Video Updates - One month later: Critique and analyze my strokes, Vol. II

[Bungalo Bill]

Something that just popped into my head: does the "bring the racquet back with a shoulder/hip turn" facet of the 1hbh takeback translate to the forehand. In other words, should your hips/shoulders take care of bringing the arm and racquet back, or should the arm move back with a little independence?

The racquet will go back with the shoulder turn but will be higher than the contact point normally. This is called "getting the racquet back".

The hand pattern for the forehand is different then the onehanded backhand. Once the shoulder turn is complete and the racquet is ready to drop and then come forward, the racquet will go back more as it goes down.

When you study this clip, make sure you read the very first sequence of information. You should read or hear "as you complete your backswing" with Haas demonstrating what it looks like. This is were Wegnerites trip over themselves.

http://www.uspta.com/html/e-lesson-Open stance forehand 2.swf

 

[Roddick The Beast]

The racquet will go back with the shoulder turn but will be higher than the contact point normally. This is called "getting the racquet back".

The hand pattern for the forehand is different then the onehanded backhand. Once the shoulder turn is complete and the racquet is ready to drop and then come forward, the racquet will go back more as it goes down.

When you study this clip, make sure you read the very first sequence of information. You should read or hear "as you complete your backswing" with Haas demonstrating what it looks like. This is were Wegnerites trip over themselves.

http://www.uspta.com/html/e-lesson-Open stance forehand 2.swf

Just for him asking that question, it goes to show that he knows very little. Bill, he ain't close to being "like" any pro out there. You sugar-coat too much with that sarcasm previously. :mrgreen:

You're just too kind.

 

[Roddick The Beast]

Ok, now I'll apologize for ^^^, if I hurt anyone's feelings.

Just speaking my mind and trying NOT to: sugar coat and trying to be overly polite and all of that other "phoniness". Now, IMO, your FH and BH strokes combined looks to be about 4.0-4.5 (which ISN'T terrible but also not that special/one of a kind).

There are NOT too many 4.0-4.5's out there, and so it's not something to be ashamed of. I would say that you are better than MOST tennis players (a lot of people suck. . . I mean really suck!) and so that should be something to be proud of.

This is all just my opinion, just letting you know in case you originally thought that I was just posting to put you down. It was just a bit of humor mixed in with my true opinion.

 

[habib]

Ok, now I'll apologize for ^^^, if I hurt anyone's feelings.

Just speaking my mind and trying NOT to: sugar coat and trying to be overly polite and all of that other "phoniness". Now, IMO, your FH and BH strokes combined looks to be about 4.0-4.5 (which ISN'T terrible but also not that special/one of a kind).

There are NOT too many 4.0-4.5's out there, and so it's not something to be ashamed of. I would say that you are better than MOST tennis players (a lot of people suck. . . I mean really suck!) and so that should be something to be proud of.

This is all just my opinion, just letting you know in case you originally thought that I was just posting to put you down. It was just a bit of humor mixed in with my true opinion.

Yeah don't worry about it, man. I am pretty realistic and have a good sense of humor. BB knows this and was joking around. Forget the pro's, I think your 4.0 rating is optimistic.

 

[bribeiro]

Bbill, I probably dont to the u thing youre talking about, I tried doing it but I dont quite get it, what do I have to change in order for me to do it?

video is here

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=100515


fast forward to 36 or so

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Bbill, I probably dont to the u thing youre talking about, I tried doing it but I dont quite get it, what do I have to change in order for me to do it?

video is here

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=100515


fast forward to 36 or so

I couldn't find the video so I will post mine for a good look. If you want to begin developing a good backhand that will eventually have your own style and preferences mixed in, a good model to compare yourself against is Tommy Haas. I like his onehander because it is basic and contains all the fundamentals a onehanded backhand player needs.

I realize there are other models, but I simply find these two clips that John Yandell provided the USPTA to have nearly all the elements a player needs to compare their stroke to the professional stroke.

Bottom-line, in a professional stroke there is no wasted movements (for the most part).

Another thing, players usually do not evaluate the right things in video. As an example, most people follow the racquet movement. They see the racquet and follow it thinking this is the hand path that they need. The key to seeing and studying the racquet path is to make sure you thoroughly understand how the hand moved to create the desried professional racquet path. You dont want to copy the racquet path, you want to copy the hand movement that creates the racquet path.

You can see how Haas rocks his hand back and up before bringing it down and forward. It is like it is on a penduli. The only thing I would recommend not doing right now is moving your hand outside of your body width and not higher then your chest. Wait on that and develop your ryhthm first and timing.

We are trying to get you to feel your stroke LOWER in your body and allowing your arm to go through the ball in a purposeful relaxed manner.

http://www.uspta.com/html/e-lesson-Backhand%20back%20view.swf

http://www.uspta.com/html/e-lesson-Backhand%20side%20view.swf

When you watch these clips pay particular attention to how the shifting in the feet help prepare the backswing. On the rear view film, watch the ball bounce, the racquet is back well before the bounce, but take careful note on how he uses his feet to bring him into position to hit the ball IN THE STRIKE ZONE. Notice his slight adjustment moving more forward!!!

Also, watch the arm simply rock up as the body shifts. Also take careful note in how Haas aligns himself to the important 45 degree angle for onehanders. The 45 degree angle is used differently in the open stance but in the closed to neutral stance it is very important.

 

[habib]

Hrmm, that first clip you posted (rear view) is one I hadn't seen before, and highlights a few things I was missing - and would explain why my backhand has broken down a bit over the last few times I've played and why my arm is sore. There was way too much tension in it.

In any case, a bit off topic, Bill - I was wondering if you could give me your assessment of Pete Sampras' 1hbh?

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Hrmm, that first clip you posted (rear view) is one I hadn't seen before, and highlights a few things I was missing - and would explain why my backhand has broken down a bit over the last few times I've played and why my arm is sore. There was way too much tension in it.

In any case, a bit off topic, Bill - I was wondering if you could give me your assessment of Pete Sampras' 1hbh?

Well there is no question Pete Sampras had a decent onehander, I am not one that thinks it is one to model. Some may however and for that I probably wouldn't argue.

What you can learn from Pete is his positioning to the ball and ho quick he was getting to the ball. His stroke is duplicatable, however, I am of the opinion he leads a bit too much with the elbow on some of his backhands. I know that this is his style and we are talking about one of the greatest players in the game, but I am not sure I would "recommend" building instruction and modeling around his backhand.

Sometimes players have unique things in their strokes that they can do but isn't such a good idea to build instruction around for the masses. So many things can be misinterpreted.

 

[habib]

Well there is no question Pete Sampras had a decent onehander, I am not one that thinks it is one to model. Some may however and for that I probably wouldn't argue.

What you can learn from Pete is his positioning to the ball and ho quick he was getting to the ball. His stroke is duplicatable, however, I am of the opinion he leads a bit too much with the elbow on some of his backhands. I know that this is his style and we are talking about one of the greatest players in the game, but I am not sure I would "recommend" building instruction and modeling around his backhand.

Sometimes players have unique things in their strokes that they can do but isn't such a good idea to build instruction around for the masses. So many things can be misinterpreted.

Alright. For the record, I wasn't considering copying his stroke. In fact, I'm not a big fan of its aesthetics, and think that, leading with the elbow aside, he had a tendency to raise himself out of it too early and too much - leading to sailing balls.
I was just curious about your opinion.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Alright. For the record, I wasn't considering copying his stroke. In fact, I'm not a big fan of its aesthetics, and think that, leading with the elbow aside, he had a tendency to raise himself out of it too early and too much - leading to sailing balls.
I was just curious about your opinion.

I actually like the South American's onehanders. However, I think they need to be developed with club players. A lot of players try to imitate them right from the get-go with their big swings.

I think North Americans and their hard courts can get into trouble with these big swings, especially if you don't study that hitting hand pattern.

 

[guedoguedo]

habib, what camera is that? nice video mode!!!!1one

 

[guedoguedo]

and also, did you use a tripod? how did you set it up?