My Game on Camera - Losing the V-Card

CptnRiceKrispy

New User
I've never had the opportunity to see myself play before and this past Christmas I got a new video camera so i decided to take it out for a spin and see how I looked. Honestly I was quite surprised when I saw myself and I couldn't stop laughing. But it was good and they say a picture is worth a thousand words...so a video should be worth like a million?

I've already gotten some feedback from my tennis friends/authorities and their thoughts but I thought it would be fun to see what the community at Talk Tennis has to say! So feel free leave a comment, or post a reply, be honest!, be positive!, be harsh! I'm open to everything.

Thanks for watching and if you can sit through the 11minutes enjoy!
=)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFAru8TvJ-c
 
pretty good for casual hitting, good racket face control, good connected body/arm movement (swing is not focused on the graphite, which is cool).

if anything, I'd suggest you work on the rhythm of the racket drop and let it fall a little freely, so you can load better and have put more zip on the ball..... your current racket drop looks manipulated, and it might hinder your movement.... but this is not a huge issue, your forward swing from the bottom of the arc into the ball still looks solid.
 
I like your attitude, a lot, better than most on the boards. :-)

You have good strokes, you definitely come from the 'brusher' generation, but the fact is that I think you are doing fine with them. Obviously your cousin isn't at your level, and you two were just hitting to have fun, but when you do hit seriously, your feet will be the key to you getting better.

How does your backhand do against lower-bouncing shots? That would be the only thing I would try to tweak. If you do fine against those types of shots, then by all means keep doing it. I would just try to hit the backhand a little flatter and a little more through the ball. Your slice backhand needs some work tho... ;-)

There weren't really any volleys to critique, soooo... :neutral:

You do well enough with your serve, but I would make sure that the string-bed isn't pointing at the sky (aka, open) in the trophy position. This will probably help with your consistency and power. I'd also try to change the grip slightly, from what appears to be an eastern forehand to more of a continental grip.

In short:

Forehand: Honestly perfect technique-wise, maybe work on hitting from a slightly more open-stance.

Backhand: A few tweaks, like changing the right-hand to more of a continental, and you're going in the right direction.

Volleys: N/A

Serves: Again, changing from eastern to continental and trying to keep the string-bed from pointing upward.

Footwork: Not going to say anything, since these don't look like serious points. Safe to say that you should have happy feet in a more serious situation.
 
pretty good for casual hitting, good racket face control, good connected body/arm movement (swing is not focused on the graphite, which is cool).

Hmm..."swing is not focused on the graphite". I've never heard that reference before. Do you mind explaining?

I forgot to mention the video consists of some rallying and then some match/point play.
 
You hit ok, but most that hit your style are strong and stocky, ready for really long dogfights and hours and days to end a match.
You seem at home with the mechanical style, using lots of energy to hit a moderate topspin ball, but if that's your chosen style, go for it.
Obviously, your partner is not only not interested, has no energy, but just doesn't feed you enough pace or direction to test your skills. You might hit great against a solid hitter, but who knows.
Kinda like that Greek guy 3 weeks ago. He's pounding some shots, but not putting the ball away against a pusher who should not be on the courts with him....can't rate him high, he has no competition either.
Would be nice to see vids of you in action against a live ball, not from some dead guy.
 
Hmm..."swing is not focused on the graphite". I've never heard that reference before. Do you mind explaining?

I forgot to mention the video consists of some rallying and then some match/point play.

never mind - i got carried away by the stuff I have been posting lately.... bottom line is that your swing is connected - body and arm are working together.
 
You hit ok, but most that hit your style are strong and stocky, ready for really long dogfights and hours and days to end a match.
You seem at home with the mechanical style, using lots of energy to hit a moderate topspin ball, but if that's your chosen style, go for it.
Obviously, your partner is not only not interested, has no energy, but just doesn't feed you enough pace or direction to test your skills. You might hit great against a solid hitter, but who knows.
Kinda like that Greek guy 3 weeks ago. He's pounding some shots, but not putting the ball away against a pusher who should not be on the courts with him....can't rate him high, he has no competition either.
Would be nice to see vids of you in action against a live ball, not from some dead guy.

Yeah 100% agree, when playing against better players it makes you look better.
 
You hit ok, but most that hit your style are strong and stocky, ready for really long dogfights and hours and days to end a match.
You seem at home with the mechanical style, using lots of energy to hit a moderate topspin ball, but if that's your chosen style, go for it.
Obviously, your partner is not only not interested, has no energy, but just doesn't feed you enough pace or direction to test your skills. You might hit great against a solid hitter, but who knows.
Kinda like that Greek guy 3 weeks ago. He's pounding some shots, but not putting the ball away against a pusher who should not be on the courts with him....can't rate him high, he has no competition either.
Would be nice to see vids of you in action against a live ball, not from some dead guy.

Haha you're right...kinda. My hitting partner (my cousin) is actually playing the way he usually does... (obviously not 100% as we dont have much intensity) but hes actually alot better than me. Infact he used to be one of the top highschool players in are area. Hes very consistent and he gets everything back. He has a terrific mental game.

Yes i would agree that i should get some video against a "big hitter" or "solid hitter". Those are actually the kind of players i do my best against. I think like alot of average juniors I struggle against junk ballers and slicers.
 
Ugh! All These People Using An Extreme Western Grip! Ughh!! Let Me Stomp On You With Just A Normal Flat Smack From High To Low. Omg!! Ughhh!!!
 
From what I watched (assuming you are in blue) I would just suggest checking your grip on your backhand side...both the 1 hand slice (7:30) and the 2 handed.

On the 2 handed you are closing/flattening the face of the racquet during takeback like one does on the forehand side. In most videos I've seen players don't do that on the backhand side.

Here are a few vids for the 2HBH...1st is grip, 2nd is Sharapova and 3rd is Dementieva hitting in slo-mo...watch their racquet face and takeback path, wrists, racquet drop and how they have the palm of their left hand behind the racquet as they power into the ball low to high. Even Nadal doesn't close his racquet face on the bh side like you are doing. IMHO Dementieva has an extremely solid and powerful bh...watch her wrists and compare to what yours are doing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKPUU8K0i4o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbUdsJP8vgU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4hi7Z2Meo0

Now look at your video at 5:45, 6:10, 7:45 & 10:30...your grip, takeback, wrists and racquet face....granted you were hitting a higher ball at 10:30 but just something to check.

Off to bed...you'll have to find your own YouTube vids for bh slice!...keep having fun.
 
You should move forward on your serve more. I see the knee bend and all, but its kind of like a straight line. You want to be slanted into the court so you can get some more oomph in your serve.

The Serve Doctor gives a nice lesson on loading up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixx-MCC7D88

Notice how she ends up about a foot into the court?
This would really help you get a more competitive serve.
 
saw the later part of your video and saw you hit one approach shot into the bottom of the net.

this is related to what I meant by using free fall in the racket drop to help you get better timing..... if you use your hand to manipulate the racket drop, it becomes more difficult to make quick adjustments.
 
I was laughing more at your choice of music than the tennis, which was pretty good. On your serve, you are straightening out your hitting arm just before dropping the racquet, which robs you of a lot of power. Compare your hitting arm position to Federer's.

federer_serve.jpg


Notice how his elbow is bent more and slightly closer to his body.


P.S. If you want to take your game to the next level, you're going to have to develop a second serve that isn't just a decelerated first serve. Preferably some form of a topspin serve.

Nice vid, thanks for posting.
 
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I was laughing more at your choice of music than the tennis, which was pretty good. On your serve, you are straightening out your hitting arm just before dropping the racquet, which robs you of a lot of power. Compare your hitting arm position to Federer's.

federer_serve.jpg


Notice how his elbow is bent more and slightly closer to his body.


P.S. If you want to take your game to the next level, you're going to have to develop a second serve that isn't just a decelerated first serve. Preferably some form of a topspin serve.

Nice vid, thanks for posting.

Thanks for telling me about this..i've never noticed that about my serve. I'll make sure to think about that the next time i play. Hopefully i'll see some improvement. Like honestly as of right now...every part of my game needs alot of work. but my serve is definitely the weakest parts of my game.

I'm unhappy with both my first and second serves. I'm pretty sure I use the continental but ill post a picture or a video for people to confirm. I'm pretty busy with school and other sports right now but i'll try and upload some clips of me serving.
 
WOW!!!
I just watched almost thru to the end.
Do you guys think ALL Asians serve like that? I can't believe how bad the two guys here are serving, with motions from girl's hell.
Groundies, OP is pretty good, but whimpy and more focused on hitting IN than placing the ball where it hurts.
Other guy is just goofing around, disinterested at best.
If OP practiced with normal guys who actually tried, he'd get much better, dump that horrid motion, and actually probably be able to play college ball in a couple of years.
Don't these guys EVER watch the pros play?
 
WOW!!!
I just watched almost thru to the end.
Do you guys think ALL Asians serve like that? I can't believe how bad the two guys here are serving, with motions from girl's hell.
Groundies, OP is pretty good, but whimpy and more focused on hitting IN than placing the ball where it hurts.
Other guy is just goofing around, disinterested at best.
If OP practiced with normal guys who actually tried, he'd get much better, dump that horrid motion, and actually probably be able to play college ball in a couple of years.
Don't these guys EVER watch the pros play?

I'm asian and I don't serve like that..My team(highschool) is pretty much 100% Asian, and none of us serve like this. Its pretty much how EVERYONE serves like, when they first start out of course.
 
Thank you for that. I've just seen a bunch of bad serving Asians post recently, and it's really getting to me.
Oh oh....one of my buds I play with, a GaryLee, now from Oakland, serves about a 24mph underspin/side component serve in matches. He could easily play in 4.0 doubles, if the other team lost patience just a little. Great lobber, retriever, volleyer, and a powerful overhead, he serves short and wide because his shoulders get sore, and he likes defensive tennis. I used to see his name in the 3rd round of ChineseNationals, and wondered who he was.
 
Thank you for that. I've just seen a bunch of bad serving Asians post recently, and it's really getting to me.
Oh oh....one of my buds I play with, a GaryLee, now from Oakland, serves about a 24mph underspin/side component serve in matches. He could easily play in 4.0 doubles, if the other team lost patience just a little. Great lobber, retriever, volleyer, and a powerful overhead, he serves short and wide because his shoulders get sore, and he likes defensive tennis. I used to see his name in the 3rd round of ChineseNationals, and wondered who he was.

Haha Thanks for that...and yeah are serves are probably not our greatest asset. But no all asians are like that LOL. My older cousin is quite an established player and hes been clocked in the 120's (mph) numerous times.
 
Haha Thanks for that...and yeah are serves are probably not our greatest asset. But no all asians are like that LOL. My older cousin is quite an established player and hes been clocked in the 120's (mph) numerous times.

The guy you are playing in the vid? He's been clocked in the 120's? That I seriously doubt...
 
Most Asians are first or second generation, so parents from homeland, yes.
Dad was a mountain hideout rat kid (in his words), stealing from the Viets and making do with barely anything. No tennis or sports, except fighting.
CRP, copy your older cousins service motion EXACTLY!
 
Thank you for that. I've just seen a bunch of bad serving Asians post recently, and it's really getting to me.
Oh oh....one of my buds I play with, a GaryLee, now from Oakland, serves about a 24mph underspin/side component serve in matches. He could easily play in 4.0 doubles, if the other team lost patience just a little. Great lobber, retriever, volleyer, and a powerful overhead, he serves short and wide because his shoulders get sore, and he likes defensive tennis. I used to see his name in the 3rd round of ChineseNationals, and wondered who he was.

I'm Asian and I would have to agree with LeeD here on having "seen a bunch of bad serving Asians" recently. I definitely don't approve of the wimpy serves but maybe I can attempt to understand their mindsets here.

Asians prioritize fluidity, smoothness, elegance and anything along the line of the flow of the wind, the flow of the water, the flow of chi...etc. The reason for this is that MOST of us Asians have a smaller, more slender and slimmer body type in general. Even martial arts that originated in Asia, such as Kung Fu, prioritizes fluidity and smoothness; where we lack in brute strength, we make up for in speed and agility to achieve "power." Now, if we look at martial arts originated in the West, we can see how Boxing and Wrestling shows off more brute strength; you don't try to use your opponents' power against him, you just fight strength with more strength (speaking in the most general way here, I know it's not ALL about brute strength).

Back on the topic of Tennis. No, I don't know why these Asians are serving this way, I'm sure it's because they're somewhat new to the game of Tennis and eventually they would want faster, more powerful strokes. I would recommend focusing on form, maintain your fluidity/smoothness and add more racquet-head speed, more burst into your strokes.

From another point of view, I've also seen a lot of "white" people just smash the ball...recklessly, even when they're out of position, it seems the answer to everything is MORE POWER!! Again, it goes back to what I was talking about in my second paragraph.
 
No, is he in the SFBayArea?
I've only played once with Focus42, and returned some of Kiteboard's serves about 4-5 years ago. The serves, a good combination of OK speed with lots of spin.
 
Yeah he wrote something you replied, did he contact you?


I didn't want to start a new thread for this but if anybody is in the norcal area that wants to hit just respond to this thread and we'll work something out!

I'm in NorCal, just north of Berkeley by 6 miles. Will be free to hit or play starting end of the week. Leave message, 510-965-2055. Falling to maybe high 3.5 now, playing once every two weeks since April.
 
Not yet.
NorCal can be a really big area, and I know some posters from the RedwoodCity area, but that's 30 miles away.
I can only post my phone # (which SocialSecurity won't accept as real) and see what happens.
 
Well...I've only just started "playing" tennis about 2 years ago and started taking it more seriously this last year. and the guy im playing with is in his first year of university but has been playing for a very very long time. He's not the most gifted athlete but he has been competitive with some of the true 'high level" juniors in our city.

My other cousin im referring too with the 120mph serve is a very good player. He could have played at a college level but is more focused on school and receiving a good education. Mind you he's about 6 inches shorter than i am and about 205 lbs of pure muscle.

As for myself I would really like to play a higher level of tennis when im older. I have no idea if its possible but I would like to think it is.
 
CRK...
You hit good, but lack strategy.
You seem to mindlessly hit the ball near your partner, but don't delineate between forehand or back, just down the center. REALLY try to have a preset target for every stroke.
You can get good, but you need much more time on court. My first 2 years, more than 6 days a week, 4 hours a day.
Then I started to hit with A women, but limited to no drops, no short angles, and limited serves.
This snowballed to 6 days a week, more than 8 hours AT the courts, but probably closer to 4 hours actual court time for a couple more years before things started to "click".
And JonnyS/V, he meant his older cousin, not that 120 KM serving dude.
 
I am Asian and my serve sucks, because in pingpong and badminton we serve underhanded!

but seriously, LeeD you fell into a typical statistical fallacy with small sample size.... whimpy serve aint got nothing to do with being Asian, but more with being a beginner LOL.
 
I just didn't like the idea of all these Asians posting their serves here who had wierd motions and wimpy serves. Makes one wonder, that's all.
MichaelChang and ParadornSchrichipan had OK serves, but not good ones.
 
I just didn't like the idea of all these Asians posting their serves here who had wierd motions and wimpy serves. Makes one wonder, that's all.
MichaelChang and ParadornSchrichipan had OK serves, but not good ones.

I put that more towards the Indian players (note: I'm not racist in the least). Look at two of the top Indian players on tour now: Bhupathi and Bhambri. They both have absolute horrid looking motions, but they obviously work (Bhambri's was a LOT worse, but I think he's been working on it). See examples one and two:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E9z02l0ads

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6-4rLjMnbM&feature=related
 
Yeah, but after the serve, there's a 6.5 player lurking in the dark, waiting to use his groundies and volleys.
VijayAmritri had one of the smoother, PanchoG looking motions ever.
Anon and Asshook were jerkier, smaller, and not quite as accomplished.
Must have something to do with the throwing balls when younger thing.
 
Yeah, but after the serve, there's a 6.5 player lurking in the dark, waiting to use his groundies and volleys.
VijayAmritri had one of the smoother, PanchoG looking motions ever.
Anon and Asshook were jerkier, smaller, and not quite as accomplished.
Must have something to do with the throwing balls when younger thing.

6.5? Just say an ATP pro, that's what they are, not a rating.
 
He looks all around to be the No.1 on his team. Seems maybe quickness and forehand is stronger than his serves.
Nice motion, for sure, but is it good enough for more than Div111 singles. When he's going for spots, his ball wanders quite a bit.
Can he keep grounded on his high backhand volleys?. Too many mishits.
He will soon be facing bigger and stronger opponent's.
He really should find a hard hitting GUY to hit against in the beginning, but possibly one doesn't exist at the time and place of filming.
And remember, a 5.0 female matches only to a 4.0 mens.
 
I've never had the opportunity to see myself play before and this past Christmas I got a new video camera so i decided to take it out for a spin and see how I looked. Honestly I was quite surprised when I saw myself and I couldn't stop laughing. But it was good and they say a picture is worth a thousand words...so a video should be worth like a million?

I've already gotten some feedback from my tennis friends/authorities and their thoughts but I thought it would be fun to see what the community at Talk Tennis has to say! So feel free leave a comment, or post a reply, be honest!, be positive!, be harsh! I'm open to everything.

Thanks for watching and if you can sit through the 11minutes enjoy!
=)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFAru8TvJ-c
On the forehand, there is a hitch, or pause at the bottom of your backswing. This destroys fluidity, and eliminates the downward momentum of the drop.
 
He looks all around to be the No.1 on his team. Seems maybe quickness and forehand is stronger than his serves.
Nice motion, for sure, but is it good enough for more than Div111 singles. When he's going for spots, his ball wanders quite a bit.
Can he keep grounded on his high backhand volleys?. Too many mishits.
He will soon be facing bigger and stronger opponent's.
He really should find a hard hitting GUY to hit against in the beginning, but possibly one doesn't exist at the time and place of filming.
And remember, a 5.0 female matches only to a 4.0 mens.

Although TRN isn't the best option for, Ben is only a 1-star on it, with some losses to no-star players. He has good strokes, but he must be missing something in matches.
 
There is hesitation because the racket is back nice and early.
Straight takeback gets the momentary hesistation, loop takebacks don't.
McEnroe always at that moment of hesitation, with his straight takeback.
Even Nadal, under match pressure ...or in practice vids, does a relatively straight takeback, hesistates a moment, then goes into his loop swing.
 
Well my eventual goal is to be able to play at a college or university level one day so I think I'll need some work. but for the time being does anybody have any thoughts on a solid gamestyle i will be able to excel at or atleast try out?

Right now I would consider myself an aggressive baseliner (atleast against the guys that i play against). I am most conferable hitting from the line but I do like to win points with a good volley.

I think once spring comes and the weather gets nicer ill start to really focus on making drastic improvements especially on gameplay, strategy, and toughness.
 
Looks like you're medium height and skinny, so movement might be one of your main strengths.
Since you hit western forehands, it's going to be hard to switch to and feel comfortable hitting lots of volleys with a continental grip. But conti is also your service and ovehead grip, so it might work.
2hbh'ers are not known for great volleying skills. Not that common, anyways, for a 2hbh player to have strong 1hbh underspin volleys. But with quickness and light feet, you can develop a normal 2hbh underspin volley like FrewMcMillian, GeneMayer, and a young JimmyConnors. It's not textbook, but it's VERY effective. You can always let go let hand and reach with your right, just like a 1hbh volley on wide balls.
Being light, you might be susceptible to being pushed around by bigger guys hitting heavy topspin deeper balls. You HAVE to learn to stand in and shorthop those balls back with heavy topspin short followthru, using both a low return and a half volley topspin looper/lob when they move towards net.
Big serves might give your trouble, as it's fun for fast servers to hit hard at little returners. HaroldSolomon solved that puzzle by hitting bent armed 2hbh's with western grip both sides. You have to stand in and face the big shots into the body, angling them off, hitting short, and lobbing if jammed.
Offensively, placement is your friend, as overpowering players is a less likely option. Really work on your balance and movement with your head still. You need more mental strength than the 6'4" guys, so you have to control yourself, your movements, and your strategy.
But give yourself 2 years. Hit the courts, the bigger the better (more), try to get some advice from better players. Coaching? Cost money. Most parents are strapped as is.
Always remember. You are hitting a little yellow tennis ball. No reason to ever shy away from it, no reason not to hit as hard as anyone else, it's just a little yellow fuzzy tennis ball.
Be positive, be strong, practice lots, and you should get close to your goals.
 
Looks like you're medium height and skinny, so movement might be one of your main strengths.
Since you hit western forehands, it's going to be hard to switch to and feel comfortable hitting lots of volleys with a continental grip. But conti is also your service and ovehead grip, so it might work.
2hbh'ers are not known for great volleying skills. Not that common, anyways, for a 2hbh player to have strong 1hbh underspin volleys. But with quickness and light feet, you can develop a normal 2hbh underspin volley like FrewMcMillian, GeneMayer, and a young JimmyConnors. It's not textbook, but it's VERY effective. You can always let go let hand and reach with your right, just like a 1hbh volley on wide balls.
Being light, you might be susceptible to being pushed around by bigger guys hitting heavy topspin deeper balls. You HAVE to learn to stand in and shorthop those balls back with heavy topspin short followthru, using both a low return and a half volley topspin looper/lob when they move towards net.
Big serves might give your trouble, as it's fun for fast servers to hit hard at little returners. HaroldSolomon solved that puzzle by hitting bent armed 2hbh's with western grip both sides. You have to stand in and face the big shots into the body, angling them off, hitting short, and lobbing if jammed.
Offensively, placement is your friend, as overpowering players is a less likely option. Really work on your balance and movement with your head still. You need more mental strength than the 6'4" guys, so you have to control yourself, your movements, and your strategy.
But give yourself 2 years. Hit the courts, the bigger the better (more), try to get some advice from better players. Coaching? Cost money. Most parents are strapped as is.
Always remember. You are hitting a little yellow tennis ball. No reason to ever shy away from it, no reason not to hit as hard as anyone else, it's just a little yellow fuzzy tennis ball.
Be positive, be strong, practice lots, and you should get close to your goals.

Yeah just one of the many things i need to improve on. My size LOL. 5'10 and 135lbs isnt going to cut it =(
 
When you play guys that hit soft like your partner, maybe you should try moving your feet more. Split step like the guy is hitting hard, and get turned earlier. You have no power on your shots because you are using a heavy western grip and are not slugging it with your full body.

I had a similar issue and switched grips and worked on my feet and weight transfer.

If you want to play college level, you will need to hit a heavier ball. What you are hitting now would be crushed because it bounces into the strike zone with no pace.
 
When you play guys that hit soft like your partner, maybe you should try moving your feet more. Split step like the guy is hitting hard, and get turned earlier. You have no power on your shots because you are using a heavy western grip and are not slugging it with your full body.

I had a similar issue and switched grips and worked on my feet and weight transfer.

If you want to play college level, you will need to hit a heavier ball. What you are hitting now would be crushed because it bounces into the strike zone with no pace.

Not everyone means D1 level when they say college tennis. My brother plays college tennis, and this guys forehand looks about the same. Not that he shouldn't look to improve, especially his serve, but "college tennis" doesn't always mean 6.0 ringers.
 
Once again...
5'10" and 135 can hit 125+ mph serves, and groundies as hard as anyone. And being in high school, you might grow another 6", like I did after graduation. Practice the throwing motion.
Hesistation is fine on strokes with direct straight takeback.
You're as tall as Hewitt and Chang, close to Schrishipan, don't limit yourself.
 
Not everyone means D1 level when they say college tennis. My brother plays college tennis, and this guys forehand looks about the same. Not that he shouldn't look to improve, especially his serve, but "college tennis" doesn't always mean 6.0 ringers.

Ok well I hit with a few ex college players sometimes, and you can't leave those types of balls sitting in their strike zones. They are probably 5.0s now, and i would imagine that to be a level that a future college player should want to get to.
 
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