Short video of me practicing.

[CashDudeHomie]

I've never had a coach or played for a school or anything. I just kind of taught myself, so go easy on me. I want to get better, so let me know what I can do.

Especially my topspin backhand. I only hit one in the video though, but I have trouble with anything lower than my ribs. They tend to hit the net or go long.

Thanks for any tips.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TirIT0kOJXk

 

[FH2FH]

extend your left arm forward more on your forehand. let it tuck into your side, like you already have it, as you swing. close your shoulders a little more and so you can use more of your body to generate power. right now, you're using a lot of arm. good high to low motion though. keep that.

bend your knees a little more and take more smaller steps. don't be lazy. developing good footwork now will pay off later. do this even against easy hitters.

based on your overhead grip, you need to change it to a continental grip and learn the correct motion. it can be the same for volleys.

can't advise you on the backhand. i use two.

good luck!

 

[itsstephenyo]

Most obvious thing is the footwork, but others will chime in on that.

On your groundstrokes, you need to bend your knees a lot more. When you hit that lone backhand, you were standing almost completely straight up and just swung your arm. Use a closed stance, bend your knees down and focus on getting solid contact on the ball. I can't stress the bending your knees part enough. This will also require you to get into position much much earlier. You'll have to make your footwork better to pull off hitting good one handers.

On your forehand, think about pulling that left arm across your body to get better rotation into the shot. You just kinda leave it tucked in through the stroke. Like FH2FH said, extend your left arm on the takeback, and then pull it across and tuck it in to develop more rotation.

 

[FH2FH]

oh, you might as well learn a decent slice for the low backhand balls too.

 

[FH2FH]

dude, look at my avatar. that's how your left arm should extend. don't think about tucking it in. just start with it out there and let it come back whenever feels natural. this will be more or less as you begin to swing toward the ball.

 

[CashDudeHomie]

Thanks! I'll work on the knee bend for sure.

And I can serve and overhead continental, I was just putting it into play gently so he could get a nice shot back at me.

 

[charaseac]

this might be OOT lol, and i dont think i can say anything since i think ure a better player than me... but probably next time you can record during the day. It's a little difficult to see you because of the lighting...

I believe when you're providing the board with video you will get better opinion...

Sorry if i offend you with this OOT comment

 

[CashDudeHomie]

I understand. I actually prefer to play during the day, but I stayed up all night playing xbox and slept until 5pm because this was my day off lol.

Also, I didn't realize that I have to go in my phone menu and set the resolution to high EVERY time I make a new video.

I will make a new one soon and try to use the left arm properly and more leg bend like you guys mentioned above.

 

[Sublime]

You have the same problem I need to work on. Almost all of your power is coming from your arm/shoulder on your forehand.

Check out videos of pros on youtube and look at the position of their shoulders relative to the position of their feet during the loading phase of their swing. Then look at where there shoulders end up after the shot. Compare that to your video and you'll see all the power you're missing out on.

 

[Alex1]

I'm getting seasick from that video - for future reference use a tripod or brace yourself against a pole when filming.

 

[smileydamp]

Missing leg power

Your shots do not utilise leg power. Need to bend knees more and move forward torards the ball while straightening the legs. That will be a classic forehand or backhand - easier for beginners.

I execute such arm only shots during a match when
1. the opponent makes me run to hit shots in singles
2. I forget using the body under pressure
3. I am hurried because of opponents's fast service or volley in doubles
4. My legs are tired after couple of sets, stop doing split steps and moving properly

It requires lots of experience, conscious effort and fitness to make proper tennis shots during actual matches.

 

[FH2FH]

It requires lots of experience, conscious effort and fitness to make proper tennis shots during actual matches.

Indeed. I went to the USO last year, not that you can't tell on TV, but all of the players were so disciplined. Every stroke was exactly the same, and well executed obviously, unless they were forced out of position. Great footwork and perfect strokes, nearly every time. It was amazing.