Fixing up My Game

[Leon22]

Well I am 6'5 and have a good serve and overhead (attribute it to being a pitcher for 4 years and my height). I'd say my serve is up there in speed, the first serve will regularly hit the back fence off the firt bounce. Kick serve is a work in progress. I use a continental grip for my serve

I started coming to net more recently and atually like it and am improving up there. I usually use a continental grip at net.

The problems lie in my forehand and backhand lol. I use a full western forehand and two handed backhand. Problem is I can't rip either of them, unless I step up and take the ball really early, but this only works when my opponent isn't hitting a penetrating shot. What can I do to add pace and power to my groundstrokes? My game consists right now of slice forehand, slow topsin forehand, moon balls and a consistent, but slow two handed backhand.

It's frustrating because I can serve my way out of a lot of crap, but it looks and feels really crappy to be hitting big serves and then not being able to back them up with solid ground strokes.

I realised this after going to the Rogers Cup in Toronto. I saw Nadal and Murray and the serves although powerful didn't impress me overly, but the pace generated on the groundstrokes made my jaw drop. I know I'll never hit like them, but I definetly need to pick it up in that domain.

My main problem seems to be that as soon as I really go for a shot, it usually gets netted or if I'm lucky it ends up being a good shot (on very rare occasion).

Thanks for the help.

 

[Bagumbawalla]

Well, I'm sorry that it's been so long for you to get a reply. Part of the problem is, though you wrote a lot of stuff, it isn't necessarily enough of the sort of information that will help us help you.

So, what you are going to get is fairly generic, but I hope it may address your problem.

The recent fad has been for players (especially beginning players) to want to hit with tons of topspin and fairly extreme western grips.

And... despite the fact that this style requires lots of timing and strength, that you may not have, quite yet, there is another problem.

If you have been badly coached, or had to figure things out for yourself, you may have the "brushing up on the ball disease".

Quite often the advice you get is, "To hit topspin you have to brush up on the ball,"-- or (even worse) "You have to hit over the ball" (whatever that means).

Both of those statements give you a wrong mental image of the proper mechanics of controling the topspin stroke and driving it with power and confidence.

So, instead of thinking "brush up" think "drive THROUGH the ball from low to high".

Keep your racket almost vertical to the court. Bring your backswing down below the ball, then in a powerful, smooth, quick motion, drive your racket straight through the ball. The combination of forward and upward motions will impart plenty of forward momentum to the ball, but also enough topspin to bring it down into the court.

Begin practicing with your partner using a medium speedstroke and send the ball about 5 feet above the net. When you get that pretty much grooved, begin to try varying the amount of topspin by hitting at a lesser or greater angle, low to high.

Another problem you might have is that sometimes when a player tries to hit the ball harder (like for a winner) they will lose their form and do any of a number of things- hit down on the ball, or up, or muscle it, or pull through it, or lose their timing and balance, hit off their heels, and so on.

So, first learn to hit through the ball, then, when you get that grooved and you want to hit a harder/faster ball, be careful to maintain your form- baically just keep everything the same, except the speed of the racket head through the ball.

 

[FH2FH]

The keys to solid groundstrokes are...

1] Balance
2] Use of legs
3] Hip rotation
4] Shoudler rotation

The arms just go along for the ride. Yes, you can make adjustments with your arms or wrists but this leads to inconsistency. Using the arms alone is called "muscling" or "arming" the shot, which is counterproductive.

You need to utilize your core muscles and legs better probably. Don't worry about hitting those penetrating professional groundstrokes just yet. Work on consistency and "effortless" power which will come after learning to use your big muscles better.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

The keys to solid groundstrokes are...

1] Balance
2] Use of legs
3] Hip rotation
4] Shoudler rotation

The arms just go along for the ride. Yes, you can make adjustments with your arms or wrists but this leads to inconsistency. Using the arms alone is called "muscling" or "arming" the shot, which is counterproductive.

You need to utilize your core muscles and legs better probably. Don't worry about hitting those penetrating professional groundstrokes just yet. Work on consistency and "effortless" power which will come after learning to use your big muscles better.

Very good post. Well said, and I really liked that you emphasized the use of the legs and body for power. A player that tries to add to this by swinging their arm harder is just trying to be more then they really are.

 

[FH2FH]

Very good post. Well said, and I really liked that you emphasized the use of the legs and body for power. A player that tries to add to this by swinging their arm harder is just trying to be more then they really are.

Thanks! Now if I could just do as I say every time...

I've gotten back into golf recently and it's helped me rediscover just how important footwork and balance are to a consistent swing. I watch so many golfers try to HIT at the ball with their arms/chests (and egos). It's all just balance and rotation. The strokes are very simple when executed properly.

 

[Leon22]

Thanks for the tips I'll try to implement that in my next session.

 

[Infl8edEg0]

If you want to really rip the ball..bend your knees and spring up on contact. That's the only way I can get power with my slight frame.

 

[40lovebaby]

Some good replies here - I'm beginning to think there are some folks who know what they're talking about here!

One thing you may want to take a look at on both forehand and backhand is your finish.

If you are using a full western grip, starting lower than the ball, and finishing over your shoulder, then you may be applying too much verticle force and not enough horizontal force - too much spin.

One way to correct that problem is to finish (on forehand side) across your left arm instead of over your shoulder.

For this to be effective, you need to open up your hips during rotation, swing through the ball, and as one poster before suggested, let the hand come along for the ride. With the ride finishing across your body instead of over the shoulder, it should flatten out the swing some.

Don't worry, you should get plenty of spin from the low to high you'll still generate, as well as wrist pronation during contact.

On the backhand side, I'd focus on hitting through the ball before the finish as well - same concept. You can experiment mentally with a lower finish, which will really translate into extending contact, since it's impossible to finish across the body on a thbh.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Some good replies here - I'm beginning to think there are some folks who know what they're talking about here!

One thing you may want to take a look at on both forehand and backhand is your finish.

If you are using a full western grip, starting lower than the ball, and finishing over your shoulder, then you may be applying too much verticle force and not enough horizontal force - too much spin.

Actually this is sometimes not the problem. This is why I dont like focusing on the finish to determine the contact with the ball. We can both agree that the most important part of the stroke is a players contact with the ball. They need to do everything they can to increase the value of this part of the stroke.

What you are describing is coming off the ball too soon or breaking off too soon to get into the finish of the stroke. During the time the "wrap around the neck" era was in full bloom, many players were plagued with a very short stroke that bent at the elbow too soon and the focus was heavily weighted on coming up with a "certain" finish. This produced an army of players with spinny shots that landed short and did not penetrate a thing.

the best way to correct spinny short balls is to refocus the players efforts away from the finish and into an area he can concentrate on BEFORE contact. This way we are maximizing the effort made to hit the ball cleanly and on time. The back shoulder going into contact and allowing the racquet to go through the ball is what is most important.

The finish is determined by the momentum created prior to contact, the swing path chosen, and the relaxation that takes place after contact and into the followthrough.

Here is what I mean:

http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=kNyfckDtRHM&feature=related

One way to correct that problem is to finish (on forehand side) across your left arm instead of over your shoulder.

Again, and I dont mean to argue with you, but the best way to correct a short ball is to correct the efforts that happen prior to contact with the ball.

For this to be effective, you need to open up your hips during rotation, swing through the ball, and as one poster before suggested, let the hand come along for the ride. With the ride finishing across your body instead of over the shoulder, it should flatten out the swing some.

Legs are fine, hips are fine, however, with angular momentum so important these days, it is imparative that players focus their rotation towards the ball and impact and not away from it. It is important for players to continue to lengthen their swing even if they use the windshield wiper method.

On the backhand side, I'd focus on hitting through the ball before the finish as well - same concept. You can experiment mentally with a lower finish, which will really translate into extending contact, since it's impossible to finish across the body on a thbh.

Hitting through is good.

 

[40lovebaby]

Actually this is sometimes not the problem. This is why I dont like focusing on the finish to determine the contact with the ball. We can both agree that the most important part of the stroke is a players contact with the ball. They need to do everything they can to increase the value of this part of the stroke.

What you are describing is coming off the ball too soon or breaking off too soon to get into the finish of the stroke. During the time the "wrap around the neck" era was in full bloom, many players were plagued with a very short stroke that bent at the elbow too soon and the focus was heavily weighted on coming up with a "certain" finish. This produced an army of players with spinny shots that landed short and did not penetrate a thing.

the best way to correct spinny short balls is to refocus the players efforts away from the finish and into an area he can concentrate on BEFORE contact. This way we are maximizing the effort made to hit the ball cleanly and on time. The back shoulder going into contact and allowing the racquet to go through the ball is what is most important.

The finish is determined by the momentum created prior to contact, the swing path chosen, and the relaxation that takes place after contact and into the followthrough.

Here is what I mean:

http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=kNyfckDtRHM&feature=related



Again, and I dont mean to argue with you, but the best way to correct a short ball is to correct the efforts that happen prior to contact with the ball.



Legs are fine, hips are fine, however, with angular momentum so important these days, it is imparative that players focus their rotation towards the ball and impact and not away from it. It is important for players to continue to lengthen their swing even if they use the windshield wiper method.



Hitting through is good.

I don't feel you're arguing with me - I agree with the concept of before and during contact being more important than the finish for correcting this problem.

 

[Leon22]

One response and the thread gets really going. Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[Leon22]

Okay so I went out and played. Here is what I learned, with my 2hbh I can swing full strength and follow through and the ball seems to go true and with good pace. I was actually happy with how I was hitting my 2hbh.

My forehand was weird, I was able to hit it hard, but it was weird. I would wind up and swing hard, but would have to cut my stroke short to keep it true. As soon as I would try to follow through with my racket up around midway between my shoulder and elbow, the ball would fly up and way out of bounds.

My guess is on my forehand it is a timing thing, but I am not sure.

 

[FH2FH]

You have to followthrough. A penetrating forehand does not stop until the racquet is near the other shoulder or hip. The good thing about a 2H is that you can compare the two if problems creep up and you're better at one of them. If they both stink though, well...

A lot of people become "disconnected" with their forehand. Their hips or shoulders open too early and the racquet gets behind. Try swinging with the racquet more in front of you in the backswing and contact, but let the finish go on around near the other shoulder. You may need to weaken your grip to do this.

I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but I'm not sure why you're using a western grip anyway if you haven't learned to hit a penetrating shot yet. I think it's harder to develop the proper mechanics if you start with it that strong.

Try hitting some balls with an eastern or semiwestern grip to feel your body stay more ahead of the racquet. If you are late with that western grip or don't setup well, you can end up fighting off the ball with a block instead of being able to drive it with a grip/stance that's more forgiving, timing wise.