Old Guy vs Young guy video

tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
Here are some points from me playing my friends son. This kid has really improved I used to beat him most of the time but I believe those days are gone. He is a junior in high school and has been really working on his game.

He works out with the local college coach and in the fall he would go right after school and do conditioning for a good hour go home eat and come back and work on the court with his coach for another hour and a half. He was doing this 5 days a week for a couple of months and it really shows in his game.

In this video I was not playing my best but a lot of that had to do with how well he was playing. The only thing he was missing was some overheads and volleys.
 
Fxanimator1

Fxanimator1

Hall of Fame
tlm said:
Here are some points from me playing my friends son. This kid has really improved I used to beat him most of the time but I believe those days are gone. He is a junior in high school and has been really working on his game.

He works out with the local college coach and in the fall he would go right after school and do conditioning for a good hour go home eat and come back and work on the court with his coach for another hour and a half. He was doing this 5 days a week for a couple of months and it really shows in his game.

In this video I was not playing my best but a lot of that had to do with how well he was playing. The only thing he was missing was some overheads and volleys.
Click to expand...
That was an entertaining video Tlm, thanks for posting. I liked watching this one better than most of them.
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
Fxanimator1 said:
That was an entertaining video Tlm, thanks for posting. I liked watching this one better than most of them.
Click to expand...

Thanks I agree I think this was one of my better videos that I have shown. Not one of my better performance videos though. I was a little sluggish that day and not moving my best and with the way my buddy is playing now I cannot get away with that. If I hit anything a little weak or short he is all over it.
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
user92626 said:
This match looks fun. Keep it up.
Click to expand...

Thanks it was fun. I know there are a bunch of things I could improve and do better and on and on. But one thing that is for sure is that I have fun playing this game. I have played a lot of sports over my lifetime and even though I found tennis late in life I am sure glad that I did because the challenge of this game never stops.
 
President

President

Legend
Is this the same kid you showed in previous videos? If so, he has definitely improved, not that he was bad before.
 
President

President

Legend
tlm said:
Thanks it was fun. I know there are a bunch of things I could improve and do better and on and on. But one thing that is for sure is that I have fun playing this game. I have played a lot of sports over my lifetime and even though I found tennis late in life I am sure glad that I did because the challenge of this game never stops.
Click to expand...

What was your favorite sport to play?
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
President said:
Is this the same kid you showed in previous videos? If so, he has definitely improved, not that he was bad before.
Click to expand...

Yes it's the same kid and he is more than a handful now. You know it's funny I am out there competing and trying to win but I also love seeing a young guy like this progressing. Even though I always want to win I really want the kid to pass me up which I believe he has already.

I have worked with a lot of the high school kids over the years and it's always fun seeing how much they improve. Especially with a kid like this who is a very nice well mannered young man.
 
President

President

Legend
tlm said:
It's just an iPhone but it comes out pretty good.
Click to expand...

New phone? I remember some of your videos in the past came out way more fuzzy. Anyway, as far as actual comments/advice on the video I would just say try not to get forced on the defense too much against the young guy, because unlike many rec players he doesn't seem the type to miss a ton and beat himself. I think you have the tools to overpower him if you set up and really rip your forehand, just got to make sure you are not the one always being rushed for time, which you seem to be too often in this video. Try to hit forcing shots as often as you can, even if you make a few more errors. Also, you are not split stepping all on every point which definitely hurts reaction time.
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
President said:
New phone? I remember some of your videos in the past came out way more fuzzy. Anyway, as far as actual comments/advice on the video I would just say try not to get forced on the defense too much against the young guy, because unlike many rec players he doesn't seem the type to miss a ton and beat himself. I think you have the tools to overpower him if you set up and really rip your forehand, just got to make sure you are not the one always being rushed for time, which you seem to be too often in this video. Try to hit forcing shots as often as you can, even if you make a few more errors. Also, you are not split stepping all on every point which definitely hurts reaction time.
Click to expand...

Ya I was trying a GoPro imitation camera that was not very good. Your right I have to be more aggressive against the little guy now he has really improved. In the past I would just play my solid consistent game and he would make a lot of errors and I would usually beat him. But now he is much more consistent so I have to hit more aggressively as soon as I get a chance. No more working my way into the point with the kid anymore.
 
J

johndagolfer

Professional
Nice video tlm. You are definitely changing up your game. I really liked the few points where you attacked and didn't wait for him to make the mistake. I think you need to do that more often.

But I think this video also shows a glaring weakness against players who hit the ball flatter and harder. Your ball while having a good amount of spin is still not pressuring your opponents because you often lack enough pace. If you give a big hitter time to setup and think you will have some tough sets. You need to add more pace to you high looping balls.
 
G

GuyClinch

Legend
Kid is good.. You still need to fix your contact point and extend your arm more on your forehand.. you give him too much time off of normal rally balls - so he can set up and smack winners..He just lines it up and knocks it down and he has a long time to do so. Not everyone can do that - but you are still making it to easy for him.
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
johndagolfer said:
Nice video tlm. You are definitely changing up your game. I really liked the few points where you attacked and didn't wait for him to make the mistake. I think you need to do that more often.

But I think this video also shows a glaring weakness against players who hit the ball flatter and harder. Your ball while having a good amount of spin is still not pressuring your opponents because you often lack enough pace. If you give a big hitter time to setup and think you will have some tough sets. You need to add more pace to you high looping balls.
Click to expand...

I was definitely not playing aggressive enough that day. I showed this video to his coach who I play against a lot and he said I was taking it to easy on the kid. He gave me a hard time for chipping to much and not attacking on shots that I could have hit harder than I did.

If you notice that when I hit my shots with more depth and authority he could not attack those very easily. But I was not doing that enough, but some of that was because my opponent was playing good. Plus like I mentioned this guy has improved a lot and he surprised me on how well he was hitting aggressive shots. He has never hit that aggressive and consistent at the same time before.

But your right if I am hitting to weak and short then a good player that can rip flat and hard which will give me trouble. Which is pretty much true for anyone, I don't play that many guys that can hit that hard at a high % of the time.
 
J

johndagolfer

Professional
tlm said:
I was definitely not playing aggressive enough that day. I showed this video to his coach who I play against a lot and he said I was taking it to easy on the kid. He gave me a hard time for chipping to much and not attacking on shots that I could have hit harder than I did.

If you notice that when I hit my shots with more depth and authority he could not attack those very easily. But I was not doing that enough, but some of that was because my opponent was playing good. Plus like I mentioned this guy has improved a lot and he surprised me on how well he was hitting aggressive shots. He has never hit that aggressive and consistent at the same time before.

But your right if I am hitting to weak and short then a good player that can rip flat and hard which will give me trouble. Which is pretty much true for anyone, I don't play that many guys that can hit that hard at a high % of the time.
Click to expand...

I know you don't want to hear the same thing, but I do not think this will change until you fix the fundamental flaws with your swing. The balls he could not attack were basically right at the baseline. Because of pace and spin some guys can get away with hitting it just past the baseline. You don't have that luxury. You need to be able to generate more consistent pace on your rally balls.
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
johndagolfer said:
I know you don't want to hear the same thing, but I do not think this will change until you fix the fundamental flaws with your swing. The balls he could not attack were basically right at the baseline. Because of pace and spin some guys can get away with hitting it just past the baseline. You don't have that luxury. You need to be able to generate more consistent pace on your rally balls.
Click to expand...

No doubt I do need to get more consistent pace on my rally balls.
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
johndagolfer said:
Was this just hitting or a set? You are right about his net game. It's bad.
Click to expand...

It's not always that bad but he missed some easy shots at the net. But believe it or not most guys I play miss shots during point play. I don't think that because he missed a few volleys and overheads that he should have made definitely makes his net game bad.

We were playing the 21 game. That's were you get 4 serves then your opponent gets 4 serves and back and forth and the first one to 21 wins.
 
D

Deleted member 120290

Guest
tlm said:
Ice hockey was my best sport which I really loved when I was young, I also played softball for a lot of years.
Click to expand...

I can picture you with a western grip ripping moonball slapshots over goalie's head.

You cannot beat this kid by rallying with him. He has solid strokes and can run all day. Your only chance is to hit short, dinky slices to bring him to the net and then make him self-destruct with bad volleys and overheads.
Basically play old man, pusher tennis. That is your best bet.
 
Ciaron

Ciaron

Semi-Pro
I like your Nadal type top spin forehand . I thought the young guy would have had a bigger serve ? How old is he?
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
Ciaron said:
I like your Nadal type top spin forehand . I thought the young guy would have had a bigger serve ? How old is he?
Click to expand...

He is 17 and the last few times I have played him he has only been hitting spin serves. He is just working on his 2nd serve. Because he can definitely hit a much harder serve.
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
TenFanLA said:
I can picture you with a western grip ripping moonball slapshots over goalie's head.

You cannot beat this kid by rallying with him. He has solid strokes and can run all day. Your only chance is to hit short, dinky slices to bring him to the net and then make him self-destruct with bad volleys and overheads.
Basically play old man, pusher tennis. That is your best bet.
Click to expand...

I have beaten him many times by rallying with him, but I also mixed up a lot of short slices and drop shots to keep him off balance.
 
D

Deleted member 23235

Guest
best vid of the bunch, shows things you do well, and not so well.
kid pushes you.
slice fh is very santoro-esque :p
nice editing.
particularly like that swinging volley @3:08
 
D

Deleted member 120290

Guest
tlm said:
I have beaten him many times by rallying with him, but I also mixed up a lot of short slices and drop shots to keep him off balance.
Click to expand...

I think you will see fewer and fewer rallying victories in the future as the kid matures and his strokes start to become more consistent and potent.
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
nytennisaddict said:
best vid of the bunch, shows things you do well, and not so well.
kid pushes you.
slice fh is very santoro-esque :p
nice editing.
particularly like that swinging volley @3:08
Click to expand...

Ya I have a weird slice backhand like most of my shots a little unorthodox.
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
nytennisaddict said:
best vid of the bunch, shows things you do well, and not so well.
kid pushes you.
slice fh is very santoro-esque :p
nice editing.
particularly like that swinging volley @3:08
Click to expand...

For some reason I can hit a swinging volley very well. I have never really practiced it but it is a natural shot for me. I need to start coming in more on weak shots and use that shot more.
 
movdqa

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
tlm said:
I was definitely not playing aggressive enough that day. I showed this video to his coach who I play against a lot and he said I was taking it to easy on the kid. He gave me a hard time for chipping to much and not attacking on shots that I could have hit harder than I did.

If you notice that when I hit my shots with more depth and authority he could not attack those very easily. But I was not doing that enough, but some of that was because my opponent was playing good. Plus like I mentioned this guy has improved a lot and he surprised me on how well he was hitting aggressive shots. He has never hit that aggressive and consistent at the same time before.

But your right if I am hitting to weak and short then a good player that can rip flat and hard which will give me trouble. Which is pretty much true for anyone, I don't play that many guys that can hit that hard at a high % of the time.
Click to expand...

His serve is a relative weakness - lots of serves into the deuce court were about halfway between the net and the service line and you could have taken those early and come in.

I think that he was generous on a few line calls too.

He's not hesitant to come to the net, even when you passed him or he mis-volleyed the ball.

It did look like fun out there, but, as others mentioned, he was able to tee off your high balls.
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
movdqa said:
His serve is a relative weakness - lots of serves into the deuce court were about halfway between the net and the service line and you could have taken those early and come in.

I think that he was generous on a few line calls too.

He's not hesitant to come to the net, even when you passed him or he mis-volleyed the ball.

It did look like fun out there, but, as others mentioned, he was able to tee off your high balls.
Click to expand...

I went back and watched and most of the high shots were off my backhand that he attacked, there were only two that he attacked well when I hit topspin forehands and those I hit short.
 
Last edited:
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
GuyClinch said:
4.0 guesstimate. Not sure either of these guys are league players - kid plays in HS.. And I don't think TLM plays leagues. So we can only guess.
Click to expand...

I did not play last summer because of plantar fasciitis, but I did the last 3 years before that in a 4.0 league. My young friend plays some of the 4.0 guys that play in the indoor league and can beat most of them. Now that he has even improved more he is easily at 4.0 level.
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
movdqa said:
His serve is a relative weakness - lots of serves into the deuce court were about halfway between the net and the service line and you could have taken those early and come in.

I think that he was generous on a few line calls too.

He's not hesitant to come to the net, even when you passed him or he mis-volleyed the ball.

It did look like fun out there, but, as others mentioned, he was able to tee off your high balls.
Click to expand...

He can serve much harder than in the video, he has been working on just spin 2nd serves so he did not show his regular 1 st serve.
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
I can relate.
I've played a set with a 16 year old No. 1 for Berkeley HIgh, and he's 6'7" with a huge top/slice first serve. His Dad beats me too, and can't keep up with the kid.
At 65, I played a dozen plus sets against NorCal's then No.2 Junior Girls 12 in doubles, and two in singles.
And Vollynets was 25 when I played him last year. He's the older brother of Katie Volynets, and he had the same training since age 7.
 
D

Dolgopolov85

G.O.A.T.
One thing you could change without too much modifications to your strokes is get a little sideways when you go for a forehand on the second shot. That will make it easier to open up inside in/inside out angles and just put the ball away. I noticed that the other guy was doing exactly that. Completely open stance is good for rally balls but if you just want to kill the point on a short ball, just get sideways to the ball and uncoil. An SW grip would help but I realise THAT is a big change to make. But for instance the first point on your serve in the video, you tried to go for a forehand slice which he got to pretty quickly. I don't know if you were just trying something different there; if so, fair enough. But an SW grip would make it easier to attack those low balls. And SW should still, with the right stroke mechanics, help you get enough topspin to control the ball.
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
Dolgopolov85 said:
One thing you could change without too much modifications to your strokes is get a little sideways when you go for a forehand on the second shot. That will make it easier to open up inside in/inside out angles and just put the ball away. I noticed that the other guy was doing exactly that. Completely open stance is good for rally balls but if you just want to kill the point on a short ball, just get sideways to the ball and uncoil. An SW grip would help but I realise THAT is a big change to make. But for instance the first point on your serve in the video, you tried to go for a forehand slice which he got to pretty quickly. I don't know if you were just trying something different there; if so, fair enough. But an SW grip would make it easier to attack those low balls. And SW should still, with the right stroke mechanics, help you get enough topspin to control the ball.
Click to expand...

I was hitting tonight and working on getting more sideways on forehands I had time to rip, so your right that is something I need to keep working on. I just threw that forehand slice in there to throw him off. In the past he would have popped it up or tried to attack it with a good chance at making the error. But he has developed a good drop shot now so that was a mistake on my part, I should have ripped a topspin shot.
 
RajS

RajS

Semi-Pro
@tlm: My guess is that this kid won't find loopy topspin shots very difficult. The problem is that loopy shots do sit up, and while someone like me might find them very hard to handle, a kid with wheels will have no problem. The nature of the shot is such that it will sit up, and give a fast mover enough time to get there and set up comfortably, like this kid is doing so well. I suspect he may have trouble with deeper balls which don't bounce too much. Just guessing... I have a similar young friend with wheels who gives me the fits every time we play!
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
RajS said:
@tlm: My guess is that this kid won't find loopy topspin shots very difficult. The problem is that loopy shots do sit up, and while someone like me might find them very hard to handle, a kid with wheels will have no problem. The nature of the shot is such that it will sit up, and give a fast mover enough time to get there and set up comfortably, like this kid is doing so well. I suspect he may have trouble with deeper balls which don't bounce too much. Just guessing... I have a similar young friend with wheels who gives me the fits every time we play!
Click to expand...

That's a good point, this kid is really fast and he not only gets there but he gets there quickly and has a lot of time to set up. The adult players I play do not have this kind of quickness.
 
G

GuyClinch

Legend
^^^Hard to see from camera angle - but kid looks leaner then you (lower body fat). This is a big advantage in singles. Many pros (most I would guess) are under 10%.. Racquet does not weigh much - ball isn't too heavy.. So carrying as little fat as possible is going to make someone more athletic on tennis court..

You have to outhit him when the ball comes your way to compensate.. That's tough when the guy has perfectly decent strokes..
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
GuyClinch said:
^^^Hard to see from camera angle - but kid looks leaner then you (lower body fat). This is a big advantage in singles. Many pros (most I would guess) are under 10%.. Racquet does not weigh much - ball isn't too heavy.. So carrying as little fat as possible is going to make someone more athletic on tennis court..

You have to outhit him when the ball comes your way to compensate.. That's tough when the guy has perfectly decent strokes..
Click to expand...

The kid is definitely leaner than I am are you kidding? He is a 17 year old that is very thin and he is definitely quicker covering the court. He covers the court better than anyone I play by quite a bit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T1000
I play this guy tomorrow, any tips?
Replies
48
Views
4K
onehandbh
onehandbh
A
Guy hits weird forehand spin.
Replies
14
Views
1K
M J
M J
S
Another Old Guy Playing Again
Replies
10
Views
1K
Sox Fan
S
Ballinbob
Can this guy teach me how to win?
Replies
28
Views
3K
sportsfan1
S
S
Rate me (Hitting and pointplay video)
2
Replies
62
Views
6K
santihaas
S
Top