Video of my groundstrokes

[justchampitout]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if you guys could give me some advice on my groundstrokes, I've been practicing them all summer long. The video of them can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LAH8sxe7Fw . Please ignore the first forehand shot, it's brutal! My backhand looks a bit awkward as I think I am opening up my shoulders too quickly. In addtion, I have what I think is a grip between a semi-western to a western. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[MasterTS]

Well you definitely need some work on the backhand...doesnt look like you're getting much topspin and you're 'slapping' the ball. Follow through isn't quite right.

 

[Swissv2]

you are opening up too much for the backhand. Swing speed is fast, slow it down to 70% or so. YOu have been working hard, so keep it up, you have potential!

 

[emo5]

what's his current ntrp ranking?
I wanna get a 'vague' idea of a 3.0..

 

[RiosTheGenius]

lean forward on the forehand, you're not bringing your body with it, it's all arm
on the BH wouldn't comment as I hit 2hander
the comment posted on the video was right though... slow down until you get more consistant, you go for too much without the skill.
I pressume you're somewhere in the 3.0 area

 

[TENNIS_IS_FUN]

I like your offhand on all your strokes
You seem to be off balance many times, try to plant your feet, learn foreward, and really put your weight into your shots. It seems as if you are trying to hit TOO hard, as if you want to kill the ball. Maybe this is causing the lack of balance? I liked your forehand shot 35 seconds into the video. Good work.

 

[justchampitout]

Hi,

Thanks for your quick replies. I would say I'm probably a 3.0. I'm trying to kill the ball because I hit the ball with a closed face in order to impart topspin. I'll try opening up my racket, but I presume balls will go flying.

Mike

 

[fleabitten]

Hi,

Thanks for your quick replies. I would say I'm probably a 3.0.
Mike

If these strokes were consistent - I'd say a 3.5.

On the backhand, stay down. You're opening up and leaning your torso back. Also try finishing your stroke a bit higher.

On the forehand, you have some footwork issues. Get into the right position and plant your feet.

Keep up the good work. You are doing great.

 

[emcee]

You seem to be using almost all arm in your forehands...if you use your legs, shoulders, etc, you'll be able to hit the ball harder with less straining on your part.

 

[Under Dog]

I think this guy is hitting around 3.5

I noticed a few points particulary on your forehand:

1. If possible, try and not ever hit the ball while moving backwards

2. Prepare for contact by planting your right leg (weight should be inside on the right quad); you switched back and forth from right, left, both etc. Plant and prepare on your right leg, and then explode forward and up into the shot

3. It looks like the ball is getting a bit behind you; try and make contact sooner; practice conatct before speed (Find your speed limit). In time, both will become greater

Keep it up!

 

[ramseszerg]

You are correct about your backhand. You are opening up too much and too early. Try to stay sideways to the net and only your racquet arm should move to your right, not your whole shoulders.

 

[DADYO]

Many times when you hit your forehand you seem to be hitting it as you're moving away from the ball (which also causes some mis-hits). Set yourself up for the shot and shift your bodyweight forward, when you're completely done the shot THEN return to the middle of the court. That's also the reason why your left leg automatically goes up after you hit a shot, you're not transfering the weight properly.

As for the backhand, who don't seem to be using your hips nor torso well, you set yourself up well with your shoulder line perpendicular to the net, but then all you do is flick your arm to hit your BH instead of following through well.

All this IMO of course

 

[knasty131]

my advice would be...

Forehand

1).definately use more of your body, this includes mainly your legs...remember that your body plays a bigger role on power in your shots than solely your arm.
2).slow down your swing, work more on making solid contact and then steadily increase your swing speed...i couldnt tell too well, but it seemed that you mishit several times.
3).always try to move forward on your shots, if possible. i noticed that on the balls you were forced to move in, you did...otherwise you were on your back foot several times

Backhand

1). if i were your coach i would like to see a more upward follow through allowing for more spin
2). just like your forehand BEND YOUR KNEES, this allows you to get more balance and makes that upward swing 10x easier

I think you should try and implement those things to your game and then make another video and post it up

 

[justchampitout]

Thanks for all your replies.

I will try to implement what you have told me to do, and when I think I have it down, I will post another video.

Thanks again

Mike

 

[deluxe]

It looks like your contact point on your forehand too far back. Try to take the ball further out in front of your body.

 

[superbooga]

My suggestion is that you shouldn't try to impart topspin by hitting with a closed face.

To hit topspin, drop your racquet so it is angled downwards. Now use the lift provided by your legs to brush the racquet upwards.

Regarding the forehand, it's true that you use too much shoulder. What you should look for in a video is the distance between the hitting arm and opposite shoulder. The distance between your arm and opposite shoulder should increase before you contact the ball. At contact point, the angle created by the two arms should be 180 degrees, when viewed from above.

I'm going to disagree with the lean forward part. For most forehands I actually lean slightly backwards, to conteract the racquet's angular momentum. If I learned forward, I would lose my balance.