I play in slow motion, how to speed things up?

[bkpr]

Hello everyone.

Today my coach filmed me and another of his students playing a few points. This is the first time I've been filmed playing tennis. I cannot believe how slow I am on court! Not specifically my movement around the court (although that is slower than I thought), but especially my strokes. My serve looks like I'm lollipopping it over the net, despite feeling like I'm hitting it much faster. I'm not the world's best player, but after about 8 months of lessons and play several times a week, I am obviously uncannily slow!

What's the best way to help speed things up? I'm a little overweight (6'3", ~205lbs — although am broad shouldered), so I'm sure that hinders things.

What kind of exercises/drills could I try to speed up my strokes? Do I simply practise hitting harder/faster?

I've felt for a little while I've hit a plateau and my progression is flattening. I want to continue improving, so if you have any suggestions on what I could work on in addition to fitness, please let me know!

 

[mightyrick]

Something you should be aware of... unless you are a 5.0+ player... your strokes aren't going to look that fast. 99% of recreational players simply don't have the foot speed and racquet speed to look that good on video.

Gives you a new respect for the pro game, huh?

Go check out a court-level view of a professional tennis match on YouTube. It will put things into perspective for you. I recommend Blake/Federer.

 

[bkpr]

The first search result for Blake/Federer is just insane!

I don't know if it makes me feel any better, but I suppose it stops me comparing my video strokes to those which I've seen the most on video, namely the pros.

Still, seeing myself has really given me a kick up the bum to get into better shape, and play more aggressively. I got into tennis quite late at 33, and I want to play it, and get better, for as long as I possibly can.

 

[CoachingMastery]

Outside of the obvious physical improvements you might need to make, there is a tool that can mentally make you move faster:

Tell yourself to get into hitting position (footwise), BEFORE the ball bounces on your side of the court. This mental exercise really helps players remember to move their feet appropriately.

Try it!

 

[ace_pace]

I feel like slow motion whenever I havent played in a while. It feels like everything is going faster than I can keep up with. Not sure if this is what you mean but the way I fix it is with just warming up slowly first while doing all the necessary split step stuff. Split stepping is important. its how the pros keep up with their opponents.

 

[Chas Tennis]

Study the stretch-shortening cycle.

Research the stretch-shortening cycle.

Basic Biomechanics Principle. At high velocities of muscle shortening the deliberate ('active') muscle shortening produces less force than the muscle shortening from pre-stretched muscle ('passive').

One important use of this fact is the split-step. The split-step prestretches the quads and allows you to start moving faster in any direction.

The service motion, forehand, etc., all use prestretch for racket head speed.

Take care to learn the strokes carefully and don't try faster motions that you don't understand.

 

[fightfan]

I feel for you, bkpr. I think most of us who have seen ourselves on video would have said the same exact thing.

I think the issue is people are just used to watching pros on video, and the difference between pros and us rec players is just that extreme. If we got used to watching other rec players, we probably wouldn't feel so bad. I believe that a 4.5 on-court will look like a 4.0 to a live bystander and will look like a 3.5 when watched on video.

Besides racquet head speed, I think one of the biggest differences on video between pros and rec players is footwork, specifically quantity of footwork. Most rec players will stand still for a couple seconds (if not longer) after they hit a shot. Pros are ALWAYS moving, taking tiny steps immediately after a shot. That constant motion makes them look much faster and more active.

 

[slowfox]

I used to want to play in slow motion, like Mecir. At least that's how his game looked to me, but he still had great court coverage and movement. Don't know how he did it.. :???:

 

[BevelDevil]

I don't think you should be too concerned about how your strokes look. It's not a beauty contest. Think in terms of effectiveness.

Is more pace really a priority at this stage of your game?

 

[bkpr]

I don't think you should be too concerned about how your strokes look. It's not a beauty contest. Think in terms of effectiveness.

Is more pace really a priority at this stage of your game?

I didn't mean I wanted to 'look' better, just that a faster swing/racquet head speed would mean taking time away from my opponents. It feels reasonable fast when I play, but obviously isn't.

If I think about it, more pace probably isn't the most important improvement I could be focusing on at the moment. More consistency would be better to be honest.

Thanks for all your thoughts so far.