Henin - eat your heart out! - Page 2

danielpreston · 09-12-2007, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mountain Ghost

FOREHAND: You are losing much of the benefit of having an open stance by not loading your right leg effectively and by under-rotating your shoulders during the backswing. Your right shoulder should not be leaning like it is over your right foot, primarily because it places your weight toward the outside of your right leg, which creates a weak foundation for creating and redirecting momentum. Instead, keep your shoulders up and level, rotate them a full 90 degrees (so they’re perpendicular to the net) and make sure your weight is centered over the INSIDE of your right leg, either by broadening your stance or by taking a longer final right step to the ball.

SERVE: You are lowering your left shoulder and opening up early, which is forcing you to swing directly toward the target and preventing you from hitting up. Keep your left arm up longer, stay sideways, hit up and practice a swing path more toward the right net post than the deuce service box.

MG

MG .. you're awesome ... you're obviously not just a player! You could make a living out of this ... ummmmm, maybe you do?!

Punisha · 09-13-2007, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeHappy

not a very good backhand:

1) Bad footwork:

a)the goal is to get into a nuetral or closed stance, sufficiantly wide to transfer your weight forward from your back foot to your front foot, you did not do this once.Generally speaking your left foot was about 1 foot behind your front foot the whole time and there was no weight transfer.

b) Unbalanced movement, bad posture:

A la Roddick, you're leaning very far forward all the time, diificult to change directions quickly as all your weight is potentially going the wrong way.Basically undoing all the good work of a wide stance which lowers your centre of gravity in and reduces your inertia,(time it takes to get moving, or, light feet).And to cap it all off it makes you highly susceptiple to being wrong footed.

2) No kinetic chain:You don't have the basic kinetic chain down, which is :

arm>(hip+shoulder)>(contact+weight transfer).

all of this adds up to

pretty slow and unimpressive racquet head speed:

no rotation of the hip or shoulder whatsoever, no weight transfer whatsoever, you're basically swinging from the shoulder.

pretty good analysis... decent backhand but could be better...

eye of the tiger makes it better though

Adam · 09-13-2007, 05:36 AM

Dan, do you have MSN , I'd like to speak to you

danielpreston · 09-13-2007, 09:29 AM

I don't use MSN. Facebook rules.

You could also email me danielprestonlta@hotmail.com

arnz · 09-13-2007, 09:37 AM

Maybe Adam is a recruiter. Here's your chance

Jackie T. Stephens · 09-13-2007, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewD

Daniel,

Have you considered posting your profile and, at least, one of the videos on the Tennis Recruiting website and, possibly as a pdf, etc, the letter from your coach?

http://www.tennisrecruiting.net/

Seems that, unlike everyone else, I did look at your website and actually know who Julie Salmon is. Not surprising as I did see her at the 88 Aus Open lose to Jo Durie in singles and Navratilova/Shriver in doubles, then actually called service line in both her doubles matches at the 91 event. If someone of that calibre says you're going to be ready for the NCAA's, that's good enough for me.

I was on the other day and I as bored and searched my name and I was there and they gave me like 3 in a half stars.

arnz · 09-13-2007, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielpreston

I don't use MSN. Facebook rules.

You could also email me danielprestonlta@hotmail.com

I keep wondering what facebook is. I've gotten several emails with invitations but I just ignored them. With friends like me....

mucat · 09-13-2007, 10:39 AM

"Risin' up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive

So many times, it happens too fast
You change your passion for glory
Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive

It's the eye of the tiger, it's the cream of the fight
Risin' up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he's watchin' us all in the eye of the tiger"

Come on everyone!!!

danielpreston · 09-13-2007, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnz

Maybe Adam is a recruiter. Here's your chance

I wish .... he's more probably a London player that I know and have played before .... am I right Adam? Also looking for a tennis scholarship?

danielpreston · 09-13-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mucat

"Risin' up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive

So many times, it happens too fast
You change your passion for glory
Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive

It's the eye of the tiger, it's the cream of the fight
Risin' up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he's watchin' us all in the eye of the tiger"

Come on everyone!!!

Have you noticed how many sports videos have this song as the backing track! When I chose it ... I genuinely thought I was being original !!!!! LOL

Zets147 · 09-13-2007, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoBad

I was born and raised as a two-hander, but my backhand was a weakness and as I searched and explored I discovered one-hander on my own, and it worked out so well that I don't have a weak side anymore

But I am happy to have the two-handed knowledge, because I still use it for things like half-volley or if I want to surprise stepping inside the baseline to hit an early two-handed return on second serve.

Oddly, I tend to admire two-handed players, both star pros and friends / local idols, for some reason. How about you, how many hands do you use for backhand?

Ah ok. I got a one hander for my bh. For some reason, I haven't played a solid two hander (besides my coach, he uses both) in awhile. I guess I hang around too many one handers :P

It'd be nice to try and learn the 2 hander though, just to see what it'd be like. I try to teach it to beginners (right hand continental, left hand eastern forehand (on the opposite side of course)). This is the grip most two handers use, right?

sorry to be hijacking your thread daniel.

AndrewD · 09-13-2007, 05:27 PM

Daniel,

I do recall hearing that a former British player, a woman, had started up a business designed to help UK players gain scholarships in America. Can't for the life of me remember her name but I'm sure there can't be too many out there.

Have you considered attending any of the tennis camps run by NCAA coaches? I know there are a few (not sure if they've been and gone for this year) and they could be a way of putting yourself in full view of the guys who would recruit you. It would require travelling to the States but it might just tip the scales in your favour.

One other thing. I didn't find your clips to be overly clear, as regards the clarity of the videos and in comparison to quite a number of other ones I have seen (a few others on YouTube). While I can certainly see how you hit the ball, I can't tell how the ball responds off the court, which is as important, if not more so, than the technical purity of the stroke. I'm sure you know what I mean - some guys have great technique but they don't hit a damaging ball, while others are technically somewhat 'funky' but hit a ball that really jumps off the court with pace and weight.

I just feel that the clearer the image I (the recruiter) am viewing, the easier it is for me to see your game and, ultimately, visualise you playing on my team.

danielpreston · 09-14-2007, 01:55 AM

Andrew .... you've been a great help ... thanks!

Here's my strategy. I got to a 3.2 (UK rating) within 4 years of playing competitive tennis. I was pleased with my progress. I then hit injury for the best part of 12 months, little consistent tennis and therefore bad results and worsening ranking from a high of No.40 in the UK Juniors. The injury is a partly bad luck, partly genetically stiff core, and partly poor technique.

I'm spending a year playing tennis full time, enrolled in an academy 2 days a week with some better players than me. Will hit the tournament circuit of British Tour and possibly one or two qualies of Futures in December onwards.

The goal here is to be beating most players of 3.2 and 3.1 standard by then. Get some great results and approach coaches with a good resume. Basically to play catch up for the year I lost to injury.

As and when a few good colleges show interest, I plan to visit them, to try them out, if poss. Meanwhile CPOA are marketing me, but I'm working to get the results, fitness etc over the next few months.

I know I should have been a 3.1 (US 5.5) by now ... but it didn't happen!

Forgive my ramblings ... but if you have any comment, most welcome.

AndrewD · 09-14-2007, 02:24 PM

Daniel,

I have, over the last few years, been helping out some of our local juniors (in Australia) regarding the option of playing college tennis, so I have a vague (I stress the word 'vague') idea of some issues you're dealing with.

A 5.5 rating and commensurate results would have been nice, as it would have been far easier to market yourself to various colleges. However, it isn't the case that all college players are of that standard. While I think it fair to assume that no player amongst the top 100-150 Div 1 teams is below a 5.0 rating (despite what some here might suggest) that isn't the extent of the college system. There were 274 Div 1 and 160 Div 2 teams offering scholarships (numbers have changed slightly as a few schools dropped tennis) and not all of those players will be of a 5.0-5.5 standard. What you need to do is find a team where 5.0-5.5 is the exception, not the rule.

As I said previously, look through the various divisions (Big 10, Pac 10, Ivy, etc) to see what each teams results have been. You'll soon see which is a strong and which is a weak conference (in a strong conference the bottom team may still have won 30% of its games). Initially, target the weaker schools in a weaker conference.
You can find a listing of all teams and results here;
http://www.collegetennisonline.com/v...ue.aspx?lgId=1 (for Division 1) and
http://www.collegetennisonline.com/v...ue.aspx?lgId=2 (Division II)

You might also find this site interesting as they do have quite a good reputation: http://www.weiltennis.com/html/college.html

fed_the_savior · 09-14-2007, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mucat

"Risin' up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive

So many times, it happens too fast
You change your passion for glory
Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive

It's the eye of the tiger, it's the cream of the fight
Risin' up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he's watchin' us all in the eye of the tiger"

Come on everyone!!!

Cream? strange...

danielpreston · 09-15-2007, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewD

Daniel,

I have, over the last few years, been helping out some of our local juniors (in Australia) regarding the option of playing college tennis, so I have a vague (I stress the word 'vague') idea of some issues you're dealing with.

A 5.5 rating and commensurate results would have been nice, as it would have been far easier to market yourself to various colleges. However, it isn't the case that all college players are of that standard. While I think it fair to assume that no player amongst the top 100-150 Div 1 teams is below a 5.0 rating (despite what some here might suggest) that isn't the extent of the college system. There were 274 Div 1 and 160 Div 2 teams offering scholarships (numbers have changed slightly as a few schools dropped tennis) and not all of those players will be of a 5.0-5.5 standard. What you need to do is find a team where 5.0-5.5 is the exception, not the rule.

As I said previously, look through the various divisions (Big 10, Pac 10, Ivy, etc) to see what each teams results have been. You'll soon see which is a strong and which is a weak conference (in a strong conference the bottom team may still have won 30% of its games). Initially, target the weaker schools in a weaker conference.
You can find a listing of all teams and results here;
http://www.collegetennisonline.com/v...ue.aspx?lgId=1 (for Division 1) and
http://www.collegetennisonline.com/v...ue.aspx?lgId=2 (Division II)

You might also find this site interesting as they do have quite a good reputation: http://www.weiltennis.com/html/college.html

Andrew, once again this is incredibly helpful advice. I have now joined tennisrecuiting.net on you advice. I'll follow through your D1 comments.

EliteNinja · 09-19-2007, 08:34 PM

Great song.
Nice backhand.

I've not read the rest of the posts, but here are some points:

1) Angle of your back: You are leaning too far forward. This limits how fast you can rotate about your spine. The tighter (closer) you are about the axis of rotation, the faster you can initiate the turn (think figure skaters and 2nd moment of inertia)

2) Unit turn: Shoulders aren't turned enough. Partially affected by leaning too far forward.

3) Elbow on take-back: Could be bent a bit more and the racquet more vertical, this again would give you a tighter takeback and give you more topspin from the uncoiling of your elbow (Think: Blake's straight-back takeback resulting in a flat ball vs. Federer's tight takeback resulting in him being able to flick lots of topspin).

4) Slice: Points 1 and 2 still apply here. You have good disguise in that your takeback is relatively the same height as your topspin takeback.

This is purely objective criticism.
I am practicing my "tennis eye".

danielpreston · 09-20-2007, 12:32 PM

Ninja,

Excellent feedback thank you. Just waiting to get over an elbow injury before I try to put all this good advice into practice. Cheers

EliteNinja · 09-23-2007, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielpreston

Ninja,

Excellent feedback thank you. Just waiting to get over an elbow injury before I try to put all this good advice into practice. Cheers

I just watched your Forehand video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zciLH...elated&search=

It's pretty awesome. Excellent footwork.
You'd bagel me easy.

danielpreston · 10-06-2007, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EliteNinja

I just watched your Forehand video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zciLH...elated&search=

It's pretty awesome. Excellent footwork.
You'd bagel me easy.

Are you sure? What NTRP are you Elite? Hey and I don't like bagels, gimme baps and burgers all da time!

09-13-2007, 09:29 AM	#24
danielpreston New User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Brighton UK Posts: 95	I don't use MSN. Facebook rules. You could also email me danielprestonlta@hotmail.com __________________ www.danpreston.co.uk - great videos, music .... and errr.. great player?

09-14-2007, 01:55 AM	#33
danielpreston New User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Brighton UK Posts: 95	Andrew .... you've been a great help ... thanks! Here's my strategy. I got to a 3.2 (UK rating) within 4 years of playing competitive tennis. I was pleased with my progress. I then hit injury for the best part of 12 months, little consistent tennis and therefore bad results and worsening ranking from a high of No.40 in the UK Juniors. The injury is a partly bad luck, partly genetically stiff core, and partly poor technique. I'm spending a year playing tennis full time, enrolled in an academy 2 days a week with some better players than me. Will hit the tournament circuit of British Tour and possibly one or two qualies of Futures in December onwards. The goal here is to be beating most players of 3.2 and 3.1 standard by then. Get some great results and approach coaches with a good resume. Basically to play catch up for the year I lost to injury. As and when a few good colleges show interest, I plan to visit them, to try them out, if poss. Meanwhile CPOA are marketing me, but I'm working to get the results, fitness etc over the next few months. I know I should have been a 3.1 (US 5.5) by now ... but it didn't happen! Forgive my ramblings ... but if you have any comment, most welcome. __________________ www.danpreston.co.uk - great videos, music .... and errr.. great player?

09-14-2007, 02:24 PM	#34
AndrewD Legend Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 6,566	Daniel, I have, over the last few years, been helping out some of our local juniors (in Australia) regarding the option of playing college tennis, so I have a vague (I stress the word 'vague') idea of some issues you're dealing with. A 5.5 rating and commensurate results would have been nice, as it would have been far easier to market yourself to various colleges. However, it isn't the case that all college players are of that standard. While I think it fair to assume that no player amongst the top 100-150 Div 1 teams is below a 5.0 rating (despite what some here might suggest) that isn't the extent of the college system. There were 274 Div 1 and 160 Div 2 teams offering scholarships (numbers have changed slightly as a few schools dropped tennis) and not all of those players will be of a 5.0-5.5 standard. What you need to do is find a team where 5.0-5.5 is the exception, not the rule. As I said previously, look through the various divisions (Big 10, Pac 10, Ivy, etc) to see what each teams results have been. You'll soon see which is a strong and which is a weak conference (in a strong conference the bottom team may still have won 30% of its games). Initially, target the weaker schools in a weaker conference. You can find a listing of all teams and results here; http://www.collegetennisonline.com/v...ue.aspx?lgId=1 (for Division 1) and http://www.collegetennisonline.com/v...ue.aspx?lgId=2 (Division II) You might also find this site interesting as they do have quite a good reputation: http://www.weiltennis.com/html/college.html Last edited by AndrewD : 09-14-2007 at 02:51 PM.

09-19-2007, 08:34 PM	#37
EliteNinja Semi-Pro Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 610	Great song. Nice backhand. I've not read the rest of the posts, but here are some points: 1) Angle of your back: You are leaning too far forward. This limits how fast you can rotate about your spine. The tighter (closer) you are about the axis of rotation, the faster you can initiate the turn (think figure skaters and 2nd moment of inertia) 2) Unit turn: Shoulders aren't turned enough. Partially affected by leaning too far forward. 3) Elbow on take-back: Could be bent a bit more and the racquet more vertical, this again would give you a tighter takeback and give you more topspin from the uncoiling of your elbow (Think: Blake's straight-back takeback resulting in a flat ball vs. Federer's tight takeback resulting in him being able to flick lots of topspin). 4) Slice: Points 1 and 2 still apply here. You have good disguise in that your takeback is relatively the same height as your topspin takeback. This is purely objective criticism. I am practicing my "tennis eye". __________________ Yonex Club Member #005; RDX Club Member #502 RDX 500 mid; Supergrap; 850 57/54

09-20-2007, 12:32 PM	#38
danielpreston New User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Brighton UK Posts: 95	Ninja, Excellent feedback thank you. Just waiting to get over an elbow injury before I try to put all this good advice into practice. Cheers __________________ www.danpreston.co.uk - great videos, music .... and errr.. great player?