Have a Question for Me?

[johnyandell]

Doesn't everyone play the same? Some version of heavy baseline game--Alcaraz partial exception.

[jimlosaltos]

Doesn't everyone play the same? Some version of heavy baseline game--Alcaraz partial exception.

Yup. Too much so, at least for me.

But Medy does stand out within that crowd, between his flamboyant forehand finishes, and flat shovel-forehand that stymies the big topspin bashers. Yeah, he's distinctive.

If all I can get is variation on that theme I'll try to appreciate what I get.

And between swings there's the PS2 "Dead Fish" celebration. Going to be a long time before someone tops that. Or goes under it, depending on perspective.

[johnyandell]

Ok sure.

Mr. Yandall, I’ve read your posts on the forehand. Back then, about a year ago, I used the verbal cue, “sweep” for the entire forehand to make it one smooth motion. I thought that was good. But it turns out that the forehand is not just one speed. Now I have trouble having the rhythm of the forehand to be like the pros. What can I do to gain the natural rhythm of the forehand again? I didn’t see too much mentioning rhythm/ speed of the swing in your articles. I know that you stated that the the end of the full turn corresponds to the bounce of the ball, but I can’t seem to implement it, it always becomes one motion. Now, the swing speed of my forehand is weird, even on drop feeds. I was planning to take an extended break to see if I can regain good technique again after the break, but I decided to consult with you first since you seem very knowledgeable about the game.


(“Can swing speed return naturally for the forehand if you do x, y, or z?”)

[johnyandell]

Have you got any video of your forehand? Very hard to diagnose with any confidence just from this verbal description. Would like to help.

I've been trying my best to make it look better, but I don't know if it's right or not. Before, it just used to be one "smooth motion." (very bad timing)

My last recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBqBkgp3STI

Today's drop feed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkdjnO4R_sI

At the point of the last recording, I tried at least to implement the initial unit turn (the one before the full turn).

Also, I think my wrist lag on the forehand is pretty messed up as well. If you could help me out with that as well, I would be very grateful.

[johnyandell]

Forget about the drop and hit. But in the full court feed it's your turn. Shoulders aren't turning all the way and there is no left arm stretch. Look in the archive at Fed or any one. The left arm should straighten and point at the sideline and shoulders should turn 90degrees at least. Don't worry about lag. That's a red herring.

I did a practice session this morning, and I tried to really stretch out my left arm. I guess I wasn't clear with my last post. In yesterday's video, I showed you two forehands that I took on the rise, that really showed the flaws in my current technique. My forehand feels especially late/cramped when I hit forehands on the rise, and there is less extension, less left arm stretch. I feel like because my full turn is late, everything else becomes late. Before, every forehand used to one motion, and every forehand used to be late. (Maybe because of my verbal cue "sweep the whole motion"? that I mentioned I did in forehand drills about a year ago) But I've done a lot of deliberate forehand drills over the last couple of weeks, really emphasizing my full turn, so when I have time to step into the forehand, there is a full turn and a left arm stretch, despite my feeling that certain segments of my swing speed is a little off. (I noticed that I only start accelerating halfway between the "hitting arm position"/ power palm/ double bend position and contact, instead of right at the "hitting arm position" like the pros) Maybe this is because I start turning before the actual "hitting arm position" occurs?

This is the last five forehands in today's morning practice session. In forehands number one and five, I have time, and I move into the forehand, and so there is a left arm stretch. In forehands #2, #3, and #4, which I take on the rise, despite my best efforts, I am unable to time the forehand correctly. I feel like the lack of left arm stretch in on the rise forehands is a symptom that points to a fundamental flaw in the rhythm and stability of the forehand. If you have time, please watch all five forehand videos before coming to a decision.

Forehand #1: https://youtu.be/uog_xSmfz_Y

Forehand #2: https://youtu.be/kMFO5-9rg2E

Forehand #3: https://youtu.be/s6b15mr6NAs

Forehand #4: https://youtu.be/ZfHD9zEJW-M

Forehand #5: https://youtu.be/Aua3x_judx4

Much help would be appreciated, as I've spent a lot of time working and thinking about my forehand to no avail in the last year or so.

P.S. I really feel like I need to rush the swing to hit the forehand on certain balls. (I believe that I can't start the left arm stretch if my swing happens late and is compromised in the first place, causing my body to compensate just to hit the ball, removing the left arm stretch). What do you think?

For further reference, here is the slow motion videos of Forehands 1 and 5:

Forehand 1 (Slow-Mo): https://youtu.be/jUitPNfIios

Forehand 5 (Slow-Mo): https://youtu.be/Cu-39VzEa64 (In the slow motion video of Forehand 5, this is what I was talking about when I said I was accelerating halfway between the "hitting arm position" and contact.)

And here is the slow motion video of Forehand 2, so you can see in detail what happens when I hit a forehand on the rise:

Forehand 2 (Slow-Mo): https://youtu.be/35qOtwXqKmw




By the way, thanks for helping me out!!!

By the way, here is an example from the same "last recording" that I gave you yesterday, showcasing a left arm stretch and a complete turn on an "easy," attackable ball, despite my swing having bad rhythm and timing.

https://youtu.be/CSEBrQu_tg4

[johnyandell]

Forget about hitting it on the rise for now. You are trying to do/analyze too many things. Forget about rhythm and timing for now as well.That isn't a full left arm stretch on number 5. And the other thing the turn and stretch should be complete at the bounce.
Get those down and then let's see what happens.

[johnyandell]

Timing of the turn on that last one still late...

[llll]

John
do you know the difference if any in spin rates between a typical rally ball and flatish 100 mph winners?
really difference between the rally shot and the flatish shot

[johnyandell]

No but I doubt it's that great.