Hit using entire Motion

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{ 14 comments }

Turjya May 18, 2009 at 6:51 am

I’m a beginner. I used to play a bit when I was a kid. (Now I’m almost thirty) Never had any form of coaching. Your videos are just awesome. I wish you could coach me in real time. Anyway, I have been watching your videos and try and inculcate what I think I have learnt from them the next time I’m on the court. My forehand has improved. A few queries in case you have the time-
1. Is it a good idea to try and change the way I hold the racquet – the grip? I have been playing (even as a kid) with a continental grip with my index finger knuckle on the second bevel (though the heel pad is a bit on the 1st bevel I am quite comfortable with it) When I tried to change it so that my knuckle was over the 4th bevel all my shots were going into the net. It became very frustrating. (I’m trying to change because you said it is a more versatile grip)
2. My backhand (SH) is pretty decent sometimes but on the other times it is just atrocious. I don’t think I know which is the correct contact point. Is it towards the side (if so how much to the side?) or out in front (if so how much in front?) Is there a video of you hitting backhands with a view from the top i.e above your head? That might give me an idea about where to make contact with the ball. Apart from that I do not know what is wrong with my backhand. I have taken videos of myself hitting the ball but am unable to analyse it correctly and make a correct inference.

Thanks for going through this.
Once again I think you all at FYB are doing a great job. Especially helpful for people like me who do not have access to good coaching.

Turjya May 19, 2009 at 2:40 am

Oops. This may not be the right place for me to post the above. Too late now.

Will Hamilton May 20, 2009 at 12:15 am

Hey Turjya. On your forehand you don’t want to use a continental. An eastern or a semi-western is a good choice. Switching grips and missing a lot to begin with is certainly frustrating, but if you want to improve you need to play with an acceptable grip. You won’t regret it over the long run!

On the backhand, your contact point is in front of your body. The exact location depends on a number of factors, such as your grip. If you’re missing the shot I would go back to basics — simplify the technique — to reduce the number of things that could go wrong. Perhaps these progressions are a good place to start.

Hope that helps, let me know how you progress!

Turjya May 21, 2009 at 1:44 am

Hey Will.
The thing you said about going back to basics – you were right on target. I went back to the grips section again and realised that I have been trying to play with an extreme one handed backhand grip. I don’t know how that came about inspite of me going through your videos repeatedly. I’m going to leave work early today and hit the courts in the evening. I’m pretty sure that by placing my index knuckle and heel pad on the first bevel (classic) is going to change the way I am hitting the ball. I’m sure I will have good news for you soon of me hitting the ball well.

My shoulder was hurting during the follow through with an extreme one handed backhand grip. Do you think it could be because of my grip? Or could it be because of other reasons like the heavy racquet I play with or perhaps it is the grip size?

Anyway, will try hitting the ball using a proper grip this evening.

Will, thanks for all the help and guidance. Only a person with a deep love for the game would be doing this for free. I do not have a flair for tennis like some people I know. They taken to it like a duck to water. It’s going to be hard work for me but I really want to become a good player. Which means I’m going to be leaning on you a lot in the future. I want each ball that I hit to be better than the last one. Thanks once again.

jackson June 3, 2009 at 12:39 pm

hey i was watching some of federers slow motion bh’s and sometimes he follows through with the face flat or even pointing up and sometimes he hits his follow through with the face cupping downward. Does he do that to add topspin or something. when or why does he change the follow through?

Happy OHB June 13, 2009 at 9:38 am

Thank you.
Awesome breakdown.
5 stars.

jay July 28, 2009 at 5:10 am

great vid gaveme loads of help ty!

patxulin November 2, 2009 at 1:40 am

Hi there!
Fully agree with Turjya…
First of all, I’m spanish, and maybe sometimes my english isn’t as good as I’d like to.. sorry fir this!
I’m 33 years old and I’m playing tennis for just one year for the first time in my life… and I LOVE it!! :)
I’m just receiveing some group lessons and I feel my level is increasing little by little but, since I’ve just discovered your AWESOME web (you guys are simply GREAT!!), I’ve noticed SO many things I have to work on… I just can’t wait to go back on the court and practice them!!

Just thanks for all your work and help.. amazing work!!

ernnex March 10, 2010 at 10:56 pm

This is going to help me alot…
Thanks FYB!! :D

ernnex March 11, 2010 at 4:56 am

This is going to help me alot…
Thanks FYB!! :D

BJ May 2, 2010 at 4:31 am

very fluid!!! it will help me a lot i think :) thank you

amir May 9, 2010 at 9:37 am

thank you very much

vp August 18, 2010 at 10:19 am

excelent website

Ada September 9, 2010 at 3:35 am

Every so often you find a real gem on the web. Thanks for the time and effort. Great site, great advice.

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