NTRP Rating *Video Included*

NTRP - No idea!

Don't particularly like the way he prep's his forehand, but damn the lad can accelerate!

Cheers
 
Larrysümmers said:
i could agree with 5.5. having had a history deep at state, d1 no doubt though
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Easy with that one. Keep in mind kids are recruited internationally to play D1 tennis. Being state champ in your state doesn't = D1. I am in no way knocking the kid: he's outstanding. Just remember that kids that don't go pro and end up playing D1 tennis are still playing (inter)national tournaments as well i.e. Orange Bowl, Easter Bowl, etc. That one guy who played D1 college tennis and is decent these days...John Isner I think? Someone else played D1 tennis and chose to go pro too...ended up top 5 in the world...James Blake. Oh, and that one dude who won the Orange Bowl years back from Switzerland. Roger something ;)

In other words, not all D1 players are created equally even if they start at the same place as a junior. Now obviously the majority of D1 players and even outstanding juniors don't end up turning professional. The point is, if the OP who is posting this video is related to the kid in the video, getting his hopes up incredibly high should be done with care as you can see from the above, there are all variety of D1 caliber players.
 
Dude could play D1 top 6 as long as he isnt looking at a place like USC or somewhere of that level, he would be sitting and cheering at a place like that. Mid D1 he would probably see some playing time as a freshman. Gotta be open level imo.
 
USERNAME said:
Dude could play D1 top 6 as long as he isnt looking at a place like USC or somewhere of that level, he would be sitting and cheering at a place like that. Mid D1 he would probably see some playing time as a freshman. Gotta be open level imo.
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My point exactly. You need to be careful when throwing out the term D1 for tennis. Not the same like it is in other sports. Stanford, UCLA, Ohio State are all D1. Xavier, Tulane and Maryland are also D1. Not quite in the same playing league though.
 
Well I'm the guy in the video. I didn't want to say it at first because I wanted a fair judgment for the better or worse.

I appreciate all the nice comments you guys have.

I completely agree on the level of DI. I couldn't even dream of playing for Stanford or USC.. I know that and everyone that has ever seen me play knows that. I am a Senior and have been getting recruited by mainly DI schools. A couple have been mid and a couple have been lower mid. On a 1-10 scale (Stanford being a 10) its been colleges 3-6..
 
DownTheLine said:
Well I'm the guy in the video. I didn't want to say it at first because I wanted a fair judgment for the better or worse.

I appreciate all the nice comments you guys have.

I completely agree on the level of DI. I couldn't even dream of playing for Stanford or USC.. I know that and everyone that has ever seen me play knows that. I am a Senior and have been getting recruited by mainly DI schools. A couple have been mid and a couple have been lower mid. On a 1-10 scale (Stanford being a 10) its been colleges 3-6..
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Marry me now.
 
BC_diggerOR3rd_2.jpg


It's this one.
His name is Digger.
 
DownTheLine said:
Well I'm the guy in the video. I didn't want to say it at first because I wanted a fair judgment for the better or worse.

I appreciate all the nice comments you guys have.

I completely agree on the level of DI. I couldn't even dream of playing for Stanford or USC.. I know that and everyone that has ever seen me play knows that. I am a Senior and have been getting recruited by mainly DI schools. A couple have been mid and a couple have been lower mid. On a 1-10 scale (Stanford being a 10) its been colleges 3-6..
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Nice play, and best of luck with your college career.

It's obvious that you have good form and great feet, so I would agree with 5.0+. But hard to judge overall ability based on just rallying. Serve and ROS are pretty important also, no? And I'm sure we all know people who look great when warming up / rallying, but then can't put it all together in a match. Certainly not knocking you here because from what the videos show you are a very good player; just saying we don't have the full picture.
 
OrangePower said:
Nice play, and best of luck with your college career.

It's obvious that you have good form and great feet, so I would agree with 5.0+. But hard to judge overall ability based on just rallying. Serve and ROS are pretty important also, no? And I'm sure we all know people who look great when warming up / rallying, but then can't put it all together in a match. Certainly not knocking you here because from what the videos show you are a very good player; just saying we don't have the full picture.
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I am working on a match video because a certain coach wanted to see it. I'll post it here once I get it on my computer.. it has been quite the struggle
 
I love your backhand. It has a really smooth action to it. Forehand is kinda funky, at least aesthetically (to me). The take-back is a bit low. You're a much higher level than I but I think you'd get more easily-accessible power if your racquet started higher on the forehand. Then again it's hard to argue with the end result.
 
This kid can win open matches, and some open tournys. That would depend on serve/return/variety/adjustments/match aggression/consistency under pressure, etc. That's what separates guys who look good in practice from guys who win in matches.
 
stormholloway said:
I love your backhand. It has a really smooth action to it. Forehand is kinda funky, at least aesthetically (to me). The take-back is a bit low. You're a much higher level than I but I think you'd get more easily-accessible power if your racquet started higher on the forehand. Then again it's hard to argue with the end result.
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It's very unique (the forehand). I think a larger takeback would be ideal. Reason being, he generates enormous RHS in the latter 1/2 of the swing, but the first half is relatively static. If it was smoothed out ala Federer to be a constant acceleration, I cannot see how that forehand would not be diabolical. Do keep in mind that I am not a coach and am only commenting from a physics perspective.
 
Actually, I think I know exactly what it is. OP, did you teach yourself the WW finish after having started to play tennis? The reason why I ask is because it does not look natural and appears that you're forcing the followthrough rather than letting the racquet create the WW motion. In other words, it looks like you're purposely torquing your wrist to impart more spin than letting the swing itself generate the spin. This also appears to be the case because you take the ball rather late considering how fast you swing rather than hitting in front and truly driving through the ball. Your body rarely ends up in front of where you began your swing aka core rotation into the ball. Are my suspicions correct?
 
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Not enough coil to start with will cost him a lot of matches. Needs to also load back more towards the rear on the plant foot, and reach back more for more voltage/kinetic potential. The force you apply forward is only equal to the force you apply rear ward. This is a guy who could really benefit from a pro customization of his equipment. I'd silicone his handle, give him a pro frame and mass, and use the best string for his game at a higher tension, and work on his take back. (Try the quadro twist/bhb7 hybrid, on a pt57a at 360g.) Also his bh volley is late and hesitant, not knifing it like a natural volleyer would do. Buy one of my frames, and I will weight it and string it for your game. I can write an article about it and put it up on a major site, and that would give you world wide exposure. $300 for the frame, and $100 for stringing/customizing, and ship costs: $60. Juniors from Spain will see you in action.
 
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Yea I did steal it from Steffi, but hey who's keepin track? Gonna hopefully get that match video up tonight. Will post it here if so.
 
Again...
Remember when Steffi was dominating women's tennis with the "best" forehand in the women's game?
Her fellow German, AnkeHuber, was acknowledged to have the second best forehand. Just like yours. Your forehand is plenty good enough.
 
It's not good enough to go past where he is. The fh has to be good enough to put away any short ball against any player, if the ball is in the middle of the court. His take back is constricted, like old school players. He has the foot speed and body punch to be way better. Study Djokovic or Nad or Fed or Delpo or Tsonga or _______ and none of them abbreviate it as much.
 
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Hi Geoff.
While I agree a loop motion oval shaped and continous is the modern call, we have to take into account player preferences. DTL is an advanced player, should have availible coaching, and he would have already heard tons of advice to change his forehand. Maybe he likes it?
Maybe he also needs backhand and volley help, strategy and prep help, mental help, and possibly, though I doubt it, serve help. His serve prep is all over the map strange, but from trophy on, it's spot on.
 
kiteboard said:
All this kid needs is the right coach/equipment/string/tension and he could be world class in a year.
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Is this forum founded on hyperbole? World class in a year based on equipment and a coach? Are you implying then that all D2 and low and mid D1 players could be national stars if they changed their equipment and had different coaches prior to selecting their respective colleges?
 
Downtheline, please make no mistake. You're a fantastic player. But kiteboard's statement is preposterous since it implies everything based on a single youtube video.
 
He has the inate ability, is all I am saying. He in all probability will not get what he needs: a tough coach, the right equipment, the right practice/partners/mentoring, etc. Likelihood is not very high, but it's up to him, not a key board warrior. He has the quick twitch you cannot coach. Can't coach speed. Everything else, yes. Form, attitude, equipment, practice habits, discipline, conditioning, air flight connections, visas, entry fees, etc. All coachable. Speedy muscles, not as much. Look at how much Sampras drilled the med. ball for more core speed. I'd have this kid out there for 4hrs./day. He has not been playing for very long, and look at his progress. Just freaky.
 
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Nice videos. Great ball striking.
Looks like a solid SoCal 5.5, if not 6.0. Definitely an Open player.
I was just at USC vs. UCLA last week- those top 6 players on each squad are darn good.
I don't think mid range D-I is far fetched for this kid at all. The best of luck!

OP- Just for reference in another thread:

What racquet and strings are you using?

When do you first see movement in your strings?

How long do they last before breaking or go dead?

Thanks.
 
BigT said:
Nice videos. Great ball striking.
Looks like a solid SoCal 5.5, if not 6.0. Definitely an Open player.
I was just at USC vs. UCLA last week- those top 6 players on each squad are darn good.
I don't think mid range D-I is far fetched for this kid at all. The best of luck!

OP- Just for reference in another thread:

What racquet and strings are you using?

When do you first see movement in your strings?

How long do they last before breaking or go dead?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
OP- Just for reference in another thread:

What racquet and strings are you using? Prestige Pro. ALU Power

When do you first see movement in your strings? I usually don't see any movement because they will break before then.

How long do they last before breaking or go dead? Depends if it's summer or winter. In the summer its every day and half or so and winter every 3 days. They always break before going dead.

Uploading the match video right now. I don't think it's anywhere near my best, but my coach thinks its a pretty decent video(I disagree strongly). Missed a lot of easy forehands..

Will post here in 15 mins
 
pvaudio said:
Downtheline, please make no mistake. You're a fantastic player. But kiteboard's statement is preposterous since it implies everything based on a single youtube video.
Click to expand...

You're fine. No way I could ever become a world class player.. that's insane
 
user92626 said:
Hey nice video. Since you said this was a match, I skipped to 11th minute or so. Did you guys intend to keep the points short or what? Is this the "first striker's strategy"? :)
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Well I mainly play first strike tennis.. It was quite an ugly set from both of us, but I'll take a 6-2 win over a guy that plays 1-2 at a college any day.
 
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