Federer's graceful style? How can I copy that?

[Deleted member 56360]

Howdy yall! I'm a 14 year old tennis player, hoping to make it somewhere in tennis. I've taken a close look at the styles of many different tennis players. The player who's tennis seems the most attractive, successful, and least wearing on the body is that of Roger Federer. What are the steps I can take toward developing an all court game such as his?

My forehand is fine. I am currently in the process of making the switch from a two handed backhand to the one handed backhand. Most of my backhands are going into the net, however when they do go over, they are either flat or with loads of topspin. I am so new to this shot, that for now, I am only focused on having the ball get over the net. Any advice on this one handed backhand? Please do your best for now, I will try to get some videos up of my backhand.

The second part which I need help with is the Federer serve. I used to bring my back foot closer to my front foot on the serve, but I've stopped that, and my flat serve is fine, so is my slice. I am making quite a bit of progress with my kick serve, but still a bit of trouble with the "kick" part of it. The serve does have great net clearance though.

Lastly, the way Roger Federer dictates play; he seems to know where to be on the court at all times. It's almost like his opponent hits the balls directly to him. How is this so?

Please hit me up with some responses. Any kind of advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks! :twisted:

 

[charliefedererer]

I hope you enjoy your tennis. Federer is a great player to emulate. But don't get discouraged if you don't ever play nearly as well as him.
Roger was a very talented soccer play as a youngster, and had to make a decision which sport to pursue: tennis or soccer. Although he chose tennis, his years of playing soccer surely helped him develop his footwork.
He started private lessons at 10, and by 14 was the Swiss junior champion, and moved away from home to train at the Swiss National Tennis Center. By 16 he had won the Wimbledon junior title, the Orange Bowl, and was ITF World Junior Champion.
In other words he had great natural coordination and movement skills, and honed them through a tremendous amount of practice under the eye of some very good coaches, and played aginst top rate competition.
You don't really need to become like Roger, and won't come close without his talent and training. Learn to lenjoy the sport of tennis and be yourself.

 

[coyfish]

I hate when people say Nadal, fed, other athletes were great at soccer / other sports. Honestly at 10 years old . . . lol. A lot of kids develop moderate skill very young. To develop those skills is another story.

Sorry for the rant . . . back to the original question. Its great to look to great players to learn about their game but in tennis you have to develop YOUR game. Do what works for you and don't try and copy another players style too much.

Fed seems to dictate play even when he losses because he stands right on the baseline which many players in todays game don't. Most players stand way behind. Fed takes a lot of shots early and holds his ground which is good and bad. As we have seen in these last couple years his errors can accumulate when he doesn't have his A game out. Also he has great footwork and movement.

As for your kick serve make sure you are using the proper grip. Its hard to generate a big kick if you use continental serve grip. Try an eastern backhand grip.

 

[Deleted member 56360]

Thanks everyone, for the advice.

 

[charliefedererer]

Howdy yall! I'm a 14 year old tennis player, hoping to make it somewhere in tennis. I've taken a close look at the styles of many different tennis players. The player who's tennis seems the most attractive, successful, and least wearing on the body is that of Roger Federer. What are the steps I can take toward developing an all court game such as his?

My forehand is fine. I am currently in the process of making the switch from a two handed backhand to the one handed backhand. Most of my backhands are going into the net, however when they do go over, they are either flat or with loads of topspin. I am so new to this shot, that for now, I am only focused on having the ball get over the net. Any advice on this one handed backhand? Please do your best for now, I will try to get some videos up of my backhand.

The second part which I need help with is the Federer serve. I used to bring my back foot closer to my front foot on the serve, but I've stopped that, and my flat serve is fine, so is my slice. I am making quite a bit of progress with my kick serve, but still a bit of trouble with the "kick" part of it. The serve does have great net clearance though.

Lastly, the way Roger Federer dictates play; he seems to know where to be on the court at all times. It's almost like his opponent hits the balls directly to him. How is this so?

Please hit me up with some responses. Any kind of advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks! :twisted:

Do you work with a pro?
Have you looked at the Fuzzy Yellow Balls web site to compare your 1HBH and kick serve to those on this site?
http://www.fuzzyyellowballs.com/vid...ne-handed-backhand-fundamentals/introduction/
http://www.fuzzyyellowballs.com/video-tennis-lessons/serve/kick-serve/
Do you work on your footwork with time devoted to sprints and movement drills?
http://www.usta.com/USTA/Global/Pla...rk_Drills_for_Tennis_Players_on_the_Road.aspx
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?p=3553712
Are you a student of the game, so that you have begun to notice your opponents responses to your shots, and are you quick out of your split step to get to the ball so that it looks like you are always in the right spot at the right time?
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=264322

 

[Mick]

i have perfected my version of the federer salute, the one where he would raise his right hand to acknowledge the crowd when he comes out to the court. I would use it to salute my hitting partners who come to the court before me

 

[Deleted member 56360]

Do you work with a pro?
Have you looked at the Fuzzy Yellow Balls web site to compare your 1HBH and kick serve to those on this site?
http://www.fuzzyyellowballs.com/vid...ne-handed-backhand-fundamentals/introduction/
http://www.fuzzyyellowballs.com/video-tennis-lessons/serve/kick-serve/
Do you work on your footwork with time devoted to sprints and movement drills?
http://www.usta.com/USTA/Global/Pla...rk_Drills_for_Tennis_Players_on_the_Road.aspx
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?p=3553712
Are you a student of the game, so that you have begun to notice your opponents responses to your shots, and are you quick out of your split step to get to the ball so that it looks like you are always in the right spot at the right time?
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=264322

Thanks again Charliefederer, viewing these links now.

 

[Vermillion]

i have perfected my version of the federer salute, the one where he would raise his right hand to acknowledge the crowd when he comes out to the court. I would use it to salute my hitting partners who come to the court before me

Oh yea? well, I perfected the federer head turn after he beats his opponents. The perfect way to console the weaker player.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbFbuF8ReeI&feature=related @ 8:17
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buqyICjHTUk&feature=related @ 5:18

(I'll find more if anyone wants the master perform)

 

[Deleted member 56360]

Oh yea? well, I perfected the federer head turn after he beats his opponents. The perfect way to console the weaker player.

Oh yeah? I've perfected that "number 1" hand sign he does when he wins a sick point.

 

[Mick]

Oh yea? well, I perfected the federer head turn after he beats his opponents. The perfect way to console the weaker player.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbFbuF8ReeI&feature=related @ 8:17
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buqyICjHTUk&feature=related @ 5:18

(I'll find more if anyone wants the master perform)

cool ! I have got to practice doing that too! Thx

 

[Blake0]

What i recommend..make your own graceful style . Then one day, when you're #1 in the world i can see you playing against federer in his mid 30s and own him 6-0,6-0,6-0 at Us open, and i'll be like, "hey i told him to do that."

 

[Mick]

^^ and then the alarm clock sounded. it was just a nice dream

 

[Blake0]

Speaking of grace...i saw this kid..he's around 12 im thinking, at a tournament. His serve, movements, forehand, well not quite backhand..were hit so beautifully..looked like federer to me :shock:. Especially his serve and movement was amazingly graceful. When i saw him serve, he looked like a mini federer to me, although he looks different.

 

[Jay_The_Nomad]

I hate when people say Nadal, fed, other athletes were great at soccer / other sports. Honestly at 10 years old . . . lol. A lot of kids develop moderate skill very young. To develop those skills is another story.

Federer's footballing prowess might be a bit of an exaggeration...But Nadal is pretty damn good at football.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAqzzaBU1eo

 

[Mahboob Khan]

How to copy Federer's form:

You need a t.v. with a giant screen.

You also need a man-size giant mirror.

Start with one stroke at a time. Let's say serve.

From www.tennisplayer.net select Federer's serve in a super slow motion.

At the same time you stand in front of a mirror such that you are able to look at the super slow mo of Federer's serve. Someone can help you advance the frames on Federer's serve on t.v.

Try to copy each and every frame of Federer's serve and then compare that with your dry swing in the giant mirror.

With repetitions you should be able to copy Federer's strokes.

About tactics:

If you hit a deep/difficult cross court, expect a cross court reply.

If your cross-court is easier/shorter, expect a down the line reply.

If your shots are in the midcourt, expect an insideout reply whilst reacting to down the line ones.

If you hit a deep/difficult down the line, expect a cross court return.

If you hit a short/easier down the line, expect a down the line shot, whilst reacting to short cross-court.

Remember, your opponent will change direction on the ball if your balls are short/easy.

Good day,

Mahboob Khan

 

[wyutani]

emulate nadal, hes no.1 in the world, why go for 2nd best when you could be the best?

 

[vndesu]

emulate nadal, hes no.1 in the world, why go for 2nd best when you could be the best?

bc if he copies nadal his knees will break also.

 

[wyutani]

bc if he copies nadal his knees will break also.

better a broken knee than a fat gf.

 

[vndesu]

better a broken knee than a fat gf.

lol funny.

 

[Lotto]

better a broken knee than a fat gf.

Thats nice

So, now apparently relationships are all about how hot the girlfriend is, no?

 

[ho]

What are the steps I can take toward developing an all court game such as his?

bad idea. you may try to be Bill Gates. it's easier

 

[Deleted member 56360]

Thanks again guys! I'm really happy that I decided to join this message board. You all are providing me with the best advice I have ever heard.

 

[NamRanger]

Howdy yall! I'm a 14 year old tennis player, hoping to make it somewhere in tennis. I've taken a close look at the styles of many different tennis players. The player who's tennis seems the most attractive, successful, and least wearing on the body is that of Roger Federer. What are the steps I can take toward developing an all court game such as his?

My forehand is fine. I am currently in the process of making the switch from a two handed backhand to the one handed backhand. Most of my backhands are going into the net, however when they do go over, they are either flat or with loads of topspin. I am so new to this shot, that for now, I am only focused on having the ball get over the net. Any advice on this one handed backhand? Please do your best for now, I will try to get some videos up of my backhand.

The second part which I need help with is the Federer serve. I used to bring my back foot closer to my front foot on the serve, but I've stopped that, and my flat serve is fine, so is my slice. I am making quite a bit of progress with my kick serve, but still a bit of trouble with the "kick" part of it. The serve does have great net clearance though.

Lastly, the way Roger Federer dictates play; he seems to know where to be on the court at all times. It's almost like his opponent hits the balls directly to him. How is this so?

Please hit me up with some responses. Any kind of advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks! :twisted:

Look, develop your own style of play. Taking some basic elements from the pros is a good idea, but trying to copy them 1:1 is a bad idea. Anyways, no one on this board has the talent to hit Federer's forehand anyways. No one.

 

[ho]

no one on this board has the talent to hit Federer's forehand anyways. No one.

i disagree, there is a coach, on this board, teach Federer forehand as a sample ," bend your knee, pat your dog" . he must be right otherwise how can he name himseft : "the greatest tennis coach on the internet". you know him by any chance ?

 

[Wild Ace]

Observe him on the tube. Understand the body.

 

[NamRanger]

i disagree, there is a coach, on this board, teach Federer forehand as a sample ," bend your knee, pat your dog" . he must be right otherwise how can he name himseft : "the greatest tennis coach on the internet". you know him by any chance ?

He's not teaching the Federer forehand. The Federer forehand is a complex shot that has multiple variations of it, depending on what Federer is trying to do with the ball. Trying to get the whip like motion along with the very exaggerated laid back wrist is hard enough; try doing it in about 20+ different ways.

 

[ho]

He's not teaching the Federer forehand.

the last time i checked, he has Federer clip to teach one poster (woman) on this site. with his famous "pat the dog". He change his teaching now ? another other famous "PUSH" by your hand stroke, may be ?

 

[Mick]

bad idea. you may try to be Bill Gates. it's easier

it's easier to copy Federer's signature than to copy his tennis strokes

 

[masterxfob]

take ballerina lessons.

 

[ms87]

Why do you people think federer's forehand is so inimitable? surely this kid won't be able to hit with the same pace or spin, but the mechanics of the forehand are accessible to everyone. I am always baffled by people who claim that Federer's forehand is "impossible" to reproduce. It's almost like you enjoy having some unattainable standard so that you can worship him like a demigod.

Thread starter: I hit my forehand like federer (more like his 03/04/05 style than his more compact 08/09 style). Again, not with the same ridiculous pace, spin, or consistency, of course, but well enough to compete at a 5.0 level. My advice to you would be to practice extensively in a mirror to get the feel for the correct motion. It's very much a rhythmic, rocking motion and requires you to be exceptionally loose and fearless as you hit. One of the key things to keep in mind is that less is more; Federer does not strain or overrotate like djokovic and many other double bend hitters. When rallying, there is a distinctive feeling of hitting much earlier than with a double bend: the stroke is initiated sooner; the ball is met very far in front; the ball is met much lower (partly because of the conservative grip and partly because the effort required to hit this shot increases significantly when you have to hit a high ball). This stroke requires you to be very active with your footwork and get to balls promptly so you can hit them soon after the bounce.

On sitters, federer's technique is markedly different than on rally balls. He will generally hit with a neutral stance, hop, and hit a flatter ball. You will always see him kick his right leg back to prevent himself from rotating away from contact.

Federer's incredible game is a combination of strokes, footwork/movement, anticipation, and exceptional court sense. The strokes are probably the easiest part of the puzzle.

 

[S H O W S T O P P E R !]

Here's some analysis you might like.

Fed's forehand: http://www.tennis.com/yourgame/instructionarticles/forehand/forehand.aspx?id=129054

The 1-handed backhand: http://www.tennis.com/yourgame/instructionarticles/visuals/visuals.aspx?id=117722

 

[Deleted member 56360]

Thank you, Ms and Showstopper.

 

[Cenc]

feds shots are quite simple and not difficult to copy except his forehand that is quite demanding so i would recommend u to try copying agassis or safins forehand because they are a lot easier
feds backhand isnt a very tough shot to copy as well as sampras' backhand
as for serve feds and sampras' are quite similar but id rather suggest u to try copying feds one due to much less back rotation => less stress on ur body and i seriously doubt ur as athletic as sampras
so give it a go, find shots that are simple to copy and try mastering them but dont experiment too much and dont change things very often

 

[Deleted member 25923]

I'm copying Fed's serve! I have enough trouble as it is. I wish I had his graceful footwork!

 

[ho]

Why do you people think federer's forehand is so inimitable?

very true, the safest, shortest distance to the goal is what most people choose. Not because it is cannot be emulated, but because it take too long, too risky to get it done. beside it's not the best ever. Agassi or WTA push stroke is something that you should consider.