Video of lesson today

[dimkin]

Here is a clip from my lesson today with a local college player. He is having me work on hitting more through the court and getting weight on my front leg instead of hitting off me rear leg. He wants me to start more closed instead of straight open stance which I usually use mostly.

Your coach is 100% right what I see is:
1. Make your unit turn deeper (not with the raq, but with the trunk)
2. You still hit by rotation as opposed to leg-initiated fwd movement, so your shoulder open up too early in the shot
Your chin ends up facing left, whereas it should finish on your right shoulder and looking at where the contact point just was.

 

[Raul_SJ]

Your coach is 100% right what I see is:
1. Make your unit turn deeper (not with the raq, but with the trunk)
2. You still hit by rotation as opposed to leg-initiated fwd movement, so your shoulder open up too early in the shot
Your chin ends up facing left, whereas it should finish on your right shoulder and looking at where the contact point just was.

Not sure why the coach is not addressing the unit turn first and instead focusing on weight transfer to front leg.
Holding on to the racquet with left hand will promote shoulder coil and also relaxation. Right now the left arm is not even involved and left arm not holding on the racquet at all. That proper unit turn should be very easy to perform on those slow feeds.

Start with proper unit turn first. Start with the beginning of the stroke.

 

[FiReFTW]

Im sure that UTR12 or so guy that also has real life feedback and info with @tlm knows better at what is more important and what to do than some people on this forum that would get double baggeled by him in his sleep.

Not saying if someone is better at tennis hes better at coaching, but theres a big chance he is plus he has @tlm in real life and knows much more from 1st person than any of us here.

 

[tlm]

Im sure that UTR12 or so guy that also has real life feedback and info with @tlm knows better at what is more important and what to do than some people on this forum that would get double baggeled by him in his sleep.

Not saying if someone is better at tennis hes better at coaching, but theres a big chance he is plus he has @tlm in real life and knows much more from 1st person than any of us here.

I just started taking lessons again lately with this coach, but I have take lessons with him in the past. In our first couple of lessons we worked more on my backhand which I think needs more work. But he noticed that I was hitting off back foot too much on forehand so in this lesson that I filmed he said I know you want to work on the backhand but my best weapon is my forehand and he did not like the way I was hitting it.

So we worked on my forehand the entire session and he told me to film it so I could see what he was talking about. I’m sure he could do an entire rebuild of it but instead for now he wanted me to do 2 things, first use a Neutral stance no more complete open stance unless rushed.

Next was he wanted to see some weight transfer forward and some weight on my left foot. He did not want to see that front foot come off the ground. He said when rushed or jammed its fine to hit off back foot but only in those situations. He said that if there is time to set up on a shot I have to transfer weight to front leg. So I’m thinking this is just the first couple of changes he thinks I need and I’m sure he will keep making adjustments with my technique.

 

[Raul_SJ]

Im sure that UTR12 or so guy that also has real life feedback and info with @tlm knows better at what is more important and what to do than some people on this forum that would get double baggeled by him in his sleep.

Not saying if someone is better at tennis hes better at coaching, but theres a big chance he is plus he has @tlm in real life and knows much more from 1st person than any of us here.

Nobody's doubting the coaches playing ability or his coaching skills.
The proper unit turn with left hand on racquet is very easy to perform on practice feeds. It is legitimate to ask why it would not be incorporated straight away.
That unit turn and coil can easily be done along with the weight transfer he wants to work on. Can do both. More efficient to do both. Might as well start the stroke with the proper unit turn. Why bother reinforcing a stroke without the proper setup,

 

[Nostradamus]

Here is a clip from my lesson today with a local college player. He is having me work on hitting more through the court and getting weight on my front leg instead of hitting off me rear leg. He wants me to start more closed instead of straight open stance which I usually use mostly.

YOu are opening up your shoulders way too early. I know you are trying to crush the ball but that is bad technique. keep your shoulders closed but rotate your hips and Core to generate power. if you open up your shoulder like that too early, you will develop a terrible habit and make ton of UE's.
and what is that Lazy college player doing ? all he is doing is feeding nice easy balls ????????? where is the hitting lesson ? these so called pros are so so LAZY.

When I do lessons for the juniors, I do some hitting lesson as well, even though some of them hit bigger balls than I do. it is necessary to show what patterns of shots work and why they work.

One other thing, if he is going to just feed balls like that,,, just Use the ball machine, it is much cheaper

 

[tlm]

YOu are opening up your shoulders way too early. I know you are trying to crush the ball but that is bad technique. keep your shoulders closed but rotate your hips and Core to generate power. if you open up your shoulder like that too early, you will develop a terrible habit and make ton of UE's.
and what is that Lazy college player doing ? all he is doing is feeding nice easy balls ????????? where is the hitting lesson ? these so called pros are so so LAZY.

When I do lessons for the juniors, I do some hitting lesson as well, even though some of them hit bigger balls than I do. it is necessary to show what patterns of shots work and why they work.

One other thing, if he is going to just feed balls like that,,, just Use the ball machine, it is much cheaper

I have a ball machine but it doesn’t give feedback. He’s a good coach and does much more than just feed balls, that was only a couple minutes of our practice. A lot of time he will feed for a while then make corrections as needed then we will rally and see if I can use his tips while really hitting.

 

[Nostradamus]

I have a ball machine but it doesn’t give feedback. He’s a good coach and does much more than just feed balls, that was only a couple minutes of our practice. A lot of time he will feed for a while then make corrections as needed then we will rally and see if I can use his tips while really hitting.

I heaven't heard any tips coming from him in the video. he also need to teach you shot patterns and stretegies. tennis technique unless you have a major flaw shouldn't be the majority of tennis lesson

 

[FiReFTW]

I heaven't heard any tips coming from him in the video. he also need to teach you shot patterns and stretegies. tennis technique unless you have a major flaw shouldn't be the majority of tennis lesson

Whats your UTR

 

[Nostradamus]

Whats your UTR

I am USTA 4.5 and have been for 15 years. I don't have UTR, just don't play enough matches to have a accurate UTR.

 

[tlm]

I heaven't heard any tips coming from him in the video. he also need to teach you shot patterns and stretegies. tennis technique unless you have a major flaw shouldn't be the majority of tennis lesson

He reminded me to move my feet and recover better also towards the end he corrected me for hitting off my rear foot. We had already discussed what I was supposed to work on so now he wanted to make me hit a lot of shots and ingrain what we were trying to achieve.

 

[Raul_SJ]

YOu are opening up your shoulders way too early. I know you are trying to crush the ball but that is bad technique. keep your shoulders closed but rotate your hips and Core to generate power. if you open up your shoulder like that too early, you will develop a terrible habit and make ton of UE's.
and what is that Lazy college player doing ? all he is doing is feeding nice easy balls ????????? where is the hitting lesson ? these so called pros are so so LAZY.

It's fine to feed easy balls in the beginning; that's how you learn new stroke. But the coach needs to add the simple "left hand on racquet" to start the stroke. That likely fixes the lack of shoulder coil issue and opening up shoulders too soon on the forward swing. That "left hand on racquet" to start the stroke is very easy to do on easy feeds.

 

[Nostradamus]

He reminded me to move my feet and recover better also towards the end he corrected me for hitting off my rear foot. We had already discussed what I was supposed to work on so now he wanted to make me hit a lot of shots and ingrain what we were trying to achieve.

LOL,, ok, I don't like trashing another pro that is working hard to give lessons........... But, still that is so basic and amateurish comment. OK, I agree footwork is one of the most important aspect of tennis and this goes for ALL levels of players from the very BEST like Federer to 3.5 players that has been playing tennis for only 1 year.
However, when you do tennis lessons, you have to individualize the lesson to each player. Ok I agree, sometimes you are hitting off the back foot however, what do you have to do exactly to correct that ?? Move your weight forward is NOT it. Yes when you don't have time, you don't always have time to move the weight forward or step into the ball. you have to adjust to each situation and find what works for EACH player,, Every player is different and learns different.

Not hitting off the back foot isn't just about stepping in or transitioning your weight into the shot. you also have to work on how to move up and back efficiently depending on how deep the ball is or how short the ball is. foowork is different in those situations. and if you have proper footwork, you will also avoid hitting off the backfoot. It goes in much more in depth than this. I have to explain this on the court

 

[Nostradamus]

It's fine to feed easy balls; that's how you learn new stroke. But the coach needs to add the simple "left hand on racquet" to start the stroke. That likely fixes the lack of shoulder coil issue and opening up shoulders too soon on the forward swing. That "left hand on racquet" to start the stroke is very easy to do on easy feeds.

are you saying left hand on the racket is harder to do on incoming 60 mph ground strokes ?

 

[Raul_SJ]

are you saying left hand on the racket is harder to do on incoming 60 mph ground strokes ?

He has to start on slow feeds first. You don't agree with starting off on slow feeds first when learning new stroke?
And yes, I think left hand will be harder on fast feeds since he will revert to old way of doing it!

 

[tlm]

It's fine to feed easy balls in the beginning; that's how you learn new stroke. But the coach needs to add the simple "left hand on racquet" to start the stroke. That likely fixes the lack of shoulder coil issue and opening up shoulders too soon on the forward swing. That "left hand on racquet" to start the stroke is very easy to do on easy feeds.

It looks to me like I did start with left hand on the racket on almost every shot, so not sure what you mean. I do take it off too early and open shoulders to quickly but I start with left hand on racket.

 

[Raul_SJ]

It looks to me like I did start with left hand on the racket on almost every shot, so not sure what you mean. I do take it off too early and open shoulders to quickly but I start with left hand on racket.

Yes, you start with left hand on throat but letting go of the left hand way too early on the unit turn takeback. No shoulder coil on the takeback. Left arm not involved.
Not so easy to see from the back view, but that's what it looks like to me. Maybe coaches here can confirm this?
I don't think you are getting anywhere near the shoulder coil that Simon demonstrates.

Put it this way: If your coach was feeding Simon, he'd be able to see the back of Simon's shirt. Your coach can't see the back of your shirt.

 

[jga111]

Good hitting TLM, feels good hitting with power hey How is ur match play these days?

 

[tlm]

Good hitting TLM, feels good hitting with power hey How is ur match play these days?

I’m doing okay in match play. Lately I’ve been working more on technique as opposed to playing matches. I work with my ball machine a lot and just hitting practice with a few matches thrown in. I need to improve backhand and serve so I’ve been working on that more than playing matches.

 

[Wise one]

I never said it is easy the idea is when I get a short ball or sitter I will be able to attack it better. Of course in a match you are not going to get a bunch of easy short balls to hit on every shot, but when it happens you need to be confident to go for your shot. It doesn’t mean to go for a winner more like a good approach shot.
Probably one of my few strong points is playing consistently and that is why I use a western grip and use topspin to keep the ball in. My coach wants me to be able to attack shorter weak shots more effectively. In other words he thinks I play too defensively.

Whacking the ball is not 'attacking'. Short balls are often low, and whacking such balls leads to netted or long shots.

 

[tlm]

Whacking the ball is not 'attacking'. Short balls are often low, and whacking such balls leads to netted or long shots.

They won’t go long if you put enough spin on the ball. If the ball is too low then I will chip it back.

 

[Wise one]

They won’t go long if you put enough spin on the ball.

Yes, they will if you try to hit top-spin. You can't get far enough beneath the ball if it's low and you are tall. See it all the time. Slice it!

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

The old school slice approach (both FH and BH) still works quite well against some very strong (5.0+) players in my current rotation. [emoji56]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Wise one]

The old school slice approach (both FH and BH) still works quite well against some very strong (5.0+) players in my current rotation. [emoji56]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Yes, it keeps the ball low. A top-spin shot bounces up higher, making it easier to hit passing shots with top-spin.

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Yes, it keeps the ball low. A top-spin shot bounce up higher, making it easier to hit passing shots with top-spin.

True dat! [emoji56][emoji471][emoji56]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[tlm]

Like I said if it’s too low I chip it, but if it’s close to net high or higher I will drive it.

 

[Wise one]

Like I said if it’s too low I chip it, but if it’s close to net high or higher I will drive it.

Even so, it can be easy to over-hit it or have it come back. It's not as easy as it looks.

 

[tlm]

Even so, it can be easy to over-hit it or have it come back. It's not as easy as it looks.

I agree that’s why I am working on that shot.

 

[Wise one]

I agree that’s why I am working on that shot.

No, it doesn't look like it to me. You're just whacking the ball with an extreme grip. Low sliced balls will demolish you.

 

[tlm]

No, it doesn't look like it to me. You're just whacking the ball with an extreme grip. Low sliced balls will demolish you.

What difference does it make what grip I use? As long as I can hit good shots the grip doesn’t matter, that whacking the ball looks like those shots would be pretty effective.
I can slice very consistently off both sides so no low sliced balls will not demolish me, plus your going to have a tough time hitting a good slice when my shots jump up above your shoulders.

 

[pencilcheck]

@tlm Don't let anyone tell you what to do, pro does what you do for back swing preparation too. In my opinion, your coach could be right, what you need is footwork and a proper understanding of coiling motion (the weight transfer is just an application, you don't and can't do it perfect in real matches).

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

You practice weight transfer and “ideal” technique to use when you can set your feet and go on the attack, hopefully forcing an error or short ball. While a LOT of tennis is about improvisation, the better your basic footwork and athleticism/movement the less you will be compelled to improvise!!! [emoji109]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[jga111]

Yes, they will if you try to hit top-spin. You can't get far enough beneath the ball if it's low and you are tall. See it all the time. Slice it!

You can. I did it just now in my hit, not sure exactly how I achieve it but I guess brush it up more than normal - and you can hit hard - but with a looser wrist thus generating the required spin to keep it in.

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

You can. I did it just now in my hit, not sure exactly how I achieve it but I guess brush it up more than normal - and you can hit hard - but with a looser wrist thus generating the required spin to keep it in.

This is true but an advanced technique [emoji471][emoji2][emoji471]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[tlm]

You practice weight transfer and “ideal” technique to use when you can set your feet and go on the attack, hopefully forcing an error or short ball. While a LOT of tennis is about improvisation, the better your basic footwork and athleticism/movement the less you will be compelled to improvise!!! [emoji109]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

This is very true, when I play better players it seems like they are always on balance and rarely have to make improvised shots. I can force them to improvise occasionally but not very often, but on the other hand they are forcing me to make a lot last second adjustments and improvised shots.

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

This is very true, when I play better players it seems like they are always on balance and rarely have to make improvised shots. I can force them to improvise occasionally but not very often, but on the other hand they are forcing me to make a lot last second adjustments and improvised shots.

Yep! That’s the name of the game. CONTROLLED aggression. [emoji56]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Wise one]

You can. I did it just now in my hit, not sure exactly how I achieve it but I guess brush it up more than normal - and you can hit hard - but with a looser wrist thus generating the required spin to keep it in.

On what kind of ball? A deep slice on clay will give you troubles. The OP was hitting high-bouncing fed balls on a hard court. Hardly the same thing!

 

[tlm]

On what kind of ball? A deep slice on clay will give you troubles. The OP was hitting high-bouncing fed balls on a hard court. Hardly the same thing!

Well all I play on are hard courts and as mentioned I will only attack it if it’s around net level or higher, if too low then I slice it’s very simple. Now if attacking a ball in mid court or closer then added spin really helps in getting the ball up and down quickly.

 

[Wise one]

What difference does it make what grip I use? As long as I can hit good shots the grip doesn’t matter, that whacking the ball looks like those shots would be pretty effective.
I can slice very consistently off both sides so no low sliced balls will not demolish me, plus your going to have a tough time hitting a good slice when my shots jump up above your shoulders.

It makes a lot of difference. You can't use that grip on low balls. I won't have any trouble with your shots, because I don't play from the base-line.

 

[Fxanimator1]

Here is a clip from my lesson today with a local college player. He is having me work on hitting more through the court and getting weight on my front leg instead of hitting off me rear leg. He wants me to start more closed instead of straight open stance which I usually use mostly.

Lol. This is so funny, I didn’t look at your name or anything in regards to the post, I went straight to the video. I watched one hit and thought, man he hits like TLM.

 

[tennishabit]

seems all disconnected from ground up............non functional legs pushing, weight shifting etcetc only for showing to dat 'coach':?))) it's dat 'coach's fault to let dis guy armming the ball like dis, man. wat for abt all dis:?))) to consolidate the wrong doing n make 'coaching' $$$ in 1 go:?))) no wonder so many te/ge-ers floating around......manohman.....................

 

[tlm]

It makes a lot of difference. You can't use that grip on low balls. I won't have any trouble with your shots, because I don't play from the base-line.

So you never have to play from the baseline? You must be talking about pickle ball.

 

[tlm]

Lol. This is so funny, I didn’t look at your name or anything in regards to the post, I went straight to the video. I watched one hit and thought, man he hits like TLM.

Pretty obvious huh. Lol

 

[Wise one]

So you never have to play from the baseline? You must be talking about pickle ball.

Nope, play serve and volley, chip and charge on every point.

 

[tlm]

Nope, play serve and volley, chip and charge on every point.

So you never hit a shot from the baseline? Wow that’s a first in the history of tennis.

 

[Chadalina]

So you never hit a shot from the baseline? Wow that’s a first in the history of tennis.

I think paul annocone once played a match and only hit 1 groundstroke

 

[dgold44]

Here is a clip from my lesson today with a local college player. He is having me work on hitting more through the court and getting weight on my front leg instead of hitting off me rear leg. He wants me to start more closed instead of straight open stance which I usually use mostly.

Try extending your elbow and arm more before you wrap it around

 

[dgold44]

Here is a clip from my lesson today with a local college player. He is having me work on hitting more through the court and getting weight on my front leg instead of hitting off me rear leg. He wants me to start more closed instead of straight open stance which I usually use mostly.

A closed stance is more consistent

 

[dgold44]

I like how you swing hard and don’t baby it
That is good !!

 

[Wise one]

I think paul annocone once played a match and only hit 1 groundstroke

So you never hit a shot from the baseline? Wow that’s a first in the history of tennis.

Not at all. Once in a while I may chase a lob, but I then hit a baseline overhead (once in a while I hit an over-the-shoulder return lob). No ground strokes from the baseline at all, ever.