Watch me spray
- Thread starter anubis
- Start date
ROCKinCourier
Rookie
Here's the deal. Last year my 3.0 singles record was 30-6, and my 3.5 singles record was 18-8.
This year for singles, I'm 0-8. I've completely lost my game. I feel like I'm doing everything wrong, I can't keep the ball in play, I can't hit with any pace nor any spin.
This is a vid of me today, floundering miserably. I was hitting down the line for the first few minutes, but I was completely off camera so i cut it out. the rest is me failing at inside out forehands. Almost everything went long by a country mile.
I have 4 or 5 weeks to clean up my act before the Spring USTA league/tournament season starts, before I make a fool of myself.
I welcome any friendly advice
I apologize that I am not completely in shot most of this video. I just set up a tripod and started to hit. I didn't realize i was out of frame.
Setup was standard 2013 APD w/ PPC mains @ 54 lbs, Kirschbaum PL II @ 50 lbs. 3 grams of lead at noon, 1 overgrip. Weight: 326 grams.
Thanks for shopping.
http://youtu.be/5k0hnZBTIWw
I haven't read the thread -- just 3 minutes into watching your video -- why are you standing so far back? The ball's landing just long of the service line -- step in dude! Ball is way far in it's way down where you're hitting it ....
ROCKinCourier
Rookie
Nevermind -- I got to the point where you step in.
Looks like you're leaning instead of rotating on the one's you're spraying badly ....
heninfan99
Talk Tennis Guru
Forehand looks fine here but posting a vid of a practice match would get you more helpful feedbacks. Thanks for sharing though.
heninfan99 - spraying stationary balls with inconsistency = good looking forehand? lol
i love everyone posting "we need to see a match".. im sorry but that is one of the dumbest things i have ever seen on here and many people have posted it. the topic of the thread is "watch me spray" not "watch every aspect of my match and break it down".. yes he is losing matches now.. focus on the BASICS in front of you lmfao
at least you people provide some entertainment
i love everyone posting "we need to see a match".. im sorry but that is one of the dumbest things i have ever seen on here and many people have posted it. the topic of the thread is "watch me spray" not "watch every aspect of my match and break it down".. yes he is losing matches now.. focus on the BASICS in front of you lmfao
at least you people provide some entertainment
Topspin Shot
Legend
What's your advice? I'm curious to hear it.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
You have said nothing in the post as well..Did you come here to participate in the Pay Per View Event? If so, please contact Joel at PoapofTT.org.
anubis
Hall of Fame
Good question! I changed due to the advice of my doctor. He said that my wrist pain was likely to do with a grip that was too small. And he's right: I now have 0 wrist pain. I'm also no longer using poly in the mains, but the grip size also helps a lot.
I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about my issues, trying to figure out why I've lost every 3.5 singles match that I've played within the last 6 or 7 months.
I don't have any answers, but I do know that My doubles game is recently doing very well. my doubles record so far this year is 7-5, which includes one win at 8.0 mixed, and winning a local tournament as well.
Why would I all of the sudden stink at singles, but perform well at doubles?
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Like I said in another thread, you may have too much power now and your stroke is more suited to control racquet? Don't get me wrong, I know the whole "racquet doesn't matter" argument and agree for the most part. But these Babolats are a big change from the Tec 315 for example.
Anyway for me, I play better with control sticks in matches. I have more confidence to hit out and not choke up during longer points.
I have no idea if that is happening to you or not, but if so I'd suggest a higher tension in your bab to start, and Id also suggest not using poly at all for now.
Anyway for me, I play better with control sticks in matches. I have more confidence to hit out and not choke up during longer points.
I have no idea if that is happening to you or not, but if so I'd suggest a higher tension in your bab to start, and Id also suggest not using poly at all for now.
mightyrick
Legend
Because with doubles, you don't need really need power or movement. You have another person covering an entire side of the court. This is why so many older or overweight guys only play doubles. At 3.5 doubles, you don't even need to have a decent serve because the returning is usually so bad that you don't have worry.
You just don't have to work as hard in doubles as you do in singles.
If you are successful at 7.0 doubles and are losing every match in 3.5 singles, I'd almost say that it was due to your lack of movement. At 3.5, you must move. At 3.0, you can stand still like a stone and beat everyone with only consistency.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
The answer is almost always movement and preparation. everyone focuses on what their arms are doing when the reality is that if you are moving and preparing on time a lot of the rest will fall into place as long as you have proper stroke technique.
That is why standing in a corner and swinging really hard at balls being fed to you is basically a waste of time. Set the ball machine to move you around side to side. It should be a serious work out.
I did ball machine drills for an hour last summer down here and it really exhausted me.
That is why standing in a corner and swinging really hard at balls being fed to you is basically a waste of time. Set the ball machine to move you around side to side. It should be a serious work out.
I did ball machine drills for an hour last summer down here and it really exhausted me.
caugas
Semi-Pro
I agree, that's does not look like a 3.0 forehand has some bite to it for sure!
caugas
Semi-Pro
consistency, consistency, consistency, consistency, consistency is key for your opponent to hit the winner or error!
I'm not one to back the "consistency school" of tennis.
I hit my first time ever in 1974. By 1977, won a 128 draw C tourney, or 3.5. Played my first A/Open, the PleasantonOpen, 2 months later, went 3 rounds. Played 4 other A/Opens that year, and except for hot weather, always went more than 2 rounds.
I hit my first time ever in 1974. By 1977, won a 128 draw C tourney, or 3.5. Played my first A/Open, the PleasantonOpen, 2 months later, went 3 rounds. Played 4 other A/Opens that year, and except for hot weather, always went more than 2 rounds.
lmfao.. so he is losing due to lack of movement? Just read the title of the thread.. then watch the video and watch him actually spray STATIONARY balls.. hilarious watching people say the same incorrect information over and over..
This is like saying "I am a 3.0 and I play with untied shoe laces and tend to fall down during matches"
Me: Tie your shoes
Mostly everyone else: You need to improve your core balance and fitness when moving on the court as this will decrease your likelihood to fall
Are you people serious?
This thread has turned into an epic fail
mightyrick
Legend
Well we have to look at the facts we think we have. He was bumped by the NTRP computer from 3.0 to 3.5. That means that his strokes must have been at least more effective and consistent than the pushers who tend to sit at the top of 3.0.
Then he says that he has been very successful at 7.0 doubles but a complete failure at 3.5 singles. What does that say? This usually means that you have okay strokes but you don't move well. Quit looking at the video. If you know anything about competitive tennis... what someone does against a ball machine is usually worlds apart from what they do in a real match under pressure.
I've seen guys who have a pretty decent stroke against a ball machine or in a practice hitting session. But put those guys in a match situation, and they turn into passive pushers and dinkers.
A very sound post! The CORE of tennis is footwork. He needs to work on that even to his a stationary ball which means that on the run his shots would suffer even more.
His stroke mechanics have inconsistencies when trying to hit the same shot over and over which means that he is approaching the ball incorrectly.. which means something is broken at the very BASIC fundamental level and people have already observed and notified him about those problems.
Instead people here are talking about minor issues he might be having during matches.
The video is paramount as it exposes basic fundamental inconsistencies that the player needs to resolve. One can hit a shot a million times incorrectly and it is still incorrect. If he is spraying against the machine he is spraying in practice on courts and he is spraying during matches.
His stroke mechanics have inconsistencies when trying to hit the same shot over and over which means that he is approaching the ball incorrectly.. which means something is broken at the very BASIC fundamental level and people have already observed and notified him about those problems.
Instead people here are talking about minor issues he might be having during matches.
The video is paramount as it exposes basic fundamental inconsistencies that the player needs to resolve. One can hit a shot a million times incorrectly and it is still incorrect. If he is spraying against the machine he is spraying in practice on courts and he is spraying during matches.
moonballs
Hall of Fame
I agree with wodz. The amount of misses, especially those balls hit into the net is too high at 3.5 level. The ball machine takes a little bit of preparation time away but since it is set to go to the same place with perfect height it is much easier to not miss much for those balls. Of course if OP was trying to nail some outright flat winners like Federer that would be a different story. If the goal was hitting a strong rally ball I'd say there were too many that went to the net.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Who practices good footwork like we all said to do when the ball is coming to them in the same spot over and over? Reality is almost no one.
You have to move a little when you practice.
You have to move a little when you practice.
heninfan99
Talk Tennis Guru
Absolute nonsense. It's still ball experience which will pay off. Not every session has to be like PowerSprayer recommends.
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anubis
Hall of Fame
Lolwut? PowerSprayer? I appreciate advice from all people and am willing to scrutinize almost anything about my game. But there's no need for derogatory name calling here, especially against someone whom I have a lot of respect for. Power Player has given me a lot of sound advice (and many others, for that matter) ever since I joined this forum.
Yes I agree that footwork is a salient thing to work on, even when the ball is being hit to the same place every time. But his point is that my footwork isn't likely the key factor if I can't even hit a stationary ball over the net. There are other, more important things to consider -- such as mechanics, strings, and frame type.
anubis
Hall of Fame
Well, I wouldn't mind if this thread were indeed closed because it's devolving into a circus act. But be that as it may, I think you're missing the point. I don't know what NTRP level you're at, but from your bravado on these boards, you're representing at least a 4.0 level. But it really is a sad state of things when most people on the boards assume that footwork isn't necessary to be successful at doubles.
I just said that I'm very successful at doubles, including winning 7.0 and 8.0 matches, and a tournament where we beat the defending champions (who are both really 4.0s in disguise). You can't tell me with a straight face that those competitive doubles matches are won by standing stock still. You have to move, and move well. My partner and I beat people because we moved better than they did.
heninfan99
Talk Tennis Guru
Hold on anulblis... Truth --don't let it scare you, let it free you.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
This guy is a troll from the GP area. I already put him on ignore and he's probably bitter. I think you are on the right path. You already know you can win at this level so it's just about righting the ship.
5263
G.O.A.T.
and guys who have strokes that don't seem to flow like posters on here think they should, but can hit their spots with solid pace and consistency. General impression from looks does not tell the story.
anubis
Hall of Fame
Nice try, /u/CaptionBot.
user92626
G.O.A.T.
Footwork is necessary in doubles but generally speaking the amount sufficient for doubles is right down inferior and lacking when brought into singles.
In my experience those who are successful at doubles, at least at 4.5 or below, are not necessarily better movers (as in athleticism and footwork technique). They are usually those that have a lot of doubles experience and doubles-specific skills. Very crafty.
In fact when Nadal and Djokovic teamed up for a doubles match, and who moves better than these guys??, they lost some first round.
tennis_ocd
Hall of Fame
Doubles are short, quick points. I maintain your issue is you simply can't maintain a five ball rally with a machine. It's patience, focus and extended movement in singles.
heninfan99
Talk Tennis Guru
Most of his balls are going in and fairly deep with nice top spin. This is perfectly fine for 3.5 tennis.
He wants to improve his match play so I'd like to see a match video. It could be a strategy issue, a court positioning issue or etc. but ball experience is always good.
He wants to improve his match play so I'd like to see a match video. It could be a strategy issue, a court positioning issue or etc. but ball experience is always good.
anubis
Hall of Fame
I will once it gets nicer out. I got a new camera that takes 60 fps vids. Hopefully some time this week.
You are very good at standing 6' behind the baseline and hitting balls to the other side of the court, better than most 4.0's even.
But, in tennis, you need to hit shots from the baseline, inside the baseline, run to the ball, move away from jamming balls, and all the OTHER shots besides deep baseline rallying off a medium speed little spin ball.
But, in tennis, you need to hit shots from the baseline, inside the baseline, run to the ball, move away from jamming balls, and all the OTHER shots besides deep baseline rallying off a medium speed little spin ball.
Moveforwardalways
Hall of Fame
The problem is between your ears. If you actually hit like that in a match, you'll be fine at 3.5.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
A lot of people can hit a decent ball when it comes right to them and they don't have to move much.
Like boxing, "Everybody has a plan 'til they get punched in the mouth." -Mike Tyson
Or in tennis, once you have to move, can you still hit the same quality shots consistently?
A better way to work on inside out forehands:
1) slow down the speed of the incoming ball of the machine and also increase the interval between shots.
2) After each forehand, recover back to the middle of the baseline by moving to your right.
3) Then split step and move back to the backhand corner to hit a forehand.
Another alternative, is the have the machine alternate between sending balls to your forehand at the middle of the court and the backhand corner. Then hit FHs for both. (inside out and regular FH)
Like boxing, "Everybody has a plan 'til they get punched in the mouth." -Mike Tyson
Or in tennis, once you have to move, can you still hit the same quality shots consistently?
A better way to work on inside out forehands:
1) slow down the speed of the incoming ball of the machine and also increase the interval between shots.
2) After each forehand, recover back to the middle of the baseline by moving to your right.
3) Then split step and move back to the backhand corner to hit a forehand.
Another alternative, is the have the machine alternate between sending balls to your forehand at the middle of the court and the backhand corner. Then hit FHs for both. (inside out and regular FH)
beltsman
G.O.A.T.
Here's the deal. Last year my 3.0 singles record was 30-6, and my 3.5 singles record was 18-8.
This year for singles, I'm 0-8. I've completely lost my game. I feel like I'm doing everything wrong, I can't keep the ball in play, I can't hit with any pace nor any spin.
This is a vid of me today, floundering miserably. I was hitting down the line for the first few minutes, but I was completely off camera so i cut it out. the rest is me failing at inside out forehands. Almost everything went long by a country mile.
I have 4 or 5 weeks to clean up my act before the Spring USTA league/tournament season starts, before I make a fool of myself.
I welcome any friendly advice
I apologize that I am not completely in shot most of this video. I just set up a tripod and started to hit. I didn't realize i was out of frame.
Setup was standard 2013 APD w/ PPC mains @ 54 lbs, Kirschbaum PL II @ 50 lbs. 3 grams of lead at noon, 1 overgrip. Weight: 326 grams.
Thanks for shopping.
Still arm and wrist. Racquet is supplying your power and spin for you.
ChaelAZ
G.O.A.T.
Thanks for posting a vid. Good hitting overall. Didn't watch the whole thing, but I did notice when you step inside the baseline you don't drop the racquet as much as I would like to see to get under the ball. So you hit flatter and out a lot. Just a thought.
Just noticed this is a threadsurection. Oh well.
Just noticed this is a threadsurection. Oh well.
