Need advice on my strokes after 2 years of not-playing

[RobB]

Dear community,

I started playing Tennis some years ago, but then I stopped playing for around 2 years.
This winter I missed it so much that I started playing again.
In the last 3 months I played a total of about 15 hours.

Needless to say I feel like I have unlearnt all the technique.
It certainly didn't help that most of my past coaches didn't explain the strokes in detail.

Even if this is going to be rather embarassing:
I tried to record a useful video of myself playing today.
Alas the viewing angle and the quality isn't the best. The gorillapod and the smartphone were a bit shaky.

I would be extremly grateful if you could give me hints on how I could improve.
Just point out whatever crosses your mind while watching the videos.
On the slow-motion the audio is badly out-of synch. I apologize and will try to fix that!

Here's video #1: trying to hit a few serves (alas almost none clears the net ).


Video #2: same as video #1 but set to 3fps.



Video #3: playing a set with my hitting partner. For those who didn't watch the previous videos: I am the guy in the black shirt. Man In Black so to speak .




Video #4: example of a topspin forehand.

Video #5: same as video #4 but set to 3fps.



Video #6: example of a two-handed topspin backhand.

Video #7: same as video #6 but set to 3fps.



After those 2 years of not playing I have lost all the confidence in my strokes.
Especially when I hit a topspin forehand, I tend to just play moon balls all day long, as you can see in the video #3.
I would like to add more speed and spin so I can create atleast a bit of pressure.

The two-handed backhand is even worse. Somehow I always feel awkward when hitting hit and the ball almost never passes the service line, hence being an easy ball for the opponent .
It seem like my technique is quite off there, right?


As I have no consistent serve technique, my second serves are more of a throw-in .
I was told that I use a classic "waiter tray" position on my serve.


I apologize again for the bad camera quality and camera angle.


I hope you could give me some solid advice, I want to reach my previous level of play desperately!

 

[Relinquis]

Not that bad. Rusty, but it will come back quickly.

For your 2nd* serve:
- Hit topspin serves
- Hit up at the ball, like you are throwing your racquet up at the ball (you can see the ball against the sky or ceiling as you swing up). Your arm should feel relaxed and loose. (tip: stand at baseline with a few balls and no racquet. throw the balls up and into the court and try to get them to clear the net and go beyond the other side's service line. You will find that you have to throw up more. You will probably hit the net a few times, don't be discouraged. this will be difficult. if you can clear the net you should be able to hit a consistent, safe spin serve for your level. If you can reach the baseline you should be able to hit massive serves).
- back to serving with racquet
- Stay sideways longer as you swing up to the ball rather than turning too quickly into the court (for topspin serves). Right now you are sometimes turning in too quickly and end up hitting the ball as you are swinging down, long after the apex of your swing. ball hits net.
- Toss the ball 'slightly' into the court (same motion as you currently have, but a little into the court). Tip: toss the ball as if you were going to serve, but don't make contact. Does it land in the court or on the baseline? It should land in the court a little bit, but certainly not outside of the court. If it lands near your head, but inside the court, that's not a problem imo.
- Check out this drill in order to test your ball toss and to feel how easy it is to clear the net when you hit up at the ball. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j34COa_LFKg It look silly, but try it once. Once you feel how relaxed it is to clear the net while on your knees, when you stand the net will feel very, very low.


For Forehand:
- Tennis is played in front. Make contact in front of your body. More in front than you are now, not at your side, stand in front of the ball and hit it when it is more in front of you. More in front than you think makes sense. Try it. Have a friend hand feed you balls so you can feel it.
- This will free you up to swing through normally at the ball and create easy depth and will benefit from natural spin of your stroke as your racquet will naturally be more closed at that point.
- if you hit the net too often, just swing more low to height and finish a bit higher.

Read my signature. i'm not a coach. Try to get one as he will help you with drills and feedback. Either way, coach or not, practice one or two things per session so you can focus and develop session by session.

Good luck.


* Others will give you tips for your normal serve, 1st serve and what the ideal trophy position is and pronation and all of that stuff.

 

[Dasol]

Feel bad to say this, but I think you need a better hitting partner to improve your game.

 

[RobB]

Despite not being a coach, you have a lot of helpful hints to offer, Relinquis, thanks!

Regarding my forehand I will try to hit it more in front. Changing the timing is going to be quite difficult, but I will try to force myself to start my swing earlier.

What about the two-handed backhand?
I feel I am doing an awful lot wrong there.
Is it the contact point, the swinging path or something else?
What do you think is the biggest flaw, when you watch the example above?

 

[Kilco]

What about the two-handed backhand?
I feel I am doing an awful lot wrong there.
Is it the contact point, the swinging path or something else?
What do you think is the biggest flaw, when you watch the example above?

Backhand needs to be learnt again, I'm afraid. It is too wristy and you are using your arm way to much....The swing should be intiated from the shoulder. Watch pros and compare them to you and you will see. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=4R8LphYrA5g#t=6s Compare that with your takeback at exactly 0.02 in your video.

You need to fix the backhand or you will never be able to generate any sort of power with it ever!!! You are not using your shoulder and rotating your trunk. Look at your video carefully and you can see the swing only comes from your arms and wrist flicking...Best thing to do is to practice as the pros do with a medicine ball or basketball ad work on leading with shoulder and a unit turn with the body. The hands and raqcuet should remain steady like the murray backhand video...The shoulder and body rotating gives you the effortless power! Good luck

 

[Relinquis]

glad to be of help Rob.

i don't know much about two handed backhands, but for your slice, just make sure that use continental grip. it is preferred.