Essential tennis NTRP 5.0 Tennis match play

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Chadalina

Guest
"A fish doesnt know its in the water, a bird doesnt know its in the air."

But a fish spends 99+% of its life in the water. A bird has to sleep so it knows when it's in the air vs the ground.

"Fish don’t know they’re in water. If you tried to explain it they’d say, “Water? What’s water?” They’re so surrounded by it that it’s impossible to see. They can’t see it until they get outside of it.
This is how I feel about culture. We’re so surrounded by it that it’s impossible to see. What we think is the truth is really just our local culture. We can’t see it until we get outside of it."

quote-as-the-fish-doesn-t-know-water-people-are-ignorant-of-space-consciousness-is-concerned-alan-watts-116-7-0700.jpg


Technically, a bird is always in the air :)
 

ChaelAZ

G.O.A.T.
I always ask myself how would I do against either opponent. Since I've videod myself, I know how much slower things look on film vs in real life. Therefore, the pace of the match is deceiving when watching a vid. I think I might make just as many UEs, if not more.

Most people who comment to the contrary have never done video of themselves, so the escalated level of their play is solely based on their (erroneous) perception. Compound that by a guy like Ian who has a very casual looking game overall, so mentally people just think there is no pace or the level is lower. I have a ton of practice and match videos of myself. I have had 3.5 matches where points and play looked much higher, and I have player 4.0 and 4.5 guys where almost all the points are a couple hits with a lot of errors because of placement or pace, so the level looks really low. Always fun to discuss, but the reality of watching video is, it is idfferent than the reality of it. :)
 

TopspintheTerrible

Hall of Fame
Most people who comment to the contrary have never done video of themselves, so the escalated level of their play is solely based on their (erroneous) perception. Compound that by a guy like Ian who has a very casual looking game overall, so mentally people just think there is no pace or the level is lower. I have a ton of practice and match videos of myself. I have had 3.5 matches where points and play looked much higher, and I have player 4.0 and 4.5 guys where almost all the points are a couple hits with a lot of errors because of placement or pace, so the level looks really low. Always fun to discuss, but the reality of watching video is, it is idfferent than the reality of it. :)

True, and people tend to inflate their ratings. But that guy Ian is playing is no 5.0.
 

Fairhit

Hall of Fame
I thought that I looked like some divine cross between Federer and a majestic unicorn while playing but once I saw a video of myself playing all of that perception was smashed to pieces.

I say this because it is very easy to judge when you don't have a point of reference, once you are able to conciliate the perception of play vs what it really looks like, you can start to appreciate the way others play and not to judge based solely on perception.
 

Fairhit

Hall of Fame
Hes probably out of shape and rarely plays matches for many years, so his level is not what it once was.
Ian said in his podcast about choosing to serve that Scott was very nervous about being taped for people to judge and to play a serious game before that audience.
 

TopspintheTerrible

Hall of Fame
They're both 5.0 league players. Their tennis backgrounds support a 5.0 rating. Armchair TT video analysis? Meaningless.

I’m not disputing they play in a 5.0 league. But watching the one guy play, it’s hard to imagine that at one point he was playing in the same division as John Isner.
 

TopspintheTerrible

Hall of Fame
I thought that I looked like some divine cross between Federer and a majestic unicorn while playing but once I saw a video of myself playing all of that perception was smashed to pieces.

I say this because it is very easy to judge when you don't have a point of reference, once you are able to conciliate the perception of play vs what it really looks like, you can start to appreciate the way others play and not to judge based solely on perception.

All true. But I do have a point of reference, and I’ve been videotaped. I don't expect them to look like Federer, that’s ridiculous. But you don’t need to play Futures events to think the service motion and ground strokes of the gentleman playing Ian look a bit underdeveloped.
 

navigator

Hall of Fame
I’m not disputing they play in a 5.0 league. But watching the one guy play, it’s hard to imagine that at one point he was playing in the same division as John Isner.

Several years out of Uni, not playing serious tennis anymore, I don't find it odd at all. Anyhow, I could start on a D1 tennis team today, at 51... just a really crappy one (of which there are many).
All true. But I do have a point of reference, and I’ve been videotaped. I don't expect them to look like Federer, that’s ridiculous. But you don’t need to play Futures events to think the service motion and ground strokes of the gentleman playing Ian look a bit underdeveloped.

Superb. I didn't see your video over on "THE" TT video thread (expertly maintained by @onehandbh). Everyone loves video.
 

BetaServe

Professional
Fair enough. But it’s not his level, more the way he plays and his technique.
That’s where you’re wrong. Ignore the technique, treat the player as a black box and focus only on how the ball flies and where it lands, you’ll realize Ian is definitely a 5.0.

Another way to look at this: Can you imagine a 4.5 beat him? I can’t.
 

FiReFTW

Legend
Another way to look at this: Can you imagine a 4.5 beat him? I can’t.

A strong 4.5 could.

But Ian is definetely good and his gamestyle and traits are often underrated.

He doesnt really have any weapons, backhand is a completely defensive shot, forehand also mostly defensive tho he can place it and hit it a bit more aggressively from this side.

But his serve is good and underrated and a lefty one which is always akward.

And he has great defense from the baseline and is very fast and gets to all the balls.

Also has solid net game when needed.

So good serve, great defense, fast.
 

TopspintheTerrible

Hall of Fame
That’s where you’re wrong. Ignore the technique, treat the player as a black box and focus only on how the ball flies and where it lands, you’ll realize Ian is definitely a 5.0.

Another way to look at this: Can you imagine a 4.5 beat him? I can’t.

So what level would you say the guy in the blue shirt is?

 

BetaServe

Professional
So what level would you say the guy in the blue shirt is?


You're wrong if you think blue guy can beat Ian easily. Ian is very smart with his shot selection and placement, and he's very consistent. Don't be fooled by the looks.

Take a look at his match where he almost bageled Kevin, a former D1 player.

Kevin is probably not at the same level as the blue guy, but it does show Ian is capable of handling "5.0 looking" players.


his serve looks like he picked up a racquet for the first time a yr ago.

Watch that video again and tell me if you changed your mind.
 
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FedGR

Professional
I would love to see all you people saying these guys are 4.0s getting double bageled by them. Ian has great shot selection and placement, and great defense. You can tell the other guy is a bit out of shape but there are a lot of points were he shows his level.

TT, you always impress me!
 

Space_D

Rookie
The point @1:44 is pretty good. I think Scott has a nice backhand. His serve seems a little off. Like he's hitting it on the way down and he's a little over-rotated? Ian's game might not look pretty, but I think he's crafty player who gets to a lot of balls (and has a tricky left serve on top of that).
 

TopspintheTerrible

Hall of Fame
I would love to see all you people saying these guys are 4.0s getting double bageled by them. Ian has great shot selection and placement, and great defense. You can tell the other guy is a bit out of shape but there are a lot of points were he shows his level.

TT, you always impress me!

Ian would be annoying to play but he’s not bageling me. I don’t want to brag but I was a quarter finalist at the 1981 Maine Invitational.
 
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Chadalina

Guest
I had a friend that played like ian (but much better), its alot more effective than it looks. Your weaknesses show up very quickly against these kind of players. Most players will snowball after a few missed passing shots
 

ubercat

Hall of Fame
1981 sounds like you should challenge Wise one. Thing that impressed me the most is that Ian always uses crossover steps. and his placement is amazing it's almost always deep in a corner or short down the line. Good luck hitting passing shots from there.
 

spinerella

New User
I watched both part 1 and part 2, also, and did not see 4.5 tennis. Surely neither one of them is the same player from their college days, but...must say I'm surprised Ian lost. They need to play another set...
 

ByeByePoly

G.O.A.T.
Ian should take the 1hbh slice advice I did from @IowaGuy. Get the racquet up higher on backswing ... parallel with ground with racquet head behind the head (like most pros hit it). I've never hit my 1hbh slice better, which is surprising because I have spent very little time working on it. I simply got in the habit of getting in that backswing position last fall, and it stuck. The reason I think it made a big difference is it put me in a better unit turn, and accuracy and pace (although I'm not trying for more pace or spin) improved because it is more effortless.

Maybe Ian has access to some tennis instruction. 8-B

Ian ... if you are reading, I like your tennis instruction videos ... quality work. I'm not kidding about the 1hbh slice advice. It's been my go to stroke for 4 decades, and one simple change made a huge difference. Most of the time a stroke change like that would require a lot of hours and reps, but it didn't. We already know how to hit a slice ... putting the racquet head behind the head is not a major timing change UNLESS you try and go max backspin. Try it ... hit your same stroke ... just turn more and put racquet up and behind you. If it works, we both owe @IowaGuy a big thanks.
 
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