Diary of a Racketaholic

[Ross K]

PED,

^ Okay... I shuffle into my bh... will try that initial cross-step before planting and hitting through... incidentally I've been guilty lately of hitting from too open a stance and have rediscovered the effectiveness of really focussing on planting properly and hitting more closed.

[Power Player]

Originally Posted by Ross K

PED,

^ Okay... I shuffle into my bh... will try that initial cross-step before planting and hitting through... incidentally I've been guilty lately of hitting from too open a stance and have rediscovered the effectiveness of really focussing on planting properly and hitting more closed.

Thats super old school. Honestly I would not do it. you will still hit closed doing it the more modern way.

right foot first to the right, short or deep ball
left foot first to the left, short or deep ball
get going with large steps
4 steps groundies, 2 on volleys

Also, you never want to shuffle into any shot. Only guys like Fed can pull that off. It requires great speed and is inefficient unless you are at top level.

[PED]

^^I guess its not for everyone. It's made a big difference for me.

I like the explanation PP gave above about the key to the bh is using the non dominant leg. Funny thing is, the X over lets me do just that.

My final plant step is with my non dom left leg and it reallys helps me bring my hips around as well as emphasize the left arm more.

It may be just me though. I've always hit VERY open off both sides so I was probably in need of closing it up a bit.

[JGads]

Probably playing again tonight, and then possibly with MD tomorrow, so I'll see how the cross-over step feels on a couple of balls. I could see how it could hurt, and how it could help. Probably a very individual thing. Shuffling over to my backhand is probably just engrained in my feet by now, though.

You guys notice that we're talking a lot more about technique in here lately rather than sticks?

Boys, I think we're growing.

[PED]

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

I guess it's a matter of the situation as well, here's Fed doing a little crossover as well as a little shuffle. Love the crossover at 45 secs to setup the fh rocket.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by PED

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

I guess it's a matter of the situation as well, here's Fed doing a little crossover as well as a little shuffle. Love the crossover at 45 secs to setup the fh rocket.

Awesome vid. Now that is some epic light-on-your-feet movement. Literally floating about the court.

[PED]

This vid is even better, really using the front leg to set up the drive off the back leg for both wings.
I guess that's the emphasis more to me than the first step, he appears to use both.
http://youtu.be/eI5PaS-8DRs

[mikeler]

JGads,

You like what I had imagined even down to your description of the backhand stroke. Since I've come back to the 2 hander, I'm more partial to my left hand doing more work than yours is currently doing. It may be worth a shot to really focus on that left arm doing the heavy lifting. My 2 cents.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by mikeler

JGads,

You like what I had imagined even down to your description of the backhand stroke. Since I've come back to the 2 hander, I'm more partial to my left hand doing more work than yours is currently doing. It may be worth a shot to really focus on that left arm doing the heavy lifting. My 2 cents.

Yep, very much agree. The hand drills I mentioned came after that video was shot and they really helped me out in that regard. The one drill was the right hand coming off the racquet right after contact and following through with just the left going through the shot, and the other drill was hard to describe, but I'll try: I had to keep my racquet way out in front and my arms just about totally extended. No take back. And I was supposed to hit backhands by keeping those arms extended and basically deflecting the ball with just body turn and the left arm flicking the racquet through. Key to the drill was A) learning to consistently find a contact point very much out in front of you rather than letting the ball get inside/back, and B) to accentuate that you can get the ball back just fine on many a backhand by just meeting the ball out front and letting the body and left arm do all the work and not 'overdo' anything like a huge take-back or anything when you don't need to or have time.

This latter drill was really eye-opening, because once I got the hang of it, I was hitting solid, deep shots back to the other corner without basically any take-back and feeling as if I wasn't really doing anything. Was barely 'swinging' the racquet, just meeting the ball at the right spot out in front and flicking it back, but as long as I met it at the right place and in the sweet spot and I had my weight twisting 'in'/forward into the ball, it was a perfectly fine shot. Like I said, this was really eye-opening at times for me.

[db10s]

Originally Posted by Ross K

PED,

^ Okay... I shuffle into my bh... will try that initial cross-step before planting and hitting through... incidentally I've been guilty lately of hitting from too open a stance and have rediscovered the effectiveness of really focussing on planting properly and hitting more closed.

Thats what really killed me in Jr. Orange Bowl. Its important alright!

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by JGads

TRUTH. If your footwork isn't on with the PSL, the ball can easily fall short. Epic training stick in that regard. You have to put the work in.

Fuji, how's your serve with that thing? That was the biggest fault for me (pardon the pun). Just had to work so hard to get any real juice out of it.



Yep, agree. Lighter on the feet is definitely a need. I have bouts of very good footwork where I feel like I'm doing well, and other times where I'm lazy and too 'heavy-footed'. Sometimes I feel like my footwork is so much better when the pace and player is up a bit, rather than a guy who hits softer, in which I can fall into laziness and be my own worst enemy.


Really interesting. Will try the cross-over and see how that plays out. Thanks.

Hey bud!

I really really like it on serve actually. I generate enough RHS so I serve effectively with anything. With the PSL I generate a lot more heaviness on my serve compared to a standard tweener, with a bit less speed. When I'm maxing out for a pure power flat serve, I'd guess I'd maybe lose 10MPH, if that compared to a PD. That being said ever since I learned to play with "strategy" I don't hit flat bombs anymore. Tons of power slicing down the T and out wide with a variety of twists and kicks. So really the PSL isn't losing anything on serve for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6Z0U...ature=youtu.be

My coach does the same thing yours does! He videos you, then compares you to a current pro. Needless to say with my stupidly wide stance there aren't a lot of pros that serve like me hahaha! I don't know why I was so far back from the baseline though, silly me! (By the way, man does the camera ever make me look overweight! LOL!)

-Fuji

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by PED

That's because about 2% of the tennis playing population can effectively play with one Great stick but takes alot of footwork (as you know)

Hahaha! I never really got the whole thing about taking lots of footwork. I use the same amount of footwork regardless of the stick I'm using. It's all about just getting in position, and slapping the hell out of the ball!

-Fuji

[Ross K]

Hit with an old Prince Triple Threat Warrior OS last night, albeit in a very low key manner.

Nice lower 60's flex. Nice feel. Frame swings surprisingly fast. I like the balance and weighting. That OS head didn't actually feel too obstructive or whatever, nor the extra length reach. Great forgiveness and pop (as you'd expect).

I wouldn't mind playing a few proper games or hitting more seriously with this rac.

[Ross K]

RHs,

Further to this from Ray>

Extreme 2.0 Pro - Ross, you're going to like this one. Head took a page out of Volkl's book and put big grommets at 3&9, just like you'll find on the V1's. It plays almost exactly like a PDR2012 but swings even lighter and faster, and feels pretty soft on impact. It doesn't have a stiff feel like the PD's & is vibe free. I think this might even top the Formula 100 in terms of comfort & feel but I'll need more time with it. I didn't get to serve w/it yet. Mods were 1.25 grams at 12.

Any other 'holics played the Extreme 2 Pro and care to share their thoughts?

[Hi I'm Ray]

Originally Posted by Ross K

Fascinating stuff, Ray. Look forward to further frame feedback posts. Without doubt, and as you're pretty familiar with my frame tastes/requirements, from what you say, you've got me interested in the Extreme Pro a bit now. Plus also, the Blade does sound intriguing, though it's the new open pattern is the one that's been on my mind of late.

Played an hour today before lights out in 45-50 degrees w/15-20mph wind, only one other person made it out to the courts today, the rest were wimps.

Had a mixed day with the F3.0 Tour - initial impressions were this stick is awesome. Plays much more like an open pattern racket, loads of spin & open pattern trajectory, has a thin, players racket feeling beam with medium-low flex yet somehow has surprising tweener-like power, AND feels like it offers more control than the usual power tweener. The feel and feedback were outstanding. The only downside is today, shots hit in the upper hoop felt really dead and a lot of easy forhands that I expected to be good just dumped into the net without much speed. I've never experienced this before. Could be anything, perhaps I need to add more weight @ 12 (it already has 1.5gm @12 & 2gm @3&9), could be the stringing, or the colder weather, though the Extreme Pro played fine.

Extreme Pro 2.0 - definitely feels very soft, softer IMO than the Formula 100. Hit a few minutes of serves today, initial impressions are that it swung easier/faster than the APDGT on serves and with more pop. I'll need more time on serves with it to see if it on the level of the PDR. In my book the frame has already topped the Formula 100. Where the F100 was almost exactly like the APDGT with more comfort & feel and no other advantages, the 2.0 Pro is even more comfortable, offers more pop, and felt better on serves. Zero adjustments needed on groundstrokes coming from the APDGT. 1.5gm @12. Ross, IMO this is The one to check out.

I like the BLX Blade '11 but as you said its probably not in line with what you seem to be looking for. From the APD as a starting point, its going in the opposite direction of the PD & J100, tighter and more control oriented instead of bigger power & spin.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by Hi I'm Ray

Played an hour today before lights out in 45-50 degrees w/15-20mph wind, only one other person made it out to the courts today, the rest were wimps.

Exact same situation for me. So uncomfy to play in whipping wind, especially cold.

With the conditions, I thought the more maneuverable standard-length tgk stick I have would be better, but was the complete opposite -- it felt like a fly swatter that wasn't up the task, balls flying, struggled with timing. By contrast, the extended, beastly 231.2 just ripped balls through the wind to the baseline, always deep, rarely shooting long. Didn't lose a game with it. Man I love this stick. Against pace, the frame just smiles and says, 'let's go.'

[Hi I'm Ray]

Originally Posted by JGads

Exact same situation for me. So uncomfy to play in whipping wind, especially cold.

With the conditions, I thought the more maneuverable standard-length tgk stick I have would be better, but was the complete opposite -- it felt like a fly swatter that wasn't up the task, balls flying, struggled with timing. By contrast, the extended, beastly 231.2 just ripped balls through the wind to the baseline, always deep, rarely shooting long. Didn't lose a game with it. Man I love this stick. Against pace, the frame just smiles and says, 'let's go.'

Yeah, I used to go to the beach in the winter but I don't live so close now & not used to windy cold anymore. Are you in SoCal?

[JGads]

More Vids:

Some quick clips of Federer (and Gasquet) at Indian Wells. My apologies for the shaky camera work -- I was holding my phone high up over the back fence to get the clear view.

Casual forehand work with Paul Annacone:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdFD3TnvVbo

A look at Federer serving at us, and Gasquet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmq1dBMBw7Y

A Federer serve and approach shot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdGpIS69aks

A nice Gasquet pass:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2IBzLFcDJk

Will add some solid Rafa practice clips in the coming days.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by Hi I'm Ray

Yeah, I used to go to the beach in the winter but I don't live so close now & not used to windy cold anymore. Are you in SoCal?

Yep, Venice area. You?

[Hi I'm Ray]

Used to be in the Westminster/HB area with convenient access to most of the OC & lower LA beaches. But now I'm right by the 57 & 60.