Have a Question for Me?

[shootermcmarc0]

Here's another really good slow motion compilation, I haven't seen this one before:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XEIN0gufHs

I think Federer's forehand is going to be like the Sampras serve, a stroke that's one for the ages.

[shootermcmarc0]

I have a question, why does Roddick "jack-knife" so much on his landing compared to Federer?

[johnyandell]

Good question. For one thing at least he toss the ball further into the court and lands further into the court. Since it's probably a more diagonal launch he jackknifes over (just speculating). Fed goes a little more up and less out.

[ochi]

underspin forehands

Tennisplayer's analyses and tutorials about the modern forehand are remarkable, but here is question about two old-school shots, the underspin and underspin/sidespin forehands. I've seen a few older players (in their 50s) easily hit winners with underspin/sidespin, especially off shortballs. The ball stays low and really tails off to the right. I am working on that, and also want to learn how to hit hard, deep underspin. Is it true that Connors used this shot. I keep reading that he always hit flat, but don't believe it, because they stayed low and stayed in.

I recently switched to a hard, deep underspin backhand, when I found it came much easier to me than topspin. I don't need much takeback, just shoulder turn. I think Vic Braden once advised against this shot, but it seems like a natural. So far, however, I haven't been able to transfer the stroke to the forehand side. Can you help me with that?

[johnyandell]

It's an article worth doing. However, if you can't hit a flatish, slight topspin forehand that just means that you haven't approached it correctly. It's easier than the shot your asking about which has limited application. All forehands have some sidespin--that doesn't mean you try to generate it.

This week is not the week for answering questions like this in detail though as we need to get the oct issue up.

[ochi]

underspin forehands

John,

I look forward to your article.

I do not have trouble with slight underspin forehands, as you suggested, and can hit heavy topspin, but with too much height and not enough pace. Since I wrote, I have begun to get the hang of hitting low, veering slices; but what I need are tips on how to hit a hard, deep underspin forehand drive. I have learned to do it with medium pace, but not under heavy pressure. Since I play half the year on a hard-packed, old-fashioned grass court, I know that having that shot will get me a lot of points. My doubles partner won us a key point with it yesterday.

The answer, I think, is more practice. Nevertheless, I would read your thoughts with great interest and, no doubt, learn something I have not thought of.

BTW, a lot of guys have been getting a kick out of playing on this somewhat tricky court. An Aussie called it cool last week; a Dane once called it "a spiritual court"; and another, an instructor who demands always-perfect bounces, said, "I hate grass!" Two other instructors, preparing for grass tournaments in Philadelphia, have said it's so easy on the joints, they could play for six hours. Anyway, a grass court doesn't cost much to make, but takes more time to maintain than most people would be willing to put in. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to promote it.

[uspta4201423750]

I like Dinofor's article about teaching kids the serve but it says nothing about the toughest part--teaching them the toss! Any ideas/tricks? Also, I wonder if you have any tricks for getting little guys (my son is 6) to implement the volley in a match effectively. He is so short that he is afraid (and rightly so) that it will just go over his head. I worry that he will be chained to the baseline his whole life if he learns like this.

Thanks Harry Kingsley

[johnyandell]

I wrote about the tossing motion in the "Myth of the Toss." That's in the Advanced Tennis section.

I'll also ask Joe to respond.

Regarding the volley, I think kids sense when something is not going to work because of factors such as what you said. So how do they ever get experience and get confident?

One thing I have found very effective is this. Make an agreement that anytime the score is 40-0 in your player's favor they have to serve and volley no mater what. Likewise at 0-40 if they get a second serve or a short ball they have to approach. Start it in matches they are sure or pretty sure to win.

You can expand it to the 15-40 points as it starts to succeed.

[JoeD]

Teaching the toss

At first glance, the question of the toss may appear simple. Unfortunately, it's not. I will try and touch on some key issues and offer some ideas to help a player with a rebellious toss.

1. Starting point. Check the article. I suggest starting with the tossing hand on the racquet and going up from a relaxed start position. Minimize a lot of extra up and down motion with the hands prior to the actual upward motion of the toss.

2. Release the ball with your tossing hand at full extension, in order to minimize the distance the toss is in the air.

3. I suggest starting players with a toss on the low side. Not so low that the racquet cannot extend, but low enough so the toss is relatively easy to control (as opposed to high in the air) certainly don't toss higher than a standard 10-foot fence. Then, once good control is achieved increasing the height of the toss to accommodate timing for a player's specific serving motion is more manageable.

4. The tossing hand should release the ball in front of the baseline. Sounds obvious, but tossing straight along the baseline or even behind it is a common problem and results in loss of toss control.

5. Sometimes I have also found that an erratic toss can be caused by the player not really knowing where they need to strike the ball. Standing by a tree and finding a leaf that is the right height can help. Pretend you are serving and extend and closely observe where your racquet will contact the ball (leaf). This visual cue of contact can actually help you get your toss to the right place.

6. If someone still has trouble with tossing, their are also some devices that can help such as the Toss Trainer and Toss Doctor, both available on the Internet.

Maybe someone else has some other ideas?

Best regards,

Joe Dinoffer

[shootermcmarc0]

No question, but a comment: the "Using Resources..." article is fantastic, Great work John.

[leis]

Underspin/sidespin Strokes for 50+

Ochi: These recommendations are for the 50+ group: Try sweeping racket across your body underhanded from right to left with a continental grip if you find the ball below knee height and in front of you on short balls. This will give you the slicing/breaking to the right ball that is effective on low bouncing courts(like hitting an underhand sidespin serve). You can add a cocked wrist to the swing if you can control it. The issue is to hit more side spin than slice which makes the ball rise.

On balls that are waist high , you can make a motion like a serve (except in a horizontal plane -ala racketball serve) and hit the ball with a slight downward motion with a continental/eastern grip(s). Advantages of these swings- excellent reach for those of us who can't position our bodies in time-can hit ball extremely hard with minimal effort Disadvantages- slight misjudgements in racket angle or timing of the bounce cause the ball to rise and margin of error goes down quickly- effectiveness drastically reduced against opponents who have good movement because ball will "situp in their wheelhouse", especially on slow, rough surface courts.

[uspta4201423750]

My son is 6 years old but totally awesome on the court (very technically solid) and playing full court tennis and beating 9-13 year olds at his club. After reading Joe's article, it made wonder--at what age is it o.k. to teach him a kick or topspin serve. I think the kick serve may have contributed to my shoulder problems, and I've heard that teaching kids to pitch curve balls or screw balls too early in baseball can be detrimental. What do you think?
Harry Kingsley

[uspta4201423750]

My son is 6 years old but totally awesome on the court (very technically solid) and playing full court tennis and beating 9-13 year olds at his club. After reading Joe's article, it made wonder--at what age is it o.k. to teach him a kick or topspin serve. I think the kick serve may have contributed to my shoulder problems, and I've heard that teaching kids to pitch curve balls or screw balls too early in baseball can be detrimental. What do you think?
Harry Kingsley

[johnyandell]

Actually I think Nick Saviano would also be a good one to comment on this. Forwarded your question to him as well.

[JoeD]

6-year-old and kick serve

Answering this question specific to the physical long-term health of a 6-year-old would be total speculation on my part. That understood, I think the first question would be what grip he serves with already and whether or not he can hit a slice? If he serves full continental and can hit a slice serve, I would suggest a preliminary step before thinking "kick."

Have him work on a slice serve that has a 3-foot arc over the net. Gradually have him swing as fast as he would on his first serve. Then, ask this group again. Not much more I can say. Best of luck. Sounds exciting.

Joe Dinoffer