A lesson with Robert Landsdorp..

[gokulms]

We were vacationing in L.A area when this months issue came out with an article from Robert, and I immediately emailed our JY to get some contact info for Robert and see if we can get couple of lessons for our two sons 14 and 6. JY provided email contact graciously, and I emailed Robert. Guess what after two days we get an email back from Robert with some times for lessons.

From the minute you step into the court you can feel this is not going to be easy. He has rules on discipline, he made pretty clear to my sons that as long as they are in the court with him they better listen to what he says, work hard, etc. they are not used to this right .

It was amazing to see that he is keeping up with the current techniques in top level pro game, he mentioned that he has changed the ways on how he taught Maria and Pete, because those were right for that period of the time and since now game has changed he is also adapting. But still stresses on extreme hard work, muscle memory, discipline, mental believe etc. After 4 hours of lesson from him in two days the kids felt like they were white washed top to bottom.
He mentioned today's kids are too much into gadgets and want quick results.

Bottom line.. Lot of stress on drills, stroke reproduction, timing the ball, hard work, discipline, focus..etc. would love to visit him again for classes. Still one of the best out there. Still believes in picking any grassroots kid and imparting champion skills unlike some academies where they treat you good only if you have skills already...

Thanks John for the contact info

[stotty]

What a lovely story. Your sons are lucky boys to get lessons with Robert.

Did you by chance video the sessions?

I had a student who took a few lessons of Nick Bollettieri, which his parents filmed. I found it interesting to watch. Nick is a compelling individual with a gift for grabbing the attention of his students. I wonder if Robert is the same?

[johnyandell]

Gok,

Great story. Robert described just as I know him...

[gokulms]

What a lovely story. Your sons are lucky boys to get lessons with Robert.

Did you by chance video the sessions?

I had a student who took a few lessons of Nick Bollettieri, which his parents filmed. I found it interesting to watch. Nick is a compelling individual with a gift for grabbing the attention of his students. I wonder if Robert is the same?

No I did not take videos, got so carried away did not even think about it. May be next time...

[bman]

So did he still stress driving the ball? Did he have the kids finish high and out in front?

[gokulms]

So did he still stress driving the ball? Did he have the kids finish high and out in front?

Finish is between rib/hip area, and yes drive the ball heavy. he had a target area of 1 foot above net for ball trajectory.

[alexandrafranco]

Modern forehand

Is Landsdorp teaching the modern forehand as thought in Gordon's article? The pronated arm rather than supinated in the backswing?thanks

[gokulms]

Is Landsdorp teaching the modern forehand as thought in Gordon's article? The pronated arm rather than supinated in the backswing?thanks

In the very limited time we had with him, he did not notice anything with the backswing/prep. The kids were finishing the follow thru a little higher. So he corrected that a little by asking them to finish a little lower.

[alexandrafranco]

I see Murray supinates his forearm on the backswing whereas the first 3 ranked players pronate, so with a lot of practice, supination or pronated forearms on the backswing can work but it seems from what I have read that the pronated forearm is more efficient.Have you noticed if your kids forearm is supinated or pronated in the backswing?

[stevenmila]

pronation...

I have also noticed Murray does not pronate, I wonder if thats a factor in his weaker forehand of the top 4- there appears to be more snap in the forehand when you pronate on the swing back, and also its easier to have a more compact stroke - the pronation of the wrist takes the place of swinging the arm behind the back - supination will do but I don't think it is as natural to the forehand stroke, it also creates a joint lock in the wrong direction unlike what pronation results in.

[alexandrafranco]

I have also noticed Murray does not pronate, I wonder if thats a factor in his weaker forehand of the top 4- there appears to be more snap in the forehand when you pronate on the swing back, and also its easier to have a more compact stroke - the pronation of the wrist takes the place of swinging the arm behind the back - supination will do but I don't think it is as natural to the forehand stroke, it also creates a joint lock in the wrong direction unlike what pronation results in.

Agree! and have been noticing at the US Open that the players that have the pronation on the swingback surely seem to have a more stable fh, usually its their weapon.. I played basketball and off the dribble a long fast break pass has the forearm pronated in the backswing, the sling effect ocurring from shoulder internal rotation/ forearm pronation to ext. rotation/supination is very powerful and quick,seems like a very natural movement to me

[bman]

So now he is teaching the opposite of the old Sampras videos on this site, where he finishes with his hand way up? Interesting.

[don_budge]

Gizmo's...and Gadgets

He mentioned today's kids are too much into gadgets and want quick results.

He and I are on the same page in more ways than one.

[gokulms]

I see Murray supinates his forearm on the backswing whereas the first 3 ranked players pronate, so with a lot of practice, supination or pronated forearms on the backswing can work but it seems from what I have read that the pronated forearm is more efficient.Have you noticed if your kids forearm is supinated or pronated in the backswing?

It is pronated a little.