What Do You Get When You Have a 4.0 Hit with a 5.5?

SlapShot · Feb 15, 2009

New videos!

http://vimeo.com/3231513

http://vimeo.com/3231428

I'll definitely vouch for the pace that Tony was hitting - I'm sure he'll tell you that wasn't able to really get in a groove due to Sir Shanks-alot on the other side of the net, but I'm going to blame him for hitting so well.

This was a really fun point during our tiebreak (that ended either 7-0 or 10-0 in Tony's favor depending on what rules we were playing under).

http://vimeo.com/3231675

I'm going to post some of me in the foreground later - Vimeo is at a near crawl at the moment.

Me in the foreground:

http://vimeo.com/3232433

http://vimeo.com/3232525

Ballinbob · Feb 15, 2009

private vid

Can you change it though, i'd love to see this tiebreaker, sounds like alo of fun!

SlapShot · Feb 15, 2009

Ballinbob said:
private vid

Can you change it though, i'd love to see this tiebreaker, sounds like alo of fun!

Weird - Vimeo must default to that now. I've never had it automatically set to private before.

It's fixed now. The camera we were using was only taking video a minute at a time, otherwise I'd have taken video of the entire breaker just to embarass myself.

Ballinbob · Feb 15, 2009

haha no problem, i'll check the vids out

Ballinbob · Feb 15, 2009

haha I think you did really well considering he's a 5.5. Tony's forehand looks really powerful, he was crushing it.

One thing you could improve on is moving him around. I like the topspin on your forehand and I think its a good thing to have, but you were repeatably hitting it to the middle/forehand side. I think if you mixed up more angles in your rallies and more down the line shots, you'll really be able to make the most out of your forehand. I have a western grip on my forehand, and I have to mix up my shots or else people will get used to the spin and start crushing my shots back like Tony lol

Good job though, keep at it. You hung in there haha, im proud of you

SlapShot · Feb 15, 2009

Ballinbob said:
haha I think you did really well considering he's a 5.5. Tony's forehand looks really powerful, he was crushing it.

One thing you could improve on is moving him around. I like the topspin on your forehand and I think its a good thing to have, but you were repeatably hitting it to the middle/forehand side. I think if you mixed up more angles in your rallies and more down the line shots, you'll really be able to make the most out of your forehand. I have a western grip on my forehand, and I have to mix up my shots or else people will get used to the spin and start crushing my shots back like Tony lol

Good job though, keep at it. You hung in there haha, im proud of you

We really weren't trying to beat each other - this was more of a hitting session. When we play points, both of us try and move each other more - I usually still am the one doing the running. I just feel like it's fun to see exactly how much pace Tony can put on the ball and keep it in play.

Okazaki Fragment · Feb 15, 2009

SlapShot said:
We really weren't trying to beat each other - this was more of a hitting session. When we play points, both of us try and move each other more - I usually still am the one doing the running. I just feel like it's fun to see exactly how much pace Tony can put on the ball and keep it in play.

How is the action on the ball? Is it any different than 4.0s and 4.5s?

Ballinbob · Feb 15, 2009

Okazaki Fragment said:
How is the action on the ball? Is it any different than 4.0s and 4.5s?

Good question, i want to know this too. I'm a strong 3.5 player-low 4.0, and I've always wondered how much more action on the ball I'll be experiencing.

I know I can put alot of action on the ball b/c of my extreme grips, but overall do people start hitting alot more spin and pace at the 4.5 level? is it noticeable?

Mike Cottrill · Feb 15, 2009

I wonder if you play for lunch if Tony would still hit all his shots to the middle of the court.

SlapShot · Feb 15, 2009

Okazaki Fragment said:
How is the action on the ball? Is it any different than 4.0s and 4.5s?

Action - not significantly. Pace - for sure. When I first hit with Tony, I wasn't used to seeing someone consistently hit with that kind of pace - it was an experience, to be sure. That was almost a year ago - since then, I know what to expect, but it's still more than I ever see at 4.0.

The quality of the ball is really something though - you really don't see "junk" hitting with someone at this level, which makes me feel like I'm hitting better.

raiden031 · Feb 15, 2009

Slapshot, where would you put yourself on the 4.0 scale (top / bottom)? And whats it like playing points against a 5.5? Does it feel like you can't do anything or what?

SlapShot · Feb 15, 2009

raiden031 said:
Slapshot, where would you put yourself on the 4.0 scale (top / bottom)? And whats it like playing points against a 5.5? Does it feel like you can't do anything or what?

On the 4.0 scale, I'm a solid 4.0 doubles player - I'm 5-1 at #1 doubles this season. Singles.....meh......I've been avoiding singles due to having mediocre results in the past.

Against Tony, I'm just happy to be hitting - when we play points, I'm lucky to get 2 or 3, and they're due to my serve and that's it. It's difficult to dictate points. But....I did hit a winner against him today that didn't make it on tape, sadly enough.

raiden031 · Feb 15, 2009

SlapShot said:
On the 4.0 scale, I'm a solid 4.0 doubles player - I'm 5-1 at #1 doubles this season. Singles.....meh......I've been avoiding singles due to having mediocre results in the past.

Against Tony, I'm just happy to be hitting - when we play points, I'm lucky to get 2 or 3, and they're due to my serve and that's it. It's difficult to dictate points. But....I did hit a winner against him today that didn't make it on tape, sadly enough.

Its been a long time since I really felt owned on a tennis court, where someone is just dictating play. Usually its just I fall short due to errors. I would love the opportunity to play someone like Tony.

julianoz · Feb 15, 2009

your fh and bh look both solid for a 4.0

typically a 4.0 has a deficiency in one of those areas but you were hitting them both nicely

SlapShot · Feb 15, 2009

Mike Cottrill said:
I wonder if you play for lunch if Tony would still hit all his shots to the middle of the court.

I don't think that Tony has any "reserve" energy on his body, so if we were playing for food, I'd have been lucky to get a handful of balls back.

WildVolley · Feb 15, 2009

Thanks for the video. It is fun to see a better player blast the ball with such precision. Almost all of Tony's shots have a nice pop as he's finding the sweetspot on most of those hits.

tennisfreak15347 · Feb 15, 2009

The Tony in those 3 videos, is that Tony Lars?? On the other videos submitted by the video user, "SlapShot," I see older videos of Tony Lars. If so, he's improved a lot.

Nellie · Feb 15, 2009

Tony gets engaged and hits with you the next day!? Hh must really like you.

The thing I noticed has that you hit really good shots, but you could never put Tony out of position. It makes you wonder what you need to do to point him on the defensive.

SlapShot · Feb 15, 2009

tennisfreak15347 said:
The Tony in those 3 videos, is that Tony Lars?? On the other videos submitted by the video user, "SlapShot," I see older videos of Tony Lars. If so, he's improved a lot.

I'm the short fatty with the dark hair. Tony (TonLars) the taller, thinner guy with lighter hair. He's the guy in the other video from September, but he wasn't really working the ball in that older video - that was a lesson with me. In this video, we're just hitting and he's definitely hitting more at his level than mine.

tennisfreak15347 · Feb 15, 2009

HOLY CRAP! Tony has really improved by a lot, based on his older videos.

Ballinbob · Feb 15, 2009

^^ I know lol, he's killing those forehands

SlapShot · Feb 15, 2009

He's been able to do that off of the FH wing since I've known him - there just really wasn't good video of it before.

It's a blast to be on the other side of the net, though - it makes it feel slow when you're playing people at your own level.

TonLars · Feb 15, 2009

Hey Slapshot, thanks much for posting these, and for hitting today. I appreciate it. It is possible that now that these video clips are up, I wont get as many comments based on my 2004 videos about how I dont look like my level, or that I hit the ball soft! It was nice of you to bring the camera. I also wanted to see a better video of me hitting so I now have something to analyze. This is definitely the best view and representation of my hitting. My aquatennial tournament singles videos I was hitting well but it was a bad camera angle. Too bad we couldnt get more than a minute taped at a time today but it is still fun to see what we got.

I also thought you hit very well today. Especially when we started taping after warming up, you werent missing very much at all despite your comment about shanking. I was hitting at a pace that basically I would in a match, and you were handling my shots pretty well. So it was fun and I definitely got some good practice out of it. You have improved alot since I met you a year ago. We should plan to play on Sundays as often as we both are free. See you later

tennisfreak15347 · Feb 15, 2009

hey Tony, are you still using that Radical OS(not that it's a bad thing)? What ever happen to that Yonex that you were using?

TonLars · Feb 15, 2009

tennisfreak15347 said:
hey Tony, are you still using that Radical OS(not that it's a bad thing)? What ever happen to that Yonex that you were using?

Yup Im using the Head Flexpoint Radical OS, and going to stay with it for a long time! I experimented and tried racquets this fall and winter and was getting very, very frustrated. I was playing significantly worse tennis than average for at least a few months and it was not fun. I went back to this stick a few weeks ago and now I have fun playing tennis and hitting well again.

Steady Eddy · Feb 15, 2009

I used to live in Mpls and I'm wondering where you where hitting. Is it the MTC, (Minneapolis Tennis Center)? Or is it the Nicollet Tennis Center? Or neither?

Now that I live in AZ, if I wanted to play tennis today, I would have played at the outdoor one in my homeowner's association.

drakulie · Feb 15, 2009

slapshot, great vids!! Thanks for sharing. You have some nice strokes. seems like you both got something out of it.

Bud · Feb 15, 2009

SlapShot said:
New videos!

http://vimeo.com/3231513

http://vimeo.com/3231428

I'll definitely vouch for the pace that Tony was hitting - I'm sure he'll tell you that wasn't able to really get in a groove due to Sir Shanks-alot on the other side of the net, but I'm going to blame him for hitting so well.

This was a really fun point during our tiebreak (that ended either 7-0 or 10-0 in Tony's favor depending on what rules we were playing under).

http://vimeo.com/3231675

I'm going to post some of me in the foreground later - Vimeo is at a near crawl at the moment.

Me in the foreground:

http://vimeo.com/3232433

http://vimeo.com/3232525

You're not a 4.0... that much I can tell you. At least 4.5 and probably a weak 5.0.

Your buddy seems about a level ahead of you.

drake · Feb 15, 2009

Tony,

I finally spotted one curious habit you have. Why do you put the spare ball in your right pocket?

Bud · Feb 15, 2009

SlapShot said:
On the 4.0 scale, I'm a solid 4.0 doubles player - I'm 5-1 at #1 doubles this season. Singles.....meh......I've been avoiding singles due to having mediocre results in the past.

Against Tony, I'm just happy to be hitting - when we play points, I'm lucky to get 2 or 3, and they're due to my serve and that's it. It's difficult to dictate points. But....I did hit a winner against him today that didn't make it on tape, sadly enough.

The fact that you win so much and are ranked so high in doubles probably means you should move up.

Bud · Feb 15, 2009

drake said:
Tony,

I finally spotted one curious habit you have. Why do you put the spare ball in your right pocket?

Lol! I do the same thing. I hate having to reach into my right pocket for the spare.

All balls go into the left pocket (I'm right-handed, BTW).

aimr75 · Feb 15, 2009

Okazaki Fragment said:
How is the action on the ball? Is it any different than 4.0s and 4.5s?

this made me think of a coach i have recently been hitting with who once held an ATP ranking.. i havent experienced the amount of action on a ball as i have when i hit with him..

aimr75 · Feb 15, 2009

by the way, great hitting on the vids from the both of you..

TonLars · Feb 15, 2009

Steady Eddy said:
I used to live in Mpls and I'm wondering where you where hitting. Is it the MTC, (Minneapolis Tennis Center)? Or is it the Nicollet Tennis Center? Or neither?

I envy that you can hit outside!...
We are hitting at a one year old tennis facility called PublicIndoorTennis.com and it is fairly similar to the Nicollet place except with only 4 courts, and we do almost everything online. Ive been working there for almost one year now.

drake said:
Tony,

I finally spotted one curious habit you have. Why do you put the spare ball in your right pocket?

Haha

Ive been doing that since the very beginning. So I guess it is just a habit. It just felt like it should be in the right pocket. I think I also didnt like balls in my left pocket interfering with my backhand. I use the left pocket when im teaching and doing lessons, and occasionally when im just hitting around, but it is always the right pocket when im playing competitively.

julianoz · Feb 15, 2009

tonlars i was just going to ask you if you get decent control with your OS but i see you have kevlar and i think kevlar gives any racket control!

Have you ever hit with a MP ? What makes the OS better 4 u?

NamRanger · Feb 15, 2009

julianoz said:
tonlars i was just going to ask you if you get decent control with your OS but i see you have kevlar and i think kevlar gives any racket control!

Have you ever hit with a MP ? What makes the OS better 4 u?

OS gives him quite abit of pop and room to work with, which means Tony can stand on the baseline and be abit more aggressive, and take the ball on the rise easier than players with smaller frames. He's a baseliner from the videos from what I've seen, and an excellent and consistent one at that. Plays pretty aggressive off the ground, especially off the FH side.

SlapShot · Feb 16, 2009

Bud said:
You're not a 4.0... that much I can tell you. At least 4.5 and probably a weak 5.0.

Your buddy seems about a level ahead of you.

Strokes-wise, I can generally play with 4.5 and even some 5.0 players (from my experience), but I'm not quite smart enough to develop points at that level just yet. Strong like ox, smart like tractor.

I should see if I can get some video of Tony and I playing points - it's slightly depressing, but I have vowed that I will win a set off of him someday. It may be when we're both 60, but I will make it happen.

Tim Tennis · Feb 16, 2009

Hi Guys,

Great videos. Tony looked like the real deal. He moves so well on the court. SlapShot you hit some great shots too, maybe a little inconsistant but that will improve with practice.

Those looked like great indoor courts.

Ed

Tennis Geometric

snvplayer · Feb 16, 2009

Slapshot-

You need more hitting sessions with me for better preparation against TonLars.
.
.
.
.
.
.
It will be a tremendous confidence booster as you keep beating up on me.
haha

tennisfreak15347 · Feb 16, 2009

hey tony, just wondering, what BH grip do you use.

SlapShot · Feb 16, 2009

junbumkim said:
Slapshot-

You need more hitting sessions with me for better preparation against TonLars.
.
.
.
.
.
.
It will be a tremendous confidence booster as you keep beating up on me.
haha

We were both hitting well on Saturday - we'll need to keep on playing as much as possible.

SlapShot · Feb 16, 2009

TonLars said:
Hey Slapshot, thanks much for posting these, and for hitting today. I appreciate it. It is possible that now that these video clips are up, I wont get as many comments based on my 2004 videos about how I dont look like my level, or that I hit the ball soft! It was nice of you to bring the camera. I also wanted to see a better video of me hitting so I now have something to analyze. This is definitely the best view and representation of my hitting. My aquatennial tournament singles videos I was hitting well but it was a bad camera angle. Too bad we couldnt get more than a minute taped at a time today but it is still fun to see what we got.

I also thought you hit very well today. Especially when we started taping after warming up, you werent missing very much at all despite your comment about shanking. I was hitting at a pace that basically I would in a match, and you were handling my shots pretty well. So it was fun and I definitely got some good practice out of it. You have improved alot since I met you a year ago. We should plan to play on Sundays as often as we both are free. See you later

You should see how consistent I am when I have time to set up on a ball.

My play has definitely improved a lot in the past year - if I make this sort of progress in the next year, I should be playing some fantastic tennis by next February.

snvplayer · Feb 16, 2009

TonLars said:
I envy that you can hit outside!...
We are hitting at a one year old tennis facility called PublicIndoorTennis.com and it is fairly similar to the Nicollet place except with only 4 courts, and we do almost everything online. Ive been working there for almost one year now.

Haha Ive been doing that since the very beginning. So I guess it is just a habit. It just felt like it should be in the right pocket. I think I also didnt like balls in my left pocket interfering with my backhand. I use the left pocket when im teaching and doing lessons, and occasionally when im just hitting around, but it is always the right pocket when im playing competitively.

Hey TonLars-

I go to U of M, and was wondering if we can get some tennis in when you need someone to hit with?

could you email me at snvplayer@gmail.com

thanks.

Moz · Feb 16, 2009

Good job chaps - looking good.

smoothtennis · Feb 16, 2009

Nice vid guys.

Slapshot - I know you are not asking for advice. But I see something I think that will help you a lot when hitting with Tony and others. Notice where Tony's racket is when your ball hits his side of the court -it's for the most part fully back and loaded. Watch yours. When his ball hits the court on your side, you are just taking your racket back. You get away with it most of the time, but it can help timing and consistency ***especially during point play***. It buys you time.

Great hitting Slapshot.

TonLars - Hey, how's that wrist doing? I assume you made the 2HBH pain go away?

Mike Cottrill · Feb 16, 2009

Smooth, did you call Val?

TonLars · Feb 16, 2009

junbumkim said:
Hey TonLars-

I go to U of M, and was wondering if we can get some tennis in when you need someone to hit with?

could you email me at snvplayer@gmail.com

thanks.

Hey there! If you can play sometime on a weekday morning that would be the best. Otherwise im usually working or hitting with someone else. I could come out there sometimes or you can come to our place. How do you matchup with Slapshot?

snvplayer · Feb 16, 2009

TonLars said:
Hey there! If you can play sometime on a weekday morning that would be the best. Otherwise im usually working or hitting with someone else. I could come out there sometimes or you can come to our place. How do you matchup with Slapshot?

Mon, Wen, or Friday morning work for me depending on the time, with Friday being the best. How are your weekend schedules?

Slapshot is a stronger player than I am. If I am playing well, I guess I can make it reasonably competitive. (or maybe it's just my perspective haha).

SlapShot · Feb 17, 2009

junbumkim said:
Mon, Wen, or Friday morning work for me depending on the time, with Friday being the best. How are your weekend schedules?

Slapshot is a stronger player than I am. If I am playing well, I guess I can make it reasonably competitive. (or maybe it's just my perspective haha).

I don't know that I'd consider myself a stronger player all across the board - my serve (when I'm getting it in play) is the only significant weapon that I've got when we play. Well...that and my dashing good looks.

snvplayer · Feb 18, 2009

TonLars said:
Hey there! If you can play sometime on a weekday morning that would be the best. Otherwise im usually working or hitting with someone else. I could come out there sometimes or you can come to our place. How do you matchup with Slapshot?

Hey TonLars
I sent you an email, so get back to me whenever you can.

What Do You Get When You Have a 4.0 Hit with a 5.5?

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Semi-Pro

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Legend

Hall of Fame

Legend

Semi-Pro

Hall of Fame

Legend

Banned

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Banned

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Professional

Banned

Professional

Legend

Talk Tennis Guru

Bionic Poster

Semi-Pro

Bionic Poster

Bionic Poster

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Professional

Semi-Pro

G.O.A.T.

Hall of Fame

Professional

Hall of Fame

Banned

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Professional

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Similar threads