VIdeo of my serves and groundstrokes

[shindemac]

I was thinking, and the advice I gave you was bad in the sense that it may still have been too advanced for you (slowing the pace down). Normally, I would just say work on your footwork and agree with the others who have said the same thing, but since you are pretty much a beginner, I would have to disagree this time. I think you should cut the footwork out of the equation; Why add another step and make the stroke harder for you. So what do I mean? Well, you really have to start at the beginning. Do shadow strokes. Put the ball on a cone. Dangle the ball from a string. I know you'll scoff at these ideas, so hopefully this one is more reasonable. Have your partner stand at the service line, and feed you a basket of balls to your forehand. Make sure it is nice, and easy, and bounces to a good height, and goes right to you. Then do the same for your partner. It's really important you do these drills, and then maybe at the end, you guys can rally for like 15 min. Right now, you guys are just wasting each other's time feeding each other unreachable balls that you have little chance of returning.

Don't be too discouraged that everyone here thinks you're a 2.0-2.5. I know it's a far cry from the 3.5-4.0 you thought you were, but a dose of reality is good for you. Hopefully, you're buckle down and do the hard work that's necessary to improve.

[dmastous]

Originally Posted by shindemac

Have your partner stand at the service line, and feed you a basket of balls to your forehand. Make sure it is nice, and easy, and bounces to a good height, and goes right to you. Then do the same for your partner. It's really important you do these drills, and then maybe at the end, you guys can rally for like 15 min. Right now, you guys are just wasting each other's time feeding each other unreachable balls that you have little chance of returning.

100% correct. You need to walk before you can run. You aren't Federer, or Nadal, and you can't get away with swinging like them.

[siber222000]

Originally Posted by strcmp

Not even close to 3.0.
I say 2.0 NTRP.

i'm sure others can help you fix your problems if you keep reading these forums though.

yes people can help him get better, but his the one who need to try out new things instead of reading the forum all the time expecting he'll be so good after reading couple posts. I asked so many questions about kick serve couple weeks ago... no one helped me, I learned it by myself by trying out different stuff.

[tennistensai]

Originally Posted by siber222000

yes people can help him get better, but his the one who need to try out new things instead of reading the forum all the time expecting he'll be so good after reading couple posts. I asked so many questions about kick serve couple weeks ago... no one helped me, I learned it by myself by trying out different stuff.

I think thats the best thing Ive heard all day. I asked for help with my game and did not get much good help. All I found out was that I was doing something wrong and now I have to try to find out how to fix it on my own. But to the dude that posted the video good luck man. I learned recently it takes ALOT of time and effort to get to mildly decent.

[noobplayer]

btw im damasta's bro and i always tell him he suks...i usually go hit against the wall instead of with him as i can hit consistently with the wall versus his "wild" shots that goes into other people's court or over the fence. the reason the rally isnt "sustained" his because i never hit is out balls....his ball are almsot always out or way too close to the baseline...other balls are just wild...so ya i dont hit those back...and some of the shots on the video, the ball didnt go over the net...also i know his serve suks...mine almost always gets in..im most likely a 3.0...hmm maybe i'll post a video to prove it.
anyway my bros serve is ultra bad...i call his the "squat" serve because it looks like hes squatting ...his forehand is actually pretty good..he has pretty good topspin but most of the time its too powerful and flies out...his backhand is like "nonexistant" and he just slashes at the ball? thats what i call his slices...slashes.... anyway thnx for telling him his true "ntrp"..hes always saying i suck but my serves look way better than his and are accurate...i use a 2-handed bh so way better...my forehand might not have as much spin but at least they dont go out..anyways thnx for all the comments...btw this is ala moana park in hawaii in case anyone knows...ala moana beach (near waikiki) man it was a scorcher...90 degress outside

[strcmp]

Originally Posted by noobplayer

btw im damasta's bro and i always tell him he suks...i usually go hit against the wall instead of with him as i can hit consistently with the wall versus his "wild" shots that goes into other people's court or over the fence. the reason the rally isnt "sustained" his because i never hit is out balls....his ball are almsot always out or way too close to the baseline...other balls are just wild...so ya i dont hit those back...and some of the shots on the video, the ball didnt go over the net...also i know his serve suks...mine almost always gets in..im most likely a 3.0...hmm maybe i'll post a video to prove it.
anyway my bros serve is ultra bad...i call his the "squat" serve because it looks like hes squatting ...his forehand is actually pretty good..he has pretty good topspin but most of the time its too powerful and flies out...his backhand is like "nonexistant" and he just slashes at the ball? thats what i call his slices...slashes.... anyway thnx for telling him his true "ntrp"..hes always saying i suck but my serves look way better than his and are accurate...i use a 2-handed bh so way better...my forehand might not have as much spin but at least they dont go out..anyways thnx for all the comments...btw this is ala moana park in hawaii in case anyone knows...ala moana beach (near waikiki) man it was a scorcher...90 degress outside

Hehe that's funny.. both of them say each other sucks..
Damasta's brother should post his video too lol

[dmastous]

Originally Posted by noobplayer

btw im damasta's bro and i always tell him he suks...i usually go hit against the wall instead of with him as i can hit consistently with the wall versus his "wild" shots that goes into other people's court or over the fence. the reason the rally isnt "sustained" his because i never hit is out balls....his ball are almsot always out or way too close to the baseline...other balls are just wild...so ya i dont hit those back...and some of the shots on the video, the ball didnt go over the net...also i know his serve suks...mine almost always gets in..im most likely a 3.0...hmm maybe i'll post a video to prove it.
anyway my bros serve is ultra bad...i call his the "squat" serve because it looks like hes squatting ...his forehand is actually pretty good..he has pretty good topspin but most of the time its too powerful and flies out...his backhand is like "nonexistant" and he just slashes at the ball? thats what i call his slices...slashes.... anyway thnx for telling him his true "ntrp"..hes always saying i suck but my serves look way better than his and are accurate...i use a 2-handed bh so way better...my forehand might not have as much spin but at least they dont go out..anyways thnx for all the comments...btw this is ala moana park in hawaii in case anyone knows...ala moana beach (near waikiki) man it was a scorcher...90 degress outside

This is good. A little brotherly competition.... I look forward to seeing you prove your words.

[snoflewis]

Originally Posted by noobplayer

btw im damasta's bro and i always tell him he suks...i usually go hit against the wall instead of with him as i can hit consistently with the wall versus his "wild" shots that goes into other people's court or over the fence. the reason the rally isnt "sustained" his because i never hit is out balls....his ball are almsot always out or way too close to the baseline...other balls are just wild...so ya i dont hit those back...and some of the shots on the video, the ball didnt go over the net...also i know his serve suks...mine almost always gets in..im most likely a 3.0...hmm maybe i'll post a video to prove it.
anyway my bros serve is ultra bad...i call his the "squat" serve because it looks like hes squatting ...his forehand is actually pretty good..he has pretty good topspin but most of the time its too powerful and flies out...his backhand is like "nonexistant" and he just slashes at the ball? thats what i call his slices...slashes.... anyway thnx for telling him his true "ntrp"..hes always saying i suck but my serves look way better than his and are accurate...i use a 2-handed bh so way better...my forehand might not have as much spin but at least they dont go out..anyways thnx for all the comments...btw this is ala moana park in hawaii in case anyone knows...ala moana beach (near waikiki) man it was a scorcher...90 degress outside

as much as i want to believe that...i really don't. look forward to your video.

i think it's terrible how someone says they're a certain level and post a video, and they get flamed like mad...lol...i just find it funny...so detrimental

[TENNIS_IS_FUN]

You guys are harsh, he hasnt even had the courage to reply yet.

[siber222000]

Originally Posted by TENNIS_IS_FUN

You guys are harsh, he hasnt even had the courage to reply yet.

hahah that made me laugh

[AngeloDS]

You're a 1.5, with great potential to reach a 3.5 or 4.0 in about a year and a half.

Haha, oddly I understood what the korean women were talking about.

I like the natural wrist release. Your shots while they are horrible, I must say the things that develop good shots (looseness, wrist release, natural shot-selection reaction and some decent idea how to face and open up in the shot) are there. You just need direction and teaching in real life and you can be there.

It really depends on how serious you want to be about tennis, and what you plan on doing. If you're serious the path to 4.0 should be an easy one for you. You just have to put in a lot of hours, work on stroke mechanics and footwork, and just hit with someone for about an hour a day.

Strokes can be learned easily in months. Say 2-3 months easily for a serve and a forehand, say 4-5 for a decent one handed backhand. But it takes a lot of hours of hitting and drilling to become consistent with those shots and then to translate them into match play.

[TENNIS_IS_FUN]

Here is my advice:

Whenever you play tennis, whether it be practice or a game, always play to improve, and not to win. Although the feeling of victory can be extremely satisfying, playing to improve will actually help you win more games. Playing to win often is the one thing that makes players mentally weak. Whenever you see someone break down mentally, it is usually because they have the "I need to win this point at all costs" type of attitude. This type of mind set can be useful when it really counts, but other than that, it is something that makes players play worse, and below their potential. Here is why: Whenever someone puts enough pressure on themselves, and ends up "failing," they become even more conservative, often taking dinks at the ball, and losing confidence. I'm not saying play like you dont care, but play as if you're rallying. And remember, actual games are times when you should be improving the most, not getting worse. With that being said, i think i should just take off my avatar of Safin right now

[HyperHorse]

Forehand looks fine to me.
Serve- stance is too open, not extending fully...
Backhand- get a squash ball and squeeze it endlessly to get some strength & stability in that wrist... EARLY preparation is the key, swing loose and easy, get a full shoulder turn. You just lack that strength needed to hit the high balls...
Seriously, just get some coaching, group lessons would be fine because you need the hands on attention from a coach because we can only explain/show you so much with words...
You're doing fine, dont give up and you'll improve.
Ignore negative comments from other posters here on your possible rate of improvement, just take it day by day.
oh and how old are you?

[emo5]

oh man this is great stuff!
you have a brother who says you suck and im sure you hate each others guts.
This will probably be your main inspiration to tennis; the fact you one day, wanna kick his arse at something he's 'supposedly' good at.
I started taking tennis seriously by getting 6-0 *** whoppings .
Maybe you should copy your brother depending on how he is.

Anyways, here's how I see things:
you've probably read everyone's comments on your tennis and have started to take things into consideration. I'll list some tips numbered.
1. Do not try to copy the pros. This is a bad way to start because they all started liek you and you wont get anywhere jumping basic steps!

2. Forget about the Continental Grip. Serve with what you feel comfortable with most. I started serve with the Eastern Forehand grip(what your using now) and then switched, but not immediately. (yeah, you guys can waste your time typing about how bad my advice is, I wouldnt give a crap.)

3.It's hard you help you out by theory! Reading things on a message board can be so confusing without proper definition. You wont have a clue what we're really talking about so go look for some basic videos online.

4. You need to experiment yourself. Slowly... Dont just smack the ball, it doesnt help. Try whatever feels best without swinging too fast and then when you feel like it's consistent swing faster.

Finally, reply!! We wanna hear if you've been shattered or feel confident. Possibly post another video after trying out new things.

[Tim Set Match]

Originally Posted by AngeloDS

I like the natural wrist release. Your shots while they are horrible, I must say the things that develop good shots (looseness, wrist release, natural shot-selection reaction and some decent idea how to face and open up in the shot) are there. You just need direction and teaching in real life and you can be there.

First of all your shots are not "horrible!" They are normal for someone who has not received a lot of instruction.

Second, I completely agree with AngeloDS's observation. You have the set of skills that someone with a lot of potential in tennis generally has. In fact, I've seen people who have played for 10 years or more who have weak technique on their forehand compared to you. Seek instruction and keep practicing; you'll be there in no time!

[siber222000]

u know i was watching rogers cup and i saw andre agassi commercial and it was very helpful *keep your eyes on the ball* *move your feet* *and use ball PENN* haha maybe it's a good advice

[damasta55]

okay finally a reply from me. thnx for all the advice. i am trying to migrate to a continental serving grip, i normally serve with sw grip i use for fh, but now im using eastern. lets see, im 16 right now and started playing when i was 14. I basically only play once or twice a week for around 2 hours. i never really had any lessons, had a couple group lessons. i think i'll try to post a better video when i have time. i dont think the posts were negative, just harsh reality.

[zhan]

Originally Posted by damasta55

okay finally a reply from me. thnx for all the advice. i am trying to migrate to a continental serving grip, i normally serve with sw grip i use for fh, but now im using eastern. lets see, im 16 right now and started playing when i was 14. I basically only play once or twice a week for around 2 hours. i never really had any lessons, had a couple group lessons. i think i'll try to post a better video when i have time. i dont think the posts were negative, just harsh reality.

not harsh...
its just the truth...
i guess people could of candy coat it a bit

[noobplayer]

hey seeing as how this post somehow has been dragged up...im gonna post a video of my serve just to see myself serving as my bro says it looks junk and maybe strokes..might be sometime this month so look for it...dont have much time as school has started and i really dont want to bring a camcorder to school along with my heavy arse books....

Is that Tom or Roger in the vid? Well, I suggest that both of you work on your footwork and groundstrokes while seeking help. I mean, I've seen you play at school frequently last year and honestly, judging by this video, I dont see much improvement from a year ago. But dont let this bring you down. Work harder. Play 3-5 times a week, or more if you like, and play to improve, not to beat your brother.