GWB's Matchplay 10/26/08

[Ballinbob]

Originally Posted by Gee Willikers Batman!

To benefit FROM THE lessons, you have to practice what you learn, on your own time, as well as when your getting lessons. If you understand that..

Basically, 1. you learn how to serve in lesson. 2. you go apply what you learned on your own time.

you get me yeah?


( so ive heard)

Exactly, thats what I thought too. Therefore, if you have good technique, then what's to practice? I mean you know your strokes, so just go practice those and keep expanding on what you have. I can't even imagine what you would want to work on, you have a solid game from what I could tell. I mean, we have this site and so far its done the trick for me. BB and others give great advice Not saying you shouldn't take lessons, just something to think about

[Gee Willikers Batman!]

Originally Posted by Ballinbob

Exactly, thats what I thought too. Therefore, if you have good technique, then what's to practice? I can't even imagine what you would want to work on, you have a solid game from what I could tell. I mean, we have this site and so far its done the trick for me. BB and others give great advice Not saying you shouldn't take lessons, just something to think about

Everything. My game is horrid.

My forehand is sloppy
My backhand is inconsistent some days.
My serve lacks power, but does have placement
My footwork is REALLY sloppy

Only good thing about my game?

I have great court sense, and touch, as you could probably tell from the video. Well, maybe not so much the court sense, but touch, yeah.


If I took lessons, I would immediately go straight to my forehand and footwork. THEN serve.

[Ballinbob]

Originally Posted by Gee Willikers Batman!

Everything. My game is horrid.

My forehand is sloppy
My backhand is inconsistent some days.
My serve lacks power, but does have placement
My footwork is REALLY sloppy

Only good thing about my game?

I have great court sense, and touch, as you could probably tell from the video. Well, maybe not so much the court sense, but touch, yeah.


If I took lessons, I would immediately go straight to my forehand and footwork. THEN serve.

I never would have thought If this is the case this is what I would suggest:
1. Make your serve a priority. I'm telling you from experience that your whole game will improve if you know you can hold your service games. You won't be pressured as much while playing and you'll actually build your mental game (at least for me). My serve is by far my biggest weapon, and as a result I'm always comfortable and relaxed because I know all I need to do is break my opponent once in each set to win

2. I would work on your forehand next. As you know by know, you have a pretty big take back on your forehand and its pretty wristy which will lead to inconsistency. Being 1 on 1 with a pro will help with this more than spending time on the internet. It's just one of those things

As for your backhand and footwork, I'll leave that up to you to decide if its worth the money. Ask BB for footwork drills and I'm sure he will give you great ones, and you can apply those on your own. Your backhand looked like your best wing so I'm not going to comment there; you know your abilities better than anyone.

Anyway, hope this helped. Just try to prioritize what you really need to work on and maybe in the end you can even save some money

[Gee Willikers Batman!]

Originally Posted by Ballinbob

I never would have thought If this is the case this is what I would suggest:
1. Make your serve a priority. I'm telling you from experience that your whole game will improve if you know you can hold your service games. You won't be pressured as much while playing and you'll actually build your mental game (at least for me). My serve is by far my biggest weapon, and as a result I'm always comfortable and relaxed because I know all I need to do is break my opponent once in each set to win

2. I would work on your forehand next. As you know by know, you have a pretty big take back on your forehand and its pretty wristy which will lead to inconsistency. Being 1 on 1 with a pro will help with this more than spending time on the internet. It's just one of those things

As for your backhand and footwork, I'll leave that up to you to decide if its worth the money. Ask BB for footwork drills and I'm sure he will give you great ones, and you can apply those on your own. Your backhand looked like your best wing so I'm not going to comment there; you know your abilities better than anyone.

Anyway, hope this helped. Just try to prioritize what you really need to work on and maybe in the end you can even save some money

Just wondering, are you better then me? Where do you live?

[Ballinbob]

Originally Posted by Gee Willikers Batman!

Just wondering, are you better then me? Where do you live?

No, I don't think I'm better than you, and I live in Colorado. If you were looking for advice only from people who are better than you than I'm sorry It's good to hear other people's opinions, whether they're better than you or not. I can understand if I've been annoying with all my questions, so I'll buzz off now...

[Gee Willikers Batman!]

Originally Posted by Ballinbob

No, I don't think I'm better than you, and I live in Colorado. If you were looking for advice only from people who are better than you than I'm sorry It's good to hear other people's opinions, whether they're better than you or not. I can understand if I've been annoying with all my questions, so I'll buzz off now...

No. You took an interest in me so I thought you lived around my area, I wanted to see if you were better than me so we could have a hit.

[NamRanger]

Originally Posted by Gee Willikers Batman!

I forgot, somebody asked what NTRP the #1 at my school is.

I would argue high 5.5 low 6.0, he's nationally ranked around 200 in super champ 18's in Texas

He's a 5.0 at most, not a 5.5. Someone in the top 50 is a 5.5, and someone in the top 10 nationally is a 6.0.

[J011yroger]

^^^ I am confused, because he said nationally ranked something, and 200 in texas?

Or 200 in the country in 18s.

J

[J011yroger]

Oh and GWB, how high off the ground was the camera when you shot the vid? I like the angle.

J

[Gee Willikers Batman!]

Originally Posted by J011yroger

^^^ I am confused, because he said nationally ranked something, and 200 in texas?

Or 200 in the country in 18s.

J

Ranked 200 in NATION in boys 18's.

Originally Posted by J011yroger

Oh and GWB, how high off the ground was the camera when you shot the vid? I like the angle.

J

Actually not sure, I could find out for you next time we shoot, i'll try to measure the tripod lol.

[J011yroger]

Originally Posted by Gee Willikers Batman!

Ranked 200 in NATION in boys 18's.

Then that is by definition 5.5, borderline 6.0.

How he might fare in USTA 5.0 league play is a topic for another day, and not relivant.

Hopefully he picks a good school.

J

[TonLars]

Originally Posted by Gee Willikers Batman!

I forgot, somebody asked what NTRP the #1 at my school is.

I would argue high 5.5 low 6.0, he's nationally ranked around 200 in super champ 18's in Texas

Maybe by definition from the NTRP ratings chart he is a 5.5-6.0, but I call that rating of him right there BullS--- based off that ranking. I must be a 6.5 player then because I play with the #60 something in 18's nationally a few times a week and have never lost a set to him, often times winning between 6-2 and 6-0. Im sure the guy youre talking about will get alot better since he is nationally ranked and serious, etc, but a highschool player does not have the experience to be labled a 6.0 unless he is absolute tops in the nation and going to be a big time impact player at a top Division 1 school going in as a freshman (example: Alex Clayton), or even skip college all-together and try the tour first

[halalula1234]

u didnt have to make that scary man grunt at 0.32..

[5263]

Originally Posted by TonLars

Maybe by definition from the NTRP ratings chart he is a 5.5-6.0, but I call that rating of him right there BullS--- based off that ranking. I must be a 6.5 player then because I play with the #60 something in 18's nationally a few times a week and have never lost a set to him, often times winning between 6-2 and 6-0. Im sure the guy youre talking about will get alot better since he is nationally ranked and serious, etc, but a highschool player does not have the experience to be labled a 6.0 unless he is absolute tops in the nation and going to be a big time impact player at a top Division 1 school going in as a freshman (example: Alex Clayton), or even skip college all-together and try the tour first

Good points Tonlars, but remember, you have a very consistent and athletic game, which can be a very, very bad match up for a Jr, especially with the age difference;
even if he is #60 in the country.
Match ups are a huge part of this game. You would be surprised at some of the players he had to beat to get that ranking. Some you might not beat.

[TonLars]

Originally Posted by 5263

Good points Tonlars, but remember, you have a very consistent and athletic game, which can be a very, very bad match up for a Jr, especially with the age difference;
even if he is #60 in the country.
Match ups are a huge part of this game. You would be surprised at some of the players he had to beat to get that ranking.

Yes you are right on those things. Which is exactly why there is no way almost any junior 18s player is a 6.0 rating. They dont have the experience, or often strength, mental toughness, that a top college player or satellite player has. Sure there are the awesome ITF international junior players that are already good enough for satellites or able to come in as a top player at a top 20 Division 1 school, but thats not very many players and is alot different than a player ranked 200, or even 60 USTA.

Originally Posted by 5263

Some you might not beat.

Very doubtful! He will improve though he is only 16

[supersmash]

*Dropshot

"Oh, you're gay."

[futuratennis]

what ntrp r u batman?

[fluffy Beaver]

Originally Posted by futuratennis

what ntrp r u batman?

Originally Posted by Gee Willikers Batman!

I live in Texas, very strong (3rd best) region, #1 at my school is ranked around 200 in NATION. He's a 5.5, if not 6.0

Considering people rate me high 4.0 to really low 4.5 , I think I know what I am talking about as well. I still think I'm 3.5 not to 4.0 yet

Message is too short

[FitzRoy]

Originally Posted by TonLars

Maybe by definition from the NTRP ratings chart he is a 5.5-6.0, but I call that rating of him right there BullS--- based off that ranking. I must be a 6.5 player then because I play with the #60 something in 18's nationally a few times a week and have never lost a set to him, often times winning between 6-2 and 6-0. Im sure the guy youre talking about will get alot better since he is nationally ranked and serious, etc, but a highschool player does not have the experience to be labled a 6.0 unless he is absolute tops in the nation and going to be a big time impact player at a top Division 1 school going in as a freshman (example: Alex Clayton), or even skip college all-together and try the tour first

I don't think the rating is BS. According to those NTRP ratings, he's a good 5.5. You, on the other hand, have beaten guys who have actual ATP ranking points, right? Anyone with ATP points is considered a 6.5, so it's clear that you're 6.0 or higher. So you beating someone regularly does not mean that player can't be considered 5.5.

But really, the more important consideration is that NTRP ratings are not generally designed for 5.5 and above players. The guidelines themselves state that a player's results at collegiate, national, or international events are the more important and useful measure of ability once you get into this territory.

[TonLars]

Originally Posted by FitzRoy

I don't think the rating is BS. According to those NTRP ratings, he's a good 5.5. You, on the other hand, have beaten guys who have actual ATP ranking points, right? Anyone with ATP points is considered a 6.5, so it's clear that you're 6.0 or higher. So you beating someone regularly does not mean that player can't be considered 5.5.

But really, the more important consideration is that NTRP ratings are not generally designed for 5.5 and above players. The guidelines themselves state that a player's results at collegiate, national, or international events are the more important and useful measure of ability once you get into this territory.

I know the ratings chart has descriptions, but that stuff to me and others is somewhat vague for assessing players. Based on subjectively seeing people play, as well as objective results and comparing a wide range of players, I have an idea of the ratings for players in my head. I would consider myself a 5.5 player. That is the reason for what Ive said. But like you said, NTRP ratings are more or less irrelevant, except for league play which generally goes up to 5.0. Serious players playing national, international or college tennis are only concerned about rankings. So it can be expected I suppose that since the whole rating thing is somewhat subjective, and vague in terms of the description, its no wonder people are assigned different numbers.