Video Diary NTRP 3.0 - 4.0 by Auust 2014 (1 year)

mightyrick said:
I absolutely love how your coach characterized preparation. That is fantastic wording. It's one thing to say "prepare"... but it's another thing to say "gather yourself". "Gather yourself" implies not only being set and solid, but also calming yourself... getting ready... pulling yourself together.

Fantastic advice from your coach.
Click to expand...
Thanks MightyTrick, I'm glad it rang true to you as it did to me; it was an aha! moment when we discussed it on our first session as I hadn't thought about it - not one youtube video ( at least the ones I saw ) has mentioned something of the like, considering the amount of youtube channel videos I'm subscribed to.


Match Update:

Played another 4.0 in one week!
I've never had a week when I got to play two diff 4.0's. Thank you.

Score was 6-2, 6-3.

(although my score is worse compared to my previous 4.0 match, however I felt I had chances as a good number of games went to deuce, my serve and his)
BTW we played about 4 months ago. Score was 6-0, 6-0.

Notes for later review:
  • Work on your concentration not breaking at point of contact with the ball.
  • Work on early racket takeback.
  • Remind yourself that you need the "wrist snap" when you switch to continental when you charge the net.
  • Work on staying positive.
 
As you should know, not all 4.0's play the same, and not all 4.0's always play like themselves.....
Lots of my matches, 6-1, 2-6, 6-1 as an example, can vary widely in score, but the play in individual games usually are closer to the overall score.
Lots of higher level players, and this goes for women also, don't play every practice match seriously, nor then go all out in every real tournament match. Cruising is a reality, even in tournament play.
And lots of better players are trying new ideas and new strokes when they play a lesser player.
Keep track of the score, but more important, how well did you actually play?
 
OP is a 3.5. As such, he needs to know, there is NO wrist snap with conti grips.
There IS pronation, the turning of the forearm thru your shoulder muscles, like used on serve, that gives the added RHS acceleration.
 
LeeD said:
Lots of my matches, 6-1, 2-6, 6-1 as an example, can vary widely in score, but the play in individual games usually are closer to the overall score.
And lots of better players are trying new ideas and new strokes when they play a lesser player.
Keep track of the score, but more important, how well did you actually play?
Click to expand...

It felt was closer than the score, but from what I can tell, it was a serious game. I've played matches with quite a few players now and there is something palpably different when two players are going at it -- no talking at all, going after balls that are normally winners on non serious games, both players playing conservatively on deuce / ad-in / ad-out, handshake at the end.

The guy played very clean and used the "70% rule"; I honestly don't remember him making an unforced error and almost all balls that landed inside the service line were smacked winners.

I treasure matches like the last two not only because their 4.0's but also because I've played them before. The scores are meant to guage how far I'm coming along. About 5 months ago I hardly won a single game against the two, now I had chances; not necessarily on winning the set but on being closer than the score suggests.

Side note: There are only 8 legit 4.0's in my home court (the one's I can look up online at least) mid 20's to mid 30's (except one, late 40's to early 50's primarily a doubles player), after that it's a quick downhill from 3.5's and below.

Topspin Shot said:
GP1, what do you mean by "wrist snap"?
Click to expand...
LeeD said:
OP is a 3.5. As such, he needs to know, there is NO wrist snap with conti grips.
There IS pronation, the turning of the forearm thru your shoulder muscles, like used on serve, that gives the added RHS acceleration.
Click to expand...
The side to side pronation of the wrist. It's almost like a short stab at the ball, the wrist is not moving from back to front but from side to side. I don't know how else to describe it.
 
You can bend your wrist to hit wierdo one off shots, but not as part of your groundstroke repertiore.
 
Perhaps you aren't going to make it.
On page 2, you posted a vid titled, "wide serves". Of the first 8, none are wide, all hit at where a returner would stand, and 2 to the middle side.
Perhaps your understanding of the game needs some refinement.
I take exception to your title, 3-4 in one year.
As a superior athlete, one who played high school football and basketball, who placed 7th in fencing in a competition of over 400, including 4th semester fencers, my first semester, and one who was surfing in 3A surfing competitions, it still took me 3 years to WIN a big draw (128 entry) C tournament, or 3.5.
Don't give up because I stated this. But be aware, your expectations are beyond realistic, considering your lack of high level sports prior to tennis.
 
LeeD said:
Perhaps you aren't going to make it.
On page 2, you posted a vid titled, "wide serves". Of the first 8, none are wide, all hit at where a returner would stand, and 2 to the middle side.
Perhaps your understanding of the game needs some refinement.
I take exception to your title, 3-4 in one year.
As a superior athlete, one who played high school football and basketball, who placed 7th in fencing in a competition of over 400, including 4th semester fencers, my first semester, and one who was surfing in 3A surfing competitions, it still took me 3 years to WIN a big draw (128 entry) C tournament, or 3.5.
Don't give up because I stated this. But be aware, your expectations are beyond realistic, considering your lack of high level sports prior to tennis.
Click to expand...

Maybe this is a difference between us, I don't see the 4.0 level the way you do. The goal is meant to keep me working hard with something to aim for and keep me from meandering at the same level for years. The occasional progress matches help me see my development. The idea that someone says it's beyond realistic is actually a good motivator; the obsessive personality I have doesn't hurt either. All in all, I am pretty satisfied so far.
 
Read the last sentence of that post of mine.
I"m telling you, as a fellow Asian, 5'11", living in SanFrancisco, starting tennis at age 24, full grown, what most people would say EXCELLENT in lots of sports, my high school letter (6 sports, 3 years), with a full surfing and fencing background.
Your expectations are beyond realistic. But, you should try, and good luck to you.
But, it's a total affront for me to hear someone saying something sooo unrealistic, especially with me being only a low 4.0 now, and some very good athletic friends, who are my size, needing 3+ years to make 4.0, with little chance of winning individual sets off me, if I take any interest.
Like that Euro guy who says "0 to 5.0 in a year". Totally hogwash, and I was the first to say it's impossible, because, yes, I gave it an attempt, it took 4 years to win 3 rounds in Open events.
 
LeeD said:
Read the last sentence of that post of mine.
I"m telling you, as a fellow Asian, 5'11", living in SanFrancisco, starting tennis at age 24, full grown, what most people would say EXCELLENT in lots of sports, my high school letter (6 sports, 3 years), with a full surfing and fencing background.
Your expectations are beyond realistic. But, you should try, and good luck to you.
But, it's a total affront for me to hear someone saying something sooo unrealistic, especially with me being only a low 4.0 now, and some very good athletic friends, who are my size, needing 3+ years to make 4.0, with little chance of winning individual sets off me, if I take any interest.
Like that Euro guy who says "0 to 5.0 in a year". Totally hogwash, and I was the first to say it's impossible, because, yes, I gave it an attempt, it took 4 years to win 3 rounds in Open events.
Click to expand...

Seriously, you've been playing since you were 24 and only ended up at 4.0?
 
geepeeone said:
Seriously, you've been playing since you were 24 and only ended up at 4.0?
Click to expand...

Dude, take caution in your tone. You are going to unleash the wrath of the great LeeD. After your insolence, I expect LeeD to release a full post worth of his GOAT achievements upon your unbelieving head.
 
Yes, I bought my first racket from MrsLouie in 1974, now a lowly 4.0.
In between, I played in 13 A/Open events, made semis in ChineseNats twice, played 2 Q's that I lost in the 3rd round.
I played tennis seriously from 1974 until 1979. Well, serious as 5 days a week, playing mostly with CCSF and SFState top singles guys, the Louie sisters, some guy who went away to CanadaCollege as their No.4 singles, and was scheduled to have a practice hit with GregShepard, then the No.8 or so in NorCal A's...I bailed to watch the surf, was named in NewYorker mag as one of the top big wave surfers out of SanFrancisco.
Tennis ended in 1979 for me. It's now 2014, did you know?
 
LeeD said:
Yes, I bought my first racket from MrsLouie in 1974, now a lowly 4.0.
In between, I played in 13 A/Open events, made semis in ChineseNats twice, played 2 Q's that I lost in the 3rd round.
I played tennis seriously from 1974 until 1979. Well, serious as 5 days a week, playing mostly with CCSF and SFState top singles guys, the Louie sisters, some guy who went away to CanadaCollege as their No.4 singles, and was scheduled to have a practice hit with GregShepard, then the No.8 or so in NorCal A's...I bailed to watch the surf, was named in NewYorker mag as one of the top big wave surfers out of SanFrancisco.
Tennis ended in 1979 for me. It's now 2014, did you know?
Click to expand...


Ohhh . . . MightyTrick it wasn't insolence but a genuine question out of curiosity. LeeD I hope you didn't take offense, so it's 5 years from '74-79. Later on I may the route of tennis simply for enjoyment, for now its just mainly getting better.
 
OP is already a 3.5 IMHO so I don't see why its impossible for him to hit 4.0. Its hard though because the jump from 3.5 to 4.0 is actually very big.

A 4.0 is a very good tennis player. He might not look like it on video but he will beat most tennis players at the local clubs.
 
hi geep.
from watching your serve on your initial post it looks like you hitting the ball only with your arm. Try to get you body into it. Good luck!
 
Seventh Session with Coach 2/18/14

Tennis Understanding
  • Control the Center. Don't give it up easily.
  • Put air in your shot when you're hitting out of balance.
  • One minute concentration blocks.
Mechanics
  • Extend the arm: Forehand, backhand, volleys.
  • Flat topspin forehand
 
GuyClinch said:
OP is already a 3.5 IMHO so I don't see why its impossible for him to hit 4.0.

A 4.0 is a very good tennis player. He might not look like it on video but he will beat most tennis players at the local clubs.
Click to expand...

So true! That's why I perk up when I see a 4.0 come in the court. It's definitely a challenge. Personal opinion though, I think self taught players top out at 4.0. I've never seen a self taught 4.5 and above; all have had some sort of coaching one way or the other.

crash1929 said:
hi geep.
from watching your serve on your initial post it looks like you hitting the ball only with your arm. Try to get you body into it. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Easier said than done. More moving parts, more chances to mistime the ball.
But believe me, I'm working hard at it - incorporating momentum into my serve. Thank you for the comment.
 
We should hit sometime.
I'm a bad 4.0 lefty, been as good as 3 rounds in the TransAmerica Q.
I'm in SanPablo, often play in Berkeley, but I could possibly meet you somewhere in between.
I do have a transportation problem, as my van is basically dead, and I'm using g/f's car, which she thinks should only be used for work on the house.
But we should contact each other, stay in touch, and see what develops.
If you need pickup 4.0 tennis on weekends, just drop by either Albert's Field in SanRafael, or come by SanPabloPark. That would be anytime between 9-1.
Weekdays, there's pickup 3.5 tennis at SanPabloPark in Berkeley.
I don't have much weekend time off, so it's probably weekdays that work for me until the windsurfing season starts.
We can just contact here on a Travel section thread. Notice Shroud, PapaMango, and some other's are in the Berkeley thread.
 
geepeeone said:
Tennis Understanding
  • Control the Center. Don't give it up easily.
  • Put air in your shot when you're hitting out of balance.
  • One minute concentration blocks.
Mechanics
  • Extend the arm: Forehand, backhand, volleys.
  • Flat topspin forehand
Click to expand...

GP1, is the stuff above a copy/paste or do you type and format it. If the latter nice work. Seldom do we see great formating on the boards.
 
Where do you live in SF?
I used to live at 45th and Santiago, so played mostly at 24th and Vicente, StateCollege, Dupont in the Richmond, or GoldenGatePark.
I might be stuck taking BART, so it has to be somewhat within reach of one of the bus or trolley lines.
Of course, we'd need an availible court, so probably not GGPark.
Courts like NorthBeach or Chinatown can be crowded weekdays.
Weekday mornings, after 11AM would be workable. Since I live about 12 blocks from BART, I might just drive all the way.
NOT tomorrow, I have to finish some rockwork around the fireplace, but Friday is a possibility.
 
corbind said:
GP1, is the stuff above a copy/paste or do you type and format it. If the latter nice work. Seldom do we see great formating on the boards.
Click to expand...

Hi Corbind,

I type and format because I have a linear brain. In order for me to absorb information, it has to be synthesized in bullet form. Thanks for the complement.
 
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LeeD said:
Where do you live in SF?
I used to live at 45th and Santiago, so played mostly at 24th and Vicente, StateCollege, Dupont in the Richmond, or GoldenGatePark.
I might be stuck taking BART, so it has to be somewhat within reach of one of the bus or trolley lines.
Of course, we'd need an availible court, so probably not GGPark.
Courts like NorthBeach or Chinatown can be crowded weekdays.
Weekday mornings, after 11AM would be workable. Since I live about 12 blocks from BART, I might just drive all the way.
NOT tomorrow, I have to finish some rockwork around the fireplace, but Friday is a possibility.
Click to expand...

Name the courts closest and most convenient for you and we'll meet there. Currently I am only available Tuesday late afternoon and onwards. North beach and Chinatown are both one hour drive (to and fro) but I am looking for experience and so I'm good whenever you're free that day. My coaching is that day as well from 1:30 to 3 PM. Please let me know of we can make it happen.

side note: I actually live in Daly City.
 
DalyCity, so is StateCollege of SF the best option? I don't know if they still exist.
I know there are some public courts on the way to Westlake from the college, on the E side of the road that circles LakeMerced.
Friday won't work, traffic going E to my home, or N to Marin.
Aren't you going to be tired after a 2 hour coaching session?
Tuesday can work, but I"m worried after 2 hours on court, you will lose concentration and hit unlike yourself.
 
LeeD said:
DalyCity, so is StateCollege of SF the best option? I don't know if they still exist.
I know there are some public courts on the way to Westlake from the college, on the E side of the road that circles LakeMerced.
Friday won't work, traffic going E to my home, or N to Marin.
Aren't you going to be tired after a 2 hour coaching session?
Tuesday can work, but I"m worried after 2 hours on court, you will lose concentration and hit unlike yourself.
Click to expand...

Did you mean San Francisco State University? Yes we can play there, but we might run out of daylight - the courts are not lighted. We can play there for now, we can figure out something more permanent in the future?

Tuesday 4:00 to Sundown?

Don't worry about me, I'm still good after the coaching session. 1 hr break should be enough.
 
Thanks for answering, really.
I'm the driver for my g/f. She get's off work around 6, then wants me to drive her to the Richmond pool to swim 1.5 hours. I hate swimming. But I want to live here with the g/f. Since she is head research scientist at the USDA, she often has to stay late, or might get off earlier, depending on work load.
Traffic at 6 is kinda prohibitive, going back to EastBay.
I might have to pass, since I play most of my tennis around 10-1, have plenty of players here between Nichol's Park, RoseGarden, and SanPabloPark.
I"m sorta required to finish the house we're living in, like baseboards, rock facade around the fireplace, and painting.
Sorry, but thank you, I wish our time off would coordinate better.
 
LeeD said:
Thanks for answering, really.
I'm the driver for my g/f. She get's off work around 6, then wants me to drive her to the Richmond pool to swim 1.5 hours. I hate swimming. But I want to live here with the g/f. Since she is head research scientist at the USDA, she often has to stay late, or might get off earlier, depending on work load.
Traffic at 6 is kinda prohibitive, going back to EastBay.
I might have to pass, since I play most of my tennis around 10-1, have plenty of players here between Nichol's Park, RoseGarden, and SanPabloPark.
I"m sorta required to finish the house we're living in, like baseboards, rock facade around the fireplace, and painting.
Sorry, but thank you, I wish our time off would coordinate better.
Click to expand...

No worries, I appreciate the offer nonetheless. I like the fact that you're like the jack of all trades, carpentry, tennis, surfing . . . and such. It's good that you've maintained an active lifestyle, which is more than I can say for a lot of people young and old.

As for me . . . on to finding 4.0's.
 
Like they say, jack of all trades, master of NONE......
Too bad you can't play on weekends. SanPabloPark has excellent 4.0 pickup doubles where they rotate people in every set.
 
Eigth Session with Coach 2/25/14

Today was a treat. Coach decided to do a short rally at full strength! To be on the other end of the kind of balls and placement played at much higher levels is inspiring. I will definitely asked that we do it again!

Extend the arm...extend the arm...extend the arm . . .and finally, extend the arm.







.
 
Last edited:
Good stuff, finally the coach let's loose for an extended period of time.
Get shoulder's turned early. Stand 4' behind your baseline. Hit deep to him, otherwise he hit's deeper to you.
Get used to that pace, and 4.0 becomes easy for you.
 
You with the hat has a chance for 4.0 by the end of the year.
Your partner, no chance.
You both hit waaaaay to cautiously, yet still mishit, shank, and miss the other court.
 
Got ugly covered.
Today, I was hitting with my gimpy left ankle and a charleyhorse going away becoming a numb left thigh....
I was hitting with a former 4.5 who had double rotator cuff surgery last year in the fall.......
We're both lefty.
Another lefty jumped in, his neck sore from a car accident he was in last week.
Imagine the shanks, mishits, gimping around, and bad shots......
 
Oh, one tip you can take or leave....
You hit all your forehands with an extended takeback, elbow somewhat straight. While that's good for power, it's NOT good for consistency and solid shots.
Bend your elbow on the back of your takeback to hit consistent, then straighten it back when you have more time and going for a hard forehand.
 
Oh....
When I was playing tennis in the old daze, one of my weekly practice partners was RalieghZalameda, who won AsianNats and was Philipino.
Another practice partner was ByronNepomicino (spelling not my strong suit), a B player who became A but moved to the East Coast. I think he won either Asian Nats or PhilipinoNats.
TracyHouk was another Philipino player I practiced with, but this was before she made A's in the womens.
Another Philipino, Amy, a former USTA NorCal number ONE Open level woman, is one of our doubles crew up at the RoseGarden courts in Berkeley.
 
LeeD said:
Got ugly covered.
Today, I was hitting with my gimpy left ankle and a charleyhorse going away becoming a numb left thigh....
I was hitting with a former 4.5 who had double rotator cuff surgery last year in the fall.......
We're both lefty.
Another lefty jumped in, his neck sore from a car accident he was in last week.
Imagine the shanks, mishits, gimping around, and bad shots......
Click to expand...


Thanks Leed, this had me smiling the whole time trying to picture you guys on the court!

But hey as long as we're having fun, who cares. Thx for the good vibe.
 
LeeD said:
Oh, one tip you can take or leave....
You hit all your forehands with an extended takeback, elbow somewhat straight. While that's good for power, it's NOT good for consistency and solid shots.
Bend your elbow on the back of your takeback to hit consistent, then straighten it back when you have more time and going for a hard forehand.
Click to expand...


Wow very nice pickup. I didn't even notice that about myself until you pointed it out. Thank you kind sir.
 
Nice backhand, does it work against fast incoming balls from your peers?
Your left foot on serve is only a problem if you want it to be. The sliding left foot out wide opens your stance, forcing a coil from your body, sometimes helping with pace and power. See PowerPlayer's thread on open stance serving.
But, 95% of good players don't step out nearly as far, as they use a very closed stance to start the prep position.
 
Thx. Yes my backhand works against my peers but only because the balls are not as heavy, high, or as angled as higher rated players. Also, I am only able to do it if the ball is just a few steps away; any farther then I do a slice instead.

Lateral and forward movement on my backhand side is still a work in progress. I know what and how to do it (side step/carioca/shuffle), I just need consistency implementing the footwork patterns without having to remind myself each time.

For my serve, if I can only add 10 mph without making MAJOR change(s) in the mechanics then I'll be happy.

Hopefully I can make a video of next week's coaching session.
 
Cool!
I guess we should hit sometime.
My g/f is sticking around until early May, when some conference takes her away for a few days, but we can stay in touch.
I don't have a useable car, and BART is about two miles away, so I have to wait for her to go before I can drive over to SF in the late afternoons.
Are those the sunken courts near LakeMerced?
 
LeeD said:
Cool!
I guess we should hit sometime.
My g/f is sticking around until early May, when some conference takes her away for a few days, but we can stay in touch.
I don't have a useable car, and BART is about two miles away, so I have to wait for her to go before I can drive over to SF in the late afternoons.
Are those the sunken courts near LakeMerced?
Click to expand...

Hi Leed,

No, it's actually Orange Park in San Bruno - my favorite courts by the way. Yeah, yeah let's keep in touch - I'm always available to play in the late afternoons whenever.

Hopefully we can play on courts with tarps on the fence as I really have a hard time tracking the ball against a naked fence.
 
geepeeone said:
For my serve, if I can only add 10 mph without making MAJOR change(s) in the mechanics then I'll be happy.
Click to expand...

You have the typical rec level serve, lots of arming the ball and not much to show for it. You need to spend time practicing the serve just like any other stroke. Relax the arm.
 
shindemac said:
You have the typical rec level serve, lots of arming the ball and not much to show for it. You need to spend time practicing the serve just like any other stroke. Relax the arm.
Click to expand...


Ha ha ha I know! Too much energy and not much payoff. My coach keeps harping on placing my toss a little bit forward and aligning my momentum to the direction of the swing with a close stance as a setup.

I may actually try to cheat here since what I am being taught is a little outside my current ability, especially a forward toss.
All I want is an extra 5-10 mph, which is really not much to ask. I've been thinking that a more powerful string and a lower tension (maybe 45 lbs) might just do the trick! Voila problem solved! :twisted:

70-75 mph is a decent serve for a 4.0, no?
 
corbind said:
Dude nice backhands!
Click to expand...

Funny thing about this backhand. I've always tried to imitate Federer's backhand, but yesterday after this recording I realized I ended up with a mechanic more like Gasquet's: Not as much drive but more "brushy"??

But then again, if it works, it works. Thanks dude!
 
Hmmm.

Today something changed in me . . . I realized that I want a much better . . . not modicum better, but an unqualified better serve!

http://youtu.be/u0PM4Mr50js

There are a lot of things wrong with this serve, but I feel it's markedly a step in the right direction.
 
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