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[uspta146749877]

Grips on return of serve

why? What's the advantage? harry

http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/classiclessons/scott_murphy/scott_murphy_return_serve_images/scott_murphy_return_serve.html

[uspta146749877]

Serving backhand vs serving forehand

I'm sure most people would rather hit a forehand return than a backhand return, but I doubt statistics would support the claim that professional players hit more forehand serve returns than backhand returns. If you're playing me and you (like the majority of players at all levels) have a better forehand than backhand, you won't see too many forehands all match. I'll have to watch a match and count what percent serves go where, but I doubt anybody at the pro level is trying to serve to avoid people's backhands. What do you think? Harry

John is a better person to answer your question.

[johnyandell]

I don't have any statistics on that--other than I think in the SA that backhand returns out number forehand returns. Why don't you guys take this discussion to a new link--not this section which is really designed for people to ask me stuff--AND watch some matches and do some counting.

[uspta4201423750]

John, What is the "SA"? And how do I start a new thread? I'm not a computer person. I just wish someone could tell me, realizing that hitting backhands is least as common if not more frequent than hitting forehands, why someone would want to have a serve-ready position which leaves one more ready to hit a forehand than a backhand? Thanks, Harry

[uspta2448519013]

John, What is the "SA"? And how do I start a new thread? I'm not a computer person. I just wish someone could tell me, realizing that hitting backhands is least as common if not more frequent than hitting forehands, why someone would want to have a serve-ready position which leaves one more ready to hit a forehand than a backhand? Thanks, Harry

The SA is the (stroke archive) I believe.


Jason Frausto

[johnyandell]

Glad you like the series. The problem as you point out is that Rios retired before we started filming. So sadly as with players Edberg or Steffi Graf or Michael Stitch there will never be a comprehensive portrait of their games.

[johnyandell]

Harry when you login into the forum just click on the New Thread link near the top and start typing.

[johnyandell]

Now regarding the return of serve grip. You guys have an incorrect assumption here that the players are all starting with a forehand grip. Not true.

Federer for example waits with something close to a mild continental. He can shift either way for a forehand or a backhand, and also hit a slice on either side. All with slightly different grips, which may also differ from his regular groundstroke grip. On his forehand return he goes only to an eastern, slightly less underneath than his regular forehand. So it's not just forehand/backhand here.

But there is another point. Grip shifts should br about as natural as breathing. Even with 120mph serves you have 3/4s of a second or so to execute the return. If you can turn your body and swing during this interval surely you can rotate your hand on the racket a quarter of a turn in the same interval.

I think a lot of this is just habit or preference. But the middle grip may also make sense because it's a shorter distance to all the other grips from there.

[uspta4201423750]

I never said I think everyone starts with a forehand grip. I noted that Nadal, Sharapova and others do, and I'm just trying to find out if there is some advantage to doing this and why pros like julian teach this. From the articles I've read from your site and those linked to me by Julian, it seems to me to be a disadvantage if you don't have lightning fast reflexes. I will continue to teach a Nalbandian/Davydenko return style (for two handers) with the right hand in the correct forehand grip and the left hand in the correct backhand grip unless someone can tell me a great reason to do otherwise.

P.S. I noticed Lansdorp started a thread. Holy Moly, does he respond to posts or is there a way to pick his brain through email?

Thanks, for your help and Merry Christmas, Ramadan, Festivus and all the rest

[johnyandell]

It's less where you start than if you get to where you need to be...there are several grip options.

As for Robert, no he isn't available for individual dialogue in the Forum. Those are his exact words, but he didn't hit "New Thread" that's for sure...

[zakito]

Hi John. I think this site is gorgeous; only thing I'd suggest it's a section with video of drills on court.

[johnyandell]

Good suggestion. We've made efforts before in that direction, but so far have failed to deliver. ..Eventually we'll get there.

[10splayer]

Loved the Friedman article

John,

Another great edition. Particularly liked Friedman's thoughts on"finding postion on the ball." As you've mentioned many times, there are a lot of ways to get the job done. Different backswings, grips, degrees of shoulder rotation etc,,,,, but all good players find leverage and positions of strength against the ball at impact, both on the horizontal and vertical plane. And I think the tracking, footwork, and alignment issues associated with achieving this ideal impact position are often times neglected in favor of the never ending search for the "perfect swing"

Anyway, please pass on my compliments, and keep up the fine work.

Chico

[uspta1976603328]

Love the site!!!

This is a fantastic site! I'm a relatively new teaching pro, just recently having moved from teaching on a part time basis to moving next month to a full time position. The material presented here gives me a great deal of confidence in working with all ages and levels, knowing if it can't be found there are people willing to share.

I am especially interested in teaching strategies and ideas in regard to the student under ten. This of course is an area of emphasis in getting more people involved with tennis and hearing ideas on all phases of working with this age group would be wonderful. I don't want to discount what is already posted, because it is fantastic.

Thanks!

[uspta1976603328]

No Portrait of Past Greats...

I was saddened by the unfortunate lack of film of these great players. Is it extremely difficult to find footage anywhere that permissions are given to use on such a site as this???

Glad you like the series. The problem as you point out is that Rios retired before we started filming. So sadly as with players Edberg or Steffi Graf or Michael Stitch there will never be a comprehensive portrait of their games.