Why the unit turn is so counterintuitive for anything above 3.0

[TimeToPlaySets]

At 3.5 or more, you can get some very heavy groundstrokes landing at the baseline.
If you are rallying at the baseline, and you get a heavy ball, you will need to back up.
However, if you split step, and then do a unit turn, you STEP FORWARD to do the unit turn (closed),
then you are stepping FORWARD while you need to be moving backwards!
This is totally the opposite which will short circuit your brain.

I guess this needs to be a reflex, because a conscious brain will NEVER let you step towards a ball
that is requiring you to move backwards (typical 3.5 rally with balls landing at baseline)

Unless you rally while standing 10 feet behind the baseline, and have ample room to move forwards.
But, if located at the typical 1-2 feet behind baseline, how can you
1) Split step
2) Turn (means stepping forward)
3) Then move back.

I need to see it to believe it.
Does anyone have footage of someone doing a unit turn while a heavy ball is hit to them?

The only way this is possible is if you do thousands of split step --> turns with no ball involved
in your living room.
The minute a ball is in play, there is no chance in hell you will step forward with a unit turn.
You will naturally keep feep open and planted, and only turn the shoulders
Which is exactly what most players do, if they turn at all.

 

[ptuanminh]

 

[Shroud]

Seriously nice hitting

 

[ptuanminh]

Yeah those guys are pretty awesome

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

I loved watching this one.

I noticed that white hat stops to admire his shots.
He gets burned at 3:34 (and reacts correctly)

Blue shorts guy serve motion is really weird.
But, it looks like it works.

3:39, blue shorts forehands looks bad.
Zero legs in the shot.

White hat is a technically superior player.

However, I did not see where someone does a unit turn by stepping forward

 

[ptuanminh]

define stepping forward

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

I just watched the entire video in sloMo

Blue short return of serve at :15 he is moving backwards.

At :25, white hat also moves backwards to for return of serve.

Ok, I think I got one.
At :38, white hat does a turn while needing to move backwards.
He does not step forward, but his right foot seems to end up where his left foot just was (and his left foot is now further back)
So, he's turning while moving backwards
Similar thing at :42

at :52, blue shorts ROS, his first step does not move forward, but has an open stance. No leg turn.

at 1:55, there is another turn for a deep ball.
He steps BACK with his rear leg, and does not step forward.

Blue shorts guy does not seem to do a proper unit turn
He hits with an open stance. See 1:59
So, he is not a good example to use.

At 2:25, white hat again turns by retreating his back leg.
This is technically incorrect, but at least he gets sideways.

Ok, I think I see what I need to know.
I won't worry about which foot to initiate the unit turn, but simply focus on getting sideways, somehow.

But for ROS, it seems like everything is a mess, and there is no rule in this match.

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

define stepping forward

You know, like what closed/neutral stance "unit turn" is.
In order to do a unit turn, and turn your feet, you need to step forward.
Otherwise, you're feet will still point to net (open stance)

How do you like to turn sideways?

 

[Gazelle]

They sure play like 5.0. Very solid and seem like they can keep the rally going for ages with no problem.

Bit disappointed in their technique though. Our club coach is 5.0 I think (different ratings here, but he's equivalent of 5.0 if I'm right) and he has quite better and smoother technique than these guys.

 

[Shroud]

At 3.5 or more, you can get some very heavy groundstrokes landing at the baseline.
If you are rallying at the baseline, and you get a heavy ball, you will need to back up.
However, if you split step, and then do a unit turn, you STEP FORWARD to do the unit turn (closed),
then you are stepping FORWARD while you need to be moving backwards!
This is totally the opposite which will short circuit your brain.

I guess this needs to be a reflex, because a conscious brain will NEVER let you step towards a ball
that is requiring you to move backwards (typical 3.5 rally with balls landing at baseline)

Unless you rally while standing 10 feet behind the baseline, and have ample room to move forwards.
But, if located at the typical 1-2 feet behind baseline, how can you
1) Split step
2) Turn (means stepping forward)
3) Then move back.

I need to see it to believe it.
Does anyone have footage of someone doing a unit turn while a heavy ball is hit to them?

The only way this is possible is if you do thousands of split step --> turns with no ball involved
in your living room.
The minute a ball is in play, there is no chance in hell you will step forward with a unit turn.
You will naturally keep feep open and planted, and only turn the shoulders
Which is exactly what most players do, if they turn at all.

Dont step back

I think this shows you a real life example. I rarely move back and still manage to do ok unit turns against this heavy hitter.

 

[Shroud]

You know, like what closed/neutral stance "unit turn" is.
In order to do a unit turn, and turn your feet, you need to step forward.
Otherwise, you're feet will still point to net (open stance)

You can have an open stance and a unit turn. Thats your disconnect

 

[LeeD]

Some players move back, some don't. Not every player plays the same.
And even player's who step back mostly will sometimes shorthop a deep ball, while guys determined to stand atop the baseline will sometimes step back.
To play tennis, you need to be able to do all 3, and know when to use which in different situations....which takes facing hundreds of different incoming balls in all different situations.

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

You can have an open stance and a unit turn. Thats your disconnect

I already do a unit turn with open stance.
I've been told on TT that is wrong. (short ball thread)

So, I am trying to get my feet to point sideways.
However, that is much easier said than done!

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

You know, like what closed/neutral stance "unit turn" is.
In order to do a unit turn, and turn your feet, you need to step forward.
Otherwise, you're feet will still point to net (open stance)

No, you don't. The only definition of a neutral stance is that your non-dominant foot is in front of your dominant foot. No one said how the non-dominant foot got there. You're assuming it has to be the non-dominant foot moving forward. It also can be the dominant foot moving backwards.

In the case of the heavy ball when you've decided not to move forward and take it on the rise but instead fall back, you absolutely can get into a neutral stance.

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

Dont step back

I think this shows you a real life example. I rarely move back and still manage to do ok unit turns against this heavy hitter.

Green hat is stepping back to do his unit turn.
(Rear foot moves backwards instead of lead foot moving forwards)
I was told this is wrong.
You do not want to step backwards is the ball is short, for example.

at :34 and :59, there is open stance, and no leg turn.

 

[Shroud]

Green hat is stepping back to do his unit turn.
(Rear foot moves backwards instead of lead foot moving forwards)
I was told this is wrong.
You do not want to step backwards is the ball is short, for example.

at :34 and :59, there is open stance, and no leg turn.

It works for fed and fwiw there is no 100% rule. Sure if the ball is short its different. If its deep its different. Etc. but you can unit turn and not step forward. Watch fed

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

LOL, Fed settles it!

This was a good thread.
"No 100% rule" is what I needed to hear.

I now see that I need to simply focus on getting turned.
How I get turned is not the point. Just get turned.

I guess that means I need to practice BOTH ways of turning from split step
1) Move rear foot back.
2) Move lead foot forward.

Thanks Shroud!

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

At 3.5 or more, you can get some very heavy groundstrokes landing at the baseline.
If you are rallying at the baseline, and you get a heavy ball, you will need to back up.
However, if you split step, and then do a unit turn, you STEP FORWARD to do the unit turn (closed),
then you are stepping FORWARD while you need to be moving backwards!
This is totally the opposite which will short circuit your brain.

Except you don't have to step forward.

Remember, the point of the split step is to be in optimal balance to move in ANY direction. Not just left or right or forwards but also backwards.

For example, if you're at net and your opponent lobs, your split step helps you react quickly: after landing, the first step you take [and subsequent ones] will be backwards. You will pivot your non-dominant foot inwards and drop your dominant foot back. When you catch up with the lob, you will already be turned. The point is that one does not have to move forwards to initiate the unit turn.

If a quarterback wanted to create space between him and the pass rushers, he would not step forward to throw. He would step backwards with his dominant foot, regain his balance, and then throw with his non-dominant foot in front.

It's like the visual joke where someone asks a line of people for volunteers to step forward and everyone steps back except one guy who looks like he stepped forward so he gets stuck with the assignment.

I guess this needs to be a reflex, because a conscious brain will NEVER let you step towards a ball
that is requiring you to move backwards (typical 3.5 rally with balls landing at baseline)

In this case, you are correct: you would NOT step forwards.

Unless you rally while standing 10 feet behind the baseline, and have ample room to move forwards.
But, if located at the typical 1-2 feet behind baseline, how can you
1) Split step
2) Turn (means stepping forward)
3) Then move back.

I need to see it to believe it.
Does anyone have footage of someone doing a unit turn while a heavy ball is hit to them?

The only way this is possible is if you do thousands of split step --> turns with no ball involved
in your living room.

If that's what it takes, then so be it. I suspect you'll pick it up before "thousands", though.

The minute a ball is in play, there is no chance in hell you will step forward with a unit turn.
You will naturally keep feep open and planted, and only turn the shoulders
Which is exactly what most players do, if they turn at all.

Again, your blindspot is assuming that one must move forward to initiate a unit turn.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

LOL, Fed settles it!

This was a good thread.
"No 100% rule" is what I needed to hear.

I now see that I need to simply focus on getting turned.
How I get turned is not the point. Just get turned.

I guess that means I need to practice BOTH ways of turning from split step
1) Move rear foot back.
2) Move lead foot forward.

Thanks Shroud!

You're quite dogmatic so you tend to interpret everything as 100%. As I and others have pointed out, there is more than one way up the mountain.

I'm glad @Shroud found the right verbiage.

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

Thanks SV.

So, you can either move forward or backwards to do a unit turn

(Unless you jump in the air like this girl)

The question is now, how do I practice this.
The key to a split step is to merge it into the unit turn.
Otherwise, you've just hopped and accomplished nothing (except lose time)
It needs to be one fluid motion.

As above, I will just practice both ways
A) step forward with non-dom leg
b) step backwards with dom leg

 

[Shroud]

LOL, Fed settles it!

This was a good thread.
I now see that I need to simply focus on getting turned.
How I get turned is not the point.

Thanks Shroud!

What? Fed settles it when the great Shroud has spoken? Sheesh! Glad to help

Yep. And in fairness to your coach, i think this is what he might be on to. Tennis is nuanced and if you are learning its baby steps so dont discount or take out of context. And as rec players we have different rules than the pros. Here is a good vid

 

[Shroud]

You're quite dogmatic so you tend to interpret everything as 100%. As I and others have pointed out, there is more than one way up the mountain.

I'm glad @Shroud found the right verbiage.

Lol. I am fairly all or nothing myself so its easy to speak the same language. Makes tennis and its nuances really hard being like that...

 

[Mack-2]

It works for fed and fwiw there is no 100% rule. Sure if the ball is short its different. If its deep its different. Etc. but you can unit turn and not step forward. Watch fed

Your first step is almost always a drop step. Fed's own is not.


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[Shroud]

Your first step is almost always a drop step. Fed's own is not.


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Sure and he has titles and money...

 

[Mack-2]

Sure and he has titles and money...

No no. Don't take what I said the wrong way! I saw in an earlier post you posted a video and said you step towards the ball, but I saw a drop step on most of your first steps. In the Federer video, he turns his feet first, then his first step is more towards the ball.


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[Shroud]

No no. Don't take what I said the wrong way! I saw in an earlier post you posted a video and said you step towards the ball, but I saw a drop step on most of your first steps. In the Federer video, he turns his feet first, then his first step is more towards the ball.


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Ok. Ttps was talking about backing up. I dont really do that much. But yeah i dont go forward much. He was talking about ros and then split stepping which imho are different. I usually do step forward on service returns. So perhaps that is the confusion---we were continuing the conversation from his return of serve thread.

And you started out talking like my ex wife

 

[Mack-2]

Ok. Ttps was talking about backing up. I dont really do that much. But yeah i dont go forward much. He was talking about ros and then split stepping which imho are different. I usually do step forward on service returns. So perhaps that is the confusion---we were continuing the conversation from his return of serve thread.

And you started out talking like my ex wife

Hahahaha oh! I didn't know you guys were talking about ros [emoji85]. If I sounded like your ex wife then I deserve what I get!


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[Shroud]

Hahahaha oh! I didn't know you guys were talking about ros [emoji85]. If I sounded like your ex wife then I deserve what I get!


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Yeah but its not clear if you just jumped into this thread. So no worries man. Ttps got what he wanted so thats all that matters. And ar least in the return of serve thread i did mention how sad it was that Shroud was talking about footwork. Its like @sureshs talking about portion control and hitting hard

 

[Mack-2]

Yeah but its not clear if you just jumped into this thread. So no worries man. Ttps got what he wanted so thats all that matters. And ar least in the return of serve thread i did mention how sad it was that Shroud was talking about footwork. Its like @sureshs talking about portion control and hitting hard

Hahahaha your footwork is not that bad! Don't compare yourself to sureshs [emoji28]. I've seen a lot worse.


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[DNShade]

TimeToPlaySets---

Okay man. I've been seeing you post all kinds of different threads for a while now - asking about this and that - unit turn, closed, open, which foot etc etc. You need to stop thinking so much. You are making this WAY to complicated at this point. Tennis is actually pretty easy. You need to know how to hit the ball - then you have to just get your body in the right position to be able to hit the ball. That's it. The whole game is about getting into position to hit the shot. Don't confuse yourself. Just drill to find out the optimum position for your body to be in (yes a coach can help with tuning your strokes and figuring that out) so it becomes second nature - but once you know how to hit the ball - then just work on getting your body into the right position each time to hit it like that. Don't focus so much on the technicalities of how to get you body in the right position - just do it.

Seems like you are really overthinking this and getting bogged down on terminology. Don't worry about it. Just get the feel of the game - where you need to be to hit the shots you want to hit and the rest will come in time, etc.

And yes - I kinda know what I'm talking about. Have taught at major tennis academies and had students that were top 100 ATP and WTA. Still hit with all kinds of blue chips/pros, D1 and ex pros all the time.

So just get out there and play and remember to have fun too!

 

[Shroud]

TimeToPlaySets---

Okay man. I've been seeing you post all kinds of different threads for a while now - asking about this and that - unit turn, closed, open, which foot etc etc. You need to stop thinking so much. You are making this WAY to complicated at this point. Tennis is actually pretty easy. You need to know how to hit the ball - then you have to just get your body in the right position to be able to hit the ball. That's it. The whole game is about getting into position to hit the shot. Don't confuse yourself. Just drill to find out the optimum position for your body to be in (yes a coach can help with tuning your strokes and figuring that out) so it becomes second nature - but once you know how to hit the ball - then just work on getting your body into the right position each time to hit it like that. Don't focus so much on the technicalities of how to get you body in the right position - just do it.

Seems like you are really overthinking this and getting bogged down on terminology. Don't worry about it. Just get the feel of the game - where you need to be to hit the shots you want to hit and the rest will come in time, etc.

And yes - I kinda know what I'm talking about. Have taught at major tennis academies and had students that were top 100 ATP and WTA. Still hit with all kinds of blue chips/pros, D1 and ex pros all the time.

So just get out there and play and remember to have fun too!

Nice post. I overthink all the time but not so much in tennis having picked it up on my own. Is there a trick to get him out of his head so he can just learn and not over think?

 

[mad dog1]

TimeToPlaySets---

Okay man. I've been seeing you post all kinds of different threads for a while now - asking about this and that - unit turn, closed, open, which foot etc etc. You need to stop thinking so much. You are making this WAY to complicated at this point...

This is what happens when an adult try to take up a sport later in life. Kids generally don't have these issues cuz they don't overthink things.

OP's other issue is that if some advice doesn't work after 1 time or me can't understand the purpose, he automatically deems it useless. If he trusts his coach, he needs to trust his coach's process and progressions instead of second guessing everything.

 

[DNShade]

Nice post. I overthink all the time but not so much in tennis having picked it up on my own. Is there a trick to get him out of his head so he can just learn and not over think?

It's hard to say. Being there in person it's so much easier to read individuals and figure out how best to "reach" people and get them in the right mindset. Different things work for different types of people but hard to say just reading someone's posts etc.

The best thing I can say - is just get out there and play. Drilling and lessons are great to start and great to work on specific things later on - but there is nothing like being on court playing the actual game - learning that way as opposed to just doing drills. Tennis seems to be one of the few - and maybe the only sport - where way more time is usually spent on lessons and practice rather than actually playing the game.

 

[DNShade]

This is what happens when an adult try to take up a sport later in life. Kids generally don't have these issues cuz they don't overthink things

Very true. I had very different approaches to adults than I did to kids. Kids want to PLAY!

 

[mad dog1]

Very true. I had very different approaches to adults than I did to kids. Kids want to PLAY!

Also, kids don't keep second guessing the coach which is something the OP constantly does.

OP needs to trust the process and things will start to make sense in time

 

[DNShade]

Also, kids don't keep second guessing the coach which is something the OP constantly does.

OP needs to trust the process and things will start to make sense in time

Also true. And the 800 pound gorilla in the room is - some people are just always going to suck at tennis. Sad but true. Some people pick it up very easily and are "naturals" - and others can spend all the time and money in the world and not get much better. Now most people fall in the middle somewhere but this is something that is a very real consideration. As a high level coach - you can pick and see the kids who have "it" real quick. Now what they end up doing with "it" is something else - lol.

Adults aren't usually looked at the same way - but you can spot inherent ability real quick and it does play a major factor no matter what anyone says.

 

[mad dog1]

Also true. And the 800 pound gorilla in the room is - some people are just always going to suck at tennis. Sad but true. Some people pick it up very easily and are "naturals" - and others can spend all the time and money in the world and not get much better. Now most people fall in the middle somewhere but this is something that is a very real consideration. As a high level coach - you can pick and see the kids who have "it" real quick. Now what they end up doing with "it" is something else - lol.

Adults aren't usually looked at the same way - but you can spot inherent ability real quick and it does play a major factor no matter what anyone says.

Agreeing with you on your point about the 800 pound gorilla in the room.

 

[Slicerman]

I think the split step and unit turn are actually MORE intuitive at 3.5 and above. Is it even possible to reach 3.5-4.0 without at least a hint of split step?

To be honest, the way that you're viewing tennis footwork is too one-dimensional. You can do a unit turn by pivoting either foot, not just by moving your inside foot forward, but you can also bring your outside foot backwards too. You can also start your unit turn DURING the split step as well, which is the whole point of a split step.

 

[mad dog1]

I actually think the split step and unit turn are actually MORE intuitive at 3.5 and above. Is it even possible to reach 3.5-4.0 without at least a hint of split step?

To be honest, the way that you're viewing tennis footwork is too one-dimensional. You can do a unit turn by pivoting either foot, not just by moving your inside foot forward, but you can also bring your outside foot backwards too. You can also start your unit turn DURING the split step as well, which is the whole point of a split step.

analysis paralysis is too strong in OP. Most people take 1-2 lessons a week and accept the natural learning process to take place with practice over time. What feels foreign initially becomes instinctive and second nature with practice and reps.

 

[marian10]

What OP has to understand is that a unit turn is not a backswing. It happens before the legs start moving. You actually split-step and rebound into the direction of your shot thanks to the trunk orientation. Unit turn is racquet + trunk pre-coil leading the outside foot into sprint or adjustment steps. The more the trunk is dissociated from the legs the more energy can be stored for the swing. The advantage for your backswing is that the shoulders are turned while your legs/ hips don't have to be totally tuned sideways which allows the head to still face the court.

A way to feel this sequence and coil is to serve with your knees facing the net. You'll turn your shoulders without legs and then into backswing. It's an "extreme" tip to feel up/down dissociation.

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

Get out there and play?
LOL, I've played every day for the last 35 days.

Am I going to play D1? No.
But, considering I can now compete against 4.0 players, I hardly suck at tennis.
Stupidest thing I've heard yet.

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

I think the split step and unit turn are actually MORE intuitive at 3.5 and above. Is it even possible to reach 3.5-4.0 without at least a hint of split step?

To be honest, the way that you're viewing tennis footwork is too one-dimensional. You can do a unit turn by pivoting either foot, not just by moving your inside foot forward, but you can also bring your outside foot backwards too. You can also start your unit turn DURING the split step as well, which is the whole point of a split step.

Most 3.5 and 4.0 stand flat footed. They have not been coached.
Nothing natural about it, which is why there are instructional videos about it.
Notice there are no videos on how to bounce the ball while serving setup?

Wait, now you're supposed to turn while in the air? Like the girl in the video?
But you don't know the direction when you jump.
Are you saying you jump and then somehow twist sideways while in the air?
That's some real serious hang time. Several seconds.

 

[VexlanderPrime]

Get out there and play?
LOL, I've played every day for the last 35 days.

Am I going to play D1? No.
But, considering I can now compete against 4.0 players, I hardly suck at tennis.
Stupidest thing I've heard yet.

We need some match vids or this Is BS. Based on what's been posted - particularly your ROS and FH, you'd be a 3.0 rather than 3.5 in the Mid West. Let's see some of these competitive matches with "4.0s" There are no 4.0 and hardly any 3.5 singles players that stand flat footed where I play. Most likely your overpaid coach is telling you fantasies about how you can compete with 4.0s

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

What OP has to understand is that a unit turn is not a backswing. It happens before the legs start moving. You actually split-step and rebound into the direction of your shot thanks to the trunk orientation. Unit turn is racquet + trunk pre-coil leading the outside foot into sprint or adjustment steps. The more the trunk is dissociated from the legs the more energy can be stored for the swing. The advantage for your backswing is that the shoulders are turned while your legs/ hips don't have to be totally tuned sideways which allows the head to still face the court.

A way to feel this sequence and coil is to serve with your knees facing the net. You'll turn your shoulders without legs and then into backswing. It's an "extreme" tip to feel up/down dissociation.

Sounds like you're describing open stance.
I already do that. Simple. Turn your shoulders during takeback.

But, I am talking about turning the feet to point sideways (neutral/closed), not at the net (open)
To do that, you need to STEP, which is not easy while a ball is coming at you.
We've established that a full turn is allowed to have you step backwards, not just stepping towards the ball

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

We need some match vids or this Is BS. Based on what's been posted - particularly your ROS and FH, you'd be a 3.0 rather than 3.5 in the Mid West. Let's see some of these competitive matches with "4.0s"

Sure, I'll try to post something this week.

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

analysis paralysis is too strong in OP. Most people take 1-2 lessons a week and accept the natural learning process to take place with practice over time. What feels foreign initially becomes instinctive and second nature with practice and reps.

Most people never get past 3.5, and stay at the same level their entire lives.
Taking a lesson 1-2x a week is a complete waste of time.

Also, you clearly do not know what "analysis paralysis" means.
I am trying anything and everything in my process to improve.
The exact opposite.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Most 3.5 and 4.0 stand flat footed. They have not been coached.
Nothing natural about it, which is why there are instructional videos about it.
Notice there are no videos on how to bounce the ball while serving setup?

Forget worrying about what "most 3.5s and 4.0s" do: what they do or do not will not help your game. If you've come to the conclusion that being active on your feet is good [I think so], then pursue that. Why waste time comparing yourself to people who do things incorrectly?

Also, forget about what's "natural", which is a pretty vague word anyway. If it doesn't come naturally to you, then work on it.

I'm confident, for example, that many on this forum did not learn how to split step by watching YouTube videos. I only watched the videos after I learned and realized that, yes, explaining it is complicated due to the timing; I don't remember learning how to do it as being complicated, though.

I can't remember someone actually teaching me how to split: was it soccer? Was it baseball? Was it tennis? Maybe my HS tennis coach probably said something like "here's how you split step now go practice this" and that may have been the extent of it.

Wait, now you're supposed to turn while in the air? Like the girl in the video?
But you don't know the direction when you jump.
Are you saying you jump and then somehow twist sideways while in the air?
That's some real serious hang time. Several seconds.

Possibly @Slicerman meant "as you land" [?].

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Get out there and play?
LOL, I've played every day for the last 35 days.

The feedback was aimed at reducing or eliminating your "paralysis by analysis" dilemma that some of us perceive, not that anyone's disputing your playing time [or dedication].

Am I going to play D1? No.
But, considering I can now compete against 4.0 players, I hardly suck at tennis.
Stupidest thing I've heard yet.

I don't think you suck at tennis. You have flaws in your game [as do we all] which, if fixed, will certainly allow you to compete at 4.0. But since you don't want to play USTA, it's going to be more difficult getting a benchmark.

The other thing I noticed is that none of your opponents are as good as you [maybe the "game to 7" guy as he was very consistent]; in some cases, they are significantly weaker. If you want to improve, find better competition.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Most people never get past 3.5, and stay at the same level their entire lives.

Which isn't surprising since A) 3.5 is about the median; and B) most people have other things in their lives to pursue besides tennis.

The only way your continued putdown of "most people" would be justified is if they complained about not improving but then did nothing to improve.

Taking a lesson 1-2x a week is a complete waste of time.

I would amend that to "Taking a lesson 1-2x a week and not practicing what one learned is a complete waste of time." I would add that this applies to taking too many lessons per week.

Also, you clearly do not know what "analysis paralysis" means.
I am trying anything and everything in my process to improve.
The exact opposite.

What you're arguing [that you're trying to improve] is not the opposite of what @mad dog1 is arguing [that your improvement process is being hindered by overanalyzing things [and, IMO, by being extremely inflexible in your interpretation of instruction]].

 

[ptuanminh]

We need some match vids or this Is BS. Based on what's been posted - particularly your ROS and FH, you'd be a 3.0 rather than 3.5 in the Mid West. Let's see some of these competitive matches with "4.0s" There are no 4.0 and hardly any 3.5 singles players that stand flat footed where I play. Most likely your overpaid coach is telling you fantasies about how you can compete with 4.0s

I agree. The 4.0s in my area are not flatfooted at all. Some are older but still move well and hit well. Maybe OP was playing with some high 3.5s that claim to be 4.0