Please Review and Advise

[alexbog]

Hi Everyone.
I've been playing tennis for last 7 years. Mostly during summer time. And almost not playing in winter time.
Never been coached. But was watching a lot how my kids are coached.
Also Internet and slow-mo pro shots were my coaches and inspiration.

I was playing one guy for a few times last year. But never won. It was as close as I lost third set 10 points tiebreaker with the score 6-10.

And surprisingly this year I won our first encounter 6-3, 6-3.

I don't know what changed but I kind of like the outcome.

Please take a look on my video playing with him last time when I won. It is best points.
Btw I'm in the white hat.

Highlights

Full Match

Here is another video from last year when I lost.
I have no hat on the video.

I never asked for advice but I think this time is now.
Please take a look on the videos and help me to pick areas that I need to improve most?
In general I know that I need to work a lot but it is always good to get some one else experienced opinion and improve the right area with bigger outcome.
Btw also please rate me cause it hard to rate your self.

Thanks in advance, Alex

Edited - added actually highlights not the full match.

 

[mawashi]

I like what I'm seeing, you are playing higher percentage tennis, putting enough spin on the balls and working the angles.

I guess you are not usually in a winning position that explains why you are so tentative to attack short balls. I saw several shots where you hit long or into the net when you are trying to win a point early.

Overall, it's already pretty good, the areas you can improve in are, anticipation, split step faster, and your serve.

 

[Jamesm182]

Watched the video ...i would say as a general rule your shot selection is pretty good, you arent trying to be too ambitious with things , and have quite a solid base to improve upon.. Thing i noticed from playing which i would encourage you to work on

I would look to make your first serve more of a weapon, you appear to be quite tall and should be able to create a nice angle with proper use of the legs and some good snap on your serve. Try to use your legs to explode up to the ball, keep your throwing arm higher up to balance yourself, and then get some good racket head speed into the action.

Being tall and long limbed givesyou greater reach around the court , but you dont seem to split step at all, and both of you are regularly flat footed approaching shots or reacting to things. A proper split step will be vital to improve as you play against better players who hit harder. Try to get a split step in as your opponent hits the ball, which should give you ample time to be balanced, and prepare. I would also look to encourage you to be more intense with your footwork around the ball, try to create the perfect position on each shot to hit off. I would look for a minimum of 4-5 steps to each shot , longer steps at first to cover distance if needed , really shortening and adjusting the closer you get to it, giving you greater chance of being balanced , and able to transfer weight through the stroke.

I would then look to make your forehand more of a weapon, technically it seems to be fairly efficient and smooth, but seems to look too easy on the eye and effortless. I feel you could really hit with a lot more purpose and penetration through the court. Try to step on to shorter balls and focus on your shots penetrating through the baseline rather than looping high and deep. Be more agressive with your shot selection and be prepared to go through making more errors while you do so, it will be really worth it in the long run to be able to balance the game style you have now with a more agressive style, and be able to give you tactical versatility to switch through the different styles.

 

[alexbog]

I like what I'm seeing, you are playing higher percentage tennis, putting enough spin on the balls and working the angles.

I guess you are not usually in a winning position that explains why you are so tentative to attack short balls. I saw several shots where you hit long or into the net when you are trying to win a point early.

Overall, it's already pretty good, the areas you can improve in are, anticipation, split step faster, and your serve.

Thanks mawashi for your tips!
Can you please give couple tips about anticipation improvement?
As far as I understand it could be done only while playing a lot and just get more experienced. And also anticipation works differently against different opponents based on their style? right?
Also I can kind of guess where the ball will go depends on my shot and opponent position and the way he is getting to the ball ...

 

[mawashi]

It begins with the split step, the moment the opponent's racquet touches the ball you do a split step so you can immediately move whichever direction you need to.

The idea is to gain as much time and remove as much time away from the opponent. Taking the ball earlier, cutting off angles, making your opponent move more, all gives you more time and with that you'll be able to anticipate his moves better because you are making him play your game.

So yes, it does require more practice.

 

[alexbog]

Watched the video ...i would say as a general rule your shot selection is pretty good, you arent trying to be too ambitious with things , and have quite a solid base to improve upon.. Thing i noticed from playing which i would encourage you to work on

I would look to make your first serve more of a weapon, you appear to be quite tall and should be able to create a nice angle with proper use of the legs and some good snap on your serve. Try to use your legs to explode up to the ball, keep your throwing arm higher up to balance yourself, and then get some good racket head speed into the action.

Being tall and long limbed givesyou greater reach around the court , but you dont seem to split step at all, and both of you are regularly flat footed approaching shots or reacting to things. A proper split step will be vital to improve as you play against better players who hit harder. Try to get a split step in as your opponent hits the ball, which should give you ample time to be balanced, and prepare. I would also look to encourage you to be more intense with your footwork around the ball, try to create the perfect position on each shot to hit off. I would look for a minimum of 4-5 steps to each shot , longer steps at first to cover distance if needed , really shortening and adjusting the closer you get to it, giving you greater chance of being balanced , and able to transfer weight through the stroke.

I would then look to make your forehand more of a weapon, technically it seems to be fairly efficient and smooth, but seems to look too easy on the eye and effortless. I feel you could really hit with a lot more purpose and penetration through the court. Try to step on to shorter balls and focus on your shots penetrating through the baseline rather than looping high and deep. Be more agressive with your shot selection and be prepared to go through making more errors while you do so, it will be really worth it in the long run to be able to balance the game style you have now with a more agressive style, and be able to give you tactical versatility to switch through the different styles.

Thanks Jamesm182!
Thanks for your time and good detailed analysis.
Now watching myself again and looking at your post I surprised how I could not see ... especially split step part ... my self.
Thanks for that a lot.
And with my forehand I do feel a bit discomfort while hitting it. Its like I'm hitting it a bit late or my feet are not setup right.
Now it is more clear for me that my "lazy" flat feet are contributing to it.
Recently I got ball machine ... so will practice my forehand more to power it up.

 

[Todd Hicks]

You're doing the right thing by holding your racket with both hands while running but you must quit backing up from balls. Stay still and step into the ball.

 

[alexbog]

You're doing the right thing by holding your racket with both hands while running but you must quit backing up from balls. Stay still and step into the ball.

Thanks!