I know, that is why I didn't ask for people to rate me on these videos. Well, on my serve about 4 months ago I was bringing my feet together but this position feels more comfortable for me. I have also been trying different things in my serve, because I usually bring the racquet up into the trophy position as a am tossing the ball but was trying to get a little bigger loop on my back swing. I may be hitting some later and can probably get some clips of some overheads and volleys, but won't have any match play for a couple more weeks.
Groundstrokes and Serves (video)
- Thread starter Roger#1
- Start date
Those guys are 4.5s??????
smoothtennis
Hall of Fame
LOL, Roger, don't worry bro, the forum here get's a little edgy anytime somebody dares claim 4.5 - whether YOU claimed it or not, or someone even mentions it, they take take it like good fish bait, and do a deep dive every time.
It looks like you are just having a nice easy hitting session, that's not hard to see, and you do have nice strokes. I can easily envision you hitting a little deeper and more aggressive in a match of course.
4.5 isn't some magical level either. It is very good solid tennis yes, but nothing for people to get so wiggy over.
If you watch that 4.5 match play someone posted, I am sure you were not amazed.
I have seen 3.5's (some), 4.0's, and 4.5 that hit with similar looking strokes. The 4.5 guys have touch, can adjust better, and know how to play to a person's weaknesses. They have a much better transition game, and short balls are candy. Volleys are well placed, serves and returns are good. Nobody on this forum can talk about whether you have these things without seeing match play, so don't get offended by the comments.
Good luck down there in Houston - good tennis town.
Bungalo Bill
G.O.A.T.
Good, you took the criticism constructively. I would be glad to help.
Maybe a change of thinking here. I looked at your first video and would rather you use power as an enhancer to be able to keep the ball in play for 50 hits. Yes, 50 hits. In your video (the first one) the ball pace kept increasing and increasing with no end in sight. This happened until you errored which wasn't very long from when you started the rally. You should hit hard enough to keep the ball deep but still allow you to keep it in play and to move the ball around to implement your strategy/tactics. Usually it is around 80% of maximum power.
I will relook. I dont usually like to look at videos unless it is a players best effort but since you took the criticism in stride, I will look at them. Post some better ones because footwork in my book is the foundation to everything.
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Bungalo Bill
G.O.A.T.
Not now, I will wait to see what you can come up with, otherwise, we will go with what you have provided.
No offense, but there's no way that's a so cal 4.5. OP's strokes look comparable but his serve looks orders of magnitude better than theirs.
sonicserve
Banned
Get off your high horse.
The guy in this thread has a serve and forehand that can more than keep up with them.
Some people need to read into backgrounds of people before they start saying anything. This guy says he was playing at a 4.5 level in a year. Then when posters said that's impossible, as it takes years to get to a 4.5 level, he goes and then starts flaming everyone like he's some God.
His forehand would not be able to keep up. The type of forehand he hits needs extremely good preperation, as the point of contact is way far out in front. Those guys would beat him pretty soundly. His footwork on his backhand is pretty sloppy too.
Not only that, his consistency as BB said is not very good. He likes to play power, like every newer generation tennis player does. He wouldn't even be able to beat this guy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xB4RLZguN4&feature=related
His footwork is not at a 4.0 level, neither are his strokes. Sure, they LOOK good, but he has yet to show us a video of him playing a quality opponent (an old lady does not count unless her name is Martina Navritilova).
As many an older player would know, you don't need to look good to play at a high level.
Perfect Example : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZgQ2lbCpO0
Or better yet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDc3oblQ89Y&feature=related
By saying you were "picked up" to play in a 4.5 league, you are basically saying that you are a "4.5" caliber player, or pretty close to it ("a strong 4.0"). You are neither of these. You are a 3.5 at most after one year, period. There's no way anyone can get any higher then that unless they quit school and play tennis 7 days a week, nonstop, with professional help.
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albino smurf
Professional
Good stuff. Had you not been such a ***** in your posts in the other thread I'd almost feel sorry for you, but you were and I don't. Reading this one makes it all worth while. I like how it went from you were a 4.5, to you got picked up by a 4.5 team, to you got picked up by your Mom's 4.5 team (OMG LMFAO), to you'll be playing for a good 4.5 team next year. Good luck with your second year of tennis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kpelRORbGk&feature=related
She would beat him down. Tremendously. Maybe not even lose more then 5 points.
She would beat him down. Tremendously. Maybe not even lose more then 5 points.
Gee Willikers Batman!
Professional
Cool, I got referenced!
This guy is worse than me.. and I don't mean skill wise because I didn't bother watching the video, I mean forum demeanor.
This guy is claiming to be a 4.5 after one year correct?
I self-rated myself as a high 3.0 to low 3.5 after one year.
The only thing that started a flame war between me and posters is that they did not BELIEVE I had been playing for a year, I defended myself and then people kept on calling me a liar.
THIS GUY, is getting into arguments about his LEVEL OF PLAY.
You see the difference?
He is arguing because people said he wasn't as good as he said from other threads and in his own thread.
I only had arguments because people thought I was lying about how long I played.
When did I ever say I got picked up by my moms 4.5 team? Can you read? Seems like you can't. And the videos are of simple hitting, I am not trying to go out there and beat the ball at my mom. When I play a match I will post it. I think smurf and namranger are booty buddies. Hey guys, do you hold hands when you play doubles together?
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Just saying what I thought about it, no harm intended
I understand, but could you tell me why my strokes look bad? Thanks man.
Well, as most have already said, it could be mostly because of lazyness or due to bad form/technique, because the forehand looks kinda like a wristy forehand, it doesn't look like the whole arm is working together; and the backhand needs some serious work to it, more practice; the swing isn't smooth, you look like you hit with a little bit too much of an open face, knee bend is lacking, it just needs more practice. The serve did look good though.
Look bad relative to what? I thought they look good for 1 years worth of tennis. Since he never requested a "What level am I", I gave him a critique of his strokes. He later posted that "he played 4.5 singles and doubles with a team". Don't know if that's the same as saying he is a 4.5 player, obviously from the video he is not. I think he's been bashed enough. Lets just see some more video and see if he seeks advise as I believe his original intentions.
Thanks, and you said it all. I know from the video I don't look like a 4.5 player because I was just having a nice little hitting session with my bro, and my mom. The booty buddy duo seem to not get this, and I have told them over and over that when my real matches start up I will post those videos as well. Then you can decide what "level" I am. I am a perfectionist and with the advise I get I like to go try to fix everything right away, so hopefully by the time I start playing my matches I will have mostly everything fixed. OCD!
PS. Roger Federer is going to win the US Open!!!
No, we just tend to agree that people who believe they are playing anywhere close to a 4.5 level after one year of playing is ridiculous.
Solat
Professional
i have been following this thread without comment, but i am going to throw my hat in the ring
firstly i give the OP credit for posting his strokes and actively pursuing improvement.
to those who post..."that backhand's a mess" or "that was ugly to watch" without any sort of solution or constructive points is really useless trolling and should be ignored.
The whole "he is/isnt an X.X" is also useless too, if you don't play in a league then you don't need a rating. He is a tennis player who hits FHs and BHs just like everybody else, he is trying to get better like everybody else. Everyone is so keen to knock down those people who claim to be better then they are....i havent seen a thread where someone says "im a 3.5" and everyone gets fired up that they are actually a 4.5 (unless they are sandbagging in the nationals).
Lastly, its very difficult for anyone to post a video of them playing at full pace (footwork wise) as proper points tend to move people around the court and not always in camera view. Also points tend to go for short period of time so there is a lack of repetition to be reviewed. So stop complaining about people's lack of footwork when they are just rallying for the soul purpose of being recorded. Hey if someone can get someone to record their match and follow them around the court then that would be a great video to see, but no doubt then people would complain that they didn't get to see the results of the strokes.
its very hard to win on these boards, post a vid and get complained about or ask a question about your technique and the first reply will be "post a video"
firstly i give the OP credit for posting his strokes and actively pursuing improvement.
to those who post..."that backhand's a mess" or "that was ugly to watch" without any sort of solution or constructive points is really useless trolling and should be ignored.
The whole "he is/isnt an X.X" is also useless too, if you don't play in a league then you don't need a rating. He is a tennis player who hits FHs and BHs just like everybody else, he is trying to get better like everybody else. Everyone is so keen to knock down those people who claim to be better then they are....i havent seen a thread where someone says "im a 3.5" and everyone gets fired up that they are actually a 4.5 (unless they are sandbagging in the nationals).
Lastly, its very difficult for anyone to post a video of them playing at full pace (footwork wise) as proper points tend to move people around the court and not always in camera view. Also points tend to go for short period of time so there is a lack of repetition to be reviewed. So stop complaining about people's lack of footwork when they are just rallying for the soul purpose of being recorded. Hey if someone can get someone to record their match and follow them around the court then that would be a great video to see, but no doubt then people would complain that they didn't get to see the results of the strokes.
its very hard to win on these boards, post a vid and get complained about or ask a question about your technique and the first reply will be "post a video"
albino smurf
Professional
Sorry, when I read this I assumed this was the 4.5 team that had picked you up. I'm still thinking it is. Nice insults Dbag. Again. Keep it up and we'll see who can get nastier if you want.
Thanks, I liked those insults alot too. Its all good man. I am just messing with you two. No hard feelings. I should have probably stated it was a 4.5 ladies senior doubles team. So it would be a little hard to play on that team.:wink: If Roger wasn't playing last night I probably could have played some practice sets but I had to watch THE MAN perform.
TennisDawg
Hall of Fame
I don't understand why the rude posts by some! Maybe there's a history here that I'm not aware of.
First off, if Roger #1 has only been playing for one year, he has made remarkable progress. From what I see, his serve is the least effective, I don't see enough trunk rotation and I can't tell if he's trying to hit a spin serve or flat and the follow thru is not smooth and erratic. His forehand could use more extension, but he does end up with his racquet high and over his shoulder that looks good, just needs more extension. His backhand needs more accelaration on the follow thru. Just for grins, Roger #1, you should try a 2handed backhand, seems you could learn that pretty quick, since you look pretty good with a 1handed backhand already, after only one year.
I didnt' see any volleys and nothing personal here, if you played a bonafide 4.5 you would get beat, but that's usually someone that has more experience playing for 5 to 10 years, at least.
Keep it up, you do have some natural ability!! You must have a very good teacher!
First off, if Roger #1 has only been playing for one year, he has made remarkable progress. From what I see, his serve is the least effective, I don't see enough trunk rotation and I can't tell if he's trying to hit a spin serve or flat and the follow thru is not smooth and erratic. His forehand could use more extension, but he does end up with his racquet high and over his shoulder that looks good, just needs more extension. His backhand needs more accelaration on the follow thru. Just for grins, Roger #1, you should try a 2handed backhand, seems you could learn that pretty quick, since you look pretty good with a 1handed backhand already, after only one year.
I didnt' see any volleys and nothing personal here, if you played a bonafide 4.5 you would get beat, but that's usually someone that has more experience playing for 5 to 10 years, at least.
Keep it up, you do have some natural ability!! You must have a very good teacher!
Bungalo Bill
G.O.A.T.
Complaining? Is that how you see it when a player asks to be critiqued?
If your footwork is not where it should be given the type of practice you are showing and that you are looking for information on where to improve, sorry but I will look at the feet first!
I agreed with a lot of what you said until you wrote what is shown in quote above. If a player wants their strokes critiqued they should give us their best. I dont think anyone here said we need to watch a match. I believe the OP said that.
I simply want to see hustle, good footwork, an effort to incorporate the various footwork patterns in their video. I really dont care if they are doing it with a practice partner, a ball machine, or in a match.
I want to see footwork and movement. So if there is a lack thereof for whatever reason, I will note it.
Nobody is trying to win. We all say things negatively at times and can come across as being negative when we weren't trying to be, geez, I hope we all have thicker skin then what you are implying. If a person posts a video, they need to roll with the punches. Footwork will be a part of my critiques no matter what.
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Thanks TennisDawg. I am pretty much self taught, and have had one lesson, that was about 2 months ago. I have tried to do more lessons but the guy I did them with is pretty busy, but I am going to start those back up soon. The serves,the ones up the T were flat and the other ones were just slice. For now, I am going to focus on trying to take what everybody has said here, and fix my 1 hander. If it doesn't work out, or maybe just to make you all laugh, I will post videos of a 2 hander. I have tried the 2hbh in the past but just feels weird to me. Fed is my teacher, or atleast his matches and youtube videos are.
Ian Stewart
Professional
Then I am afraid he hasn't taught you very well. Your groundstrokes share nothing in common with the great man other than a superficial visual resemblance.
Sorry, to be so blunt but that's the way it is.
Well, its hard when you don't have a coach or anything telling you what you are doing wrong. I will get there. Even though I dont want to be exactly like him, because I want to have my own personality in my game. Ian you can no longer talk here. Pretty pointless to post that, especially when you have pretty much said the same thing over and over.:-(
Hey Ian, on my backhand I needed to get my shot more stable correct, and fix the grip, and some other things. So for core stability, what do I work on for that on my backhand? I think I have switched the grip problem and my off hand I am able to push that out some for more stability. Also staying more upright, or keeping my head more upright, and staying down through the shot, and having more forward momentum. Oh and make sure I set up for the shot correctly. Was that everything for the backhand? Serve, I am going to get my trophy position back like I had it and stop messing with that, and get my toss down in the same place to disguise it. Forehand, well I usually work alot harder during matches to load and get full body rotation into the ball so just need to tweak it a little bit. I will get up a video of some volleys and overheads probably within the next couple of days so you all can give me advice on that. Thanks for the help.
TennisDawg
Hall of Fame
Very few players share anything in common with a professional tennis player whos' won 12 grand slam titles. Be reasonable! How good were you after one year of tennis? What I see in the videos is natural ability, a whole lot of it. He has some anamolies, but nothing that couldn't be fixed. He is at least trying to play the game correctly, more than I can say for most recreational players after one year. It's okay to be blunt but why insult someone who is genuinely asking for input? I don't get it.
Anyone can look good hitting against a player below their level, or an older lady (even if she's playing at a "higher" NTRP).
His strokes still need to be fine grooved. There's not alot of racquet head acceleration off his backhand side, and his lazy footwork is resulting him in hitting late on his forehand at times, causing him to net.
Ian Stewart
Professional
Have you read any of my posts Dawg? He made a pretentious claim that Federer was his teacher. I called him on it. That's all.
Oh BTW, what helpful critique have you offered the poster. Nothing.
TennisDawg
Hall of Fame
I did offer some critque whether or not it's helpful, I'll leave that up to the OP. I'm not going to get into a debate with you over that. One thing I do know is that tearing someone down is not helpful critique. Especially someone who has just started playing the game, it's okay to critique but why make insulting comments?
I'll admit, I didn't realize he made the pretentious claim about Federer. If that's the case that is misleading on his part, although he claims he is indirectly learning from Federer by watching his style of play. I have learned by reading articles and watching videos of elite players, it's nearly impossible to achieve that level, but something to strive for don't you think??
TennisDawg
Hall of Fame
I agree, all I'm saying is the OP having only played 1 year of tennis shows some natural ability. He would get waxed by a bonafide 4.5 because a beginner after one year hasn't learned enough about match play, percentage tennis and how to exploit his opponent's weakness. Against a 4.5 player he also wouldn't get shots down the middle and would have to deal with being rushed. In order to improve the OP will have to eventually deal with pushers and serve/vollyers. But, he has made remarkable progress having only played for one year.
Ian Stewart
Professional
Can you name one insulting remark I have made? You know as opposed to making stuff up.
Man, I was not being serious about the Federer thing guys. I just watched tennis on TV and looked up stuff online to figure out how to hit the correct strokes the best I could without a coach. Yall can stop arguing about that. Namranger, once again I was not going all out or even close, so yes my footwork is lazy and we have established that for now, until I get a video up of a serious match. Everybody here has been helpful, except for the people who keep on saying the same **** about my level of play.
I have actually got alot of match experience against these types of players when I play in a 4.5 league not too long ago. When I first started playing against the pushers I had lots of trouble and rushed everything because I was trying to put everything away. Now I just wait for the right opportunity to either go for the winner or push them out wide and come to the net and finish off the point. I have played against 1 serve and volleyer and with that I tried to focus on getting the return low and waiting for the second ball to hit a pass. I am trying to set up a match with one of our "bonafide" 4.5 players who was on my team last season, and was going to post that video on here for you all to see. Because he has a pretty big serve, hard flat shots, and is a smart player overall.
C
chico9166
Guest
roger,
First of all, terrific job for one year out. You have alot of upward potential.
On your backhand, try and keep your shoulders up and back as you move into the unit turn. Also, there is a trace of elbow lead in some of your strokes. Try and find your straight arm hitting structure sooner. It certainly needs to be established before the arm and racket move forward.
good luck
First of all, terrific job for one year out. You have alot of upward potential.
On your backhand, try and keep your shoulders up and back as you move into the unit turn. Also, there is a trace of elbow lead in some of your strokes. Try and find your straight arm hitting structure sooner. It certainly needs to be established before the arm and racket move forward.
good luck
TennisDawg
Hall of Fame
My apologies, I sort of lumped you in with some of the other posters making such remarks. Don't know what you mean by making stuff up?
TennisDawg
Hall of Fame
I must say you have crammed in a lot of experience in a very short time. You are at least 2 to 3 tennis years ahead of most beginners one year into tennis.
Solat
Professional
yes, i do for things where people give a "critique" that doesn't reference what the solution is or in specifics what the problem is.
For example on footwork, there needs to be less "move your feet more" and more "when you move wide to your FH you are stopping short with your outside foot which is causing you to reach to the ball therefore your technique falls down" or "you need to push off with a power step rather then by coming across your body with your inside foot, you are restricting you stroke rotation by getting your feet out of position"
hey there is no doubt that you put a whole lot more effort into your posts then most so maybe not so relevant to you
can you really hustle when someone is rallying the ball back to you is my question
once again its more about the people who post negatives in a fashion that appears that all they are doing is knocking people down. In the end opinions are just that, they are not facts, so everybody should take them with that in mind. I just assume that people post here for the benefit of all, so that we can all become better players, better coaches, with greater knowledge and shared information. For what people get out of just posting trash is beyond my understanding.
Bungalo Bill
G.O.A.T.
Really? Then why aren't you providing this information? Although there are those that will give a surface response to footwork, in truth, they are simply missing knowledge on how to say it. It doesn't mean they are wrong or that the OP should ignore the comment. In fact, it would behoove the OP to take note of the criticism and ask for more ellaboration.
Not all videos are well done and come at different angles to be able to offer a very detailed critique.
Perhaps. Perhaps not.
Hustle isn't just about sweating bullets. What we should be seeing is the general energy level of the feet and how they move the player to get them into position. Things like the timing of the split-step, the coordination of the feet in how they move, the efficiency in their movement can all be viewed even when a player is simply rallying.
Not all of the posters here have the level of insight or study that is needed in critiquing a video of a player that is usually done poorly. I for one take a backseat to John Yandell's level of knowledge when it comes to critiquing a player. Most of the time I have issues with poor camera angle for the type of "something" I am seeing or think I see. I dont make comments on areas I can't get a clear picture on even if I think I see something.
Most posters here try to help and they give a generalized view of what is wrong. I dont expect all posters to have the knowledge on how to solve the problem. However, it does short cut my efforts in analysis if I glance and read what others have wrote. I use those as my notes to review and speed my analysis up to see if those things are indeed true. Many times they are. Sometimes they aren't.
I think the posters that post the problem without the solution are needed. Some of them are learning how to coach and are testing their skills in strokes analysis. I have no problem with that and wish more would do so.
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ramseszerg
Professional
BB, when making a video, is it good enough to shoot from behind + from the side + diagonally from the net post?
Bungalo Bill
G.O.A.T.
I am not the best one to ask on this one. People like John Yandell and other "camera" experts would know best. I would be afraid to say something wrong.
From an analysis perspective, I like different angles because of the various parts of the stroke one is looking at. I think different angles would offer good information for different things being looked at.
Long story short, I guess the 45 degree angle would be good. I know Braden liked filming from behind the player. I am just trying to avoid some of the homemade ones with the camera tilted sideways, or on the ground, or bouncing around., or ones that are too far away.
Yeah, its hard to find a good spot. I still have no clue where to put the camera during a match so that you can see almost everything. The best I could come up with, since I have one of those small Flip camera's, was too tape it up high on the back fence and try to tilt it down some. Anybody think that would work?
Hear here, I just noticed that out of all the people who have posted here, none have said that posting a video of you simply just rallying with anyone doesn't show how really good you are, and that it is otherwise pretty much useless to do. It's posting a video iin match play that actually counts, because the match is what counts.
Sure, I could go ahead and practice with my friend, and pass by as a really good player. Anyone can look good in practice, because there's no worry about losing points, opponent, whatever, so we may not see their true strokes in practice.
I've seen many people who, practicing, look like really good players, and don't miss a shot maybe and just hit the ball good then, but once they get in a tournament or in a real match, they resort to just "push" the ball, and hit with fear or incomplete strokes, and aren't good players at all. So to me, a practice video is irrelevant, and proves nothing.
So we could be better off waiting for the op to post his videos of his matches, and stop talking about these videos he postde here, because there's no point in it. The way the player plays in a real match is what counts.
Sure, I could go ahead and practice with my friend, and pass by as a really good player. Anyone can look good in practice, because there's no worry about losing points, opponent, whatever, so we may not see their true strokes in practice.
I've seen many people who, practicing, look like really good players, and don't miss a shot maybe and just hit the ball good then, but once they get in a tournament or in a real match, they resort to just "push" the ball, and hit with fear or incomplete strokes, and aren't good players at all. So to me, a practice video is irrelevant, and proves nothing.
So we could be better off waiting for the op to post his videos of his matches, and stop talking about these videos he postde here, because there's no point in it. The way the player plays in a real match is what counts.
