From NTRP-based 3.0 to 3.5 by January 2014 (video diary)

TomT

TomT

Hall of Fame
andrehanderson said:
TomT,

I haven't had a chance to really read through the thread yet, but I was really pleased to be able to see the video of you in action!

I'll be following your progress and rooting for you! If I were a better tennis player Id contribute advice, but any feedback I can provide now would only hurt the receiver's game. :)

Good luck!!
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Thanks Andre. I'm enjoying your thread. Best of luck to you also.
 
TomT

TomT

Hall of Fame
Mick3391 said:
Tom, you are my friend so answer me honestly and bluntly.

Why is it that some think I make wild claims or brag? Some I just ignored as troublemakers, but Ash Smith and you seems to agree to an extent.

When I first joined, I put 6.0 player. Reason is because I looked at the ratings, and since I have beaten pro's I thought I should put 7.0. My older brother of 9 years beat pros, and I destroy him since I was a kid. Someone said you have to be ranked to be 6.0, turns out to be wrong, so I lowered it to 5.5. See I believe false humility is a lie. Also I think some can't imagine a very good player being on this forum.

So it's like "Well should I lie to go along and get along", or just tell the truth. I tell the truth and get reemed for it. Soon we'll all know as my camera is in the mail, and we play several times a week. When you say "I'm a 3.0 working on 3.5", no one has any problem with that, when someone says 6.0, some try to misquote or poke holes into what I claim.

"Beating a wall", that was a joke. Destroying a 5.5 player who has quit USTA tourneys because he got bored winning, that is true. Destroying the top female WA University player is true. The 5.5 even said "You have way too many tools, I can't beat you". Should I lie in the interest of not rubbing people the wrong way? Shouldn't this be about truth?

I could play since I was 11, it was just natural and no problem, has been ever since, again do I lie?
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I wouldn't worry about it Mick. You made an honest estimate of what you think your NTRP might be and put it out there. It's pretty high, so there's going to be some skepticism. I recall challenging any USTA computer NTRP 3.0 (my league isn't USTA) to a match a while back and it stirred up some controversy ... particularly with one TT poster (NTRPolice, if I recall correctly) who was, at that time, a USTA computer rated 3.0, but who turned out to be closer to between a 3.5 - 4.0 in skill. He also turned out to be very helpful in certain threads.

What I hope you don't feel compelled to do is to get out on your injured leg to get videos. It's really not that important that the skeptics be quieted. Let us all wonder just how good you are for a little longer ... at least until the ligament heals. :) Focus on getting vids of Mick, Jr.
 
TomT

TomT

Hall of Fame
beernutz said:
Tom, I'm not much more advanced that you and this may have been pointed out already but I don't see much split-stepping going on during your points. Maybe once or twice I saw one when you were inside the service box but most groundstrokes were hit flat footed.

Split-stepping before every shot (and doing drills and practicing doing split-stepping) has really helped me become more mobile. I'm not much quicker but I can get to more balls because I'm using the momentum of the split step to get me going in the right direction. Split stepping, like most things related to tennis, has a lot to do with timing so you have to practice it a lot and make it an unconscious part of your game to get the most from it.

One activity that has helped me quite a bit in improving my split step and overall cardio is jumping rope. Get a decent rope and work up slowly. I do what are known as tabata drills by doing fast jumping for some period of time, say 10 to 30 seconds, then rest for some time and repeat, in groups of 8 to 10. Just my $.02 and good luck!
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Thanks for the observations and tips beernutz. I know you're right. My laziness and lack of proper movement is a major shortcoming I have to change to get better results.

The rope work sounds like it would be fairly difficult for me, but just what I need. :) Your post worth much more than $.02. :)
 
TomT

TomT

Hall of Fame
Dimcorner said:
I'm shooting for this goal as well (3.0 to 3.5 by Jan). I will try to get a video of a friendly match and post up but unfortunately I think it will rain this weekend here :(

Problem I have is that my T3i lens isn't wide enough and I don't feel safe putting it on the other side of the fence! i'll see if I can somehow attach my phone to the fence, thou I don't think the battery will last that long.
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Ok Dimcorner. We can track each other's progress. Looking forward to any vids you can post.
 
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Mike2228

Rookie
TomT said:
Ok Dimcorner. We can track each other's progress. Looking forward to any vids you can post.
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You can add me to the group. I'd love to attain 3.5 status sometime in the foreseeable future. If I continue playing/ practicing 4 or 5 days a week and continue getting my weight down I think I have a chance.
 
TomT

TomT

Hall of Fame
Mike2228 said:
You can add me to the group. I'd love to attain 3.5 status sometime in the foreseeable future. If I continue playing/ practicing 4 or 5 days a week and continue getting my weight down I think I have a chance.
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Ok then Mike. It's officially a 3.0 to 3.5 group. :) Definitely a realistic goal, imo. The more the merrier.

But get rid of that "If". There's no trying, only doing. Trying is lying. We will do something every day, no matter what, toward our goal ... even if it's just an hour of shadow swinging, exercises, running in place, meditation, etc., etc.

At least that's the plan. :)
 
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Mike2228

Rookie
TomT said:
Ok then Mike. It's officially a 3.0 to 3.5 group. :) Definitely a realistic goal, imo. The more the merrier.

But get rid of that "If". There's no trying, only doing. Trying is lying. We will do something every day, no matter what, toward our goal ... even if it's just an hour of shadow swinging, exercises, running in place, meditation, etc., etc.

At least that's the plan. :)
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Very true. I WILL continue working and playing. :cool:
 
TomT

TomT

Hall of Fame
Some practice serves from yesterday. Very weak. I think it will be a few weeks before I start to feel strong again. But need to get out on the court and exercise the muscles.

Hit today with the guys from Long Island (down here for the Sony Open in Miami). Wow, those guys (dennis10is, Pickle9 and J011yroger) can play. Very nice strokers of the ball. I imagine they compete at a pretty high level, but can't really estimate because of my relative inexperience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKiYX3s7MAY
 
corbind

corbind

Professional
TomT said:
Some links to more video of yesterday's match. They're all really short, each one showing a few points.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRm1PO7Hzgg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPdetoEGUlg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sArJYKBVc8g
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Hey Tom, nice to see some videos. Wish the camera were higher up off the ground but still we get a reasonable idea of play. Noticed some commented about your serve but I have a different philosophy.

Your serve goes in most of the time and it works. Opponents are not teeing off on it so it's fine (particularly as you said it does not hurt your body). I like your attacking shots and that's really neat to see for a senior. Your opponent hit some short floaters where you came in and took care of them alright. Just my style and maybe conjecture but it seems drop shots on those would eliminate any chance of Mr. Speedy getting them. That guy has wheels. I'd just drop them over the net.

If somehow he decides to burn up his energy to fly in and try to get them at best he'll flip them up to you for a smash. Worst case he lobs you and you don't expend any energy trying to get it. After 4-5 drop shots the opponent will have no energy and won't be much good for a second set. I'll continue to watch/read this thread. All in all it's nice to see your game.
 
TomT

TomT

Hall of Fame
corbind said:
Hey Tom, nice to see some videos. Wish the camera were higher up off the ground but still we get a reasonable idea of play. Noticed some commented about your serve but I have a different philosophy.

Your serve goes in most of the time and it works. Opponents are not teeing off on it so it's fine (particularly as you said it does not hurt your body). I like your attacking shots and that's really neat to see for a senior. Your opponent hit some short floaters where you came in and took care of them alright. Just my style and maybe conjecture but it seems drop shots on those would eliminate any chance of Mr. Speedy getting them. That guy has wheels. I'd just drop them over the net.

If somehow he decides to burn up his energy to fly in and try to get them at best he'll flip them up to you for a smash. Worst case he lobs you and you don't expend any energy trying to get it. After 4-5 drop shots the opponent will have no energy and won't be much good for a second set. I'll continue to watch/read this thread. All in all it's nice to see your game.
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Thanks for the helpful comments corbind. Post some vids if you can. By the way, I now have a way of getting a higher perspective (about head high) on the vids. Still not optimal height though.

You're in Chicago, eh? The Tennis League Network is there ...
http://chitowntennis.com/ . I met some players from Chicago during last year's TLN tourney at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne in Miami.
 
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Mick3391

Professional
Tom, got my camera! Full race one from RadioShack, delivered today. Next play with Mick will probably be Thurs or Friday.
 
arche3

arche3

Banned
I think its good that your aggressive tom. You can then play more on your terms. Make them run more. Patience is fine but you only need it to decide when to go for the winner. Most players who are really good that are older seem to play first strike tennis. No grinding.
 
arche3

arche3

Banned
luvforty said:
coach arch, what qualifications do you have to give such advice?
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Non. I'm not a coach. Its my opinion on the matter as a rec player. I'm probably wrong.

Why don't you stop spamming this thread and go answer questions from your own thread you loser.
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Aggressive is good.
Unfortunately, you will NEVER find a 3.5 who hits as weak as that lefty opponent of yours.
You cannot possibly lose any point that starts with his second serve.
 
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Mick3391

Professional
TomT said:
Some links to more video of yesterday's match. They're all really short, each one showing a few points.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRm1PO7Hzgg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPdetoEGUlg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sArJYKBVc8g
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Comments not just on these videos, but others as well;

It's cool that you are playing aggressive, but if you look at your shots, you hit to your opponent. It's like when someone is used to practice only, they hit to their forehand or backhand, sometimes it can be a habit.

DO be aggressive, DO rush mid court/net, most 3.5's can't handle that even if you lose a few, but work on hitting AWAY from your opponent, it looks like you are hitting back and forth for fun, work on hitting where your opponent isn't:)
 
TomT

TomT

Hall of Fame
Mick3391 said:
Tom, got my camera! Full race one from RadioShack, delivered today. Next play with Mick will probably be Thurs or Friday.
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Fantastic Mick. Looking forward to vids. By the way, if you have any problem with mounting the camera, and have some back fence not covered by windscreen, I've found that the clear plastic bag (resealable sandwich bag size works for my camera) method works really well. You just attach it to the fence at the four corners with wire ties. A tripod is the best way to go though.

arche3 said:
I think its good that your aggressive tom. You can then play more on your terms. Make them run more. Patience is fine but you only need it to decide when to go for the winner. Most players who are really good that are older seem to play first strike tennis. No grinding.
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Thanks arche. Actually, I don't, and probably never will, have the strokes or the fitness to grind even if I wanted to. So, I expect to be working a lot on various putaway and approach ground shots, as well as volleys and overheads, in the coming months.

luvforty said:
coach arch, what qualifications do you have to give such advice?
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It's ok luvforty, one doesn't need any particular qualifications to give advice to me.

arche3 said:
Non. I'm not a coach. Its my opinion on the matter as a rec player. I'm probably wrong.
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Your comment made sense to me and is appreciated.

arche3 said:
Why don't you stop spamming this thread and go answer questions from your own thread you loser.
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:) Do I sense a flame war a brewin? Perhaps a video flame war? One can only hope.

LeeD said:
Aggressive is good.
Unfortunately, you will NEVER find a 3.5 who hits as weak as that lefty opponent of yours.
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Probably true I guess. But I can't even beat him yet. Very close, but no cigar.

LeeD said:
You cannot possibly lose any point that starts with his second serve.
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"Possibly" can cover a rather wide range, especially with regard to my extraordinary ability to find ways of snatching defeat from the mouth of victory. But I basically agree ... if his second serve was any slower he could get penalized for a time violation while it's in flight.

However, regarding his serve, his first serve is generally over 100 mph and often with that wicked lefty slice. He only gets between 40% and 50% of those in, but I generally don't get them back, so that means that he's more or less guaranteed to win about half his serve points.

Mick3391 said:
Comments not just on these videos, but others as well;

It's cool that you are playing aggressive, but if you look at your shots, you hit to your opponent. It's like when someone is used to practice only, they hit to their forehand or backhand, sometimes it can be a habit.

DO be aggressive, DO rush mid court/net, most 3.5's can't handle that even if you lose a few, but work on hitting AWAY from your opponent, it looks like you are hitting back and forth for fun, work on hitting where your opponent isn't:)
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Thanks Mick. Yes I know what you're saying is absolutely correct. LeeD and others have mentioned it also. Way too many shots down the middle, or right back to the opponent wherever he might be.
 
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Stergios

Rookie
Hi Tom,

I'm glad you keeping it up!

I very much admire your effort.

By the way how many tennis balls your pocket can hold?? It seemed like a hole basket! I can't serve if having more than two in my pocket :).

Cheers,

Stergios
 
TomT

TomT

Hall of Fame
Stergios said:
Hi Tom,

I'm glad you keeping it up!

I very much admire your effort.

By the way how many tennis balls your pocket can hold?? It seemed like a hole basket! I can't serve if having more than two in my pocket :).

Cheers,

Stergios
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Thanks Stergios. Me too, you. 3 balls in each pocket, no problem. :)
 
mightyrick

mightyrick

Legend
Tom,

This is great stuff. It's really nice to see someone chronicling their stuff.

I'm curious how your movement is doing? I read about the Crohn's you have. When it is not flaring up, how hard is it for you to run? Obviously, you aren't going to be able to run like a 20 or 30 year old, but are there any foot, knee, or hip issues? I'm asking because the advice I'm going to give is related to movement.

I actually think a lot in your forehand and backhand stroke in general would improve automatically if you started preparing earlier. So when the ball leaves your opponent's racquet, you see the angle it comes off, and you start to move to the location where the ball is coming, and then you turn. Once you've done this, you have completed the prep.

Your strokes are doing great. But a lot of the consistency issues you have, I think is because you don't always start your stroke from the same body position. Which is because of late or lack of preparation.

Good stuff.
 
TomT

TomT

Hall of Fame
mightyrick said:
Tom,

This is great stuff. It's really nice to see someone chronicling their stuff.

I'm curious how your movement is doing? I read about the Crohn's you have. When it is not flaring up, how hard is it for you to run?
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When it's not flaring (flaring = inflammation and ulceration of the colon, intestines, bowel) then I just keep getting stronger and fitter and more mobile. A byproduct of the flaring is that, in addition to the constant bloody diarrhea which makes me anemic and iron deficient, eating properly (or at all) becomes very difficult. I lose weight, and most of it seems to be muscle. I get to a point where my body isn't metabolizing protein properly.

I'm still about 25 lbs under optimum weight. Just a couple of weeks ago I still had virtually no explosive power in my legs. I would try to get after a wide shot and there just wasn't anything there. But am slowly getting stronger and more mobile these days. Played one practice set and ate a lot yesterday. I'm very thankful for these periods when I feel relatively good.

mightyrick said:
Obviously, you aren't going to be able to run like a 20 or 30 year old, but are there any foot, knee, or hip issues? I'm asking because the advice I'm going to give is related to movement.
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No particular foot, knee, or hip issues that I know of.

mightyrick said:
I actually think a lot in your forehand and backhand stroke in general would improve automatically if you started preparing earlier.
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I believe that you just might be quite correct in your assessment. It became apparent to me as I was reviewing the latest video snippet.

mightyrick said:
So when the ball leaves your opponent's racquet, you see the angle it comes off, and you start to move to the location where the ball is coming, and then you turn. Once you've done this, you have completed the prep.
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Ok.

mightyrick said:
Your strokes are doing great. But a lot of the consistency issues you have, I think is because you don't always start your stroke from the same body position. Which is because of late or lack of preparation.
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This makes sense to me, and I think that a main reason why my prep is late is just due to laziness, both mental and physical, and because of that laziness (whether I'm sick or healthy) I think I just might have unwittingly taught myself some very bad tennis habits. Thanks for your observations and suggestions mightyrick. Proper prior preparation prevents **** poor performance. Eh? :)

Post some videos. (I love tennis videos. :) )
 
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TomT

TomT

Hall of Fame
Ok, here's some vids of yesterday's debacle, my first match of the 2013 Spring Season league in the Tennis Fort Lauderdale affiliate of the Tennis League Network. My opponent (in green) is a 3.25 in this league. I'm a 3.0. He won this match 6-0 6-2.

This is about as bad as I can remember ever playing. Very lethargic. I mean there's relaxed (relaxed is good I think), and then there's absurdly relaxed. To call this a lackluster match would be like saying the universe is fairly large. This match could be used as the benchmark for the complete absence of luster -- like a black hole of sorts from which nothing, not even luster (the shiniest of all ... things), could escape.

However, perhaps interestingly, there was no time during this match that I didn't think I could win it. After dropping the first set at love, I started out 2-0 and 40-love in the second set ... and then things went downhill rather quickly for me after that point. Pretty much entirely due to my mental state I think.

I didn't feel too good during the whole thing, and on the brink of going up 3-0 in the second set it suddenly occurred to me that we might have to play a third set. I think that subconsciously I sort of coasted after this point. It's just this sort of cavalier nonchalance stemming from an aversion to physical exertion that I need to change if I'm going to win enough matches to get to a 3.5 rating. I can't blame it on my physical situation. There's always going to be something to deal with.

The first video is of the only winner that I hit during the entire match. A down the line backhand passing shot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX-K_n726kY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG1geejHsE8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Jsm6mp7Xso
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_99Xv_4i9E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6L65CS2p9o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPBky_J0Z5A
 
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Mike2228

Rookie
It happens Tom. Yesterday I played with a friend who is more than twice my age. He is considerably more fit than me though to be honest. We played 3 sets. He won 6-1, 6-2, 6-3. I couldn't get a a rhythm serving and my backhand which is never very good to start was worse than usual.

Today though, I played two sets of doubles and my team won both sets. My serve was as good as ever and mu forehand was fairly strong.
 
TomT

TomT

Hall of Fame
Mike2228 said:
It happens Tom. Yesterday I played with a friend who is more than twice my age. He is considerably more fit than me though to be honest. We played 3 sets. He won 6-1, 6-2, 6-3. I couldn't get a a rhythm serving and my backhand which is never very good to start was worse than usual.

Today though, I played two sets of doubles and my team won both sets. My serve was as good as ever and my forehand was fairly strong.
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At least you can play 3 sets Mike. I'm not sure I could right now. And good going in the doubles. Accentuate the positive.
 
TomT

TomT

Hall of Fame
tennis ratchet said:
looks like he likes the drop shot return, that can be frustrating. i saw you hit some nice shots in the clips i watched.
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To be fair, he's actually a better player than might be evident from those clips. It was super windy during our match which I think bothered him a bit. Anyway, thanks for the kind words. You saw some shots that you would actually consider nice? :)

But yeah, I agree that good drop shot returns can be difficult. Especially for somebody with my mobility problems.
 
corbind

corbind

Professional
Holy WindFest! Was there a tornado rolling through? The camera was shaking and things blowing in front of it. Incredible curve on serves with wind doing much of the work.

Lotta balls just died in the wind. I despise playing in high winds. Bless you both for going out there and playing nevertheless.
 
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Mike2228

Rookie
corbind said:
Holy WindFest! Was there a tornado rolling through? The camera was shaking and things blowing in front of it. Incredible curve on serves with wind doing much of the work.

Lotta balls just died in the wind. I despise playing in high winds. Bless you both for going out there and playing nevertheless.
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That curve is by design. :)

And yea, at times the wind was quite bad but I've played through worse.
 
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Mike2228

Rookie
Passion4Tennis said:
Good stuff, Mike. It seems like you guys had a lot of fun.

I looked at a satellite view of that park, and I really like the way those courts are laid out end over end. It's unusual to see them like that. I wish we had something like that in NJ.
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Yea, and another interesting quirk is that the courts are carpeted. I've never seen that anywhere else.
 
onehandbh

onehandbh

G.O.A.T.
TomT said:
...when I get overheated and my heart and breathing rates are way way up, then everything is kind of a dull blurr for however long it takes me to recover. During these intervals, which often occur in the middle of points, I think that my anticipation and first step quickness is even worse than it usually is. It follows that an increased fitness level can make some difference, however small, in anticipation and first step quickness.
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You probably already know this, but if you're getting blurring vision, you
are risking passing out, etc.

How is your breath during long points? Are you getting enough
oxygen? Are you tensing up too much?
 
TomT

TomT

Hall of Fame
Mike2228 said:
Some video of my doubles the other day.

part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S12yOpyIG84

part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG4sQN08qiw
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Thanks for the vids Mike. I enjoyed watching them. I put them in full screen mode and everything is very clear. Nice camera perspective. Excellent vids. I "liked" both at YouTube and subscribed to your channel.

You made some nice shots, and serves. Lots of seemingly effortless power.

Our games are similar in many ways, and particularly so in that neither of us moves enough. I think this is mostly just a mental thing. Staying mindful of the need to keep the feet moving. I know that we both can move more and better than we currently do. It's just a matter of doing it, making it a habit. What do you think?

Keep the vids coming!
 
TomT

TomT

Hall of Fame
onehandbh said:
You probably already know this, but if you're getting blurring vision, you are risking passing out, etc.

How is your breath during long points? Are you getting enough
oxygen? Are you tensing up too much?
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Thanks for the concerned comments onehandbh. I know that blurring vision is a sign that all is not well. Probably not getting enough oxygen, and tending to rush things (via some tensing) when stressed and overheated.

Improvement in fitness level is slowly but steadily happening. It's mostly a matter of getting out and playing as much as possible. Played a 3-setter today. Legs were jelly at the end, but no blurring of vision during this match. Feel great, even though I lost the match, as I write this. Have another league match tomorrow morning.
 
TomT

TomT

Hall of Fame
corbind said:
Holy WindFest! Was there a tornado rolling through? The camera was shaking and things blowing in front of it. Incredible curve on serves with wind doing much of the work.

Lotta balls just died in the wind. I despise playing in high winds. Bless you both for going out there and playing nevertheless.
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I'll assume you're talking about the vids of my first match. Thanks for the blessing. :) The ball was curving especially a lot on certain sidespin groundstrokes.

Today was not windy and I played a bit better. Not sure if that's because the air was relatively calm or just that I got a good night's sleep.
 
TomT

TomT

Hall of Fame
Sup2Dresq said:
Good luck Tom
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Thanks Sup2Dresq. Looking forward to hitting with you and Drakulie some day. Maybe best to wait until I'm considerably stronger, as I'm guessing that you're far enough above my current level that it would be almost incomprehensibly boring for you at this time. :) But it will happen soon enough, now that the connection has been made. I'm looking forward to playing on the clay (Classic Har-Tru?) of your club's courts. Or, you can always come and sample the gritty, weathered surfaces (having not been resurfaced for about 30 years) of the four (lighted ... till 9pm) Hardy Park hardcourts.

The guys from Long Island said that the Hardy Park courts play slower than their home Har-Tru courts. :)
 
TomT

TomT

Hall of Fame
Some videos of today's match. My opponent is a 2.5 in tennisftlauderdale.com . He won our match today. The score was 4-6 6-2 6-1. I played him twice before a few months ago, winning 6-2 6-1 and 6-1 6-4. Apparently he got a bit better and I got a bit worse. Anyway, we'll have at least one more match during this Spring 2013 Season league. If I win the next one (next Saturday), then we can play a rubber match.

His girlfriend and dog accompanied him. I think they might have been sending out some sort of mind-disrupting subliminal signals at me. I remember wanting a cigarette after the first set. I guess that's not so unusual since I've smoked about a pack and a half a day for over 50 years, but I never bring the cigs to the tennis court and I don't remember ever wanting to smoke while playing tennis before today. Maybe I should cut down? :)

Here's the vids, presented for your amusement, criticism ... whatever. Oh, by the way, the video perspective is a bit lower as I'm no longer using the bag on the fence method (makes it look too hazy, imo), but have returned, hopefully temporarily, to the taping it to the garbage can container method. I really must get a tripod. Also by the way, the best way to view these videos is in full screen mode with the sound fairly loud. It's like you're right there, seated by the back fence. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNtxHhbD2VM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsK9A-NAlUs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNa_8FhGBmg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjSw_mRqLW4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m0LUZ2IsrU
 
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corbind

corbind

Professional
TomT said:
...taping it to the garbage can container method. I really must get a tripod.
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How about three pieces of Velcro? You probably have that in a closet or junk drawer somewhere. Just wrap them around the camera and Velcro to the fence (about head height).

IMG_08881_zps6fc47734.jpg
 
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Mike2228

Rookie
TomT said:
Some videos of today's match. My opponent is a 2.5 in tennisftlauderdale.com . He won our match today. The score was 4-6 6-2 6-1. I played him twice before a few months ago, winning 6-2 6-1 and 6-1 6-4. Apparently he got a bit better and I got a bit worse. Anyway, we'll have at least one more match during this Spring 2013 Season league. If I win the next one (next Saturday), then we can play a rubber match.

His girlfriend and dog accompanied him. I think they might have been sending out some sort of mind-disrupting subliminal signals at me. I remember wanting a cigarette after the first set. I guess that's not so unusual since I've smoked about a pack and a half a day for over 50 years, but I never bring the cigs to the tennis court and I don't remember ever wanting to smoke while playing tennis before today. Maybe I should cut down? :)

Here's the vids, presented for your amusement, criticism ... whatever. Oh, by the way, the video perspective is a bit lower as I'm no longer using the bag on the fence method (makes it look too hazy, imo), but have returned, hopefully temporarily, to the taping it to the garbage can container method. I really must get a tripod. Also by the way, the best way to view these videos is in full screen mode with the sound fairly loud. It's like you're right there, seated by the back fence. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNtxHhbD2VM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsK9A-NAlUs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNa_8FhGBmg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjSw_mRqLW4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m0LUZ2IsrU
Click to expand...

Thanks for the vids Tom!

And I actually quit smoking a little over a year ago. I wasn't easy to quit but it is worth the effort.
 
V

Vilgan

New User
TomT said:
Some videos of today's match. My opponent is a 2.5 in tennisftlauderdale.com . He won our match today. The score was 4-6 6-2 6-1. I played him twice before a few months ago, winning 6-2 6-1 and 6-1 6-4. Apparently he got a bit better and I got a bit worse. Anyway, we'll have at least one more match during this Spring 2013 Season league. If I win the next one (next Saturday), then we can play a rubber match.

His girlfriend and dog accompanied him. I think they might have been sending out some sort of mind-disrupting subliminal signals at me. I remember wanting a cigarette after the first set. I guess that's not so unusual since I've smoked about a pack and a half a day for over 50 years, but I never bring the cigs to the tennis court and I don't remember ever wanting to smoke while playing tennis before today. Maybe I should cut down? :)

Here's the vids, presented for your amusement, criticism ... whatever. Oh, by the way, the video perspective is a bit lower as I'm no longer using the bag on the fence method (makes it look too hazy, imo), but have returned, hopefully temporarily, to the taping it to the garbage can container method. I really must get a tripod. Also by the way, the best way to view these videos is in full screen mode with the sound fairly loud. It's like you're right there, seated by the back fence. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNtxHhbD2VM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsK9A-NAlUs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNa_8FhGBmg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjSw_mRqLW4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m0LUZ2IsrU
Click to expand...

Hrmm, girlfriend showing up to watch probably also spurred him to play better. I know it'd have an effect on my play, typically towards the better.
 
TomT

TomT

Hall of Fame
Below are vids of the first 5 games of my match today (Sunday, April 7), a league match in the Spring 2013 Season of the tennisftlauderdale.com affiliate of the Tennis League Network.

My opponent is 3.25, 28 yrs old. He won this match 6-2 6-1. All I've got on video is the first 5 games, after which the score was 3-2 in my opponent's favor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt9rDQWGCoc
 
psv255

psv255

Professional
Some nice serving, Tom. Looked like you were doing well at first, was it your energy level that sealed it?
 
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