Why do I frame the ball often?

[Vertiz]

Quick feet, precise footwork, and staying low with your momentum through the ball should help you . Also, make a conscious effort to watch the ball up to and past contact. Sometimes when people get uncomfortable balls (especially on the run out wide), they do some unique flashy whip type shot and take their eye off the ball. Stay low, through those, and keep watching that ball. Now go rematch that 2 star .

[Hi I'm Ray]

Its probably because you are not focusing on staring down the ball to contact. When I frame a ball, I can never recall watching it to contact. Even with bad footwork you wouldn't be missing the ball that badly if you are focused on watching it.

[TomT]

I'll bet you're taking your eyes off the ball. (Which is easy to do with balls out of your comfort strike zone.) That's what causes my occasional bouts of framing. When I watch the ball, then I don't frame it. Simple as that. Has nothing to do with the racquet.

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

[mikeler]

What everyone else has said is applicable. One thing I did not see skimming through is a discussion of the follow through. Sometimes I'm just pulling off the ball instead of hitting through it more. I notice my follow through is above my head versus over my shoulder. When I have that over the head follow through, I frame it almost every time.

[Bubbagumptennis]

Thanks for the replies guys. I also find myself framing my serve often as well -_-
Once again, does the 95 sq inch of the 16x18 (plays more like a 93) have anything to do with it?

[LeeD]

If you frame even serves, you're not concentrating and trying to watch the ball. Not saying you need to see the ball as you hit a serve or groundie. But you need to see it coming into your strikezone.
Slow down. Get your wind. Concentrate.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by Bubbagumptennis

Thanks for the replies guys. I also find myself framing my serve often as well -_-
Once again, does the 95 sq inch of the 16x18 (plays more like a 93) have anything to do with it?

Most likely you are pulling your head down to watch that beautiful serve go in and then it turns out to not be so beautiful.

[LeeD]

I think I guy who can hit 5.0 level serves can hit it pretty well, when not pressured, when the scores aren't close, when the cutie isn't watching.
Crunch time, something else.

[UCSF2012]

Originally Posted by Bubbagumptennis

Thanks for the replies guys. I also find myself framing my serve often as well -_-
Once again, does the 95 sq inch of the 16x18 (plays more like a 93) have anything to do with it?

It's not the racket. Let that go already. If you're framing serves, it's the mental game you're battling, since the serve is ALL on you.

First figure out whether you're framing shots on the top of the frame or the side. If it's the top, then you're having court positioning problems (you're standing too far away by 6 inches). If it's the sides, then you're mistiming the ball while scrambling.

[slowfox]

I think we need a video to assess this alleged framing of the ball.

[Ryoma]

A 5.0 asking advice on 3.0 forum again?

[Rogael Naderer]

Use small steps, don't set up TOO early, stay through the shot, don't back off the ball and keep your eyes pinned on the ball!

Forget the racquet.

I used to be a serial framer of returns and passing shots, I no longer freame often but when I do they are either over the fence or spot on the line!

[McLovin]

As others have already said, 'watch the ball all the way to contact'. But one thing to try is to keep your head down & eyes focused on the contact point after contact. No one does this better than Federer:

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

What I will do during practice & warmup is over correct, meaning I will watch the ball to the contact point, hit the ball, then force myself to 'keep my head down' while I count 'one-thousand-one'. If I see the ball clearing the net, then I know I pulled up too quickly.

I started working on this last year, and my first thought was 'What the hell have I been looking at for the last 20 years? Because it certainly wasn't the ball.'

[Rogael Naderer]

Originally Posted by McLovin

As others have already said, 'watch the ball all the way to contact'. But one thing to try is to keep your head down & eyes focused on the contact point after contact. No one does this better than Federer:

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

What I will do during practice & warmup is over correct, meaning I will watch the ball to the contact point, hit the ball, then force myself to 'keep my head down' while I count 'one-thousand-one'. If I see the ball clearing the net, then I know I pulled up too quickly.


I started working on this last year, and my first thought was 'What the hell have I been looking at for the last 20 years? Because it certainly wasn't the ball.'

Great tip!

TBH the times when I force myself to do this my strokes are at least 10% cleaner!

We can all improve this area on all of our strokes.

[The Meat]

Bad footwork, not keeping your head still, bad bounce(this excuse is only applicable on clay courts )

[Mick3391]

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

Simple, keep your EYES on the ball, and hussle to be in position. Watch the top pros, every shot they are looking at the ball contact the racquet.

That racquet you have is awesome! It's a big head, more round than oval, it definitely is not your racquet.