What are you working on now?

S&V-not_dead_yet

Talk Tennis Guru
Inside-Out FH to land somewhere around the side T [3-4']. 80% of mine land halfway between center SL and sideline. Maybe I ought to target the alley just to recalibrate.

CC FH, again targeting the side T.
 

r2473

G.O.A.T.
Bulletproof groundstrokes. I’m playing in half hour and I’m giving myself 10 groundstroke errors or fewer. Every shot is an arc or a loop clearing the net by 2+ feet and landing around the service line. 2/3 pace. Racquet 2 feet below the ball. Knees bent. Stroking the ball, never hitting the ball.

No double faults. I hit zero last night. Trying for 2 matches in a row
 
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ptuanminh

Hall of Fame
For 2 months, i practice serves twice a week, not much for any standard. It is starting to pay off. Today i lost serve only once out 12 serving games.
Next will be second serve.
 

StringSnapper

Hall of Fame
Working on grooving little circles into my groundstrokes to hit on the rise better

Working on acquiring the famed racquet drop during serves
 

S&V-not_dead_yet

Talk Tennis Guru
Volleying. I can volley with my coach or ball machine but not in a match. What's wrong with me? :(

- Pace
- Location
- Variability
- Tension

Unless someone is hitting Del Potro FHs or Nadal spin, I would imagine variability [to paraphrase Forrest Gump, "Volleying is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you're gonna get."] is the 2nd biggest factor and tension is #1: you might feel like you HAVE to put away any and every ball once you get to the net. But not every incoming shot is a good candidate. You need to learn how to quickly distinguish between offense, neutrality, and defense [yes, IMO there is such a thing as a neutral volley].

For example, a medium- to slow-paced ball in your strike zone while you're 3' from the net is a time for offense. A ball you have to lunge for at shoelace height is a time for defense. A volley hit behind the SL from a semi-difficult position might be a neutral time: just block it back deep down the middle and keep moving forward.

Another thing: try to keep looking at the contact point for a split-second after contact rather than lifting your head up to watch your volley. Maybe you're pulling up early and your contact is not as clean as it should be.

I suggest videoing during both practice and matches so you can study the differences.
 

Fintft

G.O.A.T.
Besides fitness in general and serve, steps 2 (split stepping each time), 4( exhaling) and 5 (keep eyes at contact), 6 (recover) give me most problems:

  1. Anticipate/watch his racquet
  2. Split step and inhale as the opponent is about to hit the ball
  3. Start taking the racquet back with both hands, once you decided that you are going to hit a FH or a BH, ideally before the ball crosses the net (at least before it bounces).
  4. Start exhaling as the ball bounces and you start your forward move, with your hip etc
  5. Keep eyes at contact point through contact
  6. Recover to the proper place
  7. Analyze if you've hit with a lose arm and grip, used the kinetic chain etc.
 

S&V-not_dead_yet

Talk Tennis Guru
Start exhaling as the ball bounces and you start your forward move, with your hip etc

If you exhale at the bounce, what are you doing breathing-wise at contact? I exhale at contact [Tomasz at Feel Tennis recommends gradually building up your exhale rather than doing it all at once].
 

ChaelAZ

G.O.A.T.
Ironically, finally got the FH in order so now gotta get the BH practices and in shale again. Lots of UE’s my last match where it used to be my go to shot.


Probably posting from the court between sets.
 

Fintft

G.O.A.T.
If you exhale at the bounce, what are you doing breathing-wise at contact? I exhale at contact [Tomasz at Feel Tennis recommends gradually building up your exhale rather than doing it all at once].

I think one is supposed to start exhaling at the bounce and I try to do that or soon after...Part of the gradual build up you mentioned from Tomasz, if I'm not mistaken.
 

user92626

G.O.A.T.
I think one is supposed to start exhaling at the bounce and I try to do that or soon after...Part of the gradual build up you mentioned from Tomasz, if I'm not mistaken.

IMO, I think you're overcomplicating your stroke with your breathing!!!!

Try grunting -- even a small sound only to yourself -- it's more practical and actually helpful. Pros do that.
 

Steady Eddy

Legend
Hitting on the rise. Think I'll start hanging out in "no man's land". That expression seems a bit overly dramatic, doesn't it?
 
C

Chadillac

Guest
Serve. Wasnt able to hit them for a couple years (tendon below elbow). Taking my hopper out and hitting some.

My balance is off, toss is leaning slightly to the left. Core timing isnt complimenting the arm. And my serve muscles are out of shape, right side of my body was very stiff after hitting a few hundred. Even hurt to cough, glad im not lefty or i would think it was a heart attack.
 

S&V-not_dead_yet

Talk Tennis Guru
Hitting on the rise. Think I'll start hanging out in "no man's land". That expression seems a bit overly dramatic, doesn't it?

Why do you want to hang out in NMsL? You have to transition through on the way to the net, for example, as well as to retrieve a lob. But won't you put yourself at a big disadvantage playing your entire game from there? Unless your opponents can't hit TS dippers at your feet [heck, even a non-TS can still dip due to gravity alone] nor hit convincing passing shots, I think you've vulnerable. About the only thing it defends against are the drop shot and the mid-court lob.
 

S&V-not_dead_yet

Talk Tennis Guru
Serve. Wasnt able to hit them for a couple years (tendon below elbow). Taking my hopper out and hitting some.

My balance is off, toss is leaning slightly to the left. Core timing isnt complimenting the arm. And my serve muscles are out of shape, right side of my body was very stiff after hitting a few hundred. Even hurt to cough, glad im not lefty or i would think it was a heart attack.

Thomas Daniels said you have to hit 700/day to get better. Me and my shoulder told him to take a hike.
 

Steady Eddy

Legend
Why do you want to hang out in NMsL? You have to transition through on the way to the net, for example, as well as to retrieve a lob. But won't you put yourself at a big disadvantage playing your entire game from there? Unless your opponents can't hit TS dippers at your feet [heck, even a non-TS can still dip due to gravity alone] nor hit convincing passing shots, I think you've vulnerable. About the only thing it defends against are the drop shot and the mid-court lob.
Because it's a challenge. Not many should come right at my feet. If it's a little before: half volley. If it's a little after: volley. If it comes right at my feet, take a step forward and volley.

This will take away my opponents time. Make it easy to step up and put away a floater. As you say, take away the drop shot. And best of all, annoy the hell out of him.
 
C

Chadillac

Guest
Thomas Daniels said you have to hit 700/day to get better. Me and my shoulder told him to take a hike.

I already know how to serve very well, getting better isnt the goal. But doing it the same way everytime is something that i lost, expected though.

It gets annoying, im popping them down the T but end up leaning left instead of following the ball path. Its so freaking simple, yet having troubles. It will pass with practice.
 

S&V-not_dead_yet

Talk Tennis Guru
Because it's a challenge. Not many should come right at my feet. If it's a little before: half volley. If it's a little after: volley. If it comes right at my feet, take a step forward and volley.

This will take away my opponents time. Make it easy to step up and put away a floater. As you say, take away the drop shot. And best of all, annoy the hell out of him.

It's definitely a challenge and if you're working on your doubles game, I can see this being great practice. Not so sure about singles, though.

While it takes away opponent's time, it also takes away your time. So it comes down to how good your net game is vs their BL game. But putting volleys away from the SL is not easy: if you want to use your volleys, why not get into a more aggressive position? Are you defending against the lob?
 

Steady Eddy

Legend
It's definitely a challenge and if you're working on your doubles game, I can see this being great practice. Not so sure about singles, though.

While it takes away opponent's time, it also takes away your time. So it comes down to how good your net game is vs their BL game. But putting volleys away from the SL is not easy: if you want to use your volleys, why not get into a more aggressive position? Are you defending against the lob?
I wouldn't be there forever. That's where I would hit an approach volley. I'd move in for a putaway.

As I've gotten older, I've found half volleys to be easy. What's worse is my footwork. So returning serve, I like to move in a lot. My racquet is quicker than my feet. Also, the group I'm in tends to lack depth with their shots. Rather than move up and back all the time, I think I'll play the odds and expect short balls.
 

Fintft

G.O.A.T.
IMO, I think you're overcomplicating your stroke with your breathing!!!!

Try grunting -- even a small sound only to yourself -- it's more practical and actually helpful. Pros do that.

Thanks, I'll try it. I do grunt occasionally on the serve (and scare the heck out of my opponents).
 

Fintft

G.O.A.T.
And my serve muscles are out of shape, right side of my body was very stiff after hitting a few hundred. Even hurt to cough, glad im not lefty or i would think it was a heart attack.

Funny, it has happened to me during the last few weeks, after starting suddenly to play matches and practicing my serve even more (as it was surprisingly my main weapon, for what was worth).
I got some inter coastal pain, even saw the physician. Took a couple of days off serving and 10 days off matches (in between sessions) and while practicing today, no pain.

As for your:

My balance is off, toss is leaning slightly to the left

  1. Didn't someone else post today suggesting to toss more in front? StijnCoper (spelling error, can't remember the name)
  2. Try to lead the toss with the inside of your left elbow (basically don't bent your elbow).
 

OnTheLine

Hall of Fame
@Steady Eddy working on taking a lot of balls in NML is working towards a very aggressive game. Takes a lot of time away from opponent and if you are good at a high shoulder volley/groundstroke it can win you a lot of points or set yourself up for a weak response/easier putaway volley. Kudos for the work.

My summer goal is simply consistency. For me, that means recognizing the neutral ball and not overcooking it, maintaining focus and being a better retriever. I tend to be overly aggressive at moments when I shouldn't be.
 
C

Chadillac

Guest
Funny, it has happened to me during the last few weeks, after starting suddenly to play matches and practicing my serve even more (as it was surprisingly my main weapon, for what was worth).
I got some inter coastal pain, even saw the physician. Took a couple of days off serving and 10 days off matches (in between sessions) and while practicing today, no pain.

As for your:



  1. Didn't someone else post today suggesting to toss more in front? StijnCoper (spelling error, can't remember the name)
  2. Try to lead the toss with the inside of your left elbow (basically don't bent your elbow).

Mine has todo with body balance when i release the toss. Need to be like a puppet, when the master pulls the string, both knee's go down equally. Worse comes to worse i'll just widen the base for more balance.

More reps is all i need. Im very confident in my serve.

I have probably hit serves 12-15 times in the past three years, i was unable to hit with an extended arm. It will be back soon
 

Stretchy Man

Professional
- Pace
- Location
- Variability
- Tension

Unless someone is hitting Del Potro FHs or Nadal spin, I would imagine variability [to paraphrase Forrest Gump, "Volleying is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you're gonna get."] is the 2nd biggest factor and tension is #1: you might feel like you HAVE to put away any and every ball once you get to the net. But not every incoming shot is a good candidate. You need to learn how to quickly distinguish between offense, neutrality, and defense [yes, IMO there is such a thing as a neutral volley].

For example, a medium- to slow-paced ball in your strike zone while you're 3' from the net is a time for offense. A ball you have to lunge for at shoelace height is a time for defense. A volley hit behind the SL from a semi-difficult position might be a neutral time: just block it back deep down the middle and keep moving forward.

Another thing: try to keep looking at the contact point for a split-second after contact rather than lifting your head up to watch your volley. Maybe you're pulling up early and your contact is not as clean as it should be.

I suggest videoing during both practice and matches so you can study the differences.

Thanks for the tips. Really appreciated. I like your tip about looking at contact point after hitting. I often don't watch the ball properly.

My biggest problem is bad technique reinforced by playing for 4 years without any lessons. I'm improving my other shots now but volleying is all instinct. Hopefully will come right with more drills.

I struggle with chest high balls. I want to swing at them. Faster the ball, bigger the swing. :rolleyes:
If I manage to stop swinging, and punch the ball, they usually go long. I suspect I need to get racquet higher and volley more downwards to keep ball in play. What should I be trying to do here?
 

dgold44

G.O.A.T.
Inside-Out FH to land somewhere around the side T [3-4']. 80% of mine land halfway between center SL and sideline. Maybe I ought to target the alley just to recalibrate.

CC FH, again targeting the side T.

I served great one day
Next day a tad windy and could not serve to save my life
Very frustrating
 

chetrbox

Rookie
Tomaz just released his 2hbh course. I'm using it to learn the 2hbh, which I plan to use for return of serve in doubles. I've always been envious of people who could hit both 1hbh and 2hbh, so I'm going to attempt to learn both. Just like fixing my overhead helped me fix my serve, I'm hoping some of the ideas from 2hbh might help me improve other aspects of my game.
 

sredna42

Hall of Fame
mainly mental state, anticipation, positioning, being more aware of the other player's positioning.
much easier to hit a balanced shot if you can get there 2 steps earlier.

my serve fell apart, so am finally beginning to piece together what is wrong. Fixing the ball toss, and the overall rhythm or coordination of all the parts up and out, like a wave.
 

S&V-not_dead_yet

Talk Tennis Guru
Thanks for the tips. Really appreciated. I like your tip about looking at contact point after hitting. I often don't watch the ball properly.

Me too [which is why the point came to mind]. I can do it flawlessly in practice but when the match starts, my mind is elsewhere and I probably stop doing it. That simply means it hasn't been ingrained yet and I need more reps.

My biggest problem is bad technique reinforced by playing for 4 years without any lessons. I'm improving my other shots now but volleying is all instinct. Hopefully will come right with more drills.

One suggestion: start with slow feeds. If you feel volleying is all instinct, chances are you're only considering fast incoming shots when you don't have time to think. If you slow down the feed during practice to "ridiculously slow", you'll have all of the time in the world to get your technique optimal. Only then should you increase the speed. Eventually, you'll be using good form even with fast balls because you trained yourself to do so.

I struggle with chest high balls. I want to swing at them. Faster the ball, bigger the swing. :rolleyes:

Along with the correlation you mentioned, the other that usually accompanies it is "the faster the ball, the tighter the grip", which kills all touch [like trying to type with boxing gloves on]. Again, it comes down to reps: have someone feed you slow stuff and consciously think about not overswinging or overtightening.

If I manage to stop swinging, and punch the ball, they usually go long. I suspect I need to get racquet higher and volley more downwards to keep ball in play. What should I be trying to do here?

Going long may also be a symptom of the racquet face being too open or you being a trifle late at contact. Video yourself hitting a bunch of feeds [start slow]. if the incoming is chest high, I wouldn't think you'd have to worry too much about how much downward you are swinging: you have a lot of court to hit in to.
 

S&V-not_dead_yet

Talk Tennis Guru
Tomaz just released his 2hbh course. I'm using it to learn the 2hbh, which I plan to use for return of serve in doubles. I've always been envious of people who could hit both 1hbh and 2hbh, so I'm going to attempt to learn both. Just like fixing my overhead helped me fix my serve, I'm hoping some of the ideas from 2hbh might help me improve other aspects of my game.

When you write "both", do you mean TS? Most players with a 2HBH for TS also have a 1HBH for slice. But if you want to hit TS with both, I'd recommend against it: they are different enough strokes that you're going to need to spend a fair amount of time getting good at it which means you need more time and practice which you could spend more efficiently elsewhere [like, say, the serve].

Also, under pressure, which one will you choose? A slight hesitation could mean the loss of the point. I'd rather have one stroke because I know what I'm going to do [admittedly, I still have to choose between a 2HBH TS and a 1HBH slice].
 

chetrbox

Rookie
When you write "both", do you mean TS? Most players with a 2HBH for TS also have a 1HBH for slice. But if you want to hit TS with both, I'd recommend against it: they are different enough strokes that you're going to need to spend a fair amount of time getting good at it which means you need more time and practice which you could spend more efficiently elsewhere [like, say, the serve].

Also, under pressure, which one will you choose? A slight hesitation could mean the loss of the point. I'd rather have one stroke because I know what I'm going to do [admittedly, I still have to choose between a 2HBH TS and a 1HBH slice].

Trying to learn TS with both. I already hit a TS 1hbh, but i prefer to run around when i can. I'm curious to see where the 2hbh will take me. Since I'm a rec player, it doesn't really matter if it sets my game back for a bit. If i find myself getting confused by the options, I'll pick and stick to one in the future. For one, I want to learn the 2hbh so I can decide for myself which one works better for me.
 

3loudboys

G.O.A.T.
Hitting on the rise. Think I'll start hanging out in "no man's land". That expression seems a bit overly dramatic, doesn't it?

Or just inside or on the base. My 10 year old hits this drill with his coach and it’s really paying off. He’s fed a quality ball with top between service and base lines and he has to step in and drive through on the rise. If you have a mate or coach who’ll lend a hand with feeds it will develop as fast as you practise it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

steve s

Professional
Do you normally not play tournaments? If so, what are you doing to prepare?

Use to, then played golf for 30 years.

Have been playing singles twice a week with a right and a left hand players who both have been pounding my OHB. Now my backhander is much improved, getting good depth and height cross court, more flat going up the line.

Its a senior thing with 5 year spread between groups. Have never seen the players but have been told they are steady, and can run.

I will not get into a back court game.

If I play a better player , I will not beat myself.

I am playing because I still think I know how to play the game. Skills, I have not idea, movement not a strong point.
I will never know , if I do not try.

I have become very calm on the court.
I
 

AdrianC

New User
For me, 1 year in now - Im reasonably happy with my first and second serves now (but thats not to say they don't require ongoing practice) and can rally a bit with a few different paces from the baseline, so now im working on doing more with the short balls. It seems such a shame doing the hard work earning the short ball only to hand the point to your opponent with an error (usually a foot or 2 long for me).
 

Bender

G.O.A.T.
Inside-Out FH to land somewhere around the side T [3-4']. 80% of mine land halfway between center SL and sideline. Maybe I ought to target the alley just to recalibrate.

CC FH, again targeting the side T.
Oooh, similar to me, except I'm aiming for the corner of the service box.

Mine regularly lands within a foot or two of the sideline (which is great), but always near the baseline, which isn't a big enough angle against defensive players, who can get there in a few steps and lob.

I actually find it easier to hit that I/O FH I just described, when I'm digging up sitters halfway up the service box up the middle, from the deuce court. That requires me to run forward, then left sideways, plant and brush up and wide.

For whatever reason, the more difficult the shot, the better I am at executing it (relatively), but it's the straightforward shots that I mess up. 99% sure it is a lazy footwork thing, and I've been trying to address it for a while now.
 

jga111

Hall of Fame
Changes to my serve: pin stance, trophy position timing, reduce pronation.
FH: Off-hand; using it for 'catching the racket' after hitting the ball, changing general elbow angle.

Currently sitting out with tennis elbow (2nd week now). Acupuncture in an hour, will see how this goes.
 

S&V-not_dead_yet

Talk Tennis Guru
Currently sitting out with tennis elbow (2nd week now). Acupuncture in an hour, will see how this goes.

What besides the needles are you doing for your TE? Ice? Stretching? Electro-stim?

Also, did you change racquets, strings, tension, stroke, or frequency of playing recently?
 

ChaelAZ

G.O.A.T.
Ughhh...trying to get the injuries tidy'd up and the fitness back. Keep playing down and get a decent head of steam, then something breaks again. Whoever called these the golden years must have been talking about how much you have to spend in medical bills and pharmaceuticals!

That said, starting a combined summer Flex League, so will be working on putting away people I should beat, and competing well against those I should not.
 

jga111

Hall of Fame
What besides the needles are you doing for your TE? Ice? Stretching? Electro-stim?

Also, did you change racquets, strings, tension, stroke, or frequency of playing recently?

I felt the TE two weeks ago while I was hitting (practice) and it was getting worse to the point I had to stop by 1 hour. I think it started from a combination of mishits, general overuse, and bad strings that have been through various climate changes. My arm was swollen and tendon felt very inflamed and I couldn't really do much at all with my elbow.

So I just stopped. And rested for a week. Felt a lot better but still with twinges of pain. I tried a hit just to see where I was at and I had to stop after 5 minutes.

The acupuncture I took yesterday has been beneficial - the TE pain seems to have gone and I am left with an inflamed tendon I can feel in the middle, part of my forearm - much more manageable and less of a 'blocker' when it comes to my mobility.

Planning to rest another week with another session of acupuncture. And probably rest another week thereafter.

I feel in my case it's a strong case of tendonitis where the standard recuperation is 2/3 weeks rest.

Am quite impressed how the acupuncture has removed the TE joint pain.
 
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