Please Help My Floundering Game

[RafaPower]

Hello fellow tennis fanatics.

I come to you in my hour of need, and seek your wisdom. Today I suffered an absolutely soul-crushing 7-6, 6-1 loss. The soul crushing aspect is the fact I was serving 5-4 and 40 love up, and yet still managed to lose the set. I gave away the second set as I couldn't mentally focus anymore; it was one blown set too many, and one of those losses where you question why you play tennis at all. I play several times a week, but matches like this are frequently making me question if I've made any real progress at all. I now have zero confidence in game.

I'm a self-taught recreational player who makes LOTS of errors. Please help. I try and hit with a lot of heavy topspin and bully my opponent - forcing them into error. Problem is, I'm usually the one making the error (usually the put away-shot) before my plan of attack can succeed. I mainly hit my groundstrokes long rather than in the net. It's as if I'm not really getting the grip on the ball for the topspin to dip down in time; like I'm losing it at contact. For example, I'm horrendous at mid-court no-pace balls. I almost always hit them out if I go for anything other than weak pace. Is it the follow through? Am I hitting it too wristy?

Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. I don't wanna be stuck at this level forever. I'm gonna work on getting some decent footage soon for everyone to critique. This is all I have at the moment. Sorry, they're both not great.


Here's a few rallies (I'm down the other end). Sorry it looks so far away, that's GoPro for ya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_4kjPv6plM

Here's some of me hitting stationary forehands (Sorry, it's not much to go on): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNZOGO3ZklU

 

[fuzzfactory]

Most of the time in game situations, people tend to tense up, which leads to their wrist/arm being too stiff and hence why a lot of balls go out. In short, I think you are becoming the opposite of "wristy."

Do you play lots of games? I find that the more I play, the more my confidence builds. A mental strat I sometimes use is to pretend I'm in a rally where I'm just feeding the opponent fair balls. Once I get more into the groove (i.e. loosening up), I'll start going for heavier and heavier balls.

You could try reading the Inner Game of Tennis by Tim Gallwey, he talks about methods on how to calm yourself in game (high stress) situations.

I have a GoPro too.. I get better footage when I lower the capture angle (default is wide angle I believe).

 

[RafaPower]

I definitely do tense up, which certainly doesn't help. I had a league match today, I was trying to stay loose, but my shots were still mostly wild. My luck started to improve when I focused on turning my shoulder on the groundies, so maybe that's something that freezes under pressure.

Believe it or not, I own The Inner Game of Tennis haha. Great book. I can't say I've made any real discernible effort to put it into practice though - maybe I should. I think if I felt more confident in my technique I could relax more in match environments. At the moment I feel being calm and composed won't be enough to get me to the level I want to be at - though it will definitely help bring down my errors.

 

[ARKustom93]

For a better 'picture' of you as a player, next time record yourself playing out points(of the feed, no serve), 10-12 pts per segment, preferably with a partner capable of giving you various opponent types to look at, and post that, along with your own analysis.

 

[anubis]

Hello fellow tennis fanatics.

I come to you in my hour of need, and seek your wisdom. Today I suffered an absolutely soul-crushing 7-6, 6-1 loss. The soul crushing aspect is the fact I was serving 5-4 and 40 love up, and yet still managed to lose the set. I gave away the second set as I couldn't mentally focus anymore; it was one blown set too many, and one of those losses where you question why you play tennis at all. I play several times a week, but matches like this are frequently making me question if I've made any real progress at all. I now have zero confidence in game.

I'm a self-taught recreational player who makes LOTS of errors. Please help. I try and hit with a lot of heavy topspin and bully my opponent - forcing them into error. Problem is, I'm usually the one making the error (usually the put away-shot) before my plan of attack can succeed. I mainly hit my groundstrokes long rather than in the net. It's as if I'm not really getting the grip on the ball for the topspin to dip down in time; like I'm losing it at contact. For example, I'm horrendous at mid-court no-pace balls. I almost always hit them out if I go for anything other than weak pace. Is it the follow through? Am I hitting it too wristy?

Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. I don't wanna be stuck at this level forever. I'm gonna work on getting some decent footage soon for everyone to critique. This is all I have at the moment. Sorry, they're both not great.


Here's a few rallies (I'm down the other end). Sorry it looks so far away, that's GoPro for ya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_4kjPv6plM

Here's some of me hitting stationary forehands (Sorry, it's not much to go on): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNZOGO3ZklU

Most people "practice" by hitting harder and aggressively than their match play -- usually because we tighten up during match play. If these hitting vids are representative of this theory, then you have an aggression problem. You aren't giving your opponent they can't handle easily. You're lobbing them softballs and they're knocking them out of the park. Then, when you play a match, you're likely dialing it down even more, allowing your opponents to walk all over you.

There's many keys to winning matches. Some say it's consistency. Others prefer to just hit deep. Really, the key to winning matches is a little of everything. You've got to ALWAYS look for opportunities to turn a defensive situation into an offensive one. You need to be able to switch from just getting the ball back, to turning up the aggression and really try to push your opponent behind the baseline, and/or off to the side so that you can either force the error or set yourself up for a winner.

It looks like your problem is you don't really hit aggressively. Just getting the ball back isn't enough -- good players can take advantage of that. You've got to step into the shot. You've got to swing the frame faster. You've got to hit with more top spin, get it deeper, and make your opponent uncomfortable. Find a weak point and press on it: are they uncomfortable at net? bring them to you. Are they uncomfortable with their backhand? abuse that side.

That's my 0.02 good luck

 

[skiracer55]

Looks like it's a combination...

...of two things:

- You have some stroke production problems. I'd clean these up first.

- You need to be more match tough. Lots of ways to get there, if you have confidence in your strokes (see bullet #1), it's a lot easier to be mentally tough in a match.

 

[RafaPower]

Thanks for the advice guys! I'd definitely agree with the analysis that I have an 'aggression problem'. In practice I feel so much freer to really hit my way into a groove. In matches, however, I'm incredibly hesitant to crack up my racket head speed and, subsequently, my game never really gets going. I really don't trust my spin in match situations, which is incredibly frustrating because I play several times a week. I mostly play doubles (not by choice) so perhaps the stress of letting down my partner is hampering any progression in confidence.

Here's some better footage I took today:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-3LrhI6OwA&feature=youtu.be

The camera angle would've been perfect in the second half if it were only an inch higher; the first half is good though.

I tried hitting the ball closer to me today, and I felt much more comfortable. I think I've been reaching for the ball - which could explain why I felt lack of control as I struck the ball.

I think the main issue with my strokes is inadequate shoulder turns - especially on the backhand side. As you can see, I struggle to get anywhere near as much topspin on that side, with the ball often barely going over the net. I think my footwork could improve significantly also. Would everyone agree?

Again, any advice is greatly appreciated, and thoroughly taken on board.

 

[5263]

You seem to do pretty well when you work more across at contact, but sometimes you seem to think you need to go right over the top and then tend to launch the ball more up. Watch the vid on how nice you control the net clearance when you work across the contact more. Those look pretty good overall, don't they?

 

[RafaPower]

You seem to do pretty well when you work more across at contact, but sometimes you seem to think you need to go right over the top and then tend to launch the ball more up. Watch the vid on how nice you control the net clearance when you work across the contact more. Those look pretty good overall, don't they?

Just been looking at the footage, and I see what you mean. I think I'm more guilty of this when I go cross-court; inside-out I seem to get a lot more across on contact, which probably explains why I'm more confident in it. I'm gonna try and work on my shaping when I play later. Thanks!

 

[5263]

I think I'm more guilty of this when I go cross-court; inside-out I seem to get a lot more across on contact, which probably explains why I'm more confident in it. I'm gonna try and work on my shaping when I play later. Thanks!

good catch there. While many players tend to work the outside of the ball to sort of "hook" their Fhs, you don't have to always do it that way. Like you, I like my I/O Fh better and even hit most of my crosscourt Fhs in much the same way, especially when I want to power it flatter thru the court. I work the outside to hook it when I want it to dip & bite more with spin, even then I'm still hitting across the ball....just across the other way. I try to never hit straight up 12 oclock topspin.

 

[RetroSpin]

Rafa,

The main problem I see is your footwork. You are dancing around a lot on both sides. You need to work to get into position quickly so you are not constantly falling off shots or adjusting as you swing. And why are you lifting your left foot on your topspin BH? You're playing tennis, not ballet.

I suspect your contact point is not far enough in front on your FH, but I coudn't really tell from the video.

You have the fundamentals of some good strokes on both sides, but you lack a little refinement. Your game is way too loose. Your volleys feature way too much racquet waving around, for example.


Shots where you have to supply all the power yourself, like mid-court sitters, seem to bother you. There are a lot of little things that you need to do on them, from getting your footwork organized to making sure you are seeing the ball at contact and not looking where you want it to go to staying down on them and not jumping at the shot.

You look to me like a guy who could really benefit from some coaching. You have the basics but the stuff you are deficient on can be hard to correct by yourself.

 

[RafaPower]

Thanks for the advice guys, agreed with all points.

I've been looking closely at my forehand, and I've noticed that a lot of times, in my follow-through, the racket head is pointing straight forward; resembling more of a classic forehand motion than the windshield wiper motion I thought I was definitely hitting.

Like this (best I could find):

I found some advice suggesting I try to focus on hitting more up on the ball- naturally shaping the racket-path in the windscreen wiper motion. Would anyone agree with this/have any other tips to better shape my forehand? At the moment I feel a complete lack of control. I find it really hard to start games quickly.

Footwork wise, I think my biggest flaw is hitting with both my feet in-line with each other, and often too close. I'm trying to make progress, but my form's been getting worse.

Here's some more footage to peruse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBwMtcSD5ag

Thanks!

 

[mightyrick]

OP, the biggest problem I see is your movement and positioning. You hit the ball lazily from near the sideline and then stand still and watch the ball.

You don't recover your position at all. I saw your hitting partner hit several easy balls right by you. You could have easily been in position to get those balls back if you would just have recovered back to a middle-ish position.

In your mind, think to yourself that the stroke doesn't end the moment you hit the ball. Rather, that your stroke ends when you recover into a proper position to receive the next ball.

 

[LeeD]

I suspect lack of tennis experience, lack of enough match play, and trying to hit with more topspin than you are capable of right now.
At your level, a flat groundie is just as effective as heavy topspin, and it takes less toll on your body.
After say....4 years of tennis, you will settle down, TRUST your shots, hit through the ball more, and get consistent depth and angle to control your shots, not just hit them where they happen to bounce.

 

[10sillusions]

Looking good, being a lefty is your biggest advantage, i guess no WTA 200 below can take you on.

 

[LeeD]

He's the RIGHTIE, so I guess you comments are out of whack with reality.

 

[RafaPower]

Sorry guys, I should have clarified, I'm the one with the headband on in all the videos. I do wish I was a lefty, but alas, that is not the case.

I've been playing tennis all my life really, though the past year - having finally joined a club - I've played much more than I've ever had the opportunity before. The problem is, I don't seem to be getting better with practice - I've been a flaky, inconsistent player for over 10 years. It's just now becoming unbearable and really bringing my confidence down which, in turn, inspires worse play. I don't have the money for coaching right now, but when I do I'll definitely seek it out.

For my next hit I'll try and approach each shot with more confidence, like you've all said. I'll just try and focus on the ball and my movement and see what happens. I'll keep you posted!

 

[LeeD]

RafaPower...
We can see you hit good enough for 4.0 tennis, better than any playground player.
But, you have no preparation, you only react to your opponent's shots, you hit your shot and stop for an extended pose, and you never ever prepare for the next shot by drifting back to the center of intersect in a prepared ready position.
Your actual shots are not perfect, but decent enough.
Now work on your readiness, your prep, getting low like a shortstop, widening your stance and better balance thru a wide low stance.

 

[RafaPower]

RafaPower...
We can see you hit good enough for 4.0 tennis, better than any playground player.
But, you have no preparation, you only react to your opponent's shots, you hit your shot and stop for an extended pose, and you never ever prepare for the next shot by drifting back to the center of intersect in a prepared ready position.
Your actual shots are not perfect, but decent enough.
Now work on your readiness, your prep, getting low like a shortstop, widening your stance and better balance thru a wide low stance.

Thanks, this is really good advice. I didn't realise just how bad I was at this until I went back and really looked at the footage. I'm robbing myself of loads of time, and taking pressure off my opponent needlessly. Hoping that extra prep time will give me confidence that I'm in a good position, so I can start opening up more. I'm gonna work on this tomorrow. Cheers.