How to take game on next level ???

[jigar]

How to take game to next level ???

Hi
I started playing tennis 4 years ago. I picked up game pretty quick. I was 3.5 in 1 years and 4.0 within 2 years. I got bumped to 4.5 this year.
So I think I improved a lot for being a recreational player.
I am in my 20s so fitness is not an issue.

Now here is my next hump.
Until now I get a ball where I can setup and hit ball without a problem.
Now there are only 2-3 guys remaining who can hit harder and consistently then I can. I generally don't get to play with them often but when I do, I can't hit a ball on string. I know it has to do with footwork and early preparation.

Can you guys provide me some analogy/rhythm techniques to take my game to next level.?

I can run down almost every ball they hit but I feel that I am always out of time on swing.
I know I am late on my FH preparation for the pace but I can always hit a good shot the same preparation when I get ball with less pace.

Need some help here...

 

[TahoeTennis]

keep practicing

play all kinds of different people, mainly those better than you

have fun

take a lesson

use a ball machine

repeat

 

[GetBetterer]

That's a practice thing. You need to get used to people with pace, since you, as you stated, are used to people without pace.

 

[ManuGinobili]

At 4.5, you're already better than the majority of people on this forum. Few of us can help you, the others will throw misleading stuff in... You should rename your thread How To Move To 5.0, it will attract the attention of the more advanced players on the forum.

I also think it's a better idea to look at local clubs for advanced, personal help.

 

[larry10s]

Hi
I started playing tennis 4 years ago. I picked up game pretty quick. I was 3.5 in 1 years and 4.0 within 2 years. I got bumped to 4.5 this year.
So I think I improved a lot for being a recreational player.
I am in my 20s so fitness is not an issue.

Now here is my next hump.
Until now I get a ball where I can setup and hit ball without a problem.
Now there are only 2-3 guys remaining who can hit harder and consistently then I can. I generally don't get to play with them often but when I do, I can't hit a ball on string. I know it has to do with footwork and early preparation.

Can you guys provide me some analogy/rhythm techniques to take my game to next level.?

I can run down almost every ball they hit but I feel that I am always out of time on swing.
I know I am late on my FH preparation for the pace but I can always hit a good shot the same preparation when I get ball with less pace.

Need some help here...

you are 4.5 usta after 4 years playing????

 

[Slazenger07]

you are 4.5 usta after 4 years playing????

Yea...Im skeptical it took me 15 years to get to 4.5. If I had to guess Id say youre overrating yourself considerably. Take private lessons, at my level that you should understand the game enough and have the basics down completely, you need to focus your practice sessions on more specific aspects of your game and a private coach can help you with that.

 

[EP1998]

Hi
I started playing tennis 4 years ago. I picked up game pretty quick. I was 3.5 in 1 years and 4.0 within 2 years. I got bumped to 4.5 this year.
So I think I improved a lot for being a recreational player.
I am in my 20s so fitness is not an issue.

Now here is my next hump.
Until now I get a ball where I can setup and hit ball without a problem.
Now there are only 2-3 guys remaining who can hit harder and consistently then I can. I generally don't get to play with them often but when I do, I can't hit a ball on string. I know it has to do with footwork and early preparation.

Can you guys provide me some analogy/rhythm techniques to take my game to next level.?

I can run down almost every ball they hit but I feel that I am always out of time on swing.
I know I am late on my FH preparation for the pace but I can always hit a good shot the same preparation when I get ball with less pace.

Need some help here...

It sounds like when you play better players and they get you on the run, you are late getting there and when you do, you possibly try to hit your way out of trouble. Then in situations where you are in control you may press. This is a very common scenario. If you are living in NV you may have the extra challenge of the ball flying a bit so footwork is extra important.

- you need to recognize when they can get you in trouble. If your ball is slightly short or in the middle of the court or has no trajectory and is hit to them, you need to go on alert. you need to think see, react, explode and defend!
- you need to practice defensive footwork patterns and a reliable defensive groundstroke. you cannot go up in level without this
- related to above, you need to learn to hit with a lot of trajectory. it is both effective and safe

If you have the money, hire a teaching pro. They can do pattern drills with you so you can begin to recognize when the direction change is going to happen and how you counter it. You can practice running forehands and backhands and learn some footwork patterns that will get you back into the court to recover faster.

If you're broke, get a friend and start with the W drill. One of you hits cross court, the other down the line. play that to eleven. that will at least get you practicing the shots you need.

 

[jigar]

you are 4.5 usta after 4 years playing????

Yes I am and I am not overrating it because I played 4.0 USTA league for 2 years and I got bumped to 4.5 this year. I am playing 4.5 league this year.

 

[jigar]

Thanks guys.. I guess it comes down to practice now.

I will post my video for others to analysis.

 

[Geezer Guy]

... Until now I get a ball where I can setup and hit ball without a problem. Now there are only 2-3 guys remaining who can hit harder and consistently then I can. I generally don't get to play with them often but when I do, I can't hit a ball on string. I know it has to do with footwork and early preparation.

I can run down almost every ball they hit but I feel that I am always out of time on swing.
I know I am late on my FH preparation for the pace but I can always hit a good shot the same preparation when I get ball with less pace.
...

Props on rising so quickly through the ranks. Your problems MAY be related to footwork, as you suggest. However, I think it's more likely due to timing of your strokes. Against players who hit with less pace it's easy to wait too long to start your stroke, and still get set up and swing through in time to make good contact.

Now, against 4.5 players who are hitting with more pace you need to start your stroke sooner. You should have your racquet back and loaded BEFORE the ball crosses the net. The bigger your swing, the earlier you need to prepare. Some instructors will tell you that as soon as your recognize whether the ball will be a forehand or a backhand, you should take your racquet back (or at least take your racquet from the initial neutral "ready" position to the beginning of your whatever-stroke position).

 

[Power Player]

Next level is split stepping everytime and moving your feet everytime. Staying on your toes and reacting fast so you are set up to turn your shoulders and get behind every shot you hit.

Also point construction is huge. You need to know when your opponent will go crosscourt, and know how to set up your opponent to give you a lane for a winner. That is the fun stuff and so many people play tennis without thinking about these things. This is because the game is still too fast for them due to poor footwork.

 

[LeeD]

Get a little black book. Fill it with #'s of all the better players around your area. If your area is small, expand it.
Now call every # and offer to pay for balls and courttime. If you're good, they will not only play with your, but they will schedule practice sessions with you, even offering to pay for balls and court time.
Works for anyone who is truly good.

 

[jigar]

Thanks guys. I am just trying to improve my game. I don't play matches against these guys. I think I have to prepare early on my back swing, especially on my FH.
I also figured I have to stay further back from the baseline, which I am not used.