Watching/Analyzing Pros For Coaching

[TennsDog]

I have never really had much formal training in tennis. I was mostly self-taught by hitting against the wall and watching pros on TV. I developed slowly but surely as a player and now find myself competing in DII college tennis. Every once in a while I would watch a match and see the players do something I found interesting. Then I would go out and try it for myself. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Some examples of things that have worked for me: the hitch in Roddick's two handed backhand, the very solid wrist on Federer's one handed backhand (yes, I just switched from two to one hands on the backhand and couldn't be happier), the platform serve of Sampras (which I have spent very many hours analyzing frame by frame to make it work for me). Most recently, on one of the slow motion videos that was posted here of Federer hitting, I noticed that his racket face closes immediately after imact. I always like hitting hard and with a lot of topspin. To do so, I would whip the racket head low to high through impact. After trying the closing on impact, I started making clean contact with more control and the same spin and power as before.

I just think it is worth informing young or otherwise beginning players that it can be very helpful to watch pros and do try to imitate them if you don't have ready access to a coach to help you personally. This does not mean watch Roddick with the US Open and then go out with a brand new Babolat and try smacking serves and forehands all day. It means watching their technique, understanding why they do it, and trying it for yourself. You don't need to try to be the player you are watching and you don't need to try for the same results. You just need to analyze and think about it. Watching matches, listening to commentators, and finding videos on the internet have taught me a lot about the game, and I know it can benefit just about every other player as well.

 

[papa]

I have never really had much formal training in tennis. I was mostly self-taught by hitting against the wall and watching pros on TV. I developed slowly but surely as a player and now find myself competing in DII college tennis. Every once in a while I would watch a match and see the players do something I found interesting. Then I would go out and try it for myself. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Some examples of things that have worked for me: the hitch in Roddick's two handed backhand, the very solid wrist on Federer's one handed backhand (yes, I just switched from two to one hands on the backhand and couldn't be happier), the platform serve of Sampras (which I have spent very many hours analyzing frame by frame to make it work for me). Most recently, on one of the slow motion videos that was posted here of Federer hitting, I noticed that his racket face closes immediately after imact. I always like hitting hard and with a lot of topspin. To do so, I would whip the racket head low to high through impact. After trying the closing on impact, I started making clean contact with more control and the same spin and power as before.

I just think it is worth informing young or otherwise beginning players that it can be very helpful to watch pros and do try to imitate them if you don't have ready access to a coach to help you personally. This does not mean watch Roddick with the US Open and then go out with a brand new Babolat and try smacking serves and forehands all day. It means watching their technique, understanding why they do it, and trying it for yourself. You don't need to try to be the player you are watching and you don't need to try for the same results. You just need to analyze and think about it. Watching matches, listening to commentators, and finding videos on the internet have taught me a lot about the game, and I know it can benefit just about every other player as well.

Good post. Good players have generally studied the game as much as possible on an ongoing basis. Its also surprising how little some know about a sport they have played for years.

 

[Swissv2]

..and having someone watch your stroke, and be knowledgeable enough to state any issues with your form.

 

[TennsDog]

..and having someone watch your stroke, and be knowledgeable enough to state any issues with your form.

The nice part about analyzing pros is that it also forces you to analyze and become more aware of your own form, so you become less dependent on others. At least this is what I have observed in myself.

 

[tnig469]

I have never really had much formal training in tennis. I was mostly self-taught by hitting against the wall and watching pros on TV. I developed slowly but surely as a player and now find myself competing in DII college tennis. Every once in a while I would watch a match and see the players do something I found interesting. Then I would go out and try it for myself. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Some examples of things that have worked for me: the hitch in Roddick's two handed backhand, the very solid wrist on Federer's one handed backhand (yes, I just switched from two to one hands on the backhand and couldn't be happier), the platform serve of Sampras (which I have spent very many hours analyzing frame by frame to make it work for me). Most recently, on one of the slow motion videos that was posted here of Federer hitting, I noticed that his racket face closes immediately after imact. I always like hitting hard and with a lot of topspin. To do so, I would whip the racket head low to high through impact. After trying the closing on impact, I started making clean contact with more control and the same spin and power as before.

I just think it is worth informing young or otherwise beginning players that it can be very helpful to watch pros and do try to imitate them if you don't have ready access to a coach to help you personally. This does not mean watch Roddick with the US Open and then go out with a brand new Babolat and try smacking serves and forehands all day. It means watching their technique, understanding why they do it, and trying it for yourself. You don't need to try to be the player you are watching and you don't need to try for the same results. You just need to analyze and think about it. Watching matches, listening to commentators, and finding videos on the internet have taught me a lot about the game, and I know it can benefit just about every other player as well.

I learn the same way...i like to analyze pros...try it myself...see what is best for me...i think this is a great way to learn to play...coaches can help tho... cuz ppl can see what u cant see at times...even the best have had some coaching in their lives

 

[TennsDog]

Viewing videos of yourself playing is another great way. Often times, you may look different than you think you do. You may think you are hitting with an extended arm when, in fact, you are not. However, I think fewer people have access to video of themselves than cable television.

 

[dewey2110]

That's how I learned tennis too, self taught, and watching tennis. When you dont have formal teachings, you tend to develop your strokes naturally. Often time you will make technical errors too but taping yourself in videos helps a lot.

 

[Swissv2]

dewey2110 is correct in the benefits of taping yourself.
Only way to tell you are really doing the stroke you watched is by analysing a side-by-side video of the pro you wanted to emulate and your own playing.