My hitting session with Matt

[Maximagq]

Matt,

Aside from adding more topspin to my strokes, is there any other feedback you have on my all-around game?

My serves were off because it was a new racquet--much lighter than my usual one (304g unstrung vs 330g unstrung), so they probably weren't much of a threat.

Thanks!

Hey Andre sorry for the late response. The serve was kind of hard to judge because of the racket. For the volleys, you definitely want to catch it earlier because you had me on the full run as a sitting duck on a few points and your racket was too far behind the plane of your shoulder. If it had been in front, you would have been able to stick the volley and end the point smoothly. What I've learned on the volley is to not move your arm and just turn a little bit with the hip and the shoulder. You always want a slight bend in your arm to form a V vertex on the volley. Then, to make the racket come forward, just squeeze the handle. An excellent drill to practice this is to volley against a wall. You realize that you will have to be very efficient with this technique and you can't take a swing at all or the ball is by you.

 

[zapvor]

Hey guys, sorry for starting another thread about this but I'm on painkillers and couldn't go through the other threads and respond appropriately. I'm in line at the airport, feeling somewhat drunk, and in a lot of pain (despite the meds).

The experience was awesome, though, and I really learned a lot from hitting with Matt and playing almost an entire set. His game is awesome and he easily puts away any ball that isn't fast and well placed--he puts most of those away as well.

He helped me assess my approximate rating, gave me invaluable tips on my forehand and backhand, and played a set with both my friend and me. I can't thank him enough.

Video is coming as soon as I get back to Brazil. Unfortunately, my 13-year old cousin who filmed it thought he was Scorcese and constantly moved the camera and focused on things other than the action one he court. Hopefully there is enough good footage to be useful. Ill get it uploaded ASAP.

Thanks again, Matt. Next time I'm hiring you for a private. If I learned that much just hitting around with you, I can only imagine how much ill learn by picking your brain for an hour.

you live in brazil?

 

[aimr75]

That was just for one particularly annoying video not all videos. Thanks for keeping me on your mind though. Very touching.

Im happy i can so easily annoy you.. you are a laugh. Go post in the numerous threads in this section with vids that dont ask for advice if you want to be consistent

 

[TennisCJC]

Matt,

Aside from adding more topspin to my strokes, is there any other feedback you have on my all-around game?

My serves were off because it was a new racquet--much lighter than my usual one (304g unstrung vs 330g unstrung), so they probably weren't much of a threat.

Thanks!

Hi, you have a good game. Here's my feedback.

Watch how Matt's take back is more compact. Watch how Matt's forward swing (arm/racket movement) is more in unison with his core (hip/shoulder) rotation. I think you could improve by working on keeping 2 hands on the racket on your FH until you start your swing - this will shorten your take back. I also think you can improve by working on letting the hips and shoulders pull the arm/racket. Basically, let the hips/shoulder drive the swing - you can take a few shadow strokes at home and get the feel of the hips starting the swing.

I think Matt gets easier more consistent power because of his more compact swing with more coordination between his core rotation and his arm/racket.

 

[andrehanderson]

Hey Andre sorry for the late response. The serve was kind of hard to judge because of the racket. For the volleys, you definitely want to catch it earlier because you had me on the full run as a sitting duck on a few points and your racket was too far behind the plane of your shoulder. If it had been in front, you would have been able to stick the volley and end the point smoothly. What I've learned on the volley is to not move your arm and just turn a little bit with the hip and the shoulder. You always want a slight bend in your arm to form a V vertex on the volley. Then, to make the racket come forward, just squeeze the handle. An excellent drill to practice this is to volley against a wall. You realize that you will have to be very efficient with this technique and you can't take a swing at all or the ball is by you.

Great advice! Thank you!

It's so funny because I was a serve and volleyer in high school and volleying, in particular, came really naturally to me. But for some reason, in returning to tennis, I seem to have lost my talent for it. Thanks! I'll work on it!

 

[andrehanderson]

you live in brazil?

yeah, in Brasilia. Do you ever come down here?

 

[andrehanderson]

Hi, you have a good game. Here's my feedback.

Watch how Matt's take back is more compact. Watch how Matt's forward swing (arm/racket movement) is more in unison with his core (hip/shoulder) rotation. I think you could improve by working on keeping 2 hands on the racket on your FH until you start your swing - this will shorten your take back. I also think you can improve by working on letting the hips and shoulders pull the arm/racket. Basically, let the hips/shoulder drive the swing - you can take a few shadow strokes at home and get the feel of the hips starting the swing.

I think Matt gets easier more consistent power because of his more compact swing with more coordination between his core rotation and his arm/racket.

Thank you! I agree with you completely. I think I need to incorporate the pat the dog step with a shorter takeback. I think I need to work on my finish, as well. I dont seem to get the wrap around follow through that modern players have. Mine looks more old school, I think.

 

[zapvor]

yeah, in Brasilia. Do you ever come down here?

omg! can i get an email for you? i need to ask you something

 

[andrehanderson]

Definitely! Andrehanderson@hotmail.com

 

[zapvor]

thanks sent you email

 

[andrehanderson]

Replied! Thanks!