Geoff's sweet spot idea ...

[hockeyscout]

Okay, Geoff, we had a little issue today. The guy that has the tape is taking the day off, and it is in his car, and I did not want to wake him.

Now, Milana said: "No need for the tape, I get it, I can hear the difference." She also said she could feel it.

I have always had her use a old fashioned leather grip for two reasons (1) If your technique is bad, and if you are weak on the racket, you will get blisters, and for us that tells us it's time to take a break as things have broken down. You can tell what you need to know by the location of where their is friction as well. (2) I feel you can "feel" the ball and the racket head better with the leather grip. The pro's hate what I do, and tell me to use over grip, however, I think that's a bad technical pathway.

As I know shit all about tennis Geoff, I just want to check with you and see if that sounds right or not to you?

I will use the tape tomorrow, however, you really got her thinking, and I guess it's fortunate their was no tape today as she started to consciously think about (1) why she is hitting in the right spot, (2) what the feel is, and (3) what the sound is. She even went as far today as saying "I will hit the ball in the middle of the racket, and let you hear the noise, and then I will hit in the correct spot and you will hear the noise."

By the way, today is a soft training day, where she's been given hand fed balls right dropped in a VERY sweet spot, and we are working on backhand drill that I copied from Robert Lansdorp.

http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/famouscoach/robert_lansdorp/lansdorp_two_hand_backhand_pg2_images/lansdorp_two_hand_backhand_pg2.html

I initially did not like his idea of stopping the racket out in front as I thought it would be a bad idea because it did not dicipitate force which isn't what I wanted to do with a young arm. I had a ton of conversations with worldsbesttenniscoach on the matter (yes, worldsbesttenniscoach had a few holes in his understanding of bio-mechanics, physics and motion, however, I thought some of his stuff was just insanely brilliant and original. It's to bad the guy had a career outside of tennis, other interests in life and wasn't at the tennis courts for 60,000 hours of experience because he has some superlative raw coaching talent in my opinion).

Anyways, old school works, and Geoff's idea has great merit (tape on the racket), especially for a young kid who can hold their focus, and Robert's idea is superlative although I have to say I have butchered what he is doing in his instructional lesson for the most part, and changed it to suit my player.

[don_budge]

Hockey Scout Online Tennis Academy...

Okay, Geoff, we had a little issue today. The guy that has the tape is taking the day off, and it is in his car, and I did not want to wake him.

Now, Milana said: "No need for the tape, I get it, I can hear the difference." She also said she could feel it.

I have always had her use a old fashioned leather grip for two reasons (1) If your technique is bad, and if you are weak on the racket, you will get blisters, and for us that tells us it's time to take a break as things have broken down. You can tell what you need to know by the location of where their is friction as well. (2) I feel you can "feel" the ball and the racket head better with the leather grip. The pro's hate what I do, and tell me to use over grip, however, I think that's a bad technical pathway.

As I know shit all about tennis Geoff, I just want to check with you and see if that sounds right or not to you?

I will use the tape tomorrow, however, you really got her thinking, and I guess it's fortunate their was no tape today as she started to consciously think about (1) why she is hitting in the right spot, (2) what the feel is, and (3) what the sound is. She even went as far today as saying "I will hit the ball in the middle of the racket, and let you hear the noise, and then I will hit in the correct spot and you will hear the noise."

By the way, today is a soft training day, where she's been given hand fed balls right dropped in a VERY sweet spot, and we are working on backhand drill that I copied from Robert Lansdorp.

http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/famouscoach/robert_lansdorp/lansdorp_two_hand_backhand_pg2_images/lansdorp_two_hand_backhand_pg2.html

I initially did not like his idea of stopping the racket out in front as I thought it would be a bad idea because it did not dicipitate force which isn't what I wanted to do with a young arm. I had a ton of conversations with worldsbesttenniscoach on the matter (yes, worldsbesttenniscoach had a few holes in his understanding of bio-mechanics, physics and motion, however, I thought some of his stuff was just insanely brilliant and original. It's to bad the guy had a career outside of tennis, other interests in life and wasn't at the tennis courts for 60,000 hours of experience because he has some superlative raw coaching talent in my opinion).

Anyways, old school works, and Geoff's idea has great merit (tape on the racket), especially for a young kid who can hold their focus, and Robert's idea is superlative although I have to say I have butchered what he is doing in his instructional lesson for the most part, and changed it to suit my player.

I have a suggestion for you hockeyscout. Why don't you consolidate all of your thoughts about tennis under one thread? Call it Hockey Scout Online Tennis Academy. Much like bottle's "New Year's Serve...". That way you will have everything at your disposal in the future in one thread. Plus we can read your thread like "24"...a real time tennis academy evolving online.

Just a thought in the best interests of everyone concerned.

[gzhpcu]

For someone who knows "sh... about tennis", you seem to have a lot to say...

[hockeyscout]

Thread ...

No, that would not work don_budge.

Can we try and stay on topic here?

It kind of gets distracting when threads get hijacked, and everyone tries to play moderator.

This thread is about feeling the ball, the sound of a good shot or a bad shot (pings), grips (leather versus others) and a few adjustments that are rather important that have absolutely nothing to do with a online tennis academy.

And yes, generally we do have a lot to say, we read a ton, talk a ton, listen to everything out there and put the effort into doing the necessary things one needs to do to be good at something. It probably wears on certain people, and I can get that, however, we never tire of it, and the team I have never tires of it. I have enthusiastic people around me who are always on, always talking and always committed to the team process.

And yes, I am a verbal learner as well, so my apologies if my posts are long. Most hockey coaches I meet are real verbal guys. We love nothing more than to talk out hockey 24-7. Tennis tends to get a lot of visual learners.

Try to be patient guys with my enthusiasm. Sorry if I am long winded. (-:

[don_budge]

I DISAGREE...with all due respect hockeyscout

No, that would not work don_budge.

Can we try and stay on topic here?

It kind of gets distracting when threads get hijacked, and everyone tries to play moderator.

This thread is about feeling the ball, the sound of a good shot or a bad shot (pings), grips (leather versus others) and a few adjustments that are rather important that have absolutely nothing to do with a online tennis academy.

And yes, generally we do have a lot to say, we read a ton, talk a ton, listen to everything out there and put the effort into doing the necessary things one needs to do to be good at something. It probably wears on certain people, and I can get that, however, we never tire of it, and the team I have never tires of it. I have enthusiastic people around me who are always on, always talking and always committed to the team process.

And yes, I am a verbal learner as well, so my apologies if my posts are long. Most hockey coaches I meet are real verbal guys. We love nothing more than to talk out hockey 24-7. Tennis tends to get a lot of visual learners.

Try to be patient guys with my enthusiasm. Sorry if I am long winded. (-:

But everything that you write is like crystal...as in crystal ball. You could one day just hit "print" and then you would have your manifesto. In fact the whole tennis world or rather the subscribers of tennisplayer.net would have teachings at the disposal of one push button on the keyboard.

Don't underestimate yourself. You aren't boring...and I hope that you don't get the idea that I am saying so. Nobody said that they were tired of you. Nobody has even insinuated that. Quite the contrary this stuff is fascinating. Even the stuff about the daughter chiming in is illuminating. Like an oracle. So wise...so young. It must be in the genes.

It was only a suggestion and a good one I feel. I rarely if ever disagree on this forum...ask around. I just state the case without ever feeling the need to disagree. But somehow I must respectfully disagree with you here and it would serve the forum as a whole and not just any one person's interests.

Please don't mistake anything here as moderating...somebody has that job here. It isn't me. But good luck...with the academy and the daughter too! I am almost certain that one day we will be reading your manifesto online...a road map to the top. The top of any mountain. Thanks for everything! It's crystal clear now. At first even I didn't understand...but I can see the light.

Please create your own thread...it's a great idea. One of my best ever. Trust me.
.

[hockeyscout]

Don, maybe we can dedicate a thread to you discussing the demise of tennis, in one thread? We can call it The Demise of Tennis? Just kidding LOL. I read your manifesto daily as well. I say nothing.

I respectfully ask you just keep it on topic.

It's rather interesting how you always mention the word "manifesto."

I am discussing "technical technique."

You will never read a manifesto from me, you'll read about a well thought out road map (plan) to get to proper technical tennis based on an individuals needs.

It is a long road to the top, and much ground needs to be covered, and in a certain way.

I am not a condescending kind of guy, if I argue with someone it is for a REAL end purpose. I want to see passion in coaches, players, peers and mentors, engagement, passion, fire and it is important for me to assess how firmly an individual believes in his idea and how much much depth they truly have in a subject matter.

The top coaches in any sport will engage in thoughtful and respectful dialogue and surround themselves with the best people who aren't yes men. Coaching is no longer an individual sport in tennis, it is a team sport, and it involves many people (psychologists, running trainers, specialists and scientists) dialogue, respect, arguments, in-fighting, kissing and making up, passion and everyone working for the same end goal.

I call it Team Coaching, and you know what, it amazes me how John Yandell has managed to bring together so many top end coaches under one roof sharing so much information that is so helpful to bad tennis coaches like myself.

Regardless if you guys like me, or hate me, or think I am stupid, ignorant, dumb, jerk, long winded, spamming, just remember, I AM LISTENING, READING, WATCHING AND TAKING IN EVERY WORD, and I love you all!

And by the way, the day you think you're good, know all the answers, can win with an individual approach or believe you know how it works technically, someone like John Yandell comes along with the video to show you've been doing it all wrong, or Geoff comes along with a clever way to determine contact, or some coach everyone hates on this board makes another coach rethink his theories on getting behind the ball, or you read Kyle's article on catching balls or whatever. As I have said before, many players fail to be Federer, many parents fail to develop Agassi and many coaches will never develop a # 1 like Bolletieri and Landsdorf. We're all wrong more than we are right. This is a tough gig.

[hockeyscout]

Can we please now get back to the topic of feeling the ball, the sound of a good shot or a bad shot (pings), grips (leather versus others) and a few adjustments that are rather important that have absolutely nothing to do with a online tennis academy or manifestos.

[GeoffWilliams]

"A manifesto is a published verbal declaration of the intentions, motives, or views of the issuer, be it an individual, group, political party or government.[1][2][3][4] A manifesto usually accepts a previously published opinion or public consensus and/or promotes a new idea with prescriptive notions for carrying out changes the author believes should be made. It often is political or artistic in nature, but may present an individual's life stance. Manifestos relating to religious belief are generally referred to as creeds."

Geoff's creed of tennis:

Get the best training, the best equipment, the best frame, the best string, the best shoes, the best string job for your game and: focus on improving, enjoying your improvements and focus on your mind, your body, and how much your are improving both. Take joy in small jumps. Use suggestions, such as: "I am improving and enjoy it very much." Be kind and thoughtful to partners and thank them for hitting with you even if they are not as good as you are.

[hockeyscout]

The word Manifestos sounds like something Stalin wrote!

Anyways Geoff, we've gotten off track here. Can you tell me if you can hear a certain type of noise, feel or vibration. You got us off to a heck of a good start here. I will try it with the tape tomorrow which will be better I guess! Again, a top notch idea which has unbelievable merit. Their's a lot of hidden gems on this site.

As well for Geoff:

- What's your thoughts on a young one using a leather grip?

- Strings, I followed your recommendations on string to a tee. Nice. It's tough getting in good strings here, however, where their is a will their is a way. I like to protect a young arm, so I immediately bought into what you told me on that end. I have to shipped from Russia to Kiev this winter to get them done, however, it was worth the hassle following your sage advice.

[GeoffWilliams]

Leather grip or over grip, it's up to her to say. She knows which feels best. That tape does not make the most noise, like masking tape or painters tape does, but it lasts longer. Try other tapes and let her choose the one that she can hear/ feel the most, such as: masking, duct, painters, athletic, etc. The key is to be able to hear and feel the contact in the sweet spot when the tape is hit. It's her choice to choose which one she can most like.