gindyo

You are correct. This is a big problem I see every time I watch myself on video. My intensity and movement are horific. The problem is that I am so used to this tempo that it feels normal and in order for it to be anywhere close to right I really have to push myself and get out of my comfort zone. The other problem is the level of the players I usually hit with. Most of them are in the 3.5-4.0 range with not alot of pace and consistency and they dont require a whole lot of intensity. It is only when I meet players who can hit hard with consitansy that I realize how slow I really am. Hopefully this guy will stick arround this summer so I can use him a measuring stick for my progress

It would help a lot if your stance in your ready position, AND your loaded up position, was wider and lower. Standing too upright, with your feet too close together, makes it harder to move to the ball quickly, and makes it harder to handle hard penetrating balls when you are set up to hit. That, with a bit more focused effort to prepare for each shot would do a lot.

[gindyo]

Originally Posted by Limpinhitter

It would help a lot if your stance in your ready position, AND your loaded up position, was wider and lower. Standing too upright, with your feet too close together, makes it harder to move to the ball quickly, and makes it harder to handle hard penetrating balls when you are set up to hit. That, with a bit more focused effort to prepare for each shot would do a lot.

This is wide enough? http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...HddwaOVI#t=25s

[LeeD]

hard to believe it's the same guy...
Looks like we have a tennis player.

[gindyo]

Originally Posted by LeeD

hard to believe it's the same guy...
Looks like we have a tennis player.

hahaha, it looks like i got over the 3.5 hump on Lee's scale. Or may be not? Makes my day .
It is the same guy, just a different camera angle

[Cheetah]

Looks nice. your wide base and footwork makes a big difference.

next up on your to-do list... cross court fh!

[LeeD]

Don't be picking on the old man.
I never said you were "3.5". I said you hit good, with your own style. Good, coming from a 4.0, means NOT A 3.5.
You always had a wide base, but linear, not modern open.
In not the camera angle, but your conscious switch to hitting off your back foot with an open stance that is the difference. Much better. Last step, right foot, plant it, and hit.

[Limpinhitter]

Originally Posted by gindyo

This is wide enough? http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...HddwaOVI#t=25s

Starting at about :43 seconds you did a much more consistent job of staying wide, low and open. At about 1:10 you became a little inconsistent. Watch what world class shot preparation looks like from court level:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6p5ZdGR4hU

[rkelley]

^^^
Love that video. You really feel like you're on court.