Groundstrokes (using Sony Smart Sensor)

[emcee]

Wonder what your guys' thoughts are on my groundstrokes and what I can do to improve:

I was trying to hit these forehands hard so there are quite a few mishits. Seems like I'd get more power just by getting more clean contact as there are some shots that are off center and have much higher racquet head speed than ball speed.

My backhand is quite weak, seems like I need more shoulder turn? Looks like too much arm.

Any NTRP estimates? I posted before about whether I should add a loop to my shots. Looks like my BH has more of one even though it is much weaker!

 

[GuyClinch]

Interesting. You are hitting with pretty good zip on your forehand. I have watched a lot of league tennis over on a playsight machine - and you are hitting your forehand pretty good like 4.0 - 4.5 speeds.

Your backhand seems on the slow side though. That being said subjectively I feel that you are working too hard for those ball speed. Your don't seem fluid enough - and don't seem to generate any so called 'effortless' power. Kinda of a misnomer..But the point is you are working what looks like really hard on every shot..

I think your timing is off on your forehand - you kinda bring it back and low - slow down alot - almost stop and then go. Seems a little armish too..

As for NTRP - I can't really peg it from a ball machine. Maybe the 4.0s and 4.5s I have watched on the playsight system would hit much harder on a ball machine too. Looking at technique which looks very labored I would guess 3.5.. But I could be totally wrong..I will admit.

 

[emcee]

Thanks for your input. I was definitely trying to hit those forehands hard. At least with the FHs I can hit them hard by simply trying to but on the backhands I don't even know how to hit them harder.

Maybe what makes sense to do is to try to incorporate more of a loop on my BH since it has a more normal takeback and then if I like the results, try to get a more orthodox FH.

 

[jm1980]

This sensor seems to be pretty neat

How accurate are the speed readings?

 

[atp2015]

Good speed on FH. No loop, no weight transfer, not much fluidity in strokes. Good opportunity to build 3.5 techniques.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

This sensor seems to be pretty neat

How accurate are the speed readings?

Don't get caught up on the raw reading, use it for data analysis and see if you're trending up or down overtime.

 

[emcee]

This sensor seems to be pretty neat

How accurate are the speed readings?

I have nothing to compare it to, but the readings seem pretty consistent at least. Average and top speeds are generally within the same range for me. I wish it would stop picking up 20 MPH forehands though (these might be just catching the ball with my racquet...or maybe feeds?)

 

[ReopeningWed]

Are those clay courts?

 

[tennisfu]

I'd like to see more of a unit turn on the forehand side, getting both arms up more around shoulder level to start the swing.

Backhand: focus on earlier shoulder turn rather than more shoulder turn. You mentioned you were thinking about adding a bit of a loop to it. An earlier shoulder turn will help make this happen naturally.

tennisbyspize

 

[LeeD]

Try to keep your head steady on your forehand swings. It's one reason your swingspeed is consistently faster than your ball speed on that side, you pull up and back as you swing, causing a slight mishit.
Your swing technique is used by a lot of very good player's, men and women, so don't be talked into changing it unless you feel it's necessary. Anke Huber had the 2nd best WTA forehand to one Steffi Graff, who everyone knew had the most powerful single weapon in WTA in the mid '90's. It works, it's consistent, you hit it well, but don't raise and move your head BACK every forehand swing.

 

[emcee]

Update: I tried hitting with a loop and wow a good amount more power while still remaining more relaxed than I am in that video. My sensor says I hit a 92 MPH forehand and while that might not be right, the data does show that I hit it harder. I am trying to take back the racquet around Djokovic height (the shoulder) instead of something like Raonic's which seems insanely high. My consistency struggled a bit but it's nice to see some instant results. I am using my old shorter swing for returns of serve for now.

Thanks for the advice everyone! Now to work on consistency and to get something on my backhand (still hitting back cream puffs).

 

[LeeD]

Loop can add swingspeed, but often times adds spin, which subtract's swing speed.
Flat takeback can have plenty of ball speed by hitting flat with good repetition, something not done often in ATP or WTA, but those player's are superior athletes, which we are often NOT.
If you look at TW's video of fast forehands, you will see very little loop action, as fast ball speed is FLAT forehands, not heavy topspin forehands.

 

[Daniel_K]

I didnt see much split-stepping before each stroke. It helps you set up for each stroke to come down into a split step before moving into take back and forward swing.

 

[LeeD]

Too much emphasis is placed on what a budding ATP pro should do, not enough on what a rec player should be doing.

 

[Daniel_K]

Good fundamentals can be utilized from the very beginning, all the way up to the tour level player. Racket take back/ turn and footwork are some of the easiest changes to make to have a large impact on stroke and it's succes.