Noob practice with wall, need advice.

[Pctopcool]

Hi,

Just found this forum recently, and have learned a lot here!

I took a couple tennis courses ten years ago back in college (tennis 101 level), and haven't played since then. I recently started playing with friends (about five times), and have been trying to pick up the lost techniques. I'm hoping to get some advice on my forehand groundstroke.

Here is a short video of me practicing with a wall. I felt pretty good about my strokes when practicing. But looking at the video, it seems very awkward and weak. However, I couldn't identify any apparent aspect that I can improve. I really appreciate if you can share your thought, and give me some advice.

Thanks!
Mike

 

[Pctopcool]

BTW, sorry for the quality of the video, and please ignore the last backhand

 

[Rattler]

Keep it up, you look stiff, because your thinking about your stroke...rather than having the muscle memory automaticity of the stroke. Keep hitting, keep adjusting and it will become second nature....

 

[Pctopcool]

Keep it up, you look stiff, because your thinking about your stroke...rather than having the muscle memory automaticity of the stroke. Keep hitting, keep adjusting and it will become second nature....

Thanks a lot for the advice! Will keep practicing.

 

[Shroud]

Mad props for posting a vid! And playing in the cold. I cant see anything in the vid though as its really dark

 

[AlxThm]

Try to make a goal everytime you hit with the wall (Forehand, backhand, footwork, power, consistency, etc.) And keep on recording yourself so that way you can notice whats wrong and see the cause behind

 

[Pctopcool]

Try to make a goal everytime you hit with the wall (Forehand, backhand, footwork, power, consistency, etc.) And keep on recording yourself so that way you can notice whats wrong and see the cause behind

Good point about setting a goal. I did feel lost after 30 minutes if I hit aimlessly. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Pctopcool]

Mad props for posting a vid! And playing in the cold. I cant see anything in the vid though as its really dark

Thanks for the encouragement! I hate winter, can only play in the dark

 

[NuBas]

This is how it all starts man, just keep playing and keep learning from everyone you can and take what is useful to you and leave what doesn't make sense to you. I think you look fine as a beginner and much less awkward than you think.

 

[Pctopcool]

This is how it all starts man, just keep playing and keep learning from everyone you can and take what is useful to you and leave what doesn't make sense to you. I think you look fine as a beginner and much less awkward than you think.

Thanks for the kind words! I've just set 6am alarm for another training session!

 

[Yoneyama]

I love the wall, I find it the best way of solidifying the foundations of a new technique.

Often I watch a pro, and become obsessed with the biomechanical action of their forehand, or backhand. I shadow swing it in my house and get a feel for the swing, comparing it to what I see on the screen, and then I take it to the wall.

E.g. this year I have focused on developing a 'delpo' style forehand. Eastern grip, shoulder height take back, relatively straight arm. Also focused on getting my OHBH more like Wawrinkas, with more body coil and vertical racquet head direction for more topspin. I just practice it non stop on the wall before I take it into matchplay.

 

[iChen]

Thanks for the kind words! I've just set 6am alarm for another training session!

Have fun! It’s annoying practicing here in Boston in the fall and winter.

Maybe try buying less sticky tape and tape a box on the wall and work on aiming?

 

[Pctopcool]

I love the wall, I find it the best way of solidifying the foundations of a new technique.

Often I watch a pro, and become obsessed with the biomechanical action of their forehand, or backhand. I shadow swing it in my house and get a feel for the swing, comparing it to what I see on the screen, and then I take it to the wall.

E.g. this year I have focused on developing a 'delpo' style forehand. Eastern grip, shoulder height take back, relatively straight arm. Also focused on getting my OHBH more like Wawrinkas, with more body coil and vertical racquet head direction for more topspin. I just practice it non stop on the wall before I take it into matchplay.

Yep, a wall is the the most loyal training partner one can ever find!

 

[Pctopcool]

Have fun! It’s annoying practicing here in Boston in the fall and winter.

Maybe try buying less sticky tape and tape a box on the wall and work on aiming?

I feel you, winter here in Chicago isn't much better. And thanks for the tape idea, will give it a try.

 

[beltsman]

Thanks for the kind words! I've just set 6am alarm for another training session!

Don't burn yourself out.

 

[Pctopcool]

Don't burn yourself out.

 

[WestboroChe]

Hi,

Just found this forum recently, and have learned a lot here!

I took a couple tennis courses ten years ago back in college (tennis 101 level), and haven't played since then. I recently started playing with friends (about five times), and have been trying to pick up the lost techniques. I'm hoping to get some advice on my forehand groundstroke.

Here is a short video of me practicing with a wall. I felt pretty good about my strokes when practicing. But looking at the video, it seems very awkward and weak. However, I couldn't identify any apparent aspect that I can improve. I really appreciate if you can share your thought, and give me some advice.

Thanks!
Mike

Yes. You look awkward, but don't sweat it. You are hitting the ball more or less correctly and with practice will improve. My suggestion is to sign up for one of those group lessons at a club or rec center. You'll get some basic instruction and meet some other noobs you can practice against and it doesn't cost that much.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

Hi,

Just found this forum recently, and have learned a lot here!

I took a couple tennis courses ten years ago back in college (tennis 101 level), and haven't played since then. I recently started playing with friends (about five times), and have been trying to pick up the lost techniques. I'm hoping to get some advice on my forehand groundstroke.

Here is a short video of me practicing with a wall. I felt pretty good about my strokes when practicing. But looking at the video, it seems very awkward and weak. However, I couldn't identify any apparent aspect that I can improve. I really appreciate if you can share your thought, and give me some advice.

Thanks!
Mike

not bad.
now build up consistency (hit the same 2x2 square, approximately 2-3ft over the net)
then build up power

can you hit say 5-10 fh in a row while absolutely crushing it every time?

that particular wall gives alot of negative feedback (ie. ball flies over the short wall!). my wall is twice the height, and i'll still eventually shank it over the wall.

http://www.top-tennis-training.com/improve-your-tennis-using-a-backboard-wall/ (best compilation of wall drills IMO)
i still do alot of them. IMO a million times more productive (hitting against the wall), than hacking it up with some random 3.5 (so great if you don't have a partner)

 

[AllCourtHeathen]

Its good to use those low compression orange balls against the wall sometimes as they come back slow, so you have the time to concentrate on whatever technical aspect yr trying to change better.

I painted a net on the wall i hit on, and targets at several points to aim at for correct net clearance for my shots, and for serving.

 

[Nellie]

I really like the pace you are hitting with. It is really good for grooving your strokes.

I feel like you are hitting the forehand with only your arm (no torso) and late (behind your shoulders), so you are opening the face of your racquet to pop up the ball a little.

I would suggest getting your bh (left) arm more involved. As soon as possible when the ball hits the wall, point at the ball with your left hand to cause your shoulders to turn and bring back the racquet. Stay on your toes and use little steps to move into location to hit the forehand. Then use that left hand as a guide - the left hand represents about how far in front of your body you want to make contact with the ball. Good luck.

PS. I like to do ten really good shots (jump step when the ball hits the wall, keep on your toes with feet moving, and focusing on the ball). Then pickup, take a breather, and do it again. I think that light hitting for 30 minutes straight is a poor simulation matches plays. I do finish practice sometimes by hitting 100 in a row to work on my consistency.