Me hitting a few balls (5.5)

[athiker]

Originally Posted by tennis_pr0

If you pause the video at 7 seconds you will see his take back and my take back are similar. Yes, mine is more extreme, but it is still similar.

If you pause at 6 or 7 seconds yes its similar but what happens after than is what is different. Pause it at 8 seconds. Fed drops the racquet almost straight down behind him from 7 to 8 where you seem to start the racquet forward while still in "slice" position and flip the racquet face vertical later in the stroke than Fed. Fed's racquet face is turned vertical and dropped at the end of his takeback and then has a long low to high path. Of course it is easier to see exactly what he is doing in slow-mo vs you in full speed.

I'm several NTRP levels below you so its not like I'm commenting from a high level. I have eyes and can watch a video though. I don't understand why so many post videos and then spend their time defending against comments. Isn't the point to elicit comments and hope someone makes a useful one so that the player can improve...no matter the level? I'm not really picking on you, but the classic that always gets me is the person that posts a video of them serving only to get comments about using the legs more or more of an archer's bow, etc....then they come back and say, "Oh, I wasn't hitting full out, those were just warmup serves."....Huh? Why the heck post warmup serves if you are expecting any type of useful comments!

Anyway, I've been waiting to get that off my chest for a while...I feel better now! Good luck playing, you do seem to make solid contact.

[Fugazi]

Originally Posted by Chanto

Is it obvious only to me that NTRP is determined by one's ability to win matches rather than their form? It baffles me how people here can say that you're not a 5.5 when there's no match play here.

Maybe I'm just stupid.

So by your logic you can't tell that an 8 year old is lower than 5.5 unless there is match play or official results? Unless the guy has a HUGE serve, it's highly doubtful that he's 5.5. His BH is flawed (ok it's awkward at best), so we can't just give him the benefit of the doubt. BTW we're still waiting for an explanation of the 5.5 rating... Self-rating? Competitive history please. If there is no significant competitive history, then 5.5 is simply out of the question (even 5.0 is doubtful).

[Jonny S&V]

Originally Posted by Fugazi

So by your logic you can't tell that an 8 year old is lower than 5.5 unless there is match play or official results? Unless the guy has a HUGE serve, it's highly doubtful that he's 5.5. His BH is flawed (ok it's awkward at best), so we can't just give him the benefit of the doubt. BTW we're still waiting for an explanation of the 5.5 rating... Self-rating? Competitive history please. If there is no significant competitive history, then 5.5 is simply out of the question (even 5.0 is doubtful).

Anyone under the age of 18 isn't subject to NTRP rules. There are exceptions (18 year olds in leagues, playing opens, etc...), but your logic doesn't hold.

His backhand isn't flawed, it's just different. It's very similar to Guga's, albeit with a less-extreme grip. From his video of his form, we can't really say that he is any NTRP, but based on our best judgement, I'm going to venture a guess that he's a 4.5, which means he can hit all the shots. Since 4.5+ is results based, we either have to trust him or ask him to post his results (which he doesn't and shouldn't have to do).

[Chanto]

Originally Posted by Fugazi

So by your logic you can't tell that an 8 year old is lower than 5.5 unless there is match play or official results? Unless the guy has a HUGE serve, it's highly doubtful that he's 5.5. His BH is flawed (ok it's awkward at best), so we can't just give him the benefit of the doubt. BTW we're still waiting for an explanation of the 5.5 rating... Self-rating? Competitive history please. If there is no significant competitive history, then 5.5 is simply out of the question (even 5.0 is doubtful).

By my logic, you can't definitively state his rating unless you see his match play. Though unlikely, it is still possible that there is a 5.5 8 year old, and although doubtful, it is still possible, and you cannot definitively say that an 8 year old will never be a 5.5.

Bring your logical fallacies elsewhere.

[Ballinbob]

I don't see how his backhand is flawed ....? He hits it just fine and its consistent. Stop hating on him so much

[tennis_pr0]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeQK3aEBST4

This is slow motion. You can see I start my take back similar to many pros, with the strings pointing up in the beginning, I just leave them up for a moment longer, but the forward drive to the contact point is the same as any other one handed bh.....

[Chanto]

your backhand is fine

[DavaiMarat]

Nice vid. Different looking backhand. Wrong? There's no wrong way to hit the ball if it goes where and how you want it to.

As for the rating, who cares? If the OP want to think he's a 5.5 who are we to tell him different. Whether we agree or not is another story.

Anything above 5.0 your pedigree talks for itself. Youve probably been ranked in your state and have a competent tourney history. Whether he wants to reveal his name or not is another story or not, I personally respect his right to privacy.

To the Op, don't get worked up over any comments. There are some in here who just love to argue yet they are the same people who never post anything. Kudos to you.

[Ballinbob]

Originally Posted by DavaiMarat

Nice vid. Different looking backhand. Wrong? There's no wrong way to hit the ball if it goes where and how you want it to.

As for the rating, who cares? If the OP want to think he's a 5.5 who are we to tell him different. Whether we agree or not is another story.

Anything above 5.0 your pedigree talks for itself. Youve probably been ranked in your state and have a competent tourney history. Whether he wants to reveal his name or not is another story or not, I personally respect his right to privacy.

To the Op, don't get worked up over any comments. There are some in here who just love to argue yet they are the same people who never post anything. Kudos to you.

Listen to this guy. Good post and QFT

[Cheetah]

well i have to admit it looks better in slo mo... or less weird anyway.
still kinda funky at point of contact and just after. it looks like you could improve your backhand considerably and easily w/ some adjustments but i guess u dont wana change.

It looks like right at contact and after.. your hand/wrist/arm goes back to slice mode. Could be better w/ some more drive thru. I guess.
I don't know. it's ok but could be a lot better. and by better i mean w/ your skillset and hours logged etc. Doesnt seem like it would take much effort to elliminate the weird stuff and I think you'd have a better bh. Anyway that's my opinion.

edit: thanks for the post btw

[Tebow]

Originally Posted by Jonny S&V

Anyone under the age of 18 isn't subject to NTRP rules. There are exceptions (18 year olds in leagues, playing opens, etc...), but your logic doesn't hold.

His backhand isn't flawed, it's just different. It's very similar to Guga's, albeit with a less-extreme grip. From his video of his form, we can't really say that he is any NTRP, but based on our best judgement, I'm going to venture a guess that he's a 4.5, which means he can hit all the shots. Since 4.5+ is results based, we either have to trust him or ask him to post his results (which he doesn't and shouldn't have to do).

Sorry, but not even close.

[Tebow]

^^ I meant his backhand is not similar at all to Guga's. As a matter of fact, very different.

[Cheetah]

Ok.... I guess I have more to say....

Pause his latest vid at 11 secs. Now look at that.

The butt of his racket is pointing to the ball there but look how high the racket is. it's almost over his head. If you look at pro's at this point where the ball is in relation to the body the racket is down low with butt pointing up at the ball or pointing in line with the ball, not pointing down to it. After this point the OP has to quickly bring the racket down to get it into position. He's able to do it but it's all arm at this point cuz he has very little time to aim, get under and uncoil. The way he brings his racket down from this point looks bad to me. I'm going to have to say that part in the swing (at 11 secs and after) is a technical flaw.

Now everyone don't go hating on me because I've just said it's a flaw. I'm entitled to my opinion and he posted in a tips / instruction forum and it's clear he's not posting to 'offer' any tips or instruction so he must be looking for input.

[TennisCoachFLA]

Originally Posted by Chanto

Is it obvious only to me that NTRP is determined by one's ability to win matches rather than their form? It baffles me how people here can say that you're not a 5.5 when there's no match play here.

Maybe I'm just stupid.

True, the definition is as follows:

"5.5 This player is able to execute all strokes offensively and defensively; can hit first serves for winners and second serves to set up an offensive situation; plays well enough to be a top performer at the state high school championship level; is skilled enough to play college tennis on top Division II & III teams."

But most of us still try to guess ratings based on non match play videos, its part of the fun. My only point was that the slow aimless shuffle was kind of funny on a thread that had 5.5 in the title. But as you said, we need to see him in a match.

[Vik]

Originally Posted by tennis_pr0

I play open tournaments and have a ntrp of 5.0. I am somewhere in between 5.0-5.5.

Why do you put 5.5 in the title then?

Very unorthodox BH but it looks effective against the 30 mph ball machine. Would be interesting to see how it holds up against pace/depth.

Not sure why someone would go thru the time/effort to make a video that wasn't showing their best effort.

Good player. I buy 5.0 here, not buying 5.5.

[Pet]

Your backhand is rare rare.., seems like you gone hit a slice (with a high racquet preparation) and then you make a topspin with practically no backswing: resulting a very poor backhand. And hit with your back straight!!

[Fugazi]

Originally Posted by Chanto

By my logic, you can't definitively state his rating unless you see his match play. Though unlikely, it is still possible that there is a 5.5 8 year old, and although doubtful, it is still possible, and you cannot definitively say that an 8 year old will never be a 5.5.

Bring your logical fallacies elsewhere.

All I want is to go from possible to believable... I'm not asking his exact results (I have no intention to verify), just to have an idea of his competitive history.

[Fugazi]

Originally Posted by DavaiMarat

Nice vid. Different looking backhand. Wrong? There's no wrong way to hit the ball if it goes where and how you want it to.

As for the rating, who cares? If the OP want to think he's a 5.5 who are we to tell him different. Whether we agree or not is another story.

Anything above 5.0 your pedigree talks for itself. Youve probably been ranked in your state and have a competent tourney history. Whether he wants to reveal his name or not is another story or not, I personally respect his right to privacy.

To the Op, don't get worked up over any comments. There are some in here who just love to argue yet they are the same people who never post anything. Kudos to you.

Again, I don't want to get his name or specific competitive history, just a vague idea at least.

[Fugazi]

Originally Posted by Cheetah

Ok.... I guess I have more to say....

Pause his latest vid at 11 secs. Now look at that.

The butt of his racket is pointing to the ball there but look how high the racket is. it's almost over his head. If you look at pro's at this point where the ball is in relation to the body the racket is down low with butt pointing up at the ball or pointing in line with the ball, not pointing down to it. After this point the OP has to quickly bring the racket down to get it into position. He's able to do it but it's all arm at this point cuz he has very little time to aim, get under and uncoil. The way he brings his racket down from this point looks bad to me. I'm going to have to say that part in the swing (at 11 secs and after) is a technical flaw.

Now everyone don't go hating on me because I've just said it's a flaw. I'm entitled to my opinion and he posted in a tips / instruction forum and it's clear he's not posting to 'offer' any tips or instruction so he must be looking for input.

You're right, it's flawed. The probability of him being able to withstand pressure on his BH does not look good.

[bad_call]

Originally Posted by TennisCoachFLA

True, the definition is as follows:

"5.5 This player is able to execute all strokes offensively and defensively; can hit first serves for winners and second serves to set up an offensive situation; plays well enough to be a top performer at the state high school championship level; is skilled enough to play college tennis on top Division II & III teams."

But most of us still try to guess ratings based on non match play videos, its part of the fun. My only point was that the slow aimless shuffle was kind of funny on a thread that had 5.5 in the title. But as you said, we need to see him in a match.

where did u get "top Div II & III teams" ? have seen lesser players on the team.