Video tennis lessons

[timenet]

Just wanted some feedback on what you think about video tennis lessons. There seems to be quite a few out there, Tom Avery, Yellow Fuzz Ball, Essential tennis etc.. I consider myself a 2.5 player so much room for improvement and also past 50 so no fancy moves or I may never recover :shock:. Basically am I better to go with video tennis lessons I really do want to improve and if video who is better? Or should I take private lessons with the local pro from my outdoor tennis club I was thinking of starting with 5 lessons see how I get on from there. Any thoughts would be gratefully accepted.
Pierre

 

[athiker]

The Fuzzy Yellow Balls free forehand series is excellent so I would expect the the paid videos to to be good as well. Will is a little long-winded in the free videos but hey...they are free!

I completely rebuilt my forehand using this series 3 or 4 years ago. I had a long break from the game and when I started playing again, to get better, I converted to a more modern forehand from straight back-straight thru style I had before. Granted my former technique was no doubt rusty regardless of style.

http://www.fuzzyyellowballs.com/video-tennis-lessons/forehand/

 

[NLBwell]

They aren't the be all and end all, but they are a useful tool for improving your game, especially for the basics.

 

[charliefedererer]

It's not an either/or with regards to video versus local pro.

Really understanding what you are trying to accomplish from video will really help make faster advancement even if you take those lessons.

Fuzzy Yellow Balls is great for basics, and the advanced sections give greater insight for what you are trying to accomplish.

The multiple free videos from Ian at Essential Tennis, Tom Avery, etc. often give a different viewpoint that leads to "aha" moments.


But the most critical element is practice, practice, practice.

Take advantage of the long days in Quebec now to get in more hitting.

Feel your whole body - not your arm - powering your shots.

While hitting with a practice partner is invaluable for ball tracking and placement, hitting hundreds of balls against the wall is a very efficient way to practice groundstokes, volleys and half volleys.
Practise Wall Training http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNiXrgAtjxc


Especially when learning new technique, there are going to be a lot of mishits.
If you have access to a tennis ball machine, you can swing freely without worrying about mishits and frustrating a practice partner - or frustrating yourself when hitting against the wall.

 

[timenet]

Thank you

I wanted to thank you all for your responses, but you are absolutely right Charlie "Practice-Practice-Practice...and even more":shock:you can have all the lessons you want but if you don't practice what you are learning it's all for naught. Thanks again all.

 

[sureshs]

Search youtube for particular topics and watch the free videos. You never know what gems are hidden where.

 

[johndagolfer]

I really enjoy online lessons like FYB. But I think the one thing you have to remember is that these videos are mostly about the technical aspect of the swing. Be sure that you do not forget how involved the rest of your body is in the swing.

These videos can teach you the basics of the swing, but remember you have to combine it with good footwork, good prep amd a good kinetic chain.

 

[Ash_Smith]

For me the way to look at it is a video can show you what the author thinks you should be doing and it may even teach you (insofar as you know and understand the information contained within)... but it cannot coach you to actually do it.

 

[user92626]

Charlie always gives great advices.

I want to add something to this and want you folks' opinions. Learning tennis techniques is one thing, but do you think the techniques or concepts used for learning is just as important for those of us who are on our own?

What I mean is, when I learn something I have no way of verifying whether it's correct and optimal other than use results as a measurement, right? But "pushers" basically do the same thing, ie get good results and stuck with mediocre techniques. I don't know.

 

[GuyClinch]

The problem with some video coaches is that they know what to do but not how to coach it. Try to find some free videos from coaches and test them out.

My personal favorite video coach right now is former pro Jeff Salzenstein. His tips really helped my forehand. But other pros might work for you. The thing is some pros may say things that are technically incorrect but actually get results. Other coaches have great advice but are basically just too advanced or just awkward.

The best way to test is with a ball machine IMHO. Watch some videos then rent a ball machine and try out the drills. Walls are better then nothing but not great.

 

[Essential Tennis]

Just wanted some feedback on what you think about video tennis lessons. There seems to be quite a few out there, Tom Avery, Yellow Fuzz Ball, Essential tennis etc.. I consider myself a 2.5 player so much room for improvement and also past 50 so no fancy moves or I may never recover :shock:. Basically am I better to go with video tennis lessons I really do want to improve and if video who is better? Or should I take private lessons with the local pro from my outdoor tennis club I was thinking of starting with 5 lessons see how I get on from there. Any thoughts would be gratefully accepted.
Pierre

Sorry I'm a bit late to this topic.....

If you're financially able I'd strongly suggest hiring an "in person" pro. At the end of the day getting that immediate, personalized feedback about your technique, strategy, footwork and everything else is really priceless.

Please keep in mind that not all teaching pros are created equal. If you're going to lay the money down to work with somebody in person then be absolutely sure that it's going to be worth the investment. Ask friends or teammates for recommendations, then go watch a lesson being taught by that person and see what his/her approach is like. Just because they're certified doesn't mean they're going to have what it takes to improve your game as quickly as possible (or even at all). I'm absolutely not knocking teaching pros in general here, there are a lot of amazing teachers out there. Just be sure you find one, don't sign up for lessons with just anybody.

Now, that being said, online instruction (free or paid) can absolutely have a big positive impact on your game as well. I've been creating digital content for over 5 years now and can say without a doubt that it can completely change the tennis game of those listening/watching/reading in a positive way. However, please know that even if the quality of the digital instruction you're consuming is world class the responsibility is still on you to implement it! Watching or listening alone isn't enough, you still need to get out there on the court practice what you've learned enough to make it a new (better) habit. Sometimes that positive change will click immediately and you've got quick improvements. With other things it will really take some time and commitment. But hey, you're in that same boat with in-person instruction as well

At the end of the day I personally think an ideal approach is in person instruction supplemented by digital instruction. There are a lot of benefits that each approach has over the other. Digital instruction couldn't possibly duplicate all of the advantages that in-person instruction has, but it brings a lot of positive things to the table (less expensive, can take it with you, can learn from it again and again, etc).

Hopefully that's helpful, best of luck.

 

[TennisCJC]

Just wanted some feedback on what you think about video tennis lessons. There seems to be quite a few out there, Tom Avery, Yellow Fuzz Ball, Essential tennis etc.. I consider myself a 2.5 player so much room for improvement and also past 50 so no fancy moves or I may never recover :shock:. Basically am I better to go with video tennis lessons I really do want to improve and if video who is better? Or should I take private lessons with the local pro from my outdoor tennis club I was thinking of starting with 5 lessons see how I get on from there. Any thoughts would be gratefully accepted.
Pierre

fuzzyyellowballs.com as mentioned above is solid. I think the lessons are still free if you provide an e-mail address.

Also, go to Youtube and anything by tennis oxygen is solid too and free. I would do the FYB first because tennis oxygen does a lot of pro stroke analysis. Here one of their videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Oc7U5oJ6ps

And, http://lockandrolltennis.com/ is solid too and free.

Also, anything on youtube by the serve doctor is very good too - sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlPVdppfYGs

 

[RetroSpin]

fuzzyyellowballs.com as mentioned above is solid. I think the lessons are still free if you provide an e-mail address.

Also, go to Youtube and anything by tennis oxygen is solid too and free. I would do the FYB first because tennis oxygen does a lot of pro stroke analysis. Here one of their videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Oc7U5oJ6ps

And, http://lockandrolltennis.com/ is solid too and free.

Also, anything on youtube by the serve doctor is very good too - sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlPVdppfYGs

I agree.

The problem with just using some pro at your club is you don't know what they will teach you. I see pros at my club teachng old school FH's because that is what they use. I see a lot of ball feeding to students who are using incorrect form and thus grooving it.

Ideally, you learn how to execute strokes from yuotube, practice them in front of a mirror, then try them out with a ball machine, then finally go with some lessons to correct any flaws in your execution.

 

[looseleftie]

Hey Retrospin, so, so true!!!

Played today, next court across from me,saw a coach hit ball after ball from baseline to baseline to a 14-15yr old boy, the kid kept hitting the shot with poor footwork, and a terrible swing path and follow through.. I saw the beginning of his lesson, and caught the last few minutes of his lesson.. The shots were exactly the same!! OMG Very bad coaching...

I am not a coach, althought a sports teacher at high school, and would have stopped the boy after the fist dozen balls and broken down one thing at a time, hit a few balls, and then reviewing results... One change at a time, small incremental steps in terms of developing technique..

I couldn't believe my eyes!! It was so disappointing to watch. I remember my one and only coach and the way he taught me, looking back at it, was logical, followed a path of solidifying technique and I progressed well... This coach didn't do this kid any favours what so ever..

Re looking for coaches, after seeing this coach, please, please take your time and shop around!!