I have seen the youtube ones on the serve.
What was the speed of your "average" serve as a junior? I suspect it was far above the speeds of club-level serves.
Jeff Salzenstein Total Tennis
- Thread starter Federerkblade
- Start date
I have seen the youtube ones on the serve.
What was the speed of your "average" serve as a junior? I suspect it was far above the speeds of club-level serves.
BigT
Professional
Salzenstein is the man. I remember seeing him back in his Stanford days and have followed his career.
Definitely not 'just another pro trying to make a buck'. Hello, he has a degree from Stanford....If he was not a tennis player, he would be a top exec. somewhere.
He is educated and intelligent, which is not so common on the Tour. His videos are clear and helpful for all levels of play.
Definitely not 'just another pro trying to make a buck'. Hello, he has a degree from Stanford....If he was not a tennis player, he would be a top exec. somewhere.
He is educated and intelligent, which is not so common on the Tour. His videos are clear and helpful for all levels of play.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
I think 5-7 minutes might still be pretty long. There are a lot of possible
ways to cut it down. Off the top of my head, some ideas:
- use video when you want to show/illustrate something. You can start
with the image of you talking but since the main content of what you
currently have is actually the audio (what you say), you
don't need to keep the camera on you. You can cut up the audio and use it
as narration/VO while you show samples/examples of your teachings.
You can use bits of some of the clips you have on youtube.
Since it's on your webpage, some of what you say should just be in
writing.
Consider the following analogy:
How would people most likely like to ingest the story "Gone with the Wind" ?
1) Read the book
2) See the movie
3) listen to the audiobook
4) watch a video of a guy standing there reading the book aloud
I'd hazard a guess, that most people would not choose #4. A 10
minute video on the web can feel like an eternity to some people.
What you want is actually a combination of the 4. A movie trailer.
You can show the author (you), cut to parts of the movie (your instructional
videos), use the audio of you underneath at times (audiobook), and then
maybe show a little bit of text (phrases) with the video or as separate
cards (screen w/text) stating key points. Just give them a taste. The
specifics should written on your webpage.
If you have more questions, you can contact me via my TW profile.
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arche3
Banned
Great ideas. I thought the website a bit confusing as well. I was not sure if the sale was for the DVDs pictured or the subscription.
Jeff Salzenstein
New User
Average speed of my serve was slow as a junior..nothing above 90. I improved my serve 25-30 MPH after my freshman year of college at Stanford through my own experimentation.
Jeff Salzenstein
New User
All good points. Thanks for your feedback.
Federerkblade
Hall of Fame
i have to say the first lessons on the total tennis site are awesome and well worth ten dollors a month alone plus more
arche3
Banned
I'm about to sign up.... ten bucks is not much but I will most likely forget after a few months and Jeff will make 10 bucks from me per month till I die.
I had Netflix for like 3 years before I realised I had it. I did the trial and forgot about it.
I was waiting for my match last night, when I heard "Jeff Salzenstein" mentioned! I turned around, and it was the head pro here talking about him to a junior student. I asked him how he knew Jeff, and he said he coached Jeff in high school. Then he said he (Jeff) was a great player and coach.
Jeff, I don't want to give out his name and please don't mention it here (some people don't like their names showing up on the Web), but he is on the list in http://rptctennis.com/Lessons.aspx
Jeff, I don't want to give out his name and please don't mention it here (some people don't like their names showing up on the Web), but he is on the list in http://rptctennis.com/Lessons.aspx
Jeff Salzenstein
New User
Thanks...it's only going to get better from here. More lessons, more insight, more fun. I am going to do everything I can to deliver at least 10x the value in this inner circle.
Jeff Salzenstein
New User
Smart choice because I am raising the price soon and 10 bucks a month for sharing my life's work is a nice deal for any tennis player that wants to get better
Jeff Salzenstein
New User
Sorry I don't recognize the names on the list you provided. Did I know this coach in Colorado?
Not sure. Doesn't matter. It was just such a coincidence, with this thread ongoing and me hearing your name yesterday.
Fifth Set
Professional
We had a Salzy thread not long ago but no harm in another one - the guy achieved alot. An ATP caliber guy coming out of Colorado is almost like an NHLer raised in Hawaii.
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=392204&highlight=salzenstein
Good to see you here Jeff, congrats on the new venture. You still coaching out of JCC & Gates?
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=392204&highlight=salzenstein
Good to see you here Jeff, congrats on the new venture. You still coaching out of JCC & Gates?
Jeff Salzenstein
New User
I like the analogy to making the NHL form hawaii. Can I steal it? I am in Denver teaching but not at Gates at the moment. A little at the JCC.
Jeff Salzenstein
New User
Not a very fast serve at all 80 mph max.
I know you have a Serve Solution Course coming up soon so you've probably thought of this already; but it would be interesting to see before and after video or your serve prior to certain technical changes.
-SF
I've just noticed that there's someone who I'm sure is TonLars in one of the videos having his serve analysed and commented upon as part of a teaching session during the USPTA Northern Champs!
Credit to TonLars for being a good sport and doing the demo. I wonder whether Tony decided to try implementing any of the suggestions (high elbow, foot positioning, weight shift, hand partly off the butt cap etc)?
I thought it was a really interesting teaching / analysis session.
Credit to TonLars for being a good sport and doing the demo. I wonder whether Tony decided to try implementing any of the suggestions (high elbow, foot positioning, weight shift, hand partly off the butt cap etc)?
I thought it was a really interesting teaching / analysis session.
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TonLars
Professional
Yes, again Jeff is a very nice guy, great communicator, makes things very easy to understand and gets down to the essentials in his teaching. I like that alot, and is exactly what I try to do when I teach. Even though our time was very brief, everything he said makes alot of sense and I just need to continue to practice it all and implement it. He promised to go to Flushing with me if I somehow make it through the Us open nationals, so ill hold him to it!
Also, where is the video quick? Ill look for it myself otherwise.
Edit: cant find it
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Watching Jeff's videos I fully expected a pitch for a time share in Florida or "an incredible investment opportunity".
Too much salesmanship, not enough tennis, and no unique insights into tennis technique.
FYB started down the same path recently. Lots of sale pitch, white board talks, not as much actual tennis content like they were known for.
My current favorite is Essential Tennis .com but even he's heading down the same route.
All of these guys fail in the same way: they think someone looking for tennis instruction is going to sit through a 10 minute sales pitch and be wowed by their talk. No, show me value first and I might be convinced to sign up. Some guy telling me how wonderful he is? Sorry, those are a dime a dozen.
Too much salesmanship, not enough tennis, and no unique insights into tennis technique.
FYB started down the same path recently. Lots of sale pitch, white board talks, not as much actual tennis content like they were known for.
My current favorite is Essential Tennis .com but even he's heading down the same route.
All of these guys fail in the same way: they think someone looking for tennis instruction is going to sit through a 10 minute sales pitch and be wowed by their talk. No, show me value first and I might be convinced to sign up. Some guy telling me how wonderful he is? Sorry, those are a dime a dozen.
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@ TimothyO - you're making yourself look very silly, because you clearly haven't watched any of Jeff's videos properly or at all, because those are some mad, mad comments you've posted. Either that or you don't understand anything about technique development, or tennis coaching.
FYB is all marketing and mind numbing waffle straight from a textbook. The amount of money he asks for his 'Ninja' courses is just laughable. What the heck is 'Ninja' tennis anyway? The guy is also unbelievably droll.
Essential Tennis is for beginners. Nice to occasionally listen to the podcasts when you're in the car, but unless you're a complete beginner, they have very little value. I couldn't stop laughing when they had that segment about whether some guy 'should change tennis shirt' half way through a match, or whether it was best to keep the same sweaty shirt on.
Salzenstein's the only guy who's shown that he can play tennis (as he's proven throughout his career), that he can improve (as he's proven throughout his career), and effectively work with and work on technique development at all levels of players. I really like his 'straight to the point' approach which is unbelievably refreshing compared to what's out there. He's the only guy of this bunch that "gets it". You only have to look at what he's achieved in his career, his own game development, and the people he's worked with to see that.
FYB is all marketing and mind numbing waffle straight from a textbook. The amount of money he asks for his 'Ninja' courses is just laughable. What the heck is 'Ninja' tennis anyway? The guy is also unbelievably droll.
Essential Tennis is for beginners. Nice to occasionally listen to the podcasts when you're in the car, but unless you're a complete beginner, they have very little value. I couldn't stop laughing when they had that segment about whether some guy 'should change tennis shirt' half way through a match, or whether it was best to keep the same sweaty shirt on.
Salzenstein's the only guy who's shown that he can play tennis (as he's proven throughout his career), that he can improve (as he's proven throughout his career), and effectively work with and work on technique development at all levels of players. I really like his 'straight to the point' approach which is unbelievably refreshing compared to what's out there. He's the only guy of this bunch that "gets it". You only have to look at what he's achieved in his career, his own game development, and the people he's worked with to see that.
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eidolonshinobi
Professional
Well I gave Total Tennis a shot, heck for $10 bucks a month at the time it was a steal. So far there is a TON of material, I'm taking them video by video a couple days or even a week at a time depending on how quickly I can absorb the concept on and off the court. He's also constantly putting stuff up on the site for even more material.
Bottom line, he know his stuff and if you're looking for "value" his programs are very well priced in comparison to the knowledge you gain from his experience.
Don't bash on EssentialTennis too much, I have hopes for it even if it is joining the mega corporation of FYB online tennis association.
I agree with the skepticism all around because of what FYB has done. In the beginning they gave away a lot of good free content but then they got big, grabbed a lot of friends (essential tennis including) and started commercializing everything. Now they sell quick fixes, rehashs, and worst, celebrity instructions.
If Salzenstein's stuff is innovative, I hope he can be an example to other guys looking to do online tennis instructions.
I agree with the skepticism all around because of what FYB has done. In the beginning they gave away a lot of good free content but then they got big, grabbed a lot of friends (essential tennis including) and started commercializing everything. Now they sell quick fixes, rehashs, and worst, celebrity instructions.
If Salzenstein's stuff is innovative, I hope he can be an example to other guys looking to do online tennis instructions.
Jeff Salzenstein
New User
I will see if I can dig up some old footage of my serve as it evolved.
Jeff Salzenstein
New User
Tony was an awesome student and I would love to have more time with him to help him with his serve. Love his passion for the game!
Jeff Salzenstein
New User
Thanks for the kind words, Tony. It was great spending a few hours on court with you
Jeff Salzenstein
New User
Timothy, I respectfully disagree. You can jump into any of my courses and I will give you a refund if you don't think I am providing value. You also have access to over 100 videos on my blog...totally FREE...that should keep you busy.
If you want to dig deeper you can get my paid content. And yes, there is marketing behind it. Nothing wrong with making a living doing what you love and providing value.
Jeff Salzenstein
New User
Torres, totally agree with you about your take on my teaching style. I try to get straight to the point and show players and coaches how they can tangibly improve as quick as possible. Through my own challenges I developed a teaching style that create results if you work the program. Thanks for your kind words about what I am doing
Jeff Salzenstein
New User
Thank you for the nice comment. We are uploading new lessons every week as well as new fitness workouts. I am not sure where else you can get weekly updates plus 1000's of other videos to help you with your tennis.
Jeff Salzenstein
New User
Hi Snowpuppy, I am doing my best to provide tons of value and great tennis tips.
Subscription question
Jeff (or other informed TT@TW members):
I just ventured into the Tennis Tips/Instruction section of the site and stumbled onto this thread. I'm very interested but am wondering if there a special promo code to qualify for the $10/mo rate that I've missed or has that shipped already sailed?
Looks like great stuff.
Thanks in advance.
Jeff (or other informed TT@TW members):
I just ventured into the Tennis Tips/Instruction section of the site and stumbled onto this thread. I'm very interested but am wondering if there a special promo code to qualify for the $10/mo rate that I've missed or has that shipped already sailed?
Looks like great stuff.
Thanks in advance.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
I watched his "dirty diaper" video several months back, in addition to several others, and felt that his ideas had considerable merit. The diaper idea is a novel approach for focusing on a certain part of the serve. This and his other videos can provide an alternate insight into various aspects of the game. Here is a couple of his videos where he talks about Federer's lift and land footwork:
http://www.jeffsalzensteintennis.com/tennis-training-footwork-2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlD1w6mu61o
.
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Rozroz
G.O.A.T.
wow this lift and land thing looks really elegant. i gotta have it !!
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Not sure why you are taking issue with FYB. Will still has tons of good free stuff on teh interweb. The man has a right to conduct a business. Seems that too many have come to demand that everything should be handed to us for free. Will puts in a lot of time and thought into his presentations. Why should he not be compensated for all his hard work?
.
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Not at the rip off prices that's he charging. He's very poor value for money in my view.
beernutz
Hall of Fame
Jeff, is any video analysis included for the $10 a month fee? For example, would I be able to take a video of a league match or practice session and have you critique it?
No coach anywhere is going to do that for $10.
beernutz
Hall of Fame
Not even as a one time offer to new subscribers from a new coaching website trying to get off the ground?
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Running buggy whip forehand lesson is a valuable one. I think the footwork is critical if you want this to work and be able to put some sting on the shot. Most amateurs have tendency to run thru this shot and forget to plant the right foot to get good foundation.
If you run thru this shot, you wont' be able to get back for the next shot to your backhand, most likely. I myself have some trouble stopping and planting when i am running full sprint to my forehand.
If you run thru this shot, you wont' be able to get back for the next shot to your backhand, most likely. I myself have some trouble stopping and planting when i am running full sprint to my forehand.
sportsfan1
Legend
Haha, he's got the Roddick impersonation nailed down great in that video at 1m 02s:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlD1w6mu61o&t=1m02s
Count the number of working hours in a week. Figure out how many 1.5 hour league matches you can watch in a week, add another 0.5 hours on top of each match you watch to write the critique / ensure that the critique is accurate and you're not just providing a glib response that adversely impacts your reputation. Multiply that by the number of subscribers.
I'll leave it to you figure out how many years you'd be spending watching, analysing and writing up videos, whilst dropping absolutely everything else from your working schedule to do this.....
beernutz
Hall of Fame
What part of your anatomy did you pull 1.5 hours to 2 hours from? You could watch a short video and write a critique in 15 minutes or less. Good players on tw forums do it regularly for free in less time than that.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Good stuff Jeff. i think i do this unconciously already. This is a impressive site. I didn't know it existed. I will i will sign up and refer all my friends to this site as well.
Good Job, J.S.
arche3
Banned
Yeah good players do it for free because no one would pay them for their random comments. Jeff was a top 100 pro. Big difference. Also his instruction that I have seen is heads and shoulders above all the others.
beernutz
Hall of Fame
I am sure he appreciates you two answering for him.
arche3
Banned
Just pointing out the obvious. No matter how many tips you might give no one will ever pay you for it. Get it? Its simple actually. I'm surprised you don't see that.
Or maybe Jeff will do video analysis for free as part of the fee. I seriously doubt it.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
That is very cool that way that you included a time element in the youtube URL. Did not know that this was an option. (Too many posters will provide a video link where the point of interest is deep in a long video).
beernutz
Hall of Fame
It must be nice to be able to see into the mind of every single potential tennis coaching client and know for certain what they will or won't pay for. At least you aren't condescending when sharing your awesome powers of observation.
arche3
Banned
People are reluctant to shell out 10 bucks a month with a money back guarantee for a top 100 ATP pro. You think anyone will pay for a TT forum member $1.00 for any sort of instruction? Just sayin. Its obvious that's all.