Forehand (No power + all Topspin)

[TennisAsAlways]

It aint no tweener crap, who you fussin with?

Okay, I'm sorry Babolat Bill *cough cough* .... I mean .... Bungalo Bill.

(I'm actually getting a PD as well, the old model, since it will be discontinued soon, now that the new "Roddick" models have been out. Just getting it for "collection" and for use on days when I want to "pretend" that my serve is really really big. )

 

[vin]

Or pretend you are hammering a nail sideways.

Priceless tip BB! I tend to hit a little too much spin, and this simple thought helped me regain the pace I've been missing lately. When thinking of "hammering", I instantly caught myself tilting my shoulders and that reminded me of the easitennis lesson on shoulder tilt (facilitates the "hammering") and one of the power drills they recommend.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Okay, I'm sorry Babolat Bill *cough cough* .... I mean .... Bungalo Bill.

(I'm actually getting a PD as well, the old model, since it will be discontinued soon, now that the new "Roddick" models have been out. Just getting it for "collection" and for use on days when I want to "pretend" that my serve is really really big. )

lol, when you get to be my age and the sorry conditioning I am in you need all the help you can get!

Truthfully, I invested only $50 for two used Pure Controls. They aren't bad racquets. Of course, the Pure Drives I would definetly consider to be tweeners. lol

 

[pham4313]

BB, where do you get 2 Pure control for $50? I am interested in a pair also. Thanks a lot.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

BB, where do you get 2 Pure control for $50? I am interested in a pair also. Thanks a lot.

Well a friend of mine gave me a going away gift for helping him through the years. It was a barely used Babalot Pure Control. He wanted to give me the other he had but I insisted on giving him $50.

If I end up switching back (still out to lunch on them) you can buy them from me.

 

[pham4313]

Well a friend of mine gave me a going away gift for helping him through the years. It was a barely used Babalot Pure Control. He wanted to give me the other he had but I insisted on giving him $50.

If I end up switching back (still out to lunch on them) you can buy them from me.

Thanks Bill, please keep me posted ...my email is pham4313@msn.com

 

[Tomba]

PRICELESS; There are some things money can't buy. For everybody else - keep practicing.

The best technique for a knee high ball but not a waist high ball.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

The best technique for a knee high ball but not a waist high ball.

Uhhhhh...what? Practice isn't good for a waist high ball?

 

[Tomba]

I'm talking about Haas's technique in the video. It is the best technique for knee high balls but not waist high balls, another technique is better.

 

[vin]

I'm talking about Haas's technique in the video. It is the best technique for knee high balls but not waist high balls, another technique is better.

I think Haas would disagree. :mrgreen:

 

[Tomba]

Haas has another technique for waist high balls.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

I'm talking about Haas's technique in the video. It is the best technique for knee high balls but not waist high balls, another technique is better.

Really? You're joking right?

Well Einstein if you look closely at the video the ball is in the upper thigh area NOT the knee area when he makes contact. Plus, the camera angle is facing downward further adding to the illusion.

Please describe in detail what a player should do differently to hit a waist high ball. This I can't wait for. Describe preparation, shoulder rotation, use of the non-dominant arm, leg position, head position, etc...

I will give you two clips to look at and tell me what would Haas need to change? Please dont even try and get into the style differences such as Agassi's tilted head, etc...

http://www.uspta.com/html/e-lesson-Open%20stance%20forehand%202.swf

http://www.uspta.com/html/e-lesson-Open%20stance%20forehand%201.swf

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Haas has another technique for waist high balls.

Another technique? lol

 

[Tomba]

Well Einstein if you look closely at the video the ball is in the upper thigh area NOT the knee area when he makes contact.

I'm saying it is the best technique for knee high balls but not the best technique for waist high balls.

Please describe in detail what a player should do differently to hit a waist high ball.

Look at Federer.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

I'm saying it is the best technique for knee high balls but not the best technique for waist high balls.



Look at Federer.

Look at Federer? I have already looked at Federer.

I am asking for you to explain yourself. First the ball that Haas is hitting is is not knee high. Second what clear technical issue is missing or wrong?

Can you explain it?

 

[Tomba]

First the ball that Haas is hitting is is not knee high.

I know. The technique he uses on that video can work with knee high balls. I strongly believe you can't get a better technique than that at knee level. However,at waist level, it can get stronger. The path can be more forward with a topspin drive after impact.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

I know. The technique he uses on that video can work with knee high balls. I strongly believe you can't get a better technique than that at knee level. However,at waist level, it can get stronger. The path can be more forward with a topspin drive after impact.

The technique he is using can also work with waist high balls and higher balls! What are you talking about? LOL

Explain!!! I see, you can't.

 

[Deleted member 6835]

Hi, I have a problem with my forehand. I use a semi-western grip for my forehand. I cannot hit a flat shot. When ever I play someone dinks the ball i end up hitting into the net or shanking it. I am hitting all topspin and all my balls go short. I play well against someone that hits with a lot of topspin or a hardhitter because I guess I am using all wrist. I also feel comfortable hitting low balls but I cant hit the highbouncing deep balls with comfort. I also have trouble hitting it to the duece side and a lot of my balls go to the ad side (forehand). I am having trouble using my power. Its not like i'm weak its just i use all topspin. Can someone help?

hmm i have this problem when im lazy sometimes. as far as i can remember, it was because i wasnt rotating my shoulders enough. try this: on your takeback, bring your left hand (if your right handed) on the neck of your racket and use it to bring the racket behind you. when you do this, your shoulders should be parallel to the oncoming ball. after you follow through the shot, they will have turned 90-180 degrees, depending on your follow through.

you might be doing this already, but since you said your using mostly your wrists, and not arms, i thought id mention this.

hope it helps

 

[Tomba]

The technique he is using can also work with waist high balls and higher balls! What are you talking about? LOL

If he uses that technique on high balls, the balls trajectory will be high. Not aggressive enough. Low balls needs more topspin, waist high ball needs medium spin, high balls can be hit directly in a straight line.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

If he uses that technique on high balls, the balls trajectory will be high. Not aggressive enough. Low balls needs more topspin, waist high ball needs medium spin, high balls can be hit directly in a straight line.

Tomba, in order to save this dumb conversation, we all know that the swing path will change to the ball hieght. We really are not talking about the different forehands and their individual adjustments. We are talking about the forehand in general.

If a player hits a forehand, the use of the legs will be on all forehands. The trunk will be used, the head will should be still....etc...etc.. get it?

You said that "Haas has another technique for waist high balls" but failed to tell us what it was except for a different swing path. But even on that he could easily use the technique in the clip for a waist high ball. It really depends on what he is doing with the ball. I honestly dont think you know what you are saying or trying to say. Are you from a different country than the US?

 

[Tomba]

The person who started this thread has no clue on how to adjust. There are different names for different paths. There is a topspin lob, flat forehand, windmill like forehand, topspin drive,.....I consider each one a different technique.

 

[GoWilliamsSisters]

Tomba is a moron. just ignore him

 

[paulfreda]

Different techniques

Tomba is a moron. just ignore him

Hey, C'mon now, be nice.
BB ... try to be more polite, please.

I agree with Tomba's last post and would like him to elaborate a bit for us.
For instance, what is the difference in his mind from a flat FH and topsin drive and what does he try to do in each case.

 

[ralphtifftennis]

Hey guys,
Great forum but please keep it clean. I am a self taught player who learned by studying the pro's. Let me tell you about technique, they are all different. Roddick seems to throw his body into ground strokes, whereas Federer and Agassi are effortless. Becker's rocking motion on serve, Edberg's mechanical, John Mcenroe's back to net on serve etc, etc.
I had several disputes with a teaching pro at the local courts as he was all about technique. To the point of actually showing people how they should walk it seemed. The only professional advice I ever got was in respect to grip changes as told to my sister. Who passed that on to me. I know how to walk and run but as a beginner who would think you should change your grip to keep that backhand from being a lob, ha.

ON YOUR FOREHAND REMEMBER THIS. PREPARE QUICKLY, KEEP GOOD BALANCE, MAKE CONTACT OUT IN FRONT!

Prepare = turn that shoulder as to point it at the oncoming ball(or point free hand) and get to where the ball will be. If you do this and keep good balance you will insure a solid and comfortable stroke. If you hit it out in front, one/two feet, you will also insure a solid "and" consistant stroke. A higher follow through will impart more spin. Don't worry so much about the take back, instead concentrate on contact and follow-through.

As a bonus: Concentrate on the immediate shoulder turn while adjusting the grip for return of serves. Watch an immediate improvement especially against hard hitting players. This is another reason I like to point the shouder instead of free hand. I use it to make my grip changes and for natural balance. Good luck All and have fun!

 

[Bungalo Bill]

BB ... try to be more polite, please.

Polite? hahahaha

 

[ralphtifftennis]

As a follow up to what Tomba is saying and somewhat with the original post.

Those are different shots but the techniques really are not, in respect to topspin. Basically you can hit slice, flat, or topspin. A heavy topspin high over the net could be an offensive lob, or if lower, a loopy ground stroke. The more low to high, speed of raquet, and trajectory over net can greatly differentiate those shots. Though the techniques could be subtle. Also lends to great disquise by not exagerating on your strokes.

First you should figure out what is your strongest and weakest points of contact. Meaning which ball can you hit out on and which gives you the most trouble. This way you will learn what balls to hit out on, and what balls just to spin back. WHEN PLAYING ONE OF THOSE CONSISTANT PLAYERS REMEMBER TO BE CONSISTANT BUT DON'T STRAY TO FAR FROM YOUR GAME. You will get opportunities to hit winners but don't force the issue. Instead concentrate on moving the ball around and wait for your opportunities. Consistancy beats 90% of all players. It is the 10% who are consistant and have power. Look to make approaches in order to pressure them.

As a note: Hit flatter the deeper you are in the court. Hit with more topspin as you come within the baseline and closer to the net. This will help to keep the ball in as the court lenght is shorter. Of course this is all rule of thumb. Do throw in some loopy balls from baseline and use topspin to create angles etc. Use short slices on two handers and people running around their backhands. As they leave the short forehand part of court vulnerable.


Good luck.