Practice Video

[tlm]

Here is a short practice video of some hitting with my wife. I have been working on attacking more and hitting a more penetrating shot off weak short balls. I think I hit a few forehands with some shape like shroud is talking about.

My Edited Video

 

[Cosmin Miholca]

Nice tennis court!

First off: It seems that you really enjoy hitting the ball hard. It helps to keep it in due to the extreme forehand grip (western) that you have which creates a lot of topspin (it forces the ball down earlier).

If I may give you an advice... you should slowly move your grip more towards Semi-Western or Eastern. That will allow you to send the ball through the court with less effort.

Another area would be the footwork.

Congratulations for having such a good and patient partner in your wife!


Cosmin Miholca
WebTennis24.com
WebTennisDrills.com

 

[Digital Atheist]

Nice hitting. I always thought your forehand was a good solid stroke (based on older video evidence). It's hard to make any real assessments because your wife isn't able to rush you (she does handle your high balls rather well) but this latest video shows what you can do when you have time.

I'm not going to make a judgement on grips, but full western does make penetration without amazing rhs difficult. The only thing I will add - and I am sure you've heard this before - but you still drop your off hand too early before making contact. Actually, you don't even stretch it across your body at all.

 

[The Unknown]

I cant see how its sustainable for your body to hit your forehand like that. There is nothing easy and free flowing about your technique. You muscle the ball so much I half expect your arm to fall off. And that non hitting arm dangling by your side - its a product of arming the ball and not engaging the hips properly. Try to unit turn with your non hitting arm on the racket for longer.

The way you are hitting you wont be able to hit with your wife for much longer. Im getting sore just watching you.

Look at Federer in this vid. He's producing the same racket head speed, ball speed and penetration as you are with a sixth of the effort.

 

[tlm]

I cant see how it would be sustainable for your body to hit your forehand like that. There is nothing easy and free flowing about your technique. You muscle the ball so much I half expect your arm to fall off. And that non hitting arm dangling by your side - its a product of arming the ball and not engaging the hips properly. Try to unit turn with your non hitting arm on the racket for longer.

The way you are hitting you wont be able to hit with your wife for much longer. Im getting sore just watching you.

Look at Federer in this vid. He's producing the same racket head speed, ball speed and penetration as you are with a sixth of the effort.

Your probably right and I will try to keep the left hand on the racket longer. I have worked on that before but it seems like I end up being late. I hit almost everyday and have no problem with arm injuries, but I do admit my weird technique is tiring.

 

[Digital Atheist]

I hit almost everyday and have no problem with arm injuries, but I do admit my weird technique is tiring.

RIght, as The Unknown has said, that's the result of *muscling* the ball. The good thing is your form is such that your body doesn't suffer any undue injury, so consider it a bonus. Maybe this will help - specifically the section titled "Why And How To Accelerate The Racquet Gradually":

http://www.feeltennis.net/fewer-mistakes-power/

 

[tlm]

RIght, as The Unknown has said, that's the result of *muscling* the ball. The good thing is your form is such that your body doesn't suffer any undue injury, so consider it a bonus. Maybe this will help - specifically the section titled "Why And How To Accelerate The Racquet Gradually":

http://www.feeltennis.net/fewer-mistakes-power/

Your right a gradual acceleration is better, I go from 0-60 in a short time.

 

[tlm]

Nice hitting. I always thought your forehand was a good solid stroke (based on older video evidence). It's hard to make any real assessments because your wife isn't able to rush you (she does handle your high balls rather well) but this latest video shows what you can do when you have time.

I'm not going to make a judgement on grips, but full western does make penetration without amazing rhs difficult. The only thing I will add - and I am sure you've heard this before - but you still drop your off hand too early before making contact. Actually, you don't even stretch it across your body at all.

Here are a couple of forehands in slow motion how much longer should I keep my off hand on the racket?
My Edited Video

 

[Digital Atheist]

Watch any pro (I might get some stick for suggesting that) to check their timing and off hand use:

youtu.be/oHylXC1R0Es?t=62

You're hand release timing is fine, about the same as Stan. But where Stan extends his arm across his body fully and holds it there until he begins his forward swing, you immediately let yours fall away to the left. That's the difference I see anyway.

 

[tlm]

Watch any pro (I might get some stick for suggesting that) to check their timing and off hand use:

youtu.be/oHylXC1R0Es?t=62

You're hand release timing is fine, about the same as Stan. But where Stan extends his arm across his body fully and holds it there until he begins his forward swing, you immediately let yours fall away to the left. That's the difference I see anyway.

I see what you mean I do not hold my arm and extend it.

 

[Deleted member 120290]

Honestly I don't see any difference between your old FH and "New" FH swings. They seem the same to me.

 

[tlm]

Honestly I don't see any difference between your old FH and "New" FH swings. They seem the same to me.

Not a big difference but I do use a more extreme grip now and can flatten out the short ball a little better than in the past.

 

[tlm]

Nice tennis court!

First off: It seems that you really enjoy hitting the ball hard. It helps to keep it in due to the extreme forehand grip (western) that you have which creates a lot of topspin (it forces the ball down earlier).

If I may give you an advice... you should slowly move your grip more towards Semi-Western or Eastern. That will allow you to send the ball through the court with less effort.

Another area would be the footwork.

Congratulations for having such a good and patient partner in your wife!


Cosmin Miholca
WebTennis24.com
WebTennisDrills.com

I have used eastern and SW grip in the past but was never able to get the control I wanted. With western grip I can take big cuts and still keep the ball in but it does make it tough to hit through the court. But my game is centered around consistency first and attacking only on high % shots.

 

[Tennisanity]

Doubt @LeeD could handle those topspin shots.

 

[tlm]

Doubt @LeeD could handle those topspin shots.

I think Lee would be chipping and slicing to keep the ball low and try to not let me hit as many topspin shots.

 

[mntlblok]

Here is a short practice video of some hitting with my wife. I have been working on attacking more and hitting a more penetrating shot off weak short balls. I think I hit a few forehands with some shape like shroud is talking about.

My Edited Video

The short ball you got - YOU LET IT BOUNCE TWICE!!. Don't think that's the definition of "attack".

 

[tlm]

The short ball you got - YOU LET IT BOUNCE TWICE!!. Don't think that's the definition of "attack".

You mean that dud misshit that I had to move up on to get on the 2nd bounce?

 

[5263]

Here is a short practice video of some hitting with my wife. I have been working on attacking more and hitting a more penetrating shot off weak short balls. I think I hit a few forehands with some shape like shroud is talking about.

My Edited Video

looking pretty good there tlm and yes, I see you drive thru a couple much more than usual. Big thing is though, don't change the rally shot too much. I know you hear a lot of advice to modify your rally ball, but I'd bet yours is better than what 9 out of 10 of them do. Most rec players don't get near the quality rally shot you hit, but instead hit a lower ball that is much easier to get grooved in on. Good to see you working on bringing down the trajectory a bit on attackable balls though.

 

[tlm]

looking pretty good there tlm and yes, I see you drive thru a couple much more than usual. Big thing is though, don't change the rally shot too much. I know you hear a lot of advice to modify your rally ball, but I'd bet yours is better than what 9 out of 10 of them do. Most rec players don't get near the quality rally shot you hit, but instead hit a lower ball that is much easier to get grooved in on. Good to see you working on bringing down the trajectory a bit on attackable balls though.

The local college coach that I have worked with said the same thing, he said to keep hitting the loopers from the backcourt. But he wants me to hit through the ball more and hit lower trajectory when I get the short ball.

Ya it is funny that when I hit a faster flatter shot that my opponent can reach they hit those much better than the looping topspin shots. So I will hit loopers repeatedly until I get the short ball then attack with a more penetrating shot. I can hit those loopers all match with no problem and have found that it frustrates a lot of players.

 

[onehandbh]

The local college coach that I have worked with said the same thing, he said to keep hitting the loopers from the backcourt. But he wants me to hit through the ball more and hit lower trajectory when I get the short ball.

Ya it is funny that when I hit a faster flatter shot that my opponent can reach they hit those much better than the looping topspin shots. So I will hit loopers repeatedly until I get the short ball then attack with a more penetrating shot. I can hit those loopers all match with no problem and have found that it frustrates a lot of players.

I think finding the right time to "go for it" is important and also improving the number of times you can get in position to go for more.

As you improve your movement, footwork and/or anticipation, you put yourself more often in a position to go for bigger shots and dictate more and also at the same time you will be troubled less often by your opponents shots.

 

[jga111]

Looking good TLM - please try and make one adjustment for me the next time you have a hit and let me know how you go.

It's a very simple one, but I'm interested to see if you will benefit from it.

Loosen your starting/ready on both wings, particularly the FH.

It appears you are holding it still with some tension - I think if you loosened your grip you'll find that you could develop a better whip, and play more loosely, relaxed - burn less energy.

I made the change to my game recently, and I have to say, I'm loving it!..

 

[tlm]

I think finding the right time to "go for it" is important and also improving the number of times you can get in position to go for more.

As you improve your movement, footwork and/or anticipation, you put yourself more often in a position to go for bigger shots and dictate more and also at the same time you will be troubled less often by your opponents shots.

Yes finding the right time to go for it and increasing the number of times you get into position to go for bigger shots is the key to winning.

 

[mntlblok]

You mean that dud misshit that I had to move up on to get on the 2nd bounce?

Mighty good practice for those *intentional* droppers - which I like to hit against those juicy topspin balls.

 

[tlm]

Mighty good practice for those *intentional* droppers - which I like to hit against those juicy topspin balls.

I don't find many opponents hitting drop shots off my topspin often. But if so I have no problem covering droppers.

But I don't waste my energy on them in a casual hit around.