Tennis Videos for Analysis...Thnx!

[BravoRed691]

Hey fellow tennis enthusiasts!
I have recently began to really browse these messageboards and have found a wealth of invaluable information...all due to people like y'all. I think, like most of u, I enjoy the threads with vids of people hitting. I'm impressed by the skill level in the vids from certain players like TonLars and J011yroger; thanx for showing me how it's supposed to be done. I'm even more impressed by those of us with more modest skills posting their own strokes to be critiqued. And finally, I appreciate all those of you who are willing to share their honest opinions about these vids; i learn something new everytime i come on and read. In fact, i'm excited to "take advantage" of all this enthusiasm. That is to say i'm gonna man-up, put my pride aside and post a few vids of my own. Unlike some others who simply post their vids up for all to enjoy, i am looking for as much criticism as i can handle! Of course the constructive variety would be more appreciated.

Im also NOT gonna give a whole bunch of excuses ahead of time as to blunt some of the harsh criticisms i may get. When these vids were filmed, i was neither injured nor out of shape. I hit how i hit and these vids are just about as good as i can hit them. I apologize for the camera angle. These vids were made for me only and i thought this angle would allow me to see more; i already know which shots i missed and which i didn't. Also, i didn't have a tripod or enough room to set the camera up behind me.

I have recorded a series of videos a couple of years back that i have saved on a few cds (some still to be found). Some of them i have handy but they are all backhands. I would like to defend my hitting partner ahead to time. He is a 5.0 player but you'll see that some of his shots land short. Well in his defense, he held back a bit just for me. Earlier, i was having trouble putting his shots back in play. Catering to me disrupted his timing a bit. Anyways, here are the links to my backhands...i will post up my forehands, serves and volleys when i find/film them.

Backhand to Backhand Rally -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjeVgDuzczY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZvDNsn-saY&mode=user&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUcQyAHdgNc

Thnx lots everybody!
PS when are we gonna finally get to see that 3.0 vs. Pro match?!!!!

BR

OK so i know it has been a while but instead of cramming for my exam tom, i dug this baby up. I 've got more from a behind view which i will get to as soon as i get past this exam and a few other projects... thnx for watching and be as mean as you like!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc1Rt2Z6AW0

 

[TheGreatestAudia]

Thanks for providing no excuses and "Let me say this before you watch..." quotes. It really goes a long way in receiving criticism/advice.

You have a very nice swing; good form on the take back and you explode into the ball which is very nice. It's also very fluid and there is nothing robotic/stiff about it. The way the ball is flying off the racquet looks great. Were most of those balls deep/staying in/angled or what?

I would like to see some forehands!

 

[fgs]

bravored691,
your backhand (as well as the few forehands) are basically sound. two things i noticed - first, you should work a little bit on your timing. when you hit the ball slightly late you tend to "stabilize" the shot with more shoulder turn than would be appropriate, so you lose out on power, spin and precision, since you are not hitting forward but rather laterally, as by too much shoulder turn you tend to take tha racquet path out to the right too soon. this is a matter of timing and also a matter of footwork - the point is that your lateral movement is quite good, but you have to work more on the front to back movement. this late hitting comes in usually on the longer shots that you take up too high. so either you take a step forward or one backward (forward would be better) and try to hit in the optimal hitting zone and way out in front of you (as you do on most of the balls). keep playing and build up on consistency.

 

[BravoRed691]

You have a very nice swing; good form on the take back and you explode into the ball which is very nice. It's also very fluid and there is nothing robotic/stiff about it. The way the ball is flying off the racquet looks great. Were most of those balls deep/staying in/angled or what?
I would like to see some forehands!

Thnx Great Aud. Most of my hits were going in (and yes you'll have to take my word for it. Why did you think i set up the camera so no one can prove me wrong lol!) Hit a few long, a few wide, and more short than i would have liked. We were rallying up the line with one of the vids focusing in on the alleys. No angled shots allowed. I will look for forehands afterwork tonight. Don't be too nice, criticize away...i've been mentally preparing myself lol.

bravored691,
your backhand (as well as the few forehands) are basically sound. two things i noticed - first, you should work a little bit on your timing. when you hit the ball slightly late you tend to "stabilize" the shot with more shoulder turn than would be appropriate, so you lose out on power, spin and precision, since you are not hitting forward but rather laterally, as by too much shoulder turn you tend to take tha racquet path out to the right too soon. this is a matter of timing and also a matter of footwork - the point is that your lateral movement is quite good, but you have to work more on the front to back movement. this late hitting comes in usually on the longer shots that you take up too high. so either you take a step forward or one backward (forward would be better) and try to hit in the optimal hitting zone and way out in front of you (as you do on most of the balls). keep playing and build up on consistency.

Thnx a bunch for the analysis, i know it takes time to think of a respond like this. It helps me paint a clearer picture about my strokes. Timing and footwork, aren't those always the culprits?! I guess if my footwork was better my timing would follow. I've always been more sluggish on the backhand side esp. moving up and down. Reaching for shorter balls is why i usually resort to slicing them (i tried not to slice in the vids). The deeper ones are the real problem. I see what you mean that i stabalize with a lateral swing. To me it feels like im swinging around the shot. Actually, i've noticed this myself, in fact i do it on purpose to compensate. Whether it looks like it to you guys or not, i feel like i use my legs anough to get leverage. It has been ingrained in me not to backup or give up too much court on my backhand side, so when i am driven off i go crazy and break with technique. I feel like I'm unable to take my hands through the hitting zone while backing up or taking the ball too high. The only way i feel like i get solid contact is to swing around the ball. Taking my hand straight feels like i end up blocking it. Thanks for being candid in your response fgs...will work on that and post more as i go along.

BR

 

[onehandbh]

Looks pretty good. Seems pretty smooth and under control.

 

[fgs]

bravored691,
may i draw to your attention that on the usta website - player development, you find a rather interesting digital library of shots by pros (federer, agassi, roddick et comp.). some of those are standard, some under real stress (shots wide or returns). it might well be quite instructional to take your time and look up some of those, and hopefully it is also inspirational. your basics are right from what i have been able to see, and it was under rally conditions. you know, when someone feeds balls you can always make someone look much better than he is or much worse, so the footage you provided is a good assessment tool.
your bh seems to be left hand dominant, so i was not suggesting you pull out your hands wide in front of you while finishing the swing. but your elbows are too close to the body which makes these (few) shots rather blocked than hit, or maybe better said pushed. as you agreed yourself, this mainly happens when you are too late (yes, footwork is the major factor responsible for hitting late unless you are facing bombs not shots) and then you sort of wrap your arms around your body instead of swinging out, combined with that shoulder/upper body turn which is too ample. while this "technique" still delivers on late shots, by improving your footwork you should try to eliminate (or lower the percentage) this type of situations.
keep it going and have fun.

 

[sharpy]

looks good. no critisicism.. im pretty sure your the consistent type of player

 

[J011yroger]

Not bad at all buddy!

As long as you concentrate during your practices, focus, and practice with the intent to improve and get better, you will improve. Watching the vids will speed up the process, but with your court time, your footwork, and timing will come around. And your strokes will smooth out.

The best advice I can give you based on the vids is something I think no one else will. When you net one, or miss one, don't hang your head, and don't get down on yourself. Identify why you missed the ball, and put it behind you. On to the next one. The only way to play this game is one point at a time. When you miss a shot in practice, you can't not care, and you can't get upset about it either. Neutrally observe, identify what went wrong, file it away and get onto the next shot.

J

 

[Queensryche]

I must say you are very very light on your feet/footwork which is always and excellent thing.

I think you can work on the precision of your steps with smaller adjustment steps before the stroke.

Other than that , its a very nice backhand i must say.

I can never hit a 2hbh LOL , maybe i can learn something from that video instead just for a hit.

 

[BravoRed691]

New Vid: one hander!

fgs: thnx for the insights so far...can i ask you to keep them coming as i post more vids up? And yes i know about USTA's player development vids...good stuff.
sharpy: thnx and yes, i play more of a retreiver and possibly a counterpuncher. Though i would like to say i am an all courter. My volleys and more importantly my shot recognition near midcourt and up at the net is no better than average.

J011yroger: Thnx as well and while i did hang my head, i usually have a short memory...so short in fact i sometimes come off the court thinking i won when i really lost...lol! But great advice!


Queensryche: i try to tip toe around the court i think although i have pretty happy feet most of the time, they aren't very efficient in getting me set up for all my shots.

Guess what?! I know where my forehand vids are but its too late to dig them out...will post tom. But fun news (for me), i found a vid on my computer of me hitting a one hander! I'm naturally two fisted off the backhand wing but people tell me that they are more impressed by my one hander. Not sure what they mean. I myself feel like my two hander is less likely to break down and a bit more stable. Although i slice ( a lot!) i like my two handed drives and loops better. What do you all think, is there enough there for me to switch to a one hander?
Here is the link for my one hander:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rDnMXlNbEE

As usual any criticism is welcomed and appreciated!
BR

 

[fgs]

bravored691,
another display of decent technique. your upper body stability is quite good for the drives, and i'm not going to talk about timing and footwork (specifically front to back) again. for the onehander you have to hit way out more in front. compared to the twohander you have less speed, although (by means of video) this might translate to more control, but it seems the pace is lower.
stick with whatever feels more comfortable to you, there is basically potential in both. i have been taught (many years ago) a onehander. at 13 or 14, when the serves of my opponents began to be quite fast, i wasn't able to properly return anymore because i have rather weak wrists, so i made my choice and went for a twohander. of course i slice onehanded and halfvolleys i also play onehanded most of the time. make sort of a checklist and then decide - you got the correct basics for both strokes. once you have taken a decision stick with it, because the strokes are different, with different timing and kinetic-chain, and it would only mess your game up to switch back and forth.

 

[jjk]

Tennis Videos for Analysis... Thnx!

Hi BravoRed691

I think the comments posted yesterday at 03.06 pm by fgs are right on the money and I would like to expand slightly if I may.

I have had a brief look and your shot has the basis of an excellent backhand.

With some work on your contact point, your shot will make a quick jump to the next level. It is hugely important to keep your contact point in your comfort zone: too far away or too close is outside of this. The moment you strike the ball outside of the zone (at times for you - too late and tucked in ), you are not dictating the ball - the ball is dictating you. When you dictate the ball, you will be hitting it in a smooth uninterupted way, allowing you to aim and spin the ball as you choose. When the ball dictates you, your swing is thrown off track and so is the quality and result of the shot. Generally speaking, a late struck ball leads to a jammed muscled shot. Striking in the comfort zone applies to balls played from both inside the court or further back.

A two-handed backhand will always be hit slightly later than a single-handed, but not too late.

LOOK FOR THE BALL!!

Here are some action points:

1. Open, closed and semi closed stances are all fine at the right time and you seem to have all of the stance options which is good.

2. Load (prepare) in time to allow you to fit the swing in on those deep topspin balls from your opponent. Preparing too early will cause problems with your rhythm but too late is a no no! (Take a look at Lleyton Hewitt, Venus Williams and Andre Agassi to check good preparation).

3. Good light feet, alert mind and anticipation, correct loading and good shot selection will all help your contact point.

No matter how pretty your swing is - it will be looking pretty ugly by the time you've lost balance, trashed your follow through, lifted your head etc. as a result of hitting out of the comfort zone.

One final point is that you would be better off moving back towards the centre mark after each backhand rather than staying around the backhand corner. This will help keep the drill more match realistic and help your fitness.

I spent many years coaching around the A.T.P. tour and believe me, many top pros hit late at times.

I love the backhand so much that I built a website full of backhand coaching tips, images, films etc. solely for the shot - check it out at: http://www.backhandworld.com

Good luck

 

[Big Fed]

Great b hands nice and smooth. U make a really weirld noise when u hit though.

 

[Jay27]

Hey fellow tennis enthusiasts!
I have recently began to really browse these messageboards and have found a wealth of invaluable information...all due to people like y'all. I think, like most of u, I enjoy the threads with vids of people hitting. I'm impressed by the skill level in the vids from certain players like TonLars and J011yroger; thanx for showing me how it's supposed to be done. I'm even more impressed by those of us with more modest skills posting their own strokes to be critiqued. And finally, I appreciate all those of you who are willing to share their honest opinions about these vids; i learn something new everytime i come on and read. In fact, i'm excited to "take advantage" of all this enthusiasm. That is to say i'm gonna man-up, put my pride aside and post a few vids of my own. Unlike some others who simply post their vids up for all to enjoy, i am looking for as much criticism as i can handle! Of course the constructive variety would be more appreciated.

Im also NOT gonna give a whole bunch of excuses ahead of time as to blunt some of the harsh criticisms i may get. When these vids were filmed, i was neither injured nor out of shape. I hit how i hit and these vids are just about as good as i can hit them. I apologize for the camera angle. These vids were made for me only and i thought this angle would allow me to see more; i already know which shots i missed and which i didn't. Also, i didn't have a tripod or enough room to set the camera up behind me.

I have recorded a series of videos a couple of years back that i have saved on a few cds (some still to be found). Some of them i have handy but they are all backhands. I would like to defend my hitting partner ahead to time. He is a 5.0 player but you'll see that some of his shots land short. Well in his defense, he held back a bit just for me. Earlier, i was having trouble putting his shots back in play. Catering to me disrupted his timing a bit. Anyways, here are the links to my backhands...i will post up my forehands, serves and volleys when i find/film them.

Backhand to Backhand Rally -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjeVgDuzczY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZvDNsn-saY&mode=user&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUcQyAHdgNc

Thnx lots everybody!
PS when are we gonna finally get to see that 3.0 vs. Pro match?!!!!

BR

I guess I'm the one that's supposed to respond to that...lol...Well, it has been posted. I think it's on the 4th or 5th page of the postings. Let me know what you think!

Also, you have nice looking backhands. At first, I thought you were brushing up on the ball too much and not really hitting through the ball. But, your other videos look like you're hitting through the ball more. I'd definitely work on getting ready for your slice a little earlier. I think being able to recognize that you're going to hit a slice very early in the rally is important. It'll help you prepare mentally and will help you stay with the slice throughout the entire shot.

Edit: Just saw your one hander! Loved the technique! Your slice looks much better with the 1hbh video. I think you should stick with it...unless it isn't quite as consistent as your two hander. Anyway, I enjoyed the videos. Thanks!

 

[BravoRed691]

Thnx guys and more vids...

jjk: Wow, thnx for the compliment. Makes me feel good that my BH is ready for the next level (granted you didn't mention what kind of level lol!) i have ben working on being a bit more aggressive on my BH...esp when i play players who don't have the shots to push me around. I don't want to be content with just getting the ball back anymore. Love the website...loads of stuff on there (i'll try to spend more time on it next time; only got to browse through it the first.)

Big Fed: thnx for the compliment as well and yes, i try to make whatever noise it takes to get the ball over and in lol!

Jay27: well i've already commented on that thread so no need to do it here again...though the fact that im saying that doesn't that mean i am commenting again...hmmm...

Yea i actually don't think i brush up effectively. I don't hit a very big top spinner off of that side at all (unless i use a onehander). I only generate enough spin to get it over. Though i it the 2 hander harder, some say my one hander is heavier. In the two handed vids i only sliced by "accident" most of those occasions, i didn't think the ball was gonna clear..i know...what horrible mental focus...anyways, i actually slice off of that side like 80 percent of the time!!! I don't even hit that two hander that much! I can redirect a ball with my slice a bit better sometimes and its my safe shot...even on my returns. I have trouble returning with a onehanded drive so i return two handed or use my slice. thnx! O yea guys: here is my forehand! And yes i do use a eastern grip...im one of the few that i know who have ever switch from a semi-western back to an eastern!

Forehands: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80IB21YX6KA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9MMqIHBVVM
These vids not the same as the backhand ones. In here, im cooling down after a night hitting sessions. Having said that, i probably don't look too much different in these vids than i do when i am focused more intensely.
And i do plan to film my shots from behind soon and post them up. I'm curious to see how i look from the back as well!

And i decided to dust off my camera again and took a few sec of vid. Didn't have the battery power or memory or time ...its just a test but i decided to film serves...next time will have more and put the camera in a better position.
Testing camera with serves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNV9larqZqA&mode=user&search=

Criticize away!!!

BR

 

[BravoRed691]

Well not many responses in a while...but that's alright, i've already got some great analysis. But i still wanted to post up some more vids. This time from a different angle. I think i really have to get a tripod! I wanted to take more vids from behind (so many people have complained about vids not taken from behind) and from an angle but the ground shots are almost unbearable to watch!!! The ones from the front were either taken withthe camera on the net post (way dangerous!), on the bench or held by someone (we didn't get a third until it was too late to film from behind again; batteries died, lights went out) These are obviously not point construction just rallies again. And no i didn't edit them! I trimmed the "1st" clip cause it was just us picking up balls. the "2nd" and "3rd" clips were just very short (yea, must have been a premature start or end, i'll ask my cameraman tomorrow). Besides you guys will see plenty of misses already. It's hard to tell but for the most part i didn't miss wide or long. I think at about 2:58 there was a miss long (partner tried to take it out of the air unsuccessfully). All shots other than the netted (hate hate hate those!) ones were in.

Sorry about the horrid quality of the vids esp. compared with the other ones. Not sure what happened. I used the same camera. It's funny cause although the old vids were 3:00 min long with decent quality, when i tried to bump up the quality of the vids this time around, i could only get :30 sec clips. So, i went with the lower quality lengthier clips. I'll mess with my camera some more and along with the tripod, make more and better quality vids!!! As usual, criticize away!

 

[BravoRed691]

Well duh! a Link would be nice!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fp5XGthGAE

O yea i added some tunes cause i'm kinda boring to watch...
Cheers...
BR

 

[BravoRed691]

Serving Vids

Okay! Time to renew this thread! As usual criticize away, i've got a thick skin! This is what i wrote to update to OP: OK so i know it has been a while but instead of cramming for my exam tom, i dug this baby up. I 've got more from a behind view which i will get to as soon as i get past this exam and a few other projects... thnx for watching and be as mean as you like!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc1Rt2Z6AW0

BR

 

[lakis92]

Very good. But kinda weak I have to say (for my taste,right?)

 

[BravoRed691]

Very good. But kinda weak I have to say (for my taste,right?)

Thnx...and you're right. I'll be the first one to admit that im not gonna be blowing anyone off the court with my serve. It does the job of setting me up for the rest of the point however, its not a strength but it hasn't been too much of a liability either. I've got a decent slice serve (which i will post) which set my "flatter one" up pretty well. My kick (which i do not have a vid of yet) won't kick like a mule but it does allow me to swing as hard as i want and still get it in.

What i've been working on: more explosive on the knee bend and drive, and a little more fluidity to my take back. I actually think i can hit i it harder if i lower my toss a tad to match my current timing. Then again, not a single part of my game is built around power, im more of a retriever who loves to volley!

O yea, my feelings were still kinda hurt when you said they were weak though lol!!!!

BR

 

[drakulie]

Is it me, or does the video look sped up?

Anyway, nice backhand! Great movement, follow-thru, and preparation. Thanks for sharing.

 

[BravoRed691]

Is it me, or does the video look sped up?

Anyway, nice backhand! Great movement, follow-thru, and preparation. Thanks for sharing.

LOL...so how slow do we have to move and hit, for people to believe it's not sped up lol...Does my 85 MPH serve look like 120 to some people lol! I know your just messing wit me!

BR

 

[drakulie]

LOL...so how slow do we have to move and hit, for people to believe it's not sped up lol...Does my 85 MPH serve look like 120 to some people lol! I know your just messing wit me!

BR

I'm not messing with you at all. I was referring to the very first video. It looks sped up. The leaves moving in the trees, and the cars in the background are moving awkwardly fast. Again, it may just be me.

As I said, your strokes in those vids look really good.

 

[TENNIS_IS_FUN]

Very solid strokes...quite jealous.

Raquet/String/Tension?

 

[luv2volley]

solid strokes, good split-steps, light feet ...lighter than me for sure but then I'm an old fart and heavy... keep it up.

 

[CAM178]

Slow your feet down, put some more space between you and the ball, and slow down your swing until the last moment. You need to be more patient. Also, uncork more at the last second, i.e. explode into the ball. As you explode, you want to finish more into the court. You're too rigid at finish.

Looks good. Just need more time on the courts!

 

[BravoRed691]

Very solid strokes...quite jealous.

Raquet/String/Tension?

Jealous?! Ha! Well that just MADE MY DAY! Anyone else? lol .. Thnx buddy!
And to answer your question: Some of those were with HEAD TI Fire Tour Edition, and others were with DUNLOP 300g MP with either Prince Lightning 16 Pink or WB Dynamites 16 @ 62/61 lbs.

Luv2volley: I will keep it up and like CAM178 mentioned, quick doesn't mean good unfortunately, but it's better than slow i guess...and i've seen some pretty damn good old farts through out my career!

CAM178: You hit it right on the nail about my backswing, i actually felt rushed. Even with my hitting partner taking something off his strokes to help me out, i still felt rushed and like i was hitting a brick. As far as rigidity, i think i am only so on my blocked shots, i think im pretty relaxed for the most part already. Thnx for the insightful inputs, i actually though you were talking about my serve and that confused the heck out of me at first!

BR