Video Critique/Advice

[Stratotanker]

Hello,

I'm about two months into playing tennis after about a ten-plus year layoff after high school. I'm really enjoying rediscovering the game.

I filmed a quick video (hitting, point play, serve compliation) with an older friend of mine at the local park. The intensity level isn't super high, but I'm hitting normal strokes. I'll try to film a competitive set soon and post that for feedback.

I'd be grateful for any advice/comments/thoughts based on what you see. From what I can tell, my forehand backswing is way farther than it feels like, and my backhand looks a little wobbly/not very free.

Appreciate it!

-Strato

 

[StringSnapper]

Looking decent especially considering how long you haven't played for!

Your forehand reminds me of Thiems with the high elbow finish.

I agree with your statement about your forehand takeback, it does seem to go to far back. In a more competitive match you probably wont have time for such a long wind up.

I don't have a 2handed BH but maybe one thing; you don't seem to always get under the ball enough. Your racquet doesn't seem to drop down as low as your FH. What do you think? Maybe thats why it looks a little rushed in comparison and lands short. When you to get under it seems to go deeper.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

You have good form after such a long layoff. You aren't particularly rushed, even when the ball comes deep, which is when a lot of people [read: "me"] freak out and throw form out the window. Nice knee bend and arm looseness on the serve also.

 

[NuBas]

That court looks like the one in the pdizzy videos.

 

[Stratotanker]

Looking decent especially considering how long you haven't played for!

Your forehand reminds me of Thiems with the high elbow finish.

I agree with your statement about your forehand takeback, it does seem to go to far back. In a more competitive match you probably wont have time for such a long wind up.

I don't have a 2handed BH but maybe one thing; you don't seem to always get under the ball enough. Your racquet doesn't seem to drop down as low as your FH. What do you think? Maybe thats why it looks a little rushed in comparison and lands short. When you to get under it seems to go deeper.

You have good form after such a long layoff. You aren't particularly rushed, even when the ball comes deep, which is when a lot of people [read: "me"] freak out and throw form out the window. Nice knee bend and arm looseness on the serve also.

Thanks to you both. It might look okay now, but I hit the first few serves of the summer just short of the service line...on my side of the court. I'm hoping to move to a platform serve setup instead of the pinpoint...we'll see how it goes.

I'll work more on the body and legs and setting up a better racquet drop with the 2-hander, hopefully that helps - I don't feel like I have any power when I want to hit one with some pace. I actually hit a bunch of topspin drive one-handers for a few sessions because the 2-hander felt so awkward (the last ten years have been full of racquetball and squash) - I really enjoyed it, but I'm not sure it's actually a better shot.

That court looks like the one in the pdizzy videos.

Central NJ? It's a nice pair of public courts nestled into a tiny park, with a hitting wall outside the fences. Barely see anyone out playing...

 

[FiReFTW]

Cool, consistent hitting.
I like your leg bend on the serve, very nice.

 

[NuBas]

It's a nice pair of public courts nestled into a tiny park, with a hitting wall outside the fences. Barely see anyone out playing...

Deleted

 

[Stratotanker]

Cool, consistent hitting.
I like your leg bend on the serve, very nice.

Thanks Fire, trying to get more explosive...

 

[Stratotanker]

My fault, I thought it was this video but please disregard and if you want me to remove this vid let me know

More the merrier - I'm all about video - it's the real truth teller.

 

[NuBas]

I see clean dependable strokes and a good mover, good instincts and consistency. For some reason the way you stand reminds me of Monfils, even your serve looks a bit like his.

I think you would be hard to beat in a game, very consistent and patient player. Few more months and you're back to your solid self.

 

[Alien]

WTA forehand. There is a video this week from Top Tennis Training in YouTube that addresses it.

 

[Stratotanker]

WTA forehand. There is a video this week from Top Tennis Training in YouTube that addresses it.

Took me a minute to realize you were telling me my take back is a bit too long/is difficult to time, and not that I hit like a female professional tennis player (Which, on the balance, would be awesome). Made sense after I watched the video - I tried to hit tonight with more of that laggy/body-aligned style, seemed to work well. Thanks for the read.

 

[sovertennis]

Agree that yiour fh takeback is too long and elaborate. Maybe try to prepare sooner, with the hips lower and quads loaded, eg before the ball hits the court, then direct more or your energy forward. On too many strokes, your knees push skyward instead of flowing forward.

On the bh (which looks to be your stronger, more technically sound stroke) try to accelerate through the hitting zone faster, and get more extension. It appears that you often come across the ball (ie your right shoulder turns too soon), yielding a shorter hitting zone.

Overall though, very solid and consistent hitting. Good to be back on the court, right?

 

[marian10]

Do you prefer a consistent powerful forehand or a modern atp show off stroke that no one in the forum can honestly master?

Your game is fine. You could coil a bit more by leading your shoulder turn longer behind with the left hand. Globally you could play with more topspin on both sides.

 

[Stratotanker]

Agree that yiour fh takeback is too long and elaborate. Maybe try to prepare sooner, with the hips lower and quads loaded, eg before the ball hits the court, then direct more or your energy forward. On too many strokes, your knees push skyward instead of flowing forward.

On the bh (which looks to be your stronger, more technically sound stroke) try to accelerate through the hitting zone faster, and get more extension. It appears that you often come across the ball (ie your right shoulder turns too soon), yielding a shorter hitting zone.

Overall though, very solid and consistent hitting. Good to be back on the court, right?

Awesome to be back on the court - too bad my burnout from the juniors kept me away so long. Thanks for the great input.

Do you prefer a consistent powerful forehand or a modern atp show off stroke that no one in the forum can honestly master?

Your game is fine. You could coil a bit more by leading your shoulder turn longer behind with the left hand. Globally you could play with more topspin on both sides.

Appreciate it. Back to the courts...and the video.

 

[marian10]

Was watching Coric / Zverev highlights. Both have huge backswings. Not saying it's better than federer or fognini, both have excellent compact backswings. But the four of them have elite forehands.