What are your burning problems of tennis?

[adrian10spro]

Hi Everyone,

I am a tennis coach for all age ranges. I am curious about the types of problems people are facing in tennis. Is there a consistent problem that everyone is having? What kind of advice is wanted? What method is best to help with a certain problem?

Thanks,

adrian10spro

 

[GetBetterer]

Are you hi10spro on YouTube?

Also, it's the fact that I can't play a 5 set match without eating a carbohydrate-heavy food, I wish I was like superman and could last.

 

[masterxfob]

footwork...

it's not my problem, but rather what i notice most in others players.

 

[sphinx780]

I'd say footwork is a very consistent problem.

I'm certain I'm consistently in need of help in that area at least...

 

[sureshs]

1. Serve
2. Serve
3. Serve

 

[user92626]

1. Serve
2. Lack of singles & variety experience. I could play one type of game very well, and then totally mess up against a vastly different type player, like yesterday against a serve and volley player. He served, then ran forward, chip, pushed, sliced whatever the ball back and his winning percentage was enough / higher than mine and thus won.

 

[dunc88]

1. serve
2. mentally weak
3. natural ability...I know how I 'should' hit every ball - i.e. my technique is good - yet my body lets me down

 

[HunterST]

I'd say footwork is a very consistent problem.

I'm certain I'm consistently in need of help in that area at least...

2nd that.

NOT in terms of running speed or endurance, but using my feet to be in the right position.

For example, when I feel rushed, I sometimes run through shots or end up crowding myself. When a shot is slow, I can not adjust enough and end up hitting an awkward shot.

 

[StanW]

I'd say my 1hbh and footwork. @___@ It drives me nuts when my backhand goes into the net.

 

[dangitaaa]

serve & foot work

 

[russell]

For me its gotta be lack of natural talent.

 

[Blake0]

Mine is the forehand. On the takeback i get into the pat the dog position with the racket face inverted, making it hard for me to get into the slot position when i swing forward.

Another thing is that my wrist isn't stable and layed back (at contact) sometimes on my forehand.

It's more of a bad habit that's developed.

Another thing i have a bad habit on is too much extension..I'm not necessarily hitting flat, but it still goes out, and into the net quite often..I'm working on more of the pull up and across concept.

 

[tacotanium]

you know what i hate most about tennis? having to pay court fees. im trying to improve as much as i can and i don't have any friends that enjoys the game as well so i want to join some usta flex leagues and tourneys but i have a tight budget.

i tried to join my college league but you have to be very good (5.0 i think) to be part of. so instead im taking beginners tennis class just so i can play but this guy just talks forever. we don't get that much time to play.

anyone in this situation? i actually really want to play in some usta tournaments when next year comes around but i can't practice at all for it. there are no court fees for usta tourney's right? just a one time entree fee?

 

[Zachol82]

Also, it's the fact that I can't play a 5 set match without eating a carbohydrate-heavy food, I wish I was like superman and could last.

http://store.guenergy.com/category_s/3.htm
Those work amazing for me ^^
Maybe you should give them a try, if you haven't had anything like that before that is.

 

[Zachol82]

Is there a consistent problem that everyone is having? What kind of advice is wanted? What method is best to help with a certain problem?

Consistent problem? Consistency.
Advice wanted? It's a mix here.
Best method? Probably a video explaining what the problem is, why it happens and how to fix it.

 

[Bacterio]

My current burning problem is motivation. It's like I really want to go play, I'm happy to be out there, but then I just lose drive/motivation. I'll end up playing 50% the whole time or just not taking anything seriously. Not sure if it's the weather change or what, lol.

I'll spin my serves in just because hitting my bigger serves feels like too much effort, my feet don't seem to want to move, etc etc. I don't end up playing completely horrible, I just know there's more I can do but I can't get myself to do it.

 

[user92626]

Bacterio,

I have that,too. It's simply because we lack real incentives. Lately I've realized that if I put myself up to play harder, I'll get a good workout and look after my health.

But seriously, it's difficult to play more than you have to play to win!!

It's only natural. We only follow the least resistant path for the most reward. Not inverse.

 

[tes]

Hi Everyone,

I am a tennis coach for all age ranges. I am curious about the types of problems people are facing in tennis. Is there a consistent problem that everyone is having? What kind of advice is wanted? What method is best to help with a certain problem?

Thanks,

adrian10spro

Old age and fear of injury. I have all the strokes but inevitably wind up with a blown hamstring, pulled calf muscles, patella tendonitis and/or morton's neuroma flare ups when I push it. I play singles with guys half my age and hold my own but seem to always have to drop out for a week or so to recover from an injury...depressing.. and I don't really enjoy doubles.

 

[Indiana Puffed]

I have a timing issue on my serve that interferes with my racquet drop, robbing me of some power and spin. I've been trying to lose it for the past year! Slowly getting there, but until it is gone I will never be happy with my serve. It has penetrated my psyche so deep that I dream about it sometimes :?

After that it is high volleys - supposedly the easy ones... sheesh.

 

[papa]

Well, I can see/understand the concerns of all the posters. In many cases, older players do themselves in by attempting to either play too hard when they aren't conditioned to do so or using older methods taught years ago but not as effective today as when racquets weren't as powerful. However, too much extra weight and conditioning would be at the top of my list for older players.

However, again realizing that posters raised some important points, I would say the biggest issue with players of all ages is the "lack" of use of the non-dominant arm/hand. It either hangs by the players side doing absolutely nothing or is 180 degrees away from the dominant arm. If you watch better players the two arms are almost always together - either on the racquet or shoulder width apart. This is not done because it just might look look/cool but because it gives the player better balance, keeps their shoulders turned to the net, shifts the racquet and so forth.

One mark of a recreational player is that they look like they are trying to fly (arms fully extended to both sides) or only have one arm - generally one or the other.

 

[GetBetterer]

Zachol82:

Those work amazing for me ^^
Maybe you should give them a try, if you haven't had anything like that before that is.

I'm majoring in Biochemistry, I know the dangers of those chemicals. >.>

 

[Zachol82]

Zachol82:


I'm majoring in Biochemistry, I know the dangers of those chemicals. >.>

Oh, what's a little danger? :x

 

[krizzle]

Confidence. My backhand would be so much more consistent if only I could convince myself to swing all the way through it. But my mind knows that it's trying to trick and play games with itself.

 

[GetBetterer]

Zachol82:

Oh, what's a little danger?

I would prefer my tasty spaghetti as my carbohydrate food instead, thank you very much Mr. I eat sterility pills (just kidding, not sure if they actually cause sterility lol).

 

[dennis10is]

It doesn't matter how long I've been playing.

According to the Holy STD, I'm a 1.0.

I desperately want to be rated higher by the HOLY STD but unable to convincing them to change their rating of me.

I hold myself and cry myself to sleep every night.

 

[KenC]

I think good footwork is a chronic problem that takes a lot of time to keep under control. Serving well is a function of getting a good coach to mold the best technique and then finding the time for hitting thousands of serves. My main problem is time to practice everything. In the last year I was able to play tennis about 10 hours a week and only improved from 4.0 to 4.5, with the help of a very talented teaching coach. I have a feeling that I will top out at 4.5 unless I can dedicate even more time to practice.

Time to practice and train is the real problem. How many people can get to 4.0 by playing tennis once a week for an hour or two? Maybe 10 hours a week will get someone to 4.5, maybe 5.0 but to get to 5.5 probably requires double the time. I think training to be a professional requires full time dedication.

Further proof of the time dependency is when I take a two week vacation and then hit the courts and notice that my footwork is worse, serve is worse, and I have to work really hard to get back up to my previous level. So, it seems I have to put in about 10 hours consistently just to maintain my level, and if I drop hours I can expect my game to drop some as well.

Time to practice, that's a real problem.

 

[nomie]

My coach is in denial. He says my backhand is 'solid' even though I cant hit two in a row to save my life.

 

[sgrv]

2HBH is a major issue in my game. Need to develop consistency. High balls are very difficult. No matter how much I try to hit flat through them, they eiither go long or hit the net.

The biggest problem is I don't even know what I am doing wrong with my 2HBH. I understand the mechanics of it but don't know what's wrong with my execution.

 

[Kyle7286]

Net Game... I have absolutely no net game.. I really really need help and advice

 

[aceX]

At the moment:
1. Serve
2. Forehand
3. Footwork

My backhand is the only thing I'm happy with at the moment!!

 

[adrian10spro]

Are you hi10spro on YouTube?

Also, it's the fact that I can't play a 5 set match without eating a carbohydrate-heavy food, I wish I was like superman and could last.

Hi,

No, that is not me. But I plan on posting videos soon.

Regarding the 5 set match issue, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Loading up on carbs the night before is a great way to store some energy for your match. When I played competitively, my teammates and I would hold "carb parties" and load up on pasta, breads, and rice. Good luck with your game!

 

[adrian10spro]

I'd say footwork is a very consistent problem.

I'm certain I'm consistently in need of help in that area at least...

One way to improve your footwork may be simple drills you can do on your own. (side stepping around cones, running around cones, or using a training ladder to do different drills or exercises on...these can be looked up online). The easiest way to get your footwork to improve is simply by moving your feet continuously when playing.

 

[adrian10spro]

1. Serve
2. Lack of singles & variety experience. I could play one type of game very well, and then totally mess up against a vastly different type player, like yesterday against a serve and volley player. He served, then ran forward, chip, pushed, sliced whatever the ball back and his winning percentage was enough / higher than mine and thus won.

First thing is to hold your serve or at least make your opponent work to break you. Go for higher first serve percentage even if you have to take off some power. Set up the point by placing your serve to his weaker shot or to his body.

Regarding your issue of playing certain players, every person has a different style, and the mark of a true player is to adjust to every style. For someone who charges the net, you could either go right at them or look to pass them. This all depends on how strong of a volleyer they are or if you are accurate enough to hit passing shots. Good luck with your game.

 

[adrian10spro]

1. serve
2. mentally weak
3. natural ability...I know how I 'should' hit every ball - i.e. my technique is good - yet my body lets me down

What I see most important to deal with is your mental toughness. This can go as simple as knowing you are improving, so you can be a better player. If you are not confident enough that you are improving as a player, then you will never become the player you are aspiring to be. Work hard and practice the shots you feel are deficient, and use practice matches or even tournaments to showcase what you have learned in practice.

Regarding your body mechanics, it is most important to relax when you hit the ball and not try to overdo a shot either with so much power or aiming for the lines.

 

[adrian10spro]

I'd say my 1hbh and footwork. @___@ It drives me nuts when my backhand goes into the net.

The 1hbh is such a beautiful shot when struck correctly. I think of Justine Henin and her stroke. I personally play with a 2hbh, but find the 1hbh to be easier to hit when I am teaching a tennis lesson. I would love to learn more about this shot.

 

[adrian10spro]

For me its gotta be lack of natural talent.

Look to take some private lessons and set some goals before you start those lessons. These goals can be as simple as hitting the ball back and forth 10 times or competing in a tournament. Good luck!

 

[adrian10spro]

Mine is the forehand. On the takeback i get into the pat the dog position with the racket face inverted, making it hard for me to get into the slot position when i swing forward.

Another thing is that my wrist isn't stable and layed back (at contact) sometimes on my forehand.

It's more of a bad habit that's developed.

Another thing i have a bad habit on is too much extension..I'm not necessarily hitting flat, but it still goes out, and into the net quite often..I'm working on more of the pull up and across concept.

First of all, it seems like you are making everything too technical . For a quick tutorial, go to youtube and look up forehand videos (or andre agassi forehand or any other pro). For visual learners, seeing these videos would make it easier to execute it themselves. Hope this helps!

 

[adrian10spro]

you know what i hate most about tennis? having to pay court fees. im trying to improve as much as i can and i don't have any friends that enjoys the game as well so i want to join some usta flex leagues and tourneys but i have a tight budget.

i tried to join my college league but you have to be very good (5.0 i think) to be part of. so instead im taking beginners tennis class just so i can play but this guy just talks forever. we don't get that much time to play.

anyone in this situation? i actually really want to play in some usta tournaments when next year comes around but i can't practice at all for it. there are no court fees for usta tourney's right? just a one time entree fee?

First of all, I'm curious to know where you're from. I come across this same problem, but in a different sense. I am a tennis instructor and teach park and rec classes which run as cheap as $80 for 12 weeks, which is a really good deal. I work with some instructors who simply talk through the hour and rarely feed balls. In my case, I like to empty the basket at least 5 times in an hour with everyone getting a good work out. Maybe you can scout out other instructors for such rec classes and that may help you and your budget. Good luck.

 

[adrian10spro]

Bacterio,

I have that,too. It's simply because we lack real incentives. Lately I've realized that if I put myself up to play harder, I'll get a good workout and look after my health.

But seriously, it's difficult to play more than you have to play to win!!

It's only natural. We only follow the least resistant path for the most reward. Not inverse.

I think what would really help is the quality of your hitting partner. Try scheduling hitting sessions with players more advanced than you. This might help to motivate you to show off your bigger shots and maintain a high level of intensity throughout the match.

 

[adrian10spro]

Old age and fear of injury. I have all the strokes but inevitably wind up with a blown hamstring, pulled calf muscles, patella tendonitis and/or morton's neuroma flare ups when I push it. I play singles with guys half my age and hold my own but seem to always have to drop out for a week or so to recover from an injury...depressing.. and I don't really enjoy doubles.

You could possibly watch out for pushing yourself too much to get certain shots. Conserve your energy and go for the balls that you realistically can get to. Allow your opponent to hit winners, but you would be able to get them back by saving your energy. Maybe even work on reinventing your game and utilizing shots you have not used as much of.

 

[adrian10spro]

I have a timing issue on my serve that interferes with my racquet drop, robbing me of some power and spin. I've been trying to lose it for the past year! Slowly getting there, but until it is gone I will never be happy with my serve. It has penetrated my psyche so deep that I dream about it sometimes :?

After that it is high volleys - supposedly the easy ones... sheesh.

A simple fix-it for your serve timing is to count 2 seconds after you toss, and then hit the serve (toss: 1-2-HIT). This should help your timing and make your serve consistent. As for your high volleys, try not to swing at these, and block them at a little higher than shoulder level

 

[adrian10spro]

My coach is in denial. He says my backhand is 'solid' even though I cant hit two in a row to save my life.

Well, speaking as a coach, when we say 'solid' it means that the ball is struck at the right time and in the right spot of the racket. It is your job as a player to visualize each shot so that you can easily replicate it. Work on control versus power and this may help to give you more consistency.

 

[adrian10spro]

Net Game... I have absolutely no net game.. I really really need help and advice

First of all, look to maintain a good distance between yourself and the net, so you will have enough reaction time. Also, it is important to stand where you are comfortable enough to volley the ball. Some people think they should be right in front of the net, but it is more important to stand where you will have an effective time to react to the volley. Hold your racket tight and block the ball in front of you. Another important tip would be to keep your feet moving and be ready for forehand or backhand volleys. Hope this helps improve your game.

 

[Blake0]

First of all, it seems like you are making everything too technical . For a quick tutorial, go to youtube and look up forehand videos (or andre agassi forehand or any other pro). For visual learners, seeing these videos would make it easier to execute it themselves. Hope this helps!

Just trying to describe what was going on..but yeah i tend to be too technical on TW. It feels better now after using the nondominant arm more, and pulling up and across.

 

[tacotanium]

First of all, I'm curious to know where you're from. I come across this same problem, but in a different sense. I am a tennis instructor and teach park and rec classes which run as cheap as $80 for 12 weeks, which is a really good deal. I work with some instructors who simply talk through the hour and rarely feed balls. In my case, I like to empty the basket at least 5 times in an hour with everyone getting a good work out. Maybe you can scout out other instructors for such rec classes and that may help you and your budget. Good luck.

im in the twin cities area in st. paul. i think court fees are just ridiculously over priced. there are free public courts but i need a partner. just want someone that likes the game as much as i do. but $80 for 12 weeks, thats a sweet deal. i would take that. i've been playing with a friend lately that just got into the game.

 

[Djokovicfan4life]

1.Foo
2. tw
3. ork


Of course at my level everything in my game is a problem, but footwork trumps them all.

 

[mike84]

anything longer then 2 sets i give up mentally

not tired or anything but after i get broken i just don't seem to have desire to fight back.

 

[stoo]

I would love to be able to hit a 2hbh.

As much as I'm happy with my topspin 1hbh, I'd kill to be able to hit a solid two-hander with pace without hitting the top of the back fence on the fly.

 

[hi10spro]

Are you hi10spro on YouTube?

Also, it's the fact that I can't play a 5 set match without eating a carbohydrate-heavy food, I wish I was like superman and could last.

i'm hi10spro

 

[NLBwell]

My problem with my tennis is that I have a real job now.

When I didn't, I got better quickly, to the point where I was better than I had been in quite a few years.