Ground Strokes and Volleys - Video [HD]

[jigar]

Hi TT,

I have uploaded my volley practice video (< 3 min).
I am getting ready for the USTA season.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.


Ground Strokes
I wasn't hitting that great in the beginning. I was hitting better after 5 minute mark in video.
Vimeo [720p] http://vimeo.com/19356153

Volleys { Both videos are same but Vimeo doesn't display 1080p. }
I started volleying batter but my camera died before I can get good volleys on the footage. I still got all the bad ones though.
Vimeo [upto 720p video] http://vimeo.com/19619037
You tube [upto 1080p video] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rSRhl83FAU

 

[only4theweak187]

strokes are too telegraphed.

you need to swing fluid, relaxed and light on your feet and a laid back wrist.

Also your non-hitting arm needs to be lifted up shoulder height parallel to the baseline when hitting forehands, it helps with balance tremendously, and looks sloppy without it.

 

[dozu]

groundies - I like your bh better, the drives are simple and compact, the slices are serviceable.... I'd like to see more shoulder turn, but it's ok as is.

FH needs work.. I can't see your partner, but I suspect you both have the same issue.... your swing arc is centered around your shoulder (just a fancy way of describing an arm only swing).... the axis of rotation should be the spine. That will help you in power (more mass and radius in the swing), and consistency (no more hitting arm crashing into the rib cage)..

The way you do the FH now, I bet you feel this 'crowdedness' around your right arm pit when you swing forward, because the arm is fighting the body.... search for all the 'human racket' stuff I posted.... basically the arm is passively swung by the rotation of the body, this ensures a repeatable motion, because the arm is always 'connected' to the body, by passively following the body... instead of it going off on it's own business.

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

just notice where his axis of rotation is, and what his arm is doing (being swung by the body, instead of swinging the racket).

Volley - a quick fix is to have the racket more in a samurai position... you have a ready position easier for the BH volley, but the racket has to go a longer way to get ready for the FH volley.

keep the elbow closer to the body when you swing... if it flies out, it will be hard to control.

 

[fruitytennis1]

What dozu means is rotate your shoulders. Simple technique for doing this is to leave the left and on the racket for a little longer on the take back

 

[jigar]

Thanks guys. You are right on spot.
I will work on it starting from today.

 

[LeeD]

Volleys..
Learn to hit solid before you learn to move feet. Right now, your feet and movement forwards makes you mishit.
You need to hit more flat out, or slightly down, on volleys at your chest level. Now, you're popping them up.
You need MORE arm and shoulder, not longer, but more controlled forceful, to hit sharp volleys that land beyond service line, but shorter than 5' from opponent's baseline. Too deep is no good for practice until you get an advanced volley.
Right now, you're employing too many things at once, while mishitting trying to incorporate them all.
Close shoulders if you want your volleys lower.

 

[jigar]

Thanks LeeD. You have been helpful to lot of guys including me.

What do you suggest for my GS?

 

[jigar]

I used Kodak Zi8 and recorded some of my videos at 720p at 60fps.

The stroke feedback you are getting sounds like good stuff. I teach a little and like to have people slow down their strokes and lean into the ball a little more, using their body weight. I like the tip one guy gave of letting the body rotation control your swing,too.

As far as cameras, not sure what you are using, but have you looked at a VADO camera? Only about $60.00 now (it's unbelievable!). They have a little wider angle lense that works well, and a 2 and 1/2 hour battery life. I've put up examples at http://www.mytennistools.com/?page_id=90 . You might also look into the QM-1 (at www.MyTennisTools.com) to support the camera. Hope this helps!