What do you think? (Vid)

R

revolutionary technique

Rookie
****NEW*****
I took these vids yestarday but was unable to post them because youtube was down. I am hitting with a partner today, hope to get some new footage.

Serve + hitting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0uR448amUw

hitting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX-k_ctxmGE

hitting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIW6ZHFPjQI

Hey, just made a video of me playing vs the backboard. Any comments or tips are apreciated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRzLS6kzo6A

I will probably get a new vid soon with serves.
 
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T

tricky

Hall of Fame
Form's pretty good on both wings, but you're stepping out with the wrong foot.

As you begin to move, follow and track the path of the incoming ball with the foot closer to the ball. This will give you more natural transition between your movement and setting up your unit turn.
 
mtommer

mtommer

Hall of Fame
The ball looks really big for some reason.

Your strokes look fine. Just keep working on them overall.
 
R

revolutionary technique

Rookie
ubermeyer said:
you suck

haha just kidding

but I have 3 comments:

1. your strokes mostly look great, but it's hard to gauge skill against a wall

2. why the heck are you wearing headphones while you play??? :confused:

3. what the heck happened at 0:34-0:35??? :confused:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the comment. Well, I love music and I couldn't understand the music the people partying near the park were playing, so I decided to listen to something while I was playing to keep my focus. The wall I was playing with sometimes gives an inconsistent bounce and I wasn't really prepared for that I guess. I will post a vid of a match soon. The only problem is that my hitting partner dosen't like it when I film.
 
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R

revolutionary technique

Rookie
tricky said:
Form's pretty good on both wings, but you're stepping out with the wrong foot.

As you begin to move, follow and track the path of the incoming ball with the foot closer to the ball. This will give you more natural transition between your movement and setting up your unit turn.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I will try to do this, it always felt unatural to so i never implimented this in my game.
 
M

MakeSenseNotBabies

Guest
a lot of the time, you seemed surprised by where the ball was going and how it bounced back. that's a BAD sign. also, how you reacted at :14-:15, and :34-35 is indicative of your true level of play. here's some other examples:

:14-:15, :26-:27, :34-:35, 1:08, 1:13, 1:22
 
tennis_balla

tennis_balla

Hall of Fame
Funny no one mentions the fact that he's all over the place when hitting against the wall. Meaning, one shot you're hitting a forehand, next you're wide with a backhand, then a low forehand followed by a high one. You're hitting way too hard against that backboard and not working on anything really. Don't try and bust holes into it. Instead, work on hitting lets say 10 forehands in a row and develop a rhythm where its coming back to you to almost the same spot, and you're hitting or trying to hit the exact same spot on the wall. Thats when you're practicing.
 
U

UnforcedError

Rookie
tennis_balla said:
Funny no one mentions the fact that he's all over the place when hitting against the wall. Meaning, one shot you're hitting a forehand, next you're wide with a backhand, then a low forehand followed by a high one. You're hitting way too hard against that backboard and not working on anything really. Don't try and bust holes into it. Instead, work on hitting lets say 10 forehands in a row and develop a rhythm where its coming back to you to almost the same spot, and you're hitting or trying to hit the exact same spot on the wall. Thats when you're practicing.
Click to expand...

Totally agree with this.
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
I suspect it's more fun to slap the ball hard against a wall than to try for 50 consecutive forehands, then backhands.
I think the stroke is rather good, considering the level of play here. But maybe try for better footwork, don't lean back, and watch the ball more.
Against a wall is different than against another player, and without the opposing player, you can hit hard working on contact and swingspeed.
Fine, against the wall.
 
R

revolutionary technique

Rookie
tennis_balla said:
Funny no one mentions the fact that he's all over the place when hitting against the wall. Meaning, one shot you're hitting a forehand, next you're wide with a backhand, then a low forehand followed by a high one. You're hitting way too hard against that backboard and not working on anything really. Don't try and bust holes into it. Instead, work on hitting lets say 10 forehands in a row and develop a rhythm where its coming back to you to almost the same spot, and you're hitting or trying to hit the exact same spot on the wall. Thats when you're practicing.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this tip. I will draw a target on the backboard next time and then make a video of me trying to hit that target.
 
R

revolutionary technique

Rookie
LeeD said:
I suspect it's more fun to slap the ball hard against a wall than to try for 50 consecutive forehands, then backhands.
I think the stroke is rather good, considering the level of play here. But maybe try for better footwork, don't lean back, and watch the ball more.
Against a wall is different than against another player, and without the opposing player, you can hit hard working on contact and swingspeed.
Fine, against the wall.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I will strive for better footwork. Yes you are right I need to watch the ball more but against the wall thats kinda hard. I will try to post another vid later today.
 
Swissv2

Swissv2

Hall of Fame
You are trying hard to impress with your "stroke", but it would be wise to work on consistency in hitting to the same spot on the backboard (a much more difficult task). No need for that much power.

We wait for your new videos.
 
mtommer

mtommer

Hall of Fame
tennis_balla said:
You're hitting way too hard against that backboard and not working on anything really.
Click to expand...

On the contrary, you're learning how to deal with and hit hard balls. I suggest the OP strives to hit consistently while hitting that hard. By hitting hard you can jam yourself up etc. at times but you still need to play the shot, just like what happens in real matches. Also, if one hits hard while imparting enough spin the balls can come off at funny angles which keeps you off balanced and more focused on footwork.
 
tennis_balla

tennis_balla

Hall of Fame
mtommer said:
On the contrary, you're learning how to deal with and hit hard balls. I suggest the OP strives to hit consistently while hitting that hard. By hitting hard you can jam yourself up etc. at times but you still need to play the shot, just like what happens in real matches. Also, if one hits hard while imparting enough spin the balls can come off at funny angles which keeps you off balanced and more focused on footwork.
Click to expand...


If you really wanna develop footwork and balance then go practice on the court with a friend or hire a coach which of course is the best way. Hitting against the wall will only take you so far but I do see your point, but I think maybe you missed mine. What I was saying is the way he's hitting the ball has no purpose. He's just blasting the ball against the wall and not working on anything specific. Its like hitting from the baseline with a partner for 45min and not working on anything specific. Just hitting back and forth and seeing who can blast it the hardest and then 2 winners come out of 10 unforced errors. Many people do this and its useless and you're just wasting time.

If he goes out there and says for example ok I'll hit 10-20 in a row from the same spot to the same spot on my forehand, moving my feet and getting set each time. ok good done that, now I'll do the same on the backhand.... great. Now I'll try and alternate hitting forehands and backhands and hitting them cross or 2 forehands 2 backhands and so on. Then come closer to the wall and work on his volleys, forehand backhand forehand, backhand. He'll work on footwork, consistency, balance, rhythm (which is overlooked in tennis so much) and so on.
 
R

revolutionary technique

Rookie
tennis_balla said:
If you really wanna develop footwork and balance then go practice on the court with a friend or hire a coach which of course is the best way. Hitting against the wall will only take you so far but I do see your point, but I think maybe you missed mine. What I was saying is the way he's hitting the ball has no purpose. He's just blasting the ball against the wall and not working on anything specific. Its like hitting from the baseline with a partner for 45min and not working on anything specific. Just hitting back and forth and seeing who can blast it the hardest and then 2 winners come out of 10 unforced errors. Many people do this and its useless and you're just wasting time.

If he goes out there and says for example ok I'll hit 10-20 in a row from the same spot to the same spot on my forehand, moving my feet and getting set each time. ok good done that, now I'll do the same on the backhand.... great. Now I'll try and alternate hitting forehands and backhands and hitting them cross or 2 forehands 2 backhands and so on. Then come closer to the wall and work on his volleys, forehand backhand forehand, backhand. He'll work on footwork, consistency, balance, rhythm (which is overlooked in tennis so much) and so on.
Click to expand...

You are correct, I willl practice like you described in the next vid, which will be most likely tomorrow. Thanks on this tip.
 
35ft6

35ft6

Legend
Hitting against the wall should be treated the way shadow/mirror boxing is treated in, um, boxing. Time to work on technique, footwork, and balance. It's not the time to hit out all crazy like that. And it's very easy to develop some really bad habits hitting that way against the wall.

Invariably, really good players, when they hit against the wall, are hitting at about 50 to 70 percent. And the weekend warriors are going absolutely ape s$%t, hitting hard as they can. You have good strokes, you can use the wall to accelerate their evolution, or hinder it, and right now it looks like you're not helping yourself out much.
 
R

revolutionary technique

Rookie
35ft6 said:
Hitting against the wall should be treated the way shadow/mirror boxing is treated in, um, boxing. Time to work on technique, footwork, and balance. It's not the time to hit out all crazy like that. And it's very easy to develop some really bad habits hitting that way against the wall.

Invariably, really good players, when they hit against the wall, are hitting at about 50 to 70 percent. And the weekend warriors are going absolutely ape s$%t, hitting hard as they can. You have good strokes, you can use the wall to accelerate their evolution, or hinder it, and right now it looks like you're not helping yourself out much.
Click to expand...

I understand, the next practice will be more controled, I will try to work on technique.
 
l_gonzalez

l_gonzalez

Professional
You tend to hit the ball a little late on your forehand side which makes you lean back, snatch your head up and then it's anybody's guess where the ball is gonna go.

Keep your racquet out in front of you when you're in the ready position and focus on getting your bodyweight moving through the shot like you do on your backhand. stay low, watch the ball and keep your head still.

The other comments are spot on too, when hitting against the wall always hit at a pace that allows you to be in complete control, you should be dictating play and not the wall.

The wall is great for working on technique but you can also develop really bad habits very quickly so focus on getting technique right and being smooth.
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
35ft6 said:
Hitting against the wall should be treated the way shadow/mirror boxing is treated in, um, boxing. Time to work on technique, footwork, and balance. It's not the time to hit out all crazy like that. And it's very easy to develop some really bad habits hitting that way against the wall.

Invariably, really good players, when they hit against the wall, are hitting at about 50 to 70 percent. And the weekend warriors are going absolutely ape s$%t, hitting hard as they can. You have good strokes, you can use the wall to accelerate their evolution, or hinder it, and right now it looks like you're not helping yourself out much.
Click to expand...

Agreed. If you hit too hard against the wall, when you get to the courts, you will be making a ton of UE's.
 
10ACE

10ACE

Professional
Do you play squash? Your forehand has a ton of wrist, it just stood out to me, not saying that's bad. Good stuff
 
R

revolutionary technique

Rookie
l_gonzalez said:
You tend to hit the ball a little late on your forehand side which makes you lean back, snatch your head up and then it's anybody's guess where the ball is gonna go.

Keep your racquet out in front of you when you're in the ready position and focus on getting your bodyweight moving through the shot like you do on your backhand. stay low, watch the ball and keep your head still.

The other comments are spot on too, when hitting against the wall always hit at a pace that allows you to be in complete control, you should be dictating play and not the wall.

The wall is great for working on technique but you can also develop really bad habits very quickly so focus on getting technique right and being smooth.
Click to expand...

You are right but I was hitting the ball too hard to step in to the shot, the ball cam back rather quickly so I did not have that much time. I do agree I have to watch the ball better, and stay low. Thanks. Next time I will try to keep it slower and controled.
 
F

fruitytennis1

Professional
Hit on a real court with a real person. I cant really tell anything from your rushed strokes against the wall. Dont listen to headphones. Concentrate on what your doing.
 
R

revolutionary technique

Rookie
fruitytennis1 said:
Hit on a real court with a real person. I cant really tell anything from your rushed strokes against the wall. Dont listen to headphones. Concentrate on what your doing.
Click to expand...

I did hit with 2 partners today and both of them were levels below me and we barely had any rallies. Most of it was I hit 2 shot and they couldn't handle the spin or depth.
 
T

Tour90

Semi-Pro
from the videos you posted i think you really need to take a step back and move your feet to get in the proper position to strike the ball again. it looked as if everything was rushed at little. go back to the basics of a split step and a good knee bend to get a well struck ball. in my book it's not horrible, but it would be a great improvement with being ready. just my opinion. good luck!
 
R

revolutionary technique

Rookie
Tour90 said:
from the videos you posted i think you really need to take a step back and move your feet to get in the proper position to strike the ball again. it looked as if everything was rushed at little. go back to the basics of a split step and a good knee bend to get a well struck ball. in my book it's not horrible, but it would be a great improvement with being ready. just my opinion. good luck!
Click to expand...

I understand everything you mentioned but I was hitting with the wall and I was hitting way to hard to really be able to do much of conventional footwork. But soon I will post a video of me hitting with a friend.
 
T

tricky

Hall of Fame
Limit your backswing. That'll force you to work on your footwork as well as limit the temptation to just crank on the ball.

Seeing the same issues with the feet. Again, you want to track the path of the ball with the outside foot. Like many people, your outside foot is acting like a swivel to control your torso rotation rather than as an actual source of power.

Because you're doing a lot of inside-out as well as normal strokes, you're not really grooving in your step patterns (esp. the feet order), and that's actually the most valuable part of backfence work.

Tracking with the outside foot gives you 4 scenarios:

1) Ball is coming to your right. You intend to move toward net

You track ball with right foot and step out with the right foot.

2) Ball is coming to your left. You intend to move toward net.

You track ball with left foot and step out with the left foot.

3) Ball is coming to your right. You intend to move backwards/away from baseline.

You track ball with the right foot, but step with the left foot. The key here is that your weight is still slightly in front of you even as you move backwards, and that you're still tracking the ball with the right foot.

4) Ball is coming to your left. You intend to move backwards/away from baseline.

You track ball with the left foot, but step with the right foot. The key here is that your weight is still slightly in front of you even as you move backwards, and that you're still tracking the ball with the left foot.

Scenarios 3 and 4 are almost automatic if you groove scenarios 1 and 2 into your stroke patterns. Therefore, it's actually best to first try always moving in/forward to hit the ball, whether the ball passes you or not. This forces you to muscle-memory the role of the outside foot in your movement patterns as well as your unit turn. Moreover, this also forces you to shorten or eliminate your backswing, hit on the rise, and hit strokes with some control. Then, once you're good about that, then you can work on Scenarios 3 and 4.
 
R

revolutionary technique

Rookie
tricky said:
Limit your backswing. That'll force you to work on your footwork as well as limit the temptation to just crank on the ball.

Seeing the same issues with the feet. Again, you want to track the path of the ball with the outside foot. Like many people, your outside foot is acting like a swivel to control your torso rotation rather than as an actual source of power.

Because you're doing a lot of inside-out as well as normal strokes, you're not really grooving in your step patterns (esp. the feet order), and that's actually the most valuable part of backfence work.

Tracking with the outside foot gives you 4 scenarios:

1) Ball is coming to your right. You intend to move toward net

You track ball with right foot and step out with the right foot.

2) Ball is coming to your left. You intend to move toward net.

You track ball with left foot and step out with the left foot.

3) Ball is coming to your right. You intend to move backwards/away from baseline.

You track ball with the right foot, but step with the left foot. The key here is that your weight is still slightly in front of you even as you move backwards, and that you're still tracking the ball with the right foot.

4) Ball is coming to your left. You intend to move backwards/away from baseline.

You track ball with the left foot, but step with the right foot. The key here is that your weight is still slightly in front of you even as you move backwards, and that you're still tracking the ball with the left foot.

Scenarios 3 and 4 are almost automatic if you groove scenarios 1 and 2 into your stroke patterns. Therefore, it's actually best to first try always moving in/forward to hit the ball, whether the ball passes you or not. This forces you to muscle-memory the role of the outside foot in your movement patterns as well as your unit turn. Moreover, this also forces you to shorten or eliminate your backswing, hit on the rise, and hit strokes with some control. Then, once you're good about that, then you can work on Scenarios 3 and 4.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this. I will try to shorten my back swing. However do I try the same while I am hitting with a partner or not.
 
T

tricky

Hall of Fame
I will try to shorten my back swing. However do I try the same while I am hitting with a partner or not.
Click to expand...

Mostly for the back wall. Severely limiting the backswing is just a good way to avoid overhitting the ball against the wall, but it's also a good way to evaluate the footwork. You'll find that if the footwork is wrong, you'll overrotate on the shot and you'll have problems with your contact point.
 
R

revolutionary technique

Rookie
tricky said:
Mostly for the back wall. Severely limiting the backswing is just a good way to avoid overhitting the ball against the wall, but it's also a good way to evaluate the footwork. You'll find that if the footwork is wrong, you'll overrotate on the shot and you'll have problems with your contact point.
Click to expand...

This is very helpful and I will definately use this next time against the wall. Thanks.
 
tenzinrocks

tenzinrocks

Rookie
I don't see how you'd get any winners with so much topspin. Your form seems good but so many looked out, near the top edge
 
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