Racket Head Speed

[hockeyscout]

Haha, yup you're right again.

This is what a NFL linebacker runs like by the way out of college (not even close yet to a pro). Do you think your athlete is even close to this seriously? And, these are RAW college kids who are three to four years away from developmentally being all-stars in the NFL. Raw kids with a LOT of mechanical flaws.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TbyLp27ldc

These guys are 6'3" to 6'5", and in the 240 range.

Last thought, foot work is a complex science and it's best if the experts handle it who have the right certification.

[10splayer]

Haha, yup you're right again.

[hockeyscout]

Because it's impossible to talk footwork, and how that translates to good ball striking, if one doesn't realize that the game IS about very short stops and starts, (as DB states) AND that there is a very difficult set of skills that one must perform and the end of these bursts..

I keep coming back to this, but tennis is about changing momentum (from lateral/linear to angular) in relatively short space and time frames ..Ill ask you this again (and then I'm done) why is a player trying NOT to use forced movement (gravity step, crossover) unless they have to? It is the crux of it.

Just my nonexpert 02 cents.

You just don't want to answer. Fine, I know why.

[10splayer]

Why are you not confident we will get very far with this?

Because it's impossible to talk footwork, and how that translates to good ball striking, if one doesn't realize that the game IS about very short stops and starts, (as DB states) AND that there is a very difficult set of skills that one must perform and the end of these bursts..

I keep coming back to this, but tennis is about changing momentum (from lateral/linear to angular) in relatively short time and space frames ..Ill ask you this again (and then I'm done) why is a player trying NOT to use forced movement (gravity step, crossover) unless they have to? It is the crux of it.

Just my nonexpert 02 cents.

[hockeyscout]

Also, 10splayer, and others. I never did get specific commentary from you on the specific athletic issues this individuals was facing in terms of proper athletic setup and foundation.

THIS IS WHY I POSTED IN THE FIRST PLACE.

These certainly effect his end racket speed, at any pace, and won't go away if he's playing harder (I am sure we all agree on this one).

So, a few questions for the experts (and 10splayer) - tell me specifically what you assessment thoughts are on these points, and how you propose they get fixed?

1. Tell me what you are seeing in his hip pointers bio-mechanically?

2. Are you concerned with the belly button position (pointing down)?

3. What about his torso elongation?

4. Are you concerned about the splay and buckling?

5. Discuss the double torque, and cancellation of power that's occurring here?

Any thoughts here to specific questions?

[hockeyscout]

Interestingly, I find that movement, and how one does, a tremendous factor in the production (proper) of RHS. That is, if one believes that the major contributor is angular momentum.

Having said that, I'm not very confident we will get very far with this.

Why are you not confident we will get very far with this?

[10splayer]

Guys, why not start a new thread with a new topic instead of hijacking an existing thread? Also makes it easier to find topics one is interested in...

Interestingly, I find that movement, and how one does, a tremendous factor in the production (proper) of RHS. That is, if one believes that the major contributor is angular momentum.

Having said that, I'm not very confident we will get very far with this.

[hockeyscout]

It will work great. They will call them Roll-and Garros and Wheelbeldon after wheel shoes take over the game.

(I will stop now. I couldn't help myself)

Oh man, I am sorry. You were joking. I thought you were being serious. I get it. That's pretty amusing stuff.

[lobndropshot]

Not to sure that would work well on clay, or grass.

It will work great. They will call them Roll-and Garros and Wheelbeldon after wheel shoes take over the game.

(I will stop now. I couldn't help myself)

[gzhpcu]

Guys, why not start a new thread with a new topic instead of hijacking an existing thread? Also makes it easier to find topics one is interested in...

[hockeyscout]

I have a question, why isn't Grigor interested in talking to you? What fundamental knowledge do you think you lack where you wouldn't be able to assist a top end pro? Isn't their a few areas you could assist this player in? Don't you see a few holes in his movement you could assist, and help correct. That's an unusual comment for me. It would be great if you could expand on that thought more.

No. I do not agree with the 2-3 step.

Its right, and its right for you, then that's good for you.

I can't say I am committed to it's ideology.

I want to develop a more all-around game, expand the court, new angles, drop shots, variety and all the rest, and expand space on my opponent. Its woman's tennis, and if a woman could actually expand the court to what the men can do, well, that would be just super. I want to develop a girl who can play outside the tram lines and force opponents into that area as well. Its coming. If it isn't, even better, as its a nice developmental model.

Ivan Lendl, I liked how he could hit a winner out of nothing. That's a good start for the woman's game, what he could do I think. Not sure it's happened in the woman's game yet? It's the next to strive for I believe.

don_budge, intriguing post to say the least. Right to the point. Perfect.

So, lets expand on this all:

Question though for Geoff, running will be more important, and expert involvement in this field from outside the industry will be necessary long term because of guys like you right? Guys like you are dangerous guys to the system. Rackets and strings can quickly evolve the game. Do you feel rackets and stringers like you could have a major effect on the angles of the game in the next ten years? How do you see the evolution. If a young player practiced for years with your specs, rackets, strings, what would be the results, and improvement over the long haul, as opposed to someone using substandard equipment?

Questions for Don Budge, if we started playing the game the way you suggest, we'd create new angles and blow the 2-3 step thing out of the water right? Especially, if we took baseball principals (you know baseball), and incorporated a lot of change of pace, and tactics into the mix? Is that the direction to think?

10splayer, the floor is your's I guess now to discuss what you know about movement, and where the next is headed.

[hockeyscout]

The next step will be wheels in players shoes and the will slide/ roll to the ball. Steps will be eliminated entirely! It will be like roller hockey on a tennis court! This will be ATP XX and XXI. (We will have to switch to roman numerals after ATP 8) It has been predicted

Not to sure that would work well on clay, or grass.

[lobndropshot]

The next step will be wheels in players shoes and they will slide/ roll to the ball. Steps will be eliminated entirely! It will be like roller hockey on a tennis court! This will be ATP XX and XXI. (We will have to switch to roman numerals after ATP 8) It has been predicted

[hockeyscout]

The sport is entirely unique in a number of respects. Even the scoring system is unique. I cannot think of another sport either with the same type of movement. I wonder if players in the classic era had to cover incrementally more ground than the modern era. That wouldn't surprise me.

At any rate the movement is stops and starts…that is for certain. In fits. Take into consideration also that the first step is in the head…anticipation. Calculating what possibilities your opponent can produce knowing his capabilities and tendencies in response to your shot. Combined with a low center of gravity…like the mean little cat ready to pounce on a mouse. Stealthy. Then pounce (under control) execute…pounce (under control) execute…pounce (under control) execute. It's a game of balance and energy. Dancing with tennis balls. The footwork all the means from which to create a foundation from which to execute a shot. Golf on the run. It's unique alright.

In the third set tiebreaker at 5-3 to Robredo…in a baseline exchange of approximately 35-40 shots…Tommy Robredo covered 75.3 meters and Vasek Pospisol covered 71.7 meters. Robredo won the point on a netted forehand by Pospisol.

For the entire match Tommy Robredo covered 2459 meters and Vasek Pospisol covered 2490. The final score was 63 46 76.

Excuse me for interrupting…carry on.

Great. Did you track how they ran those routes now? And, now, what about teaching how to run those specific routes. You're American. How do the NFL people do it? Interesting observation, now how do we expand apon this and do sets required to do it properly, and safely so our athletes are durable.

[hockeyscout]

Before I take the time to explain my position, are you willing to concede that the vast majority of shots in tennis are played in a relatively small area? (two and three step patterns)

And that one of the main challenges in tennis is controlling/ redirecting momentum in a linear/lateral sense to rotational or angular?

I don't think Grigor has any interest in talking to me, nor does he need my help.

I have a question, why isn't Grigor interested in talking to you? What fundamental knowledge do you think you lack where you wouldn't be able to assist a top end pro? Isn't their a few areas you could assist this player in? Don't you see a few holes in his movement you could assist, and help correct. That's an unusual comment for me. It would be great if you could expand on that thought more.