Me playing. Thoughts?

[WinningIsLife]

I have lots of new vids going up but all taken abou 5 months ago, please check them out and offer opinions. I would also be very grateful if you could subscribe.


Heres links to vids:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWi1oJC_VZM - cone drill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zvTsimbzmI - cone wars!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94l-T3U4agI - warming up and hitting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL2-LD3bQCk - physical warm up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAapEhuaJJo - service box stuff


Heres my channel :
http://www.youtube.com/user/AliciasAce

 

[skyzoo]

I have lots of new vids going up but all taken abou 5 months ago, please check them out and offer opinions. I would also be very grateful if you could subscribe.


Heres links to vids:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWi1oJC_VZM - cone drill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zvTsimbzmI - cone wars!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94l-T3U4agI - warming up and hitting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL2-LD3bQCk - physical warm up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAapEhuaJJo - service box stuff


Heres my channel :
http://www.youtube.com/user/AliciasAce

meh.............

 

[skyzoo]

Kidding. Really solid strokes. Do you play div.1?

 

[WinningIsLife]

div 1?
University?
Lol im just 15 so not quite yet.

 

[Jonny S&V]

div 1?
University?
Lol im just 15 so not quite yet.

You have gotten a lot better since I last saw your vids.

I love your backhand, as you probably do. Your forehand has quite a big backswing, do you have problems with it during matches? If you have time, I wouldn't want to hit into your forehand. Take this as a complement, you hit a guy's forehand. As of right now, the only thing that I would be worried about is timing the forehand against other hard hitters.

 

[WinningIsLife]

I would say that i can deal with hard hitting to my forehand but if the opponent hits really deep and really flat then i struggle. Ive always tried to make my forehand backswing smaller but i just cant seem to do it. Its like impossible.

 

[Jonny S&V]

I would say that i can deal with hard hitting to my forehand but if the opponent hits really deep and really flat then i struggle. Ive always tried to make my forehand backswing smaller but i just cant seem to do it. Its like impossible.

That's kinda what I thought, but all well, it's still a very nice forehand. I would just keep working on keeping the racquet to your side a bit more and don't let it go all the way back to the fence. That being said, if you wanted to keep your forehand the way it is, I would change tactics and hit a heavy ball. It may not be easy at first, but keep it 3-4 feet over the net, hit it with all you have and keep it as deep as you can. That will be a hard shot for many players, particularly girls that are stuck hitting one shot one either side.

 

[WinningIsLife]

think i am probably going to try and change it, well, just make it a bit shorter. Its pretty hard to do when ive got lots of tournaments though because i dont want to damage the way Im playing. But hopefully when ive got a few weeks without one ill really be able to work on it.

 

[Jonny S&V]

think i am probably going to try and change it, well, just make it a bit shorter. Its pretty hard to do when ive got lots of tournaments though because i dont want to damage the way Im playing. But hopefully when ive got a few weeks without one ill really be able to work on it.

That's good, because that's too good of a shot to be attacked like that.

 

[WinningIsLife]

I also find that the funny thing is, the harder someone hits the ball to me the bigger a take back i do. For example i go the video where im just hitting in the service boxes and the backswings much smaller then when someones really hitting it hard i subconciously take a much bigger backswing. Hmm interesting.

 

[Jonny S&V]

I also find that the funny thing is, the harder someone hits the ball to me the bigger a take back i do. For example i go the video where im just hitting in the service boxes and the backswings much smaller then when someones really hitting it hard i subconciously take a much bigger backswing. Hmm interesting.

Yeah, you're right, I do see that. I would make sure to get the racquet back as soon as possible rather than worrying about the backswing on harder shots.

 

[GameSetMatch]

Hey you hit a good ball, you're really clouting the ball. Love the full swing too - on the take back for your forehands, your racquet is almost behind your left ear!

 

[GameSetMatch]

when someones really hitting it hard i subconciously take a much bigger backswing. Hmm interesting.

Indicator of your mental game. You want to dominate the rally, fight fire with fire etc. Good mentality to have.

 

[BullDogTennis]

Indicator of your mental game. You want to dominate the rally, fight fire with fire etc. Good mentality to have.

not exactly...trying to outhit someone usually turns bad when there already hitting really big.

 

[RoddickAce]

I haven't seen your serve or volleys, but if they're near as good as yout groundstrokes, I personally think you could go pro one day provided you continue to train. O_O

 

[WinningIsLife]

I wouldnt say I really try and outhit someone though. Not quite sure why I do it. Probably just a bad habit from when ive been younger, must have thought if someone hit it hard i need to really take the racket back far.

RoddickAce - yeh hopefully gonna get some vids up with volleys anf serves and just updated stuff as all of this was taken at Christmas time. My volleys have really improved, been working on them big time.

 

[LeeD]

Yeah, you hit good.
Maybe tryout for the boys team in highschool, to get the competition you need to excell.
The boys will not try to outhit you, instead, they'll make you run around more, drop and then lob you, and force you to NOT use your strong groundies. Of course, the ones who try to outground you might lose to you.
Seems you are working on your weakness'es (movement), so you've got the bases covered.

 

[papa]

Although the strokes are developing nicely I'd like to see you reduce the backswing somewhat - right now its going too far. I think you can develop just as much swing speed without as much backswing. Women generally have more backswing than men but you might want to play around with this because it might increase your consistency and not give away your stroke intentions quite so much. I really like the basic mechanics.

The other item that I would like to see is more of a split-step rather than just a little hop - in some cases there isn't even much of that.

 

[WinningIsLife]

Thanks for the ideas and thoughts. Gonna have to get the camera out cos its hard to tell how big my swing is without actually seeing it.

 

[Dreamer]

Thanks for the ideas and thoughts. Gonna have to get the camera out cos its hard to tell how big my swing is without actually seeing it.

Backhand looks pretty solid. Forehand take back is huge. It also isn't the coventional high take back. It seems to travel more horizontal and with a closed racquet face. This take back doesn't really do much for you. The setup takes a long time without adding vertical force and the closed face will leave little room for improvisation when your time is stolen.

 

[EP1998]

I agree with Dreamer. Very nice backhand though you could use a bit more legs in it, get a bit lower and a bit stronger with the core and pull, but you'll get there with that as you continue to get stronger. Overall though the stroke looks smooth and solid, nice finish. That shot will only get better over time as you are hitting a clean ball on that side. The forehand though needs to be rebuilt if you are thinking at all about being a professional. I think it would be a good idea for you and your coach to sit down and review some video of your forehand and compare to professional players. Then the two of you can develop a plan to get it to that level. I think you can address the issues with it and make it a major weapon, but you need to do it soon. Good luck with your tennis and continue to work hard. You have a great attitude.

 

[NLBwell]

Yes, you've got some major problems on the forehand for a good player. It looks like in an effort to get topspin and loop the ball, your impact point is alongside your body (sometimes almost behind it) and your are pulling your racket up. [certainly doesn't fit with your grip] Extreme closed face on the backswing is a cause and result of this (all parts fit together). You need to learn to hit the ball in front of your body (more toward the net). This will allow you to have a flatter backswing and still come through the ball low to high for lots of topspin. Pro players will pull up hard on a late ball to get topspin in a tough situation, but they get lots of topspin with their normal strokes.
To get the feeling of this, stand a couple feet behind the baseline and try holding your racket back (near your right hip) below waist level with the face more or less perpendicular to the ground. Then, when a ball is fed to you, hit the ball as it crosses the baseline - at least 1 ft, maybe 2 feet in front of your left hip (this is for training, you might not often hit it 2 feet in front of you). You are only practicing the end of your stroke, no takeback.
This short stroke with correct weight transfer will be the way you hit back pace with pace. You can learn a good loop backswing (without your racket face flipping all around) for normal groundies, but in any case, the key is to get the correct impact point and swingpath.

 

[WinningIsLife]

Yep i agree, really wish i could make it a compact swing and just keep it to the right side of my body. My backswing also doesnt go high, it goes low but really far behind my back.

Can anyone help me with this dilemma, I have a tournament this weekend, do i start trying to make changes to my fh before this wknd or after?

 

[maverick66]

Can anyone help me with this dilemma, I have a tournament this weekend, do i start trying to make changes to my fh before this wknd or after?

How important is the tournament?

If it isnt very important start working on it and use the tourny as a practice match with added pressure. If its a big one I wouldnt change a thing until after.

 

[LeeD]

Bend your elbows more on the two handed part of the early takeback. Keep rackethand closer to your body. That bent elbow insures your racket is NOT TOO FAR BACK. And still allows the uncoiling for the forehand stroke.
Worked for some pro women who WON pro tourneys after adopting this idea. Anke and Peanut.

 

[Dreamer]

Yep i agree, really wish i could make it a compact swing and just keep it to the right side of my body. My backswing also doesnt go high, it goes low but really far behind my back.

Can anyone help me with this dilemma, I have a tournament this weekend, do i start trying to make changes to my fh before this wknd or after?

It's really up to you. It's certain that you will sacrifice results for some time if you're really going to change that take back.
It will be too difficult to play at your best while changing your stroke. It's doing well in this tournament vs. how soon you want to change your stroke.

 

[Rui]

Yup, as everyone has stated, your forehand needs to be straightened out...literally.

When most players pull their rackets back and step into the ball, their elbows are pointed down into the court and their rackets pointed up. You not only do not point your elbow down, but you draw your elbow even further back and point it to the side fence behind you.

When you are ready to swing forward, your elbow must almost circumnavigate your waist to get around in front of yourself. Taking the long way around your waist takes too much time. You end up swinging from behind your back to the side fence on your forehand side. Obviously, not toward the other side of the court.

That's why your forehand is so topsy-spinny and has no drive.

Here's a good-looking elbow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xavf0F7ku5M

Of course, she uses an open stance here that would help free your elbow.

Good luck.

 

[WinningIsLife]

thanks for tips

 

[ProCoach]

thanks for tips

In no way am I being critical in a bad way. You have a nice, athletic game and you look like a good athlete. So, with that, here goes. Force yourself to shorten your backswing on the forehand and relax a little. If you will have a big hip and shoulder turn and practice keeping your hands near each other on the take back, it will help you shorten things up. Also, try and get your footwork to be smoother and more efficient. If you shorten your swing just a bit and stay more under control on your take back, you will be more on balance and have less mis-hits. It will also allow you to keep the racquet on line a bit longer as it seems as though you are spinning out on your swing due to being off balance. Force yourself to stay under control in hitting drills. It will make it's way into matches. As for the footwork, if you glide across the court and not pound your feet on the ground, your feet will automatically be closer to the ground and thus you will be able to have a more solid base and better push off into the ball on your load leg. You will also have much better balance before, during, and after your swing. So you don't think I am tearing into you, and I am not. I promise you that if you work on those things, your game will really, really improve. Keep the claycourt style forehand, but just make sure that your are bringing everything around together as one and not leaving the racquet behind you due to a huge backswing. Everything comes through together and you must finish in balance. Good Luck. (I only watched one video, so if you have other questions, feel free to ask.)

 

[ProCoach]

In no way am I being critical in a bad way. You have a nice, athletic game and you look like a good athlete. So, with that, here goes. Force yourself to shorten your backswing on the forehand and relax a little. If you will have a big hip and shoulder turn and practice keeping your hands near each other on the take back, it will help you shorten things up. Also, try and get your footwork to be smoother and more efficient. If you shorten your swing just a bit and stay more under control on your take back, you will be more on balance and have less mis-hits. It will also allow you to keep the racquet on line a bit longer as it seems as though you are spinning out on your swing due to being off balance. Force yourself to stay under control in hitting drills. It will make it's way into matches. As for the footwork, if you glide across the court and not pound your feet on the ground, your feet will automatically be closer to the ground and thus you will be able to have a more solid base and better push off into the ball on your load leg. You will also have much better balance before, during, and after your swing. So you don't think I am tearing into you, and I am not, I work with Hayley Carter, Catherine Harrison, Molly O'Kenowski, Mico Santiago, Katelyn Ray, Caroline Price, and a few other top 30 juniors in the country at the Smith Stearns Tennis Academy. I promise you that if you work on those things, your game will really, really improve. Keep the claycourt style forehand, but just make sure that your are bringing everything around together as one and not leaving the racquet behind you due to a huge backswing. Everything comes through together and you must finish in balance. Good Luck. (I only watched one video, so if you have other questions, feel free to ask.)

One thing that I forgot that I saw when I watched the next video is that you really need to work on keeping your head still and on the contact point a little longer. It will keep you balanced and squared up on the ball and will keep you from pulling out of the shot. If your head comes up and out of the shot, so do your shoulders, then you torso, then your hips, and then your legs stand up and they try to catch your balance (all the while trying to hit a good tennis shot.) If your head stays down and still, the rest of you will stay in the shot and your balance will really improve and so will your game and shots..........