Critique my strokes and game (Video)

cg.tennis

cg.tennis

Rookie
I'm recently bumped from 3.5 to 4.0. My opponent is another recently bumped 4.0. He used to be the #1 single in last year's 3.5 team. I'm wearing a blue hat and black short. It's pretty windy, about 20 mph. Feel free to critique my strokes, especially forehand, and my overall game. Thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu86GGCr2tI
 
On your forehand, be more deliberate with the stroke.

By that I mean
1) Don't flip the racket around on your take back like you were doing in the video (the racket is flipped almost backwards on your takeback).
2) Hit the ball in front of you. You were making contact on a lot of forehands behind you.
3) Use the same follow through every time. I saw a few over the shoulder, a Nadal-esque wrapping around the head, as well as some in between.

Decide on what you want to do with your forehand (technique-wise) and stick with it. The simpler the better. You can't really develop a stroke into a weapon without having a consistent technique. IMO your opponent did a good job with his forehand, he had a simple take back and a similar stroke and contact point most of the time.
 
Thanks for the advices. I did notice that I flip the racket too much on my takeback. I'm in the process of changing my forehand technique.

tennisguyak said:
On your forehand, be more deliberate with the stroke.

By that I mean
1) Don't flip the racket around on your take back like you were doing in the video (the racket is flipped almost backwards on your takeback).
2) Hit the ball in front of you. You were making contact on a lot of forehands behind you.
3) Use the same follow through every time. I saw a few over the shoulder, a Nadal-esque wrapping around the head, as well as some in between.

Decide on what you want to do with your forehand (technique-wise) and stick with it. The simpler the better. You can't really develop a stroke into a weapon without having a consistent technique. IMO your opponent did a good job with his forehand, he had a simple take back and a similar stroke and contact point most of the time.
Click to expand...
 
Depth control was pretty good given the 20mph wind. Good angles. Good shot selection, especially when to attack and how to change up the spin on your outside strokes. Like to see you hit flatter like your opponent. Slice has good bite. Net game seems weaker part of game, especially on BH wing.
 
Your forehand is weak and your backhand is non existent, but your serve isn't half bad. You don't possess the ground strokes to hit winners so try setting up points to finish with a volley. You could have probably taken that guy 6-1 6-0 if you came to net more, since he's slow with his feet and racquet prep.
 
About #1 "Flipping the racket around on my take back", I watched Roddick's forehand slow motion, he also does the same thing so that racquet facing back fence during take back. (Both he and I use semi-western grip).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-D32RwsD_w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ifl4VVvGjNg

What do you think?

tennisguyak said:
On your forehand, be more deliberate with the stroke.

By that I mean
1) Don't flip the racket around on your take back like you were doing in the video (the racket is flipped almost backwards on your takeback).
2) Hit the ball in front of you. You were making contact on a lot of forehands behind you.
3) Use the same follow through every time. I saw a few over the shoulder, a Nadal-esque wrapping around the head, as well as some in between.

Decide on what you want to do with your forehand (technique-wise) and stick with it. The simpler the better. You can't really develop a stroke into a weapon without having a consistent technique. IMO your opponent did a good job with his forehand, he had a simple take back and a similar stroke and contact point most of the time.
Click to expand...
 
SIMPLE: On your forehand you are too close to the ball on about 80% of the shots and you decel

Just copy this stroke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEw8aRMIqM8
Note how the racquet speeds up through impact

I don't hit a two hander so can't comment on your backhand. BH slice is good though.

EDIT: does your opponent know that he foot faults on every serve?
 
Last edited:
UCSF2012 said:
You have a beginner's strokes, but you sure do a hella lot with it.
Click to expand...
i second ucsf, you neither do the pull or the push or begineer stroke. at time you hit with your body, at time you hit with your arm pull up, at time you hit with just your arm.
There is a long way before you can reach 4.0 (in my standard). and also is your buddy. hum, there is too many rework to do on both of you. that really i can hardly pick one, the easiest way is to compare your stroke mechanic with some pro. You will see huge different, and start to correct piece by piece.
By flipping your racket back, you prepare yourseft to do the pull. it's a long process to reach that to point, and too much to say in a short period of time. Keep reading, and studying, you will get there.
Any way, don't be discourage, keep working.
 
Thanks for all the advices! I'll keep working. :)

My hitting partner and I are indeed currently USTA 4.0. My parnter has already played two 4.0 singles matches in the new season and won both of them.
 
People are crazy - OP has control of direction and pace from both sides and is engaging in decently paced multiple shot rallies with changes of direction- definitely 4.0+ level of play.

Things to improve are footwork-

(1) split step! You are getting passed at the net on mediocre shots because you are still running forward and cannot react to get to the ball on passing shots. Split and stop as soon as the other player starts swinging.

(2) earlier preparation - you are waiting for the ball to bounce before taking back your racquet. You got to get in the habit of initiating sooner, such as before the ball crosses the net.
In practice, try saying, out-loud, whether you are hitting a "backhand" or "forehand" as soon as possible after the opponents contact to initiate your stroke.

As to stroke mechanics, you are a little jumpy of the forehand which can cause shots to spray and on the backhand, you are not hitting through the stroke and instead, are brushing up the back of ball, leading to a defensive/slower backhand shot.
 
Last edited:
i think the problem with ntrp is that its based strictly on results, not actual tennis ability/skill
 
Nellie said:
People are crazy - OP has control of direction and pace from both sides and is engaging in decently paced multiple shot rallies with changes of direction definitely 4.0+ level of play.

Things to improve are footwork-

(1) split step! You are getting passed at the net on mediocre shots because you are still running forward and cannot react to get to the ball on passing shots. Split and stop as soon as the other player starts swinging.

(2) earlier preparation - you are waiting for the ball to bounce before taking back your racquet. You got to get in the habit of initiating sooner, such as before the ball crosses the net.
In practice, try saying, out-loud, whether you are hitting a "backhand" or "forehand" as soon as possible after the opponents contact to initiate your stroke.

As to stroke mechanics, you are a little jumpy of the forehand which can cause shots to spray and on the backhand, you are not hitting through the stroke and instead, are brushing up the back of ball, leading to a defensive/slower backhand shot.
Click to expand...
i think all of your remark is right, those are very fundamental that a 4.0 cannot miss. we mainly judge on mechanic to determine a 4.0 forehand or a 5.0 forehand. not just his ability to win alone.
 
Thanks.

All your comments are highly appreciated. There are just too many players out there who haven't taped their strokes because they're afraid how they look in the camera. I will not be discouraged. It will help me improve sooner or later.
 
You are much better than your opponent. His acceleration to cover depth of the court is very poor. Draw him to the net more.

Sorry, I am not competent to comment your game...
 
sorry to say, but I'm not convince with your 4.0.
my suggestions:
Put topspin on your forehand
Hit more depth on your balls
Don't play defensive most of the time
Put more head speed on your racquet to avoid those marsmallow returns
 
cxw0106 said:
All your comments are highly appreciated. There are just too many players out there who haven't taped their strokes because they're afraid how they look in the camera. I will not be discouraged. It will help me improve sooner or later.
Click to expand...
ok my young man has a good attitude, here is one may help you right away:
on your forehand, seem like you try to emulate Federer (pull stroke):
this is what you miss from him:
1. by the beginning of the forward, you rotate your shoulder and body first, arm trail along, near contact point, far out, you snap your entire arm as one unit up and forward.
2. Your elbow have to draw a straight line during that course (not a circular motion) to hit thru the ball. to do that, point your butt cap to the comming ball.
at first, do not snap the wrist as you do, it is a headache down the road to you, even right now, that is your main source of making the ball land short. Use ww instead.
Try that.
 
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