Video for tennis dads.

[Ash_Smith]

^^^It seems my maths sucks! he would have been 13 in that video! apologies!

[TennisCoachFLA]

Originally Posted by Ash_Smith

The really sad thing TCF, is that we know the coach will say "oh, but this way she will have success now and then we will change it later when we need to"

Those of us with any knowledge now that a)this is damn hard to change the later it goes on and b)there's no reason not to have "correct" technique in the first place as you can still be successful in younger age groups.

This video of Richard Gasquet from the '99 Petit As in Tarbes shows how similar his technique was at 11 to now. You see the same with Rafa, Henin etc. At 11-12 their technique is already formed, barring minor changes and tweaks as they grow, but the basic shapes are the same.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoPFV...eature=related

The only player I know who made wholesale changes to technique later in their career was Juan Carlos Ferrero who totally reworked his serve at age 20.

I'll quite happily fly out if they'd like the help (my expenses aren't too high!)

Cheers

I hear you Ash. How any coach or even a tennis parent could look at the forehands at the .40 second, 1:08, 1:27, and 1:40 marks and allow her to use that grip and swing pattern is beyond me.

Imagine when she gets to the 16s and some 6 foot Russian girl is blasting balls at her and she tries to respond with that stroke. She either quits tennis or gets injured.

Your video is awesome. His talent jumps out at you, even at age 13. His feet are amazing.

[rgwarren]

I've seen this girl practicing with her dad here at Eddie Herr today. She looked great. The dad is pretty demanding but the girl gives it right back to him. It seems to work for her as I think she is the top seed in the 12's

[Crisp]

I hate seeing little kids like this using obviously too big of a racket. Screws with the serves mechanics and sometimes those hitches can't be undone.

[PTBL]

This is how Azarenka looked at 13:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80dX_yNz70c
And then at 16:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgqnMaV3QCM

A proof that all achievements are from hard work and great attitude. Techniques can be improved.

[Ash_Smith]

^^^Aside from the serve (where the footwork has changed significantly), what other major technical changes can you see? For me there isn't much difference from 13 to 16 to now, outside of the evolution's you would expect.

cheers

[TennisCoachIN]

Originally Posted by Ash_Smith

^^^Aside from the serve (where the footwork has changed significantly), what other major technical changes can you see? For me there isn't much difference from 13 to 16 to now, outside of the evolution's you would expect.

cheers

I agree with Ash here. Besides her serve footwork I don't see a lot of significant change. She obviously got bigger and stronger, so her shots look more powerful.

I definitely think AD is very strong mentally. She has that confidence to go for her shots and the belief that the ball is going in and if it doesn't she is going to try again, this I believe is something she has internally.

However, our habits define us as people and players. I have seen some YouTube footage of AD. It's like a compound effect the more AD continues with technique that she has, the harder it is later to correct it. Every shot that she hits day and day out will strengthen that knot much more tighter, thus harder to break.

Again, the compound effect will take place sooner or later for the kids who took the time to learn proper technique from the start. Some of them will catch and surpass her down the road when it really starts to matter.

From my understanding she is only 11, so that window is closing fast. As hard as it would be she needs to take a break from competition and get her strokes mechanics in order.

It's the old saying.... Win now or Win later.....

[rgwarren]

I've seen AD play today her 2nd round here at Eddie Herr. Her serve was looking much better it looks like she is working hard on that. I don't think she has any major flaws in the rest of her game, very nice flat shots that always go in. Very solid and very smart, she looks like a quarterback controlling the field of play. I think she really enjoys the game, she complimented opponent a few times even when loosing points. She acts like an adult and not a 11yr old. I don't see her being passed by 2 many kids, in fact I think she is rapidly catching up to the older girls.

[TennisCoachIN]

Originally Posted by rgwarren

I've seen AD play today her 2nd round here at Eddie Herr. Her serve was looking much better it looks like she is working hard on that. I don't think she has any major flaws in the rest of her game, very nice flat shots that always go in. Very solid and very smart, she looks like a quarterback controlling the field of play. I think she really enjoys the game, she complimented opponent a few times even when loosing points. She acts like an adult and not a 11yr old. I don't see her being passed by 2 many kids, in fact I think she is rapidly catching up to the older girls.

That's great to hear if AD has improved on her strokes I noticed from another post that they show the Eddie Herr online. Hopefully I will catch some of it. I wish her the best.

[BMC9670]

Originally Posted by PTBL

This is how Azarenka looked at 13:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80dX_yNz70c
And then at 16:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgqnMaV3QCM

A proof that all achievements are from hard work and great attitude. Techniques can be improved.

One word: QUIET. So when (and why) did she ad that crazy sounds she's become known for?

[tennisbuck]

She is one in the country for her grade on tennis recruiting
Great racquet head speed the techique will come around
when she gets some size she can shorten up her swings
And i didn't see any verbal abuse...