Post Videos of Yourself

[fverdasco]

I got my girlfriend to take a video of me playing a few points on her cellphone. Check it out tell me what you think of my stroke. I think I have a nice looking swing, but I am a 4.0 tops. I'm not as consistent as a should be. You should probably watch it full screen because it has a really odd aspect ratio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVsMdkhMnyo

 

[Giannis]

I wouldnt say your swing is really nice looking. It is a bit floppy which makes it incosistent, not enough body rotation on the forehand, no trophy pose with the weight evenly distributed on both feet on serve(it seems a bit like falling forwards) and footwork is lazy. I hope i didnt make it sound too bad

 

[fverdasco]

I wouldnt say your swing is really nice looking. It is a bit floppy which makes it incosistent, not enough body rotation on the forehand, no trophy pose with the weight evenly distributed on both feet on serve(it seems a bit like falling forwards) and footwork is lazy. I hope i didnt make it sound too bad

It is probably not the best example of my play, because I am 23 and the guy I was playing was in his 60s and I was up, so I could afford to be a bit lazy. I do tend to fall forward on my first serve, because that's the only way I can get a lot of pace, as I am only 140 lbs.

 

[TheOneHander]

I'd keep your left arm up during the serve. Also, I'd move back a lot if you continue your service motion-you foot fault quite a lot.

 

[Satch]

I got my girlfriend to take a video of me playing a few points on her cellphone. Check it out tell me what you think of my stroke. I think I have a nice looking swing, but I am a 4.0 tops. I'm not as consistent as a should be. You should probably watch it full screen because it has a really odd aspect ratio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVsMdkhMnyo

and whats the deal with the fence, are you in prison?

 

[Giannis]

I'd keep your left arm up during the serve. Also, I'd move back a lot if you continue your service motion-you foot fault quite a lot.

I think even if he moved back, it would still be a foot fault to step forward with his front foot, even if he didnt touch the baseline.

 

[fverdasco]

I'd keep your left arm up during the serve. Also, I'd move back a lot if you continue your service motion-you foot fault quite a lot.

Haha. your right. I just found out that I foot fault. For some reason nobody ever told me until last weekend. It's really annoying now when I serve cause all I think about it trying not to foot fault

 

[TheOneHander]

I think even if he moved back, it would still be a foot fault to step forward with his front foot, even if he didnt touch the baseline.

Well, you're allowed one step per foot during your motion as per the rules so it wouldn't be a foot fault. Players like Youzhny and Ferrer do this, and I think Troicki does as well.

 

[fverdasco]

I've never heard of the no step rule, but my foot does wind up on the line pretty bad.

 

[Zolar]

The guy was over 60 and he could still play?? Wow! No wonder you were easily winning!

 

[fverdasco]

The guy was over 60 and he could still play?? Wow! No wonder you were easily winning!

Ya he wasn't bad for his age. I play in my pool/tennis club team league and there are mostly all older guys. Most of them are pushers so they can be a real pain in the ass. It is pretty rare to see another player my age (23), so the matches aren't usually too intense.

 

[ssonosk]

The guy was over 60 and he could still play?? Wow! No wonder you were easily winning!

there's this 59 year old guy that's like a local legend here on the tennis courts. Gah he's like damn 6.0 he hits everything clean in and on the line. And drop shots don't work on him :shock:

i'm going to try to record him some time

 

[fverdasco]

I think even if he moved back, it would still be a foot fault to step forward with his front foot, even if he didnt touch the baseline.

I think you need to learn the correct rules and stop making up your own. Ferrer takes the same type of step I do.

 

[TheOneHander]

I've never heard of the no step rule, but my foot does wind up on the line pretty bad.

I think you need to learn the correct rules and stop making up your own. Ferrer takes the same type of step I do.

I giggled.

 

[Kunohara]

It is probably not the best example of my play, because I am 23 and the guy I was playing was in his 60s and I was up, so I could afford to be a bit lazy. I do tend to fall forward on my first serve, because that's the only way I can get a lot of pace, as I am only 140 lbs.

Thats BS. Youd get the same kind of pace and more if you led with your left hip, and weight transfered properly into the court on your serve.

 

[Kunohara]

And that step forward you take ? Seems to be the result of imbalance because you do not keep the tossing arm up long enough, nor lead into the court with your left hip.

Just look at the very first serve you hit in the video. You release the ball once you reach shoulder height, but after that, the arm goes down immediately. The arm should follow the ball UP until its fully extended, and only go down when you push off with your legs and do the cartwheel motion to contact.

 

[ProgressoR]

note to OP: best not to say you have a nice swing, unless you really have a very nice swing, that kind of thing doesnt go down too well, hence some of the tone of the replies.

Also even if you were not full out, the technique is telling, my coach even when just tapping the ball over does it with good technique and using legs etc, he just does it all in small amounts.

Nice hitting by the way.

I would echo the comment on left arm drop too early, it drops very early, it cannot help you serve your best.

 

[willshot]

you have lead feet. move your feet!

 

[fverdasco]

note to OP: best not to say you have a nice swing, unless you really have a very nice swing, that kind of thing doesnt go down too well, hence some of the tone of the replies.

Also even if you were not full out, the technique is telling, my coach even when just tapping the ball over does it with good technique and using legs etc, he just does it all in small amounts.

Nice hitting by the way.

I would echo the comment on left arm drop too early, it drops very early, it cannot help you serve your best.

Haha, ya I guess I learned that the hard way. I didn't expect the everyone on this forum to take such offense to the OP.

 

[TheOneHander]

Haha, ya I guess I learned that the hard way. I didn't expect the everyone on this forum to take such offense to the OP.

Personally, it didn't come across as arrogant or rude, but with a lot of people talking smack around here we've adopted a "put up or shut up" attitude

 

[fverdasco]

Personally, it didn't come across as arrogant or rude, but with a lot of people talking smack around here we've adopted a "put up or shut up" attitude

I wasn't referring to you. Your comment was appreciated. I did say that I was a 4.0 tops, so I figured people would take that into consideration when critiquing.

 

[TheOneHander]

I wasn't referring to you. Your comment was appreciated. I did say that I was a 4.0 tops, so I figured people would take that into consideration when critiquing.

Ratings are another thing here. A video of a top 150 pro was posted playing on an indoor court at a venue that you might find to be like your club. His name or ranking were not given, and people were asked to rate him-the most shocking rating being a 4.0. So ratings are taken with a grain of salt

 

[Giannis]

I've never heard of the no step rule, but my foot does wind up on the line pretty bad.

I think you need to learn the correct rules and stop making up your own. Ferrer takes the same type of step I do.

Firstly, i didnt say that i am sure about that rule. Secondly, there is a rule which says :

18. FOOT FAULT
During the service motion, the server shall not:
a. Change position by walking or running, although slight movements of the feet are permitted.

So, you cant say that there is no such rule, it is just subjective what is consided "slight movements".

 

[fverdasco]

Ratings are another thing here. A video of a top 150 pro was posted playing on an indoor court at a venue that you might find to be like your club. His name or ranking were not given, and people were asked to rate him-the most shocking rating being a 4.0. So ratings are taken with a grain of salt

I could see that. An aesthetically pleasing stroke is necessarily particularly effective and vice versa.

 

[fverdasco]

Firstly, i didnt say that i am sure about that rule. Secondly, there is a rule which says :

18. FOOT FAULT
During the service motion, the server shall not:
a. Change position by walking or running, although slight movements of the feet are permitted.

So, you cant say that there is no such rule, it is just subjective what is consided "slight movements".

Ya I looked that up too. But my step would definitely fall under slight movements.

 

[TheOneHander]

Ya I looked that up too. But my step would definitely fall under slight movements.

USTA COMMENT 18.2:

"One key to understanding this rule is to realize that the server's feet must be at rest immediately before beginning to serve.

...

A server who takes more than one step with either foot after the "feet at rest" position described above is at risk for being called for a foot fault."

In summary, you can take no more than one step with each foot during the service.

You gotta look at the whole picture there By the way, a giant step with your front foot would be considered a HUGE movement. A slight movement would be pivoting your feet on your forefoot or rocking up onto your toes.

Firstly, i didnt say that i am sure about that rule. Secondly, there is a rule which says :

18. FOOT FAULT
During the service motion, the server shall not:
a. Change position by walking or running, although slight movements of the feet are permitted.

So, you cant say that there is no such rule, it is just subjective what is consided "slight movements".

Yeah, there is a rule. What source did you use?

 

[fverdasco]

USTA COMMENT 18.2:

"One key to understanding this rule is to realize that the server's feet must be at rest immediately before beginning to serve.

...

A server who takes more than one step with either foot after the "feet at rest" position described above is at risk for being called for a foot fault."

In summary, you can take no more than one step with each foot during the service.

You gotta look at the whole picture there By the way, a giant step with your front foot would be considered a HUGE movement. A slight movement would be pivoting your feet on your forefoot or rocking up onto your toes.

The rule is there so that players don't move around on the baseline to try and fake out the returner or whatever purpose it would have. There is no question that my step is within the guidelines of the rule even with any type of interpretation. That rule isn't in place for small steps like that.

 

[TheOneHander]

The rule is there so that players don't move around on the baseline to try and fake out the returner or whatever purpose it would have. There is no question that my step is within the guidelines of the rule even with any type of interpretation. That rule isn't in place for small steps like that.

Exactly. The USTA comment pertains to taking more than one step per foot per serve, which applies directly to your situation.

 

[WildVolley]

To the OP, stepping forward as you do on the serve is not in violation of the rules as currently interpreted. Just stop stepping on the line as you appear to do in the video. Backing up might help you avoid that.

 

[Jonny S&V]

I think even if he moved back, it would still be a foot fault to step forward with his front foot, even if he didnt touch the baseline.

You can take one step with each foot. See Youhzny, Ferrer, and Safin for professional examples.

 

[fverdasco]

To the OP, stepping forward as you do on the serve is not in violation of the rules as currently interpreted. Just stop stepping on the line as you appear to do in the video. Backing up might help you avoid that.

Ya I've been trying that but I need to work on getting less movement on that foot. That will just take time.

 

[Ben Hadd]

OP. I like your swing, but you need more rotation. I actually thought the mechanics of your forehand looked nice other than footwork and rotation. Also, did I mention FOOTWORK, it's key. Try to get out of the habbit of the step/step serve, and just bring your back foot forward, that should fix your footfault problem. Just my critique, not trying to be dooshy, tryin' to help.

 

[fverdasco]

OP. I like your swing, but you need more rotation. I actually thought the mechanics of your forehand looked nice other than footwork and rotation. Also, did I mention FOOTWORK, it's key. Try to get out of the habbit of the step/step serve, and just bring your back foot forward, that should fix your footfault problem. Just my critique, not trying to be dooshy, tryin' to help.

Thanks. I've tried moving the back foot up like most people do but for some reason it completely throws me off. I guess it messes with my balance. That is something to consider now that I am reworking my serve. I wanted to practice this weekend, but I'm on vacation. I'm actually sitting on the beach right now posting from my phone lol. I'm getting addicted to this site.

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

Me yesterday, since its raining everyday in this country we had to play indoor.
Hitting some serves

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtJIXjvYAVw&feature=player_profilepage

 

[ssonosk]

Me yesterday, since its raining everyday in this country we had to play indoor.
Hitting some serves

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtJIXjvYAVw&feature=player_profilepage

now how can I get a serve like that

 

[850beast]

Magician i love ur serve

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

now how can I get a serve like that

Thank you, practice my friend

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

Magician i love ur serve

Thanx a lot

 

[fverdasco]

Me yesterday, since its raining everyday in this country we had to play indoor.
Hitting some serves

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtJIXjvYAVw&feature=player_profilepage

Nice serve. You don't move your back foot forward like me. Watching someone else's serve I can see how that could give some additional pop with a little more momentum going. That being said that serves looks like it would be a very heavy ball to return.

 

[fruitytennis1]

Nice serve. You don't move your back foot forward like me. Watching someone else's serve I can see how that could give some additional pop with a little more momentum going. That being said that serves looks like it would be a very heavy ball to return.

I believe his serve is just fine.

 

[fverdasco]

I believe his serve is just fine.

Ya I know. I'm not saying he should change anything. I'm just saying if anything could be changed that might be one thing. Nobody is perfect.

 

[mmeyer1]

Here is me hitting last year in Miami. Hot and humid as hell out there!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBfhV8xq_KE&feature=related

 

[ssonosk]

Here is me hitting last year in Miami. Hot and humid as hell out there!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBfhV8xq_KE&feature=related

that a dunlop AG200?

 

[mmeyer1]

Its an AG100 actually, they look pretty identical from afar

 

[rufusbgood]

In terms of movement of the feet on serve, I personally wouldn't call this (video below) "slight movement" but I did not hear him get called for foot faulting at a Challenger event for it either. So, apparently there's a lot of latitude when it comes to "slight movement".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQYOW1DlydU

 

[fverdasco]

In terms of movement of the feet on serve, I personally wouldn't call this (video below) "slight movement" but I did not hear him get called for foot faulting at a Challenger event for it either. So, apparently there's a lot of latitude when it comes to "slight movement".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQYOW1DlydU

Wow, I've never seen that before. That racket is absurd. I can't believe that racket works at a professional level. Between the racket and that serve it seems like a ploy just to get attention.

 

[Tebow]

In terms of movement of the feet on serve, I personally wouldn't call this (video below) "slight movement" but I did not hear him get called for foot faulting at a Challenger event for it either. So, apparently there's a lot of latitude when it comes to "slight movement".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQYOW1DlydU

This guy is a joker...I wanna see him serving like this the whole match not only an edited video.

 

[ssonosk]

This guy is a joker...I wanna see him serving like this the whole match not only an edited video.

he actually has a good regular serve. I guess he only does the jump thing to add a couple mph

he serves some regular ones on this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOyQUA6tugY&feature=related

 

[TheOneHander]

In terms of movement of the feet on serve, I personally wouldn't call this (video below) "slight movement" but I did not hear him get called for foot faulting at a Challenger event for it either. So, apparently there's a lot of latitude when it comes to "slight movement".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQYOW1DlydU

Well, he appears to step with his left foot and then jump, which follows the one step per foot rule. So as long as his foot is not over the line before contact, it's okay.

 

[drakulie]

Play testing the pro staff 85 a few weeks ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkOpbDAq2gU