My quest to 5.0 - help me out

[Jakesteroni]

Critique it. All honesty is appreciated. My fitness is definitely not there as it is something I am working on this year. Lost all fitness and footwork when I stopped playing for 2 years.

I laid off tennis for quite a while due to relocating and work and have been trying to get back to a 5.0 level. You could say this is the beginning of my journey to that point thanks for being apart of it.

My hitting partner is not rated, for now he only rally's. I am the guy in the black shirt closest to the camera.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMs4-aPOXfw

[peoplespeace]

Originally Posted by Jakesteroni

Critique it. All honesty is appreciated. My fitness is definitely not there as it is something I am working on this year. Lost all fitness and footwork when I stopped playing for 2 years.

I laid off tennis for quite a while due to relocating and work and have been trying to get back to a 5.0 level. You could say this is the beginning of my journey to that point thanks for being apart of it.

My hitting partner is not rated, for now he only rally's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMs4-aPOXfw

Aussming ur the guy closest to the camera, things look nice, we rally at about the same level although i would say my 2hbh is a bit more penetrating. What is the purpose of the vid, looking for compliments? If u wanna improve ur fh try hitting more through the ball and get less spin on it, just for variation.

[charliefedererer]

Your stokes look sound.

To increase your fitness and footwork speed consider doing the following:
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): http://www.intervaltraining.net/hiit.html
USTA Agility drills: http://assets.usta.com/assets/1/USTA...oc_437_269.pdf

Sometimes you will be "beat" after a tennis session. Other times you can get in some HIIT and Agility drills after your partner has left, or if he can only be there for a brief period, even before.

[Jakesteroni]

Originally Posted by peoplespeace

Aussming ur the guy closest to the camera, things look nice, we really at about the same level although i would say my 2hbh i pro a bit more penetrating. What is the purpose of the vid, looking for compliments? If u wanna improve ur fh try hitting more through the ball and get less spin on it, just for variation.

Compliments no. Advice yes. I am the guy closest to the camera. I'll try your advice next time I'm out. Thanks for taking the time on helping out. Greatly apprecaite it.

[USERNAME]

The stokes and prep are 5.0 if your black shirt guy. Footwork will come back, it's the serve that usually takes work.

[maggmaster]

What is your tennis background like? Junior play?

[Jakesteroni]

Originally Posted by maggmaster

What is your tennis background like? Junior play?

I started playing freshman year in high school. Went on to play 1 yr in Junior College. I had probably 5 lessons from actual coaches, but I was just joining my friends private lesson so I wouldn't say I really got coached. I am mostly self taught. I just invested a lot of time during my high school days, I would play anywhere from 4 to 6 hrs after school. Watched lots of tennis studying and mimic players that I idolized.

After 1 yr of college moved up to Nor Cal and stopped playing for 2 years. Gained 25 lb and here I am now.

[ho]

Originally Posted by Jakesteroni

I had probably 5 lessons from actual coaches, but I was just joining my friends private lesson so I wouldn't say I really got coached.

True, there is no coach will let you execute your forehand that way. The in and out of your forearm, the wristy movement of your hand will break down once in real match and high speed ball. I do not see any pro hit the way you hit.
I'm sorry
Your backhand look solid and very good.

[wings56]

things look good from the baseline. the balls out of the strike zone or on the move were a bit more shaky. backhand looks technically sound and forehand doesnt look bad, but it seems there is a lot of extra motion in the backswing that might be partially to blame due to the extreme grip. with that being said, the more you continue playing, im sure youll find a groove and be able to bring your game back to where it was in college.

[goran_ace]

Agree that his BH looks more solid and that in a match, especially if he wants to play at 5.0 , I could see that FH breaking down under duress. For just rallying, you start off hitting well but after the first minute or so you start to get a little wild so I'd like to see you work more on prep and consistency. The guy in the white seems much steadier and has nice clean strokes. Looks like he would be a good hitting partner to work with. I think you'll be alright once you get back into playing regularly. Hardest part of shaking off the rust is getting your legs back.

[GuyClinch]

Something weird going on with the so called "Lock and Load" postion in your forehand. It looks forced and unnatural.

Maybe some posters can figure it out but I'd like to see a side view camera next time.

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

you don't belong here, OP, this forum does not need people who can actually play posting videos

begone with you!

[forthegame]

I'm in no way qualified to tell you how to hit but, your backhand looks as if it has a 'hitch' of some sort. I think your backhand is themore likely shot to break down. Of course, your real-life experience may be different.

[LeeD]

Your strokes are yours, and judging the way the ball goes, is good enough for your target level and more.
Some say your forehand is wristy, but it's the way YOU hit it, and you hit it solidly and consistently.
You can trounce any 4.0 with even an underhand serve, so you're 4.5 right now. 5.0. Just conditioning and some more wide backhand practice.

[Nellie]

I would focus on getting a little more on the toes, more knee bend. Footwork/balance does look shaky of the backhand side (shots off balance/ a lot leaning back/bending down at the waist to get low balls instead of bending the knees/etc.).

I think your backhand could be a lot better if you loosened up
and got some more left-to-right weight shift. Right now, it looks like you are stiff and are using mostly your arms to force the ball back (not a lot of racquet head speed on that side). Being your toes more might help a lot.

[tennis_balla]

I had a look at your video, take a look at this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6Bwrk8a1ek

[Jakesteroni]

Originally Posted by tennis_balla

I had a look at your video, take a look at this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6Bwrk8a1ek

Thanks a lot. I couldn't really see what the members were talking about until that breakdown. My backhand is actually my weaker side, but I think its because the technique is simple which may make it look more consistent.

I'm going to get out to hit tonight and will focus on my elbow positioning. Would you mind taking a look at Andy Roddicks forehand, I would think my forehand is closest in comparison if to anybody pro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ17FZrzkEY&feature=fvst notice the elbow.

I appreciate everyone taking the time for the feedback. No apologies needed as I take this as constructive opinions.

[LeeD]

I'm at a much lower level than TBalla, but I think since your goal is 5.0, not 7.0, your high elbow forehand is just fine, IF you hit it hard, it goes in, and it stands up under pressure. Some top 10's have a forehand "hitch" like yours, Andy, DelPo, and some other guys just out of that level.
Right now, you hit it hard, it goes in, it looks like it goes where you want, but we can't predict how it holds under "pressure".
We all hit our individual style.
If JimmyConnors would post his strokes here.....
If JohnMcEnroe would post his strokes here....
If ChrissieE would post her strokes here....
We'd say...." you maxed out your stroke production, now change it so you can hit harder with more spin and hopefully get better".........
A groundie forehand matters, but only a small part of the total equation.

[Limpinhitter]

Originally Posted by Jakesteroni

Critique it. All honesty is appreciated. My fitness is definitely not there as it is something I am working on this year. Lost all fitness and footwork when I stopped playing for 2 years.

I laid off tennis for quite a while due to relocating and work and have been trying to get back to a 5.0 level. You could say this is the beginning of my journey to that point thanks for being apart of it.

My hitting partner is not rated, for now he only rally's. I am the guy in the black shirt closest to the camera.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMs4-aPOXfw

Your stroke production looks good. But, your footwork and shot preparation are a bit ponderous and inconsistent, although, it's a bit better on your backhand side. I didn't like your closed/neutral stance forehands. Hustle more and get set up with an open stance on the forehand. I also don't think I saw you hit a single cross court forehand and only a few crosscourt backhands. I agree with Balla that your forehand windup is too complicated. IMO, Roddick isn't the best model to emulate. I much prefer Nadal and Djokovic's FH's to emulate.

[kiteboard]

Fh is his better side, but footwork is too slow, weight too high, not enough weight into the shots launching forward, not enough back wards coil. Where are you located? I'm in Oakland if you want to hit. You need better practice partners to reach 5.0.