Why do I frame the ball often?

[Bubbagumptennis]

My racquet of choice - six one 95 16x18 (2012)

Played against a 2 star recruit today. Score 6-2 6-1

Found that any time I was forced on the run to my forehand I'd ALWAYS FRAME IT.

Any kick serve return I'd ALWAYS FRAME IT.

Any high forehand at all I'd ALWAYS FRAME IT.

Is it because this racquet is too much for me to handle? Too small of a head?

I admit it's probably all on me - technique, swing speed, etc etc.

I'm 15, 5'10, 138 lbs

5.0 level serve but 3.5 on groundies. So I guess my NTRP is around 4.0

[luvforty]

5.0 serve with 3.5 ground.

avoid the ground.

serve volley, chip charge.

[rodrigoamaral]

The #1 reason for mishitting all shots is footwork. Start doing speed and agility footwork drills and you'll see a huge difference

[Bubbagumptennis]

I'm at the point where I need to hit groundstrokes and improve because I can't make it to college solely on serve and volley!

[Bubbagumptennis]

and anyone whos seen my volleys.....ew
I didn't even think about footwork! Oh my.... that's so obvious -_- shame on me lol

[rodrigoamaral]

Originally Posted by Bubbagumptennis

and anyone whos seen my volleys.....ew
I didn't even think about footwork! Oh my.... that's so obvious -_- shame on me lol

YES! Tennis is not about hitting a ball, it's about your balance, footwork, timing, rhythm and mental.. improve all those and your NTRP rating will shoot up the ladder QUICK

[Bubbagumptennis]

I have a habit of automatically standing 5 feet back and slicing every chance I get! I always over run the ball too

[rodrigoamaral]

Originally Posted by Bubbagumptennis

I have a habit of automatically standing 5 feet back and slicing every chance I get! I always over run the ball too

the further back you go behind the baseline, the bigger the court becomes for your oponent and you give up the angles as well. court also becomes smaller for you.. stand inside the court to maximize your potential!!

[sureshs]

Keep your eye on the ball

[LeeD]

Keep your eye on the ball AND play against your peers or worse.
I seldom mishit against a 3.5, and can actually make some shots.
Against a 5.0, I look lost, old, blind, and looking the wrong way.

[luvforty]

Originally Posted by LeeD

Keep your eye on the ball AND play against your peers or worse.
I seldom mishit against a 3.5, and can actually make some shots.
Against a 5.0, I look lost, old, blind, and looking the wrong way.

I have played someone like this - absolutely monster serve, but with a baseline game that doesn't worth a dime.

and seems to me, that big swing mentality caused his wild swings at the baseline, which produced tons of errors.

so OP, perhaps you are just over swinging.

[jakeytennis]

don't take your eyes of the ball.
for me, watching the ball spin before i hit the ball helps me a ton.
i hardly ever frame the ball.
also, don't take your racket back too early. when the racket isn't in your peripheral vision, you cant coordinate the ball and your racket together that well.

also, improve your footwork to get more balls in your strike zone

[v-verb]

Are you seeing the ball clearly? I say this because I was using some old glasses -framed almost every shot.

The next match I had some new contacts, saw the ball cleanly to the strings and didn't frame one.

So as other posters have said, keep your eye on the ball and make sure you can see it

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by v-verb

Are you seeing the ball clearly? I say this because I was using some old glasses -framed almost every shot.

The next match I had some new contacts, saw the ball cleanly to the strings and didn't frame one.

So as other posters have said, keep your eye on the ball and make sure you can see it

He is 15

[10s talk]

Originally Posted by sureshs

Keep your eye on the ball

BINGO !!!!!!!!!!!!!

you are lifting your head up a fraction of a second early, and changing the trajectory of the swing

[v-verb]

Originally Posted by sureshs

He is 15

You can have flaky vision at 15 as well - I've had glasses since 8 yrs of age. And I did see that he was 15 in the opening post.

[OHBH]

Originally Posted by Bubbagumptennis

My racquet of choice - six one 95 16x18 (2012)

Played against a 2 star recruit today. Score 6-2 6-1

Found that any time I was forced on the run to my forehand I'd ALWAYS FRAME IT.

Any kick serve return I'd ALWAYS FRAME IT.

Any high forehand at all I'd ALWAYS FRAME IT.

Is it because this racquet is too much for me to handle? Too small of a head?

I admit it's probably all on me - technique, swing speed, etc etc.

I'm 15, 5'10, 138 lbs

5.0 level serve but 3.5 on groundies. So I guess my NTRP is around 4.0

Now I used to be a major framer not too long ago, even against players I beat fairly easily I would still hit a few sideways.

Problem was that I was trying to hit out in front too much. Meaning a lot of times at impact my racket was close to being in line with my forearm. Once I learned to lead with the racket handle and keep a loose arm and wrist my forehand dramatically improved. I was finally hitting that effortless, clean, heavy ball I had always wanted.

[rkelley]

Another vote for focusing on the ball all the way into the contact point. Visualize the contact point and have the picture in your mind of how your racquet is going to rip through that spot.

I frame it when I swing too early. Even when someone is hitting big if you're split stepping and watching the ball off the racquet you can get to most balls with enough time to set-up. I tend to pull the trigger a bit too soon when I see the ball coming fast, even though I'm set-up (lack of talent showing through).

This happens even more when my opponent is hitting big and varying the spin (so some balls kick up and others skid more). The pace steals time and the different bounces make for last minute adjustments.

[TheCheese]

Maybe he was hitting with more spin or pace than you're used to, causing you to mistime the ball.

[Headshotterer]

contact thew ball earlier then normal. i believe that hitting late causes you too loose control and site off the ball.