oh no! my balls are flyin'!! (no, the bouncy furry kind, not the symmetrical variety.

hi. i feel that i should provide some background information before i lead up to my MAIN QUESTION...

alas, tennis season has started.

my game style: aggressive all-courter (can't go to the net much when my opponent lobs and lobs and lobs when i come to the net..), with a SW forehand grip, continental two-handed backhand grip, serves with either heavy kick or driving slice, hits most groundstrokes on closed stance.

at times, i have a bit trouble on staying focused.

the school i play in: phelan, CA at 4000 ft.

but, when coach (my school coach) pits me against other players for a game, i screw up.

i have fixed/improved on the following errors: focusing on the ball (esp. with my K95), focusing on the BALL during the serve, etc...

This is my main question: the major gripe i have is that whenever i try to go for a heavy groundstroke spinner, or even a routine forehand rally, the balls would go out. and i mean, FLY like 10 ft above into out-of bounds.

How do i cure that disease?

i tried to pin down the main cause(s) of hitting routine forehands into flying cupcakes for my opponent. possible causes include:

1.) i am overhitting. (somewhat unlikely possiblity.)
2.) my racquet is strung too light. (my K95, my main racquet, is strung with gosen soft poly-somethin....don't know the model...at 54 lbs.)
3.) the altitude. (~3200ft.)
4.) my technique.

or any others...

thank you for any help!!

(BTW: i DID ask my coach of possibilities of why it happens....he says it's the altitude. i doubt it.)

a_2c+

a_2c+ said:

1.) i am overhitting. (somewhat unlikely possiblity.)
2.) my racquet is strung too light. (my K95, my main racquet, is strung with gosen soft poly-somethin....don't know the model...at 54 lbs.)
3.) the altitude. (~3200ft.)
4.) my technique.

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In my opinion, a combination of 1, 2, and 4. You might be going big on shots that just aren't there. I know that when I try to hit hard, I sacrifice control and consistency. Maybe try to hit a little lighter than usual, and see how that helps with consistency,

#2. Increase the tension by a few pounds. That should decrease power.

#4. As mentioned in the first point. Focus on technique rather than power.

Your ball isn't flying 10' high and long because of your string, so rule that out now.

You're at a high enough altitude so that balls will bounce higher on you. This suggests to me that you are either mistiming the ball, or opening the racket face up too much at contact.

Make certain to close the racket face in the take back and then not open the face too much on balls that you are taking up high. Preparing early will allow you to play these balls with much more confidence. Take a full swing and topspin them in, but don't ratchet up the power until you are getting the trajectory you want.

How old are your strings.

mikeler said:

How old are your strings.

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they were strung 2 weeks ago.

mine are definitely not symmetrical

All valid points, but the real issue at hand here is FOOTWORK, 100% guarenteed. No excuses, none of this equipment stuff, this altitude BS, etc. I'm telling you this for your own good, believe me. I'm not trying to put you down. Do a search for footwork techniques, drills, fitness, court position development, etc. and drill them hard. Then focus on getting in the best possible position for EVERY SHOT, besed on what you've learned from this.

Best of luck to you.

Bouncy and furry?
Symmetrical?

Aren't they both? :twisted:

If a ball is out by less than 2 inches, equipment might have helped.

If a ball is out by less than 2 feet, more spin probably would have helped.

If a ball is out by well over 2 feet, your racket face is too open.

I'm guessing that when you go for your big spinny FH, you're trying to get under the ball by bending at your waist instead of bending your knees (sitting in an imaginary chair).

When you bend at your waist you change the axis your shoulders rotate at. So if your wrist is the same, your racket face will be more open at contact.

Sublime said:

If a ball is out by less than 2 inches, equipment might have helped.

If a ball is out by less than 2 feet, more spin probably would have helped.

If a ball is out by well over 2 feet, your racket face is too open.

I'm guessing that when you go for your big spinny FH, you're trying to get under the ball by bending at your waist instead of bending your knees (sitting in an imaginary chair).

When you bend at your waist you change the axis your shoulders rotate at. So if your wrist is the same, your racket face will be more open at contact.

Click to expand...

Great post! Yes, if you bend your upper body rather than the entire structure you will end up golfing the ball more often than not.

I think you need to think of a swallow cup than a deep cup

Wait a second here, are you saying that your nether regions aren't fuzzy? A little telling if I may say so, no?