FYB's Singles Playbook

[sundaypunch]

Originally Posted by spot

The OP wanted to know what people's thoughts were on spending $100 on recreational singles tennis advice. Why should I not say that I think it would be ridiculous to spend $100 on that? There are people who get suckered into buying powerbands, phiten necklaces, and all sorts of other ridiculous things.

Incorrect.

The OP wanted to know specifically if anyone had purchased the FYB course, and whether they found it useful. "I haven't purchased the course but spending $100 on it is nuts" is not helpful.

It is similar to someone wanting to know specifics about Playmate Volley and saying "ball machines are useless, just rally with real people".

Unless the OP is a kindergartener, he realizes that there are many sources for information on singles strategy. He wants to know about the FYB course. The fact that this isn't obvious to you is why trying to explain this will be a waste of time.

[spot]

sundaypunch- because you are in a different demographic I have a $300 singles course that I will let you have for just $50. I'll even throw in some magic beans and will let you have total enlightenment on your deathbed. Don't bother getting anyone else's opinion on it here because for some reason no one has bought this package on the site to this point so you don't have many people to ask about it (And no one to ask about the total enlightenment...).

If someone asks about something and I think its a ripoff then I'l going to say so. I've read a ton of tennis books and seen a ton of videos (including many on the FYB site)- there is nothing about singles recreational strategy that I have ever seen that would be worth anything close to $100.

If You want to say that you purchased it and that you think it was money well spent then by all means do so.

[mucat]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

Isn't going crosscourt low percentage ?

Not if you hit them in.

[arche3]

Hit one more ball over than the other guy. Save you 100 bucks.

[tennis tom]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

Isn't going crosscourt low percentage ?

No, it's a high percentage shot because:

1) You are hitting over the low part of the net.

2) The court is longer diagonally, therefore there's a better chance
of the ball staying in.

[theblueark]

I have the Singles Playbook and a couple of other courses I purchased. Singles Playbook is one of Will's weakest products, I don't recommend it at all.

Also, these days he seems focused on pumping out more and more products (some pretty substandard) and doesn't check back on his previous ones. There are portions with missing videos and he doesn't reply to comments or address issues.

My latest purchase is Ian's (essentialtennis.com) Singles Domination. His videos are not as high tech and nifty as Will's but he's a lot more down to earth and sincere and replies to every comment and question posted.

[leroy_sunset]

Originally Posted by goober

I eventually had to [unsubscribe], but if they just sent me occasional notices instead of numerous final and "last chance" reminders I would have kept them on the email list just to see what they were putting out.

I emailed and complained about the spam. It was out of hand. Will (the FYB guy) actually emailed me back and apologized!

[tenniscasey]

Originally Posted by theblueark

I have the Singles Playbook and a couple of other courses I purchased. Singles Playbook is one of Will's weakest products, I don't recommend it at all.

Is there anything in the Singles Playbook that a lower-NTRP rec player wouldn't pick up on from paying attention to strategy during a few pro matches?

[F. Perry]

Originally Posted by theblueark

My latest purchase is Ian's (essentialtennis.com) Singles Domination. His videos are not as high tech and nifty as Will's but he's a lot more down to earth and sincere and replies to every comment and question posted.

I used to listen to his podcast and enjoyed it, there was a lot of good advice. But I can't stand how he breaks EVERYTHING down into three constituent parts. Having every stroke, strategy, movement broken down into three elements often doesn't help at all.

[theblueark]

Originally Posted by tenniscasey

Is there anything in the Singles Playbook that a lower-NTRP rec player wouldn't pick up on from paying attention to strategy during a few pro matches?

I honestly don't remember much of what was in Singles Playbook. The content was pretty bad, especially compared to his previous product, Tennis Ninja (which was excellent, I felt). I do remember there were videos where he attempted to show a few "plays" of some of the top players. How agassi moves the opponent side to side, how mcenroe slices down the middle to cut off angles. Then he shows drills to practice those "plays". But while watching the drills I mostly see the strategy failing and the practice partner winning the points instead.

Originally Posted by F. Perry

I used to listen to his podcast and enjoyed it, there was a lot of good advice. But I can't stand how he breaks EVERYTHING down into three constituent parts. Having every stroke, strategy, movement broken down into three elements often doesn't help at all.

Haha I never noticed that. These days he hardly updates the podcasts though, seems like he's more busy with his video courses.

[wihamilton]

Originally Posted by theblueark

I honestly don't remember much of what was in Singles Playbook. The content was pretty bad, especially compared to his previous product, Tennis Ninja (which was excellent, I felt). I do remember there were videos where he attempted to show a few "plays" of some of the top players. How agassi moves the opponent side to side, how mcenroe slices down the middle to cut off angles. Then he shows drills to practice those "plays".

The problem with the Singles Playbook is that it was positioned as a course that taught you the same plays the pros use (which it does), but I didn't actually show you the pros doing them. I merely diagrammed them on my dry-erase board. So despite what I viewed as valuable information, some people's expectations weren't met.

I'm learning from my mistakes and constantly trying to provide more value to the tennis community. Singles Playbook 2.0 is on the way. We're paying $34,000 in footage licenses (yes, you read that right) and will have the top pros in action! You'll be able to see exactly how they run these plays and how you can too.

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by wihamilton

The problem with the Singles Playbook is that it was positioned as a course that taught you the same plays the pros use (which it does), but I didn't actually show you the pros doing them. I merely diagrammed them on my dry-erase board. So despite what I viewed as valuable information, some people's expectations weren't met.

I'm learning from my mistakes and constantly trying to provide more value to the tennis community. Singles Playbook 2.0 is on the way. We're paying $34,000 in footage licenses (yes, you read that right) and will have the top pros in action! You'll be able to see exactly how they run these plays and how you can too.

Will, i am finding that working out for CORE strength with medicine ball is doing Magic. Accidently found out while vacuming the house with heavy cannister vacume. but anyhow, which weight medicine ball should i buy ? 4, 6, 8 or 10 lbs ball. and also soft or hard ball ?

Also any specific Core workout you recommend with medicine ball ?

[wihamilton]

Originally Posted by tenniscasey

Is there anything in the Singles Playbook that a lower-NTRP rec player wouldn't pick up on from paying attention to strategy during a few pro matches?

Putting aside the Singles Playbook, I think there's a lot players at all levels of the game can learn about strategy. Another poster remarked that paying $100 to learn about strategy was too much - I couldn't disagree more.

Even the pros continue to learn. A few days ago I was at the US Open meeting with Sven Groeneveld. He's one of the top coaches in the world. He was saying how HawkEye data is about to be released, and how that will have important strategic implications for the pro game.

Where does Federer serve most frequently down 15 - 30? How about Nadal? Does Serena hit more down-the-line backhands later in a match? Etc. Will have a big impact on anticipation. Another layer to an already complicated chess match.

So... if things get that complicated at the pro level, and the pros are still learning, I certainly think recreational players shouldn't stand pat or be satisfied with some basic understanding of strategy.

If you want to start right now, here's a cool way to watch the US Open. Pick a particular player and watch how they move during a point. Don't watch the ball.

Slightly more advanced - if you can track both, watch how their lateral positioning changes when they hit down the line versus cross court. And how their vertical positioning changes if they hit a good shot, bad shot, drop shot, etc.

[wihamilton]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

Will, i am finding that working out for CORE strength with medicine ball is doing Magic. Accidently found out while vacuming the house with heavy cannister vacume. but anyhow, which weight medicine ball should i buy ? 4, 6, 8 or 10 lbs ball. and also soft or hard ball ?

Also any specific Core workout you recommend with medicine ball ?

I'm not a fitness trainer so I steer clear of giving specific advice here. I'm sure you can find some stuff on Youtube. But what I can say is that core strength is HUGE for tennis. I do Pilates three times a week and the core strength and flexibility it has given me has improved not only my tennis, but my life in general.

General advice - keep doing it =)

(Speaking of Pilates, it was recommended to me by Mike Bryan. Congrats to the Bryan Bros! Just won the US Open doubles title!)

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by theblueark

I have the Singles Playbook and a couple of other courses I purchased. Singles Playbook is one of Will's weakest products, I don't recommend it at all.

Also, these days he seems focused on pumping out more and more products (some pretty substandard) and doesn't check back on his previous ones. There are portions with missing videos and he doesn't reply to comments or address issues.

My latest purchase is Ian's (essentialtennis.com) Singles Domination. His videos are not as high tech and nifty as Will's but he's a lot more down to earth and sincere and replies to every comment and question posted.

I've always been a fan of both Will and Ian. However, I had the absolute pleasure of taking a lesson with Ian once, and WOW. He was great, the lesson was different from every other lesson I'd taken up until then (and since), and I still remember the things we worked on.

Both offer a lot for free, too...so they make things very accessible.

[wihamilton]

Originally Posted by Topaz

I've always been a fan of both Will and Ian. However, I had the absolute pleasure of taking a lesson with Ian once, and WOW. He was great, the lesson was different from every other lesson I'd taken up until then (and since), and I still remember the things we worked on.

Both offer a lot for free, too...so they make things very accessible.

Ian's a beast. No doubt about it.

[goober]

Originally Posted by wihamilton

So... if things get that complicated at the pro level, and the pros are still learning, I certainly think recreational players shouldn't stand pat or be satisfied with some basic understanding of strategy.
.

My view is that the #1 and #2 problems with adult rec level players are technical flaws and fitness. There is such a huge divide between adult rec level players and pros in these things that advanced levels strategy are not very applicable. If you say in certain situation, hit a kicker out wide the BH, well most rec players can't even hit the shot in the first place. What Serena, Fed and Nadal do it certain situations is only valuable if the rec player can has a full range of strokes at their command. Where you serve at 15-30 won't really matter that much if your serve is not very good to begin with.

I almost think a more valuable strategy guide for rec players is what you should do in certain situations based on your limitations- ie. weak backhand, limited fitness, below average serve, ect.

[sansaephanh]

Massive amounts of hate for FYB. They're obviously more qualified then a bunch of randoms in a subforum commenting on videos.

Don't knock FYB for just trying to make tennis easier to learn.

[wihamilton]

Originally Posted by goober

My view is that the #1 and #2 problems with adult rec level players are technical flaws and fitness. There is such a huge divide between adult rec level players and pros in these things that advanced levels strategy are not very applicable. If you say in certain situation, hit a kicker out wide the BH, well most rec players can't even hit the shot in the first place. What Serena, Fed and Nadal do it certain situations is only valuable if the rec player can has a full range of strokes at their command. Where you serve at 15-30 won't really matter that much if your serve is not very good to begin with.

I almost think a more valuable strategy guide for rec players is what you should do in certain situations based on your limitations- ie. weak backhand, limited fitness, below average serve, ect.

True, there is a huge divide. But whenever we talk about the pros we only focus on what recreational players can copy. We never talk about how to hit a 130 MPH serve, etc.

What I don't buy is that technical limitations mean you shouldn't worry about strategy. Your backhand is your weaker shot so opponents pick on it? Same thing happens to Federer.

The most obvious example that strategy is important at the recreational level is the pusher. Uglier strokes than you, less technical ability, yet he still beats you. Why is that? Because he has a very rudimentary strategy (keep the ball in and deep) and you don't know how to counteract it. That rudimentary strategy beats your superior strokes.

[wihamilton]

Originally Posted by sansaephanh

Massive amounts of hate for FYB. They're obviously more qualified then a bunch of randoms in a subforum commenting on videos.

Don't knock FYB for just trying to make tennis easier to learn.

Thanks for the support. Appreciate it. Just the nature of the Internet I guess. I long ago learned to expect and ignore it. To quote the rap game, "haters gon' hate."