Head tilt on groundies

[rk_sports]

I know this is a rather strange question.. was goofing around with a camera to take video of my groundies and first thing I notice is that my head is tilted for both forehand (tilted to right..I'm righty) and backhand (tilted to left).. does this have adverse effect on the shot execution?

 

[LeeD]

Doesn't Fed tilt to the right on his forehands? His forehand is acceptable.

 

[Jonny S&V]

If you want the ultimate head tilt on a tennis shot, just take a look at Daniel Nestor's serve.

 

[rk_sports]

Doesn't Fed tilt to the right on his forehands? His forehand is acceptable.

Haha.. acceptable indeed

 

[ManuGinobili]

No the Fed tilt is different. He tilts a little back as part of his vision technique, so that he can "see" the ball through the racket's stringbed. Your tilting is to the side right?

What's more important is that is your head doing a lil jerking action, or is it totally still during a shot?

 

[pgreg]

Concerns like this create paralysis by analysis

 

[aimr75]

No the Fed tilt is different. He tilts a little back as part of his vision technique, so that he can "see" the ball through the racket's stringbed. Your tilting is to the side right?

there is no way at contact he is seeing the ball through the racquets stringbed..

 

[ManuGinobili]

hence the " " geez!!!

 

[aimr75]

hence the " " geez!!!

you did mention its parts of his vision technique.. whatever that is.. as far as i can see it only helps him keep his head still

 

[jswinf]

rk, you're doing what Federer's doing and probably for the same reason. If you're older that him I'd say he owes you money for copying your style.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Head tilts on serves are fairly common -- the head needs to get out of the way of the back shoulder (for the shoulder over shoulder cartwheel action). On groundies, Fed's head tilt is moderate but noticeable.

I've seen some intermediate players with a much more extreme head tilt. Many/some of them have an issue with their balance and/or making clean contacts. If your head tilt is extreme and causing problems, consider correcting it. If it is moderate or not resulting in any other issues, then forget about it.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

there is no way at contact he is seeing the ball through the racquets stringbed..

Every once in a while, I will see a flash of yellow (green-yellow) thru my stringbed or slightly in front of the contact point. Even tho' the smooth pursuit (vision) tracking system cannot follow the ball all the way into the strings (or coming off the strings), it is possible that we can pick up some additional visual information with our saccadic system or even with our peripheral vision. It is possible that we are even picking up extra info on a subliminal or subconscious level.

However, I'd still say that the most important part of the Fed vision technique is keeping the head still during the forward swing of the racket so that the swing path is not adversely affected.

 

[jrod]

....However, I'd still say that the most important part of the Fed vision technique is keeping the head still during the forward swing of the racket so that the swing path is not adversely affected.

This coupled with the fact that the technique of viewing the contact point from behind the strings forces him to take the ball earlier. I still think the still head is the most important byproduct of this technique.

 

[rk_sports]

Concerns like this create paralysis by analysis

haha.. I see your point.. this is not a concern.. just curiosity and since we got such wonderful community/expertise at TW.. thought I ask away

Head tilts on serves are fairly common -- the head needs to get out of the way of the back shoulder (for the shoulder over shoulder cartwheel action). On groundies, Fed's head tilt is moderate but noticeable.

I've seen some intermediate players with a much more extreme head tilt. Many/some of them have an issue with their balance and/or making clean contacts. If your head tilt is extreme and causing problems, consider correcting it. If it is moderate or not resulting in any other issues, then forget about it.

Not for the serve, noticed this for groundies. Tilt is moderate I guess. What do you mean by issues? Head is fairly still and I've no physical issue with it. Just curious to see if there is a relationship between the head tilt and stroke production

 

[ManuGinobili]

If it is still then you're fine... what happens to many other people is the head jerks during a swing, and when a 20 lb part of your body moves it obviously affects your balance.


Fed vision technique
http://www.revolutionarytennis.com/federervisiontechnique.html

 

[Austinthecity]

and when a 20 lb part of your body moves it obviously affects your balance.

Haven't you ever seen Jerry Maguire?

 

[ManuGinobili]

Nope I'm from Asia

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Nope I'm from Asia

You gotta get your hands on the movie just the same. I bet it's available in most parts of Asia. Here is the exchange (between Jerry M and 5-yr old Ray) that Austinthecity was referring to (above):

Ray: D'you know that the human head weighs 8 pounds?
Jerry Maguire: Did you know that Troy Aikman, in only six years, has passed for 16,303 yards?
Ray: D'you know that bees and dogs can smell fear?
Jerry Maguire: Did you know that the career record for hits is 4,256 by Pete Rose who is NOT in the Hall of Fame?
Ray: D'you know that my next door neighbor has three rabbits?
Jerry Maguire: I... I can't compete with that!

 

[rk_sports]

You gotta get your hands on the movie just the same. I bet it's available in most parts of Asia. Here is the exchange (between Jerry M and 5-yr old Ray) that Austinthecity was referring to (above):

Ray: D'you know that the human head weighs 8 pounds?
Jerry Maguire: Did you know that Troy Aikman, in only six years, has passed for 16,303 yards?
Ray: D'you know that bees and dogs can smell fear?
Jerry Maguire: Did you know that the career record for hits is 4,256 by Pete Rose who is NOT in the Hall of Fame?
Ray: D'you know that my next door neighbor has three rabbits?
Jerry Maguire: I... I can't compete with that!

even though I saw it, had forgotten that scene until you posted

 

[ManuGinobili]

You gotta get your hands on the movie just the same. I bet it's available in most parts of Asia. Here is the exchange (between Jerry M and 5-yr old Ray) that Austinthecity was referring to (above):

Ray: D'you know that the human head weighs 8 pounds?
Jerry Maguire: Did you know that Troy Aikman, in only six years, has passed for 16,303 yards?
Ray: D'you know that bees and dogs can smell fear?
Jerry Maguire: Did you know that the career record for hits is 4,256 by Pete Rose who is NOT in the Hall of Fame?
Ray: D'you know that my next door neighbor has three rabbits?
Jerry Maguire: I... I can't compete with that!

haha excellent!
tbh I have seen A LOT of movies having lived in the States, Jerry Maguire was just one of the few that got away.