rally with the buddies

The Vitamin L · 03-06-2012, 04:43 PM

Just a tennis rally that I'd like to share with the community here, plus a funny moment where I couldn't save the camera man haha.

3-6-12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEASR...eature=mh_lolz

12-4-12
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56qcdUnNs-w

spaceman_spiff · 03-07-2012, 01:54 AM

Your 2HBH looks far better than your forehand. I don't know why you run around it so much.

That said, it's only good when you have time to get your right hand in position, which isn't that often. That's because your ready position is to have your left hand in a FH grip and your right hand on the throat. That means that, in order to hit a 2HBH, you have to change the grip on both hands before you can swing, and that adds a lot of time to your backswing. Hence, you hit a lot of slice shots on balls that could be driven back if you had a faster preparation.

If you'd like to speed up your preparation so you can drive more 2HBH's, you can try changing your ready position so that your right hand is on the handle, set for a 2HBH, while your left hand is set with a FH grip. After every FH, put your right hand back on the handle; after every 2HBH, keep your right hand as it is but put your left hand back in a FH grip.

If you can get comfortably doing this, it will speed up your preparation time for your BH and allow you to hit a lot more driven shots off that wing. And like I said, you're quite good at driving those BH's.

The Vitamin L · 03-07-2012, 02:32 AM

Awesome critique and advice. Thank you very much for taking the time to write that. I see what you mean and will try to practice that more next time I'm out on the courts.

spaceman_spiff · 03-07-2012, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Vitamin L

Awesome critique and advice. Thank you very much for taking the time to write that. I see what you mean and will try to practice that more next time I'm out on the courts.

The main thing is that it's a simple switch that can have dramatic results (fewer weak slices and more driven 2HBH's), especially on returns.

As for the forehand, others can probably offer better advice than me.

joesucks · 03-07-2012, 07:40 AM

way to go ... like your split stepping, not sure if you are doing it consciously or unconsciously but if it is part of the muscle memory it is even better.

luishcorreia · 03-07-2012, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Vitamin L

Awesome critique and advice. Thank you very much for taking the time to write that. I see what you mean and will try to practice that more next time I'm out on the courts.

Nothing better than hacking a few balls with some friends...in a nice court under the lights...

The Vitamin L · 03-07-2012, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joesucks

way to go ... like your split stepping, not sure if you are doing it consciously or unconsciously but if it is part of the muscle memory it is even better.

Thanks! I fortunately get to hit with a lot of advanced friends so I need to move my feet to get the ball back in play haha.

The Vitamin L · 03-07-2012, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luishcorreia

Nothing better than hacking a few balls with some friends...in a nice court under the lights...

That's right! Having friends that love the sport too definitely makes it easier to get out there. I love playing in the day, but night tennis is pretty nice every now and then.

spaceman_spiff · 03-08-2012, 05:17 AM

Wow, I thought someone would have stepped in by now with tips on your forehand.

Anyways, there seems to be somewhat of a disconnect between your upper body and your arm. Rather than working together, it's like one and then the other. So, you end up using your arm a lot more than you should.

You can see that when comparing your forehand to your backhand. On your 2HBH, your whole body works in unison as you drive through the ball. On the FH, your body only turns a little and then stops until your arm has gone through the rest of the swing and gets to the follow-through; or sometimes, your body moves early and your arm has to catch up.

Try hitting a few balls without using your arm at all. Hold the racket as loose as you possibly can at your side (like where it dips down when you swing), have a friend toss the ball over the net, and try to hit a forehand without flexing your arm muscles (basically, all legs and core). If you work your feet and core properly, you should be able to get your racket moving fast enough to pop the ball back over the net with a completely loose arm.

Once you can hit forehands using nothing but your legs and core, go back to rallying. You should feel your arm and upper body working more in unison.

The Vitamin L · 03-08-2012, 02:53 PM

Sweet, thanks again for the tips! I'll see if I can get another video up sometime soon.

The Vitamin L · 04-14-2012, 02:24 AM

Hey guys, not a new video from me. It's been raining. : (

However, a buddy of mine is having trouble creating an account over at tennis warehouse for some reason and asked me to post a couple videos for him. He'd like some critiques since he's getting back into tennis.

1st vid of him:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBPxZ...sw9QXxsKxyc%3D

2nd vid of him:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ9MS...NToIMI2lBeo%3D

Thanks!

tricky · 04-15-2012, 05:57 PM

He has good timing with his FH, steady Agassi-style backswing and follow-thru, and consistent contact point. His left hand crowds a bit when he swings through the ball, but overall it's pretty good above the waist.

One issue is that he doesn't really put weight behind the shot. (Usually a sign that the legs are not involved enough with the unit turn and stroke.) As a result, he tends to wipe on the contact point without really driving through. You'll notice that he doesn't have very good depth in his rallies.

There's two things that can help.

1) When he's practicing his swing, have him stand on just his right foot before he initiates his unit turn. On just that foot, have him go through the entire swing only landing his left foot when he's swinging through. Doing this a few times retrains your muscle memory to use your legs as you initiate the unit turn.

2) When he's practicing rallies, as you begin your stroke, imagine that there's a hand pressing against the back of your head (square to the back fence.) This teaches you to always shift your weight as you initiate the unit turn. This also works when practicing serves.

jmverdugo · 04-15-2012, 06:45 PM

Vitamin I like your strokes, look a little bit like Querry, you could use some looseness on your back, maybe more shoulder rotation but nothing serious. You may want to bend your knees more with your slices and do not back up too much, try to hit on the rise just a feet behind the baseline. jm2c

thebuffman · 04-15-2012, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spaceman_spiff

Wow, I thought someone would have stepped in by now with tips on your forehand.

weird, i don't recall the OP ever asking for tips. i thought he was just sharing his experience.

thanks for sharing OP. looks like you and your buddies were having a good time.

The Vitamin L · 10-06-2012, 01:51 AM

Got a couple of videos of another friend of mine who'd like some critiques if you'd all be so kind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz7txqCDTDw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hxW-hcYI8Y

Been workin' hard on my game too, but unfortunately I don't have a new video of myself quite yet. Will work on it soon.

Djoker91 · 10-06-2012, 01:29 PM

Very sound stuff. Can I ask what grip for the forehand?

LeeD · 10-06-2012, 05:12 PM

Start NOW to stand in and half volley those deep balls. First 5 shots, you ran backwards against a weak hitting opponent twice.
Work on the 1hbh slice backhand. Don't just chop back a floater, really drive a low skidded slice thru your feet.
Nice compact forehand, nice 2hbh when you're set. Set earlier.

jrkong · 10-07-2012, 02:01 PM

Wow your friend jim jam is really getting somewhere. Is he in middle school? That is some really good footwork and technique for his age. He must have been playing for at least 7 years+ to be at that level. congrats to him.

The Vitamin L · 12-04-2012, 05:43 PM

Thanks for the tips and comments guys! For Djoker91, we all use a semi western grip. It has been raining a lot here so I haven't played in awhile. Fortunately, we finally had a dry court yesterday so we got to play a lil' bit in the evening.

A friend of mine recorded a short clip during some point practices. Footwork has disappeared but I'll get it back! I almost rolled my ankle in the clip haha. I'll try to get some match play videos out when it's nice and sunny.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56qcdUnNs-w

skuludo · 12-07-2012, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Vitamin L

Thanks for the tips and comments guys! For Djoker91, we all use a semi western grip. It has been raining a lot here so I haven't played in awhile. Fortunately, we finally had a dry court yesterday so we got to play a lil' bit in the evening.

A friend of mine recorded a short clip during some point practices. Footwork has disappeared but I'll get it back! I almost rolled my ankle in the clip haha. I'll try to get some match play videos out when it's nice and sunny.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56qcdUnNs-w

I can spot where you almost roll your ankle. That was between 9-10 seconds.

03-06-2012, 04:43 PM	#1
The Vitamin L New User Join Date: May 2006 Location: California Posts: 80	rally with the buddies Just a tennis rally that I'd like to share with the community here, plus a funny moment where I couldn't save the camera man haha. 3-6-12 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEASR...eature=mh_lolz 12-4-12 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56qcdUnNs-w Last edited by The Vitamin L : 12-09-2012 at 05:12 AM.

03-07-2012, 01:54 AM	#2
spaceman_spiff Professional Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The crappest town in Britain Posts: 1,145	Your 2HBH looks far better than your forehand. I don't know why you run around it so much. That said, it's only good when you have time to get your right hand in position, which isn't that often. That's because your ready position is to have your left hand in a FH grip and your right hand on the throat. That means that, in order to hit a 2HBH, you have to change the grip on both hands before you can swing, and that adds a lot of time to your backswing. Hence, you hit a lot of slice shots on balls that could be driven back if you had a faster preparation. If you'd like to speed up your preparation so you can drive more 2HBH's, you can try changing your ready position so that your right hand is on the handle, set for a 2HBH, while your left hand is set with a FH grip. After every FH, put your right hand back on the handle; after every 2HBH, keep your right hand as it is but put your left hand back in a FH grip. If you can get comfortably doing this, it will speed up your preparation time for your BH and allow you to hit a lot more driven shots off that wing. And like I said, you're quite good at driving those BH's. __________________ The universe isn't expanding; it's just running away from Chuck Norris.

03-08-2012, 05:17 AM	#9
spaceman_spiff Professional Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The crappest town in Britain Posts: 1,145	Wow, I thought someone would have stepped in by now with tips on your forehand. Anyways, there seems to be somewhat of a disconnect between your upper body and your arm. Rather than working together, it's like one and then the other. So, you end up using your arm a lot more than you should. You can see that when comparing your forehand to your backhand. On your 2HBH, your whole body works in unison as you drive through the ball. On the FH, your body only turns a little and then stops until your arm has gone through the rest of the swing and gets to the follow-through; or sometimes, your body moves early and your arm has to catch up. Try hitting a few balls without using your arm at all. Hold the racket as loose as you possibly can at your side (like where it dips down when you swing), have a friend toss the ball over the net, and try to hit a forehand without flexing your arm muscles (basically, all legs and core). If you work your feet and core properly, you should be able to get your racket moving fast enough to pop the ball back over the net with a completely loose arm. Once you can hit forehands using nothing but your legs and core, go back to rallying. You should feel your arm and upper body working more in unison. __________________ The universe isn't expanding; it's just running away from Chuck Norris. Last edited by spaceman_spiff : 03-08-2012 at 06:18 AM.

04-15-2012, 05:57 PM	#12
tricky Hall Of Fame Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,311	He has good timing with his FH, steady Agassi-style backswing and follow-thru, and consistent contact point. His left hand crowds a bit when he swings through the ball, but overall it's pretty good above the waist. One issue is that he doesn't really put weight behind the shot. (Usually a sign that the legs are not involved enough with the unit turn and stroke.) As a result, he tends to wipe on the contact point without really driving through. You'll notice that he doesn't have very good depth in his rallies. There's two things that can help. 1) When he's practicing his swing, have him stand on just his right foot before he initiates his unit turn. On just that foot, have him go through the entire swing only landing his left foot when he's swinging through. Doing this a few times retrains your muscle memory to use your legs as you initiate the unit turn. 2) When he's practicing rallies, as you begin your stroke, imagine that there's a hand pressing against the back of your head (square to the back fence.) This teaches you to always shift your weight as you initiate the unit turn. This also works when practicing serves. __________________ Directory of Tennis Warehouse Clubs (courtesy of Mountain Ghost) http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=179307

10-06-2012, 01:51 AM	#15
The Vitamin L New User Join Date: May 2006 Location: California Posts: 80	Got a couple of videos of another friend of mine who'd like some critiques if you'd all be so kind. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz7txqCDTDw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hxW-hcYI8Y Been workin' hard on my game too, but unfortunately I don't have a new video of myself quite yet. Will work on it soon. Last edited by The Vitamin L : 10-06-2012 at 02:01 AM.