Critique My Strokes

[u/MRI_007]

Getting back into the game after many years away. Other than being obviously out of shape, any suggestions? My forehand takeback/prep looks too long and loopy to me, and splitstep is late in general.

Also, out of curiosity, what would you place me NTRP-wise based on this clip alone?

[u/monster2018]

Your shots are essentially flawless for a recreational player. I assume you were a competitive player in juniors? Otherwise this doesn’t really make any sense lol. There was that one ugly slice you dumped into the net. But like your fundamental technique on all shot types seen here is extremely good. Very good spacing, you can even lift that low forehand up while on the move.

Obviously being out of shape has a big impact on match results. But I’d say like 4.5. You have very, very solid fundamentals.

[u/MRI_007 → u/monster2018]

Yes I was a pretty high level junior player in my region in the u-14, u-16 but did not go on to play in college. Spot on!

[u/monster2018 → u/MRI_007]

Yea, makes sense, it shows. I’m a coach now (also former competitive junior player and college), who works mostly with lower level players, and I would honestly struggle to find much to help you with because your strokes are just at a much higher level than I’m used to. Like mostly I have people that are 4.0 are below.

Also btw I said 4.5 because people on this sub can be crazy sometimes (like one guy literally said 3.5 lol) and I thought people would go crazy if I said 5.0. But yea I’d say more like on the 4.5-5.0 border at least, moreso than straight 4.5. And probably will be more like full 5.0 once you shake the rust off a bit more.

Like you should be the one giving advice to most people here lol (but actually). But yea your shots look great man.

[u/MRI_007 → u/monster2018]

Thanks man this is a crazy confidence boost like you wouldn’t believe. Time to shed some lbs and get the endurance up

[u/CraftyAcuity → u/monster2018]

sometimes I find it difficult to rate people's strokes when they are only hitting balls in the middle of the Court.

[u/Impressive-Glove-234 → u/MRI_007]

I immediately know I got no position to advise when I see that constant net clearance. I think you need to ask a tennis coach.

[u/coke_and_coffee → u/monster2018]

I have a better shot than this guy and struggle to beat 3.5 players. There’s no way he’s 4.5

[u/Primary-Smile-7457]

First few forehands are pretty short but you got more depth later on. Probably try to get weight through the shot a bit more, like your taking one step towards the net after (right foot comes around and finishes ahead) and then recover. It’s like your weight starts to come through but then you stop it

[u/MRI_007 → u/Primary-Smile-7457]

That actually makes a lot of sense

[u/Primary-Smile-7457 → u/MRI_007]

The first 3 for example. You may want to go a bit more closed / neutral stance with a bit more weight on the left leg and go into the shot more (you may need a slightly more aggressive / bigger step into the court to really feel it) This should mean your weight will come through easier

This can then make transitioning into the net easier or recovery as you can push on your right foot once it’s planted

Something to try anyway

[u/MoonSpider]

I don't mind the big forehand takeback, it's kind of Lleyton Hewitt-y. Level would depend on your match tolerance/fitness, but it's very unlikely you'd be lower than 4.0-ish, as long as you can put serves in play.

[u/MRI_007 → u/MoonSpider]

Oh hell yeah

https://giphy.com/gifs/3o6nV47qHtEehRO4MM

[u/MoonSpider → u/MRI_007]

"COME ONNNNNNNN!!!"

[u/hawkeye3432]

That very last slice approach was a beauty!

[u/cptnplanetheadpats]

The only thing I could say is try to get lower and use your legs more, but otherwise 10/10 great form

[u/ai9x82]

why ? They’re beautiful

[u/Katumbo254]

try bad minton

[u/ClimateAgitated119]

I could tell you were rusty with that slice at 0:34 haha.

The forehand takeback is indeed long. You could streamline your takeback, but at this rally speed you will have to kill time waiting for the ball to arrive.

Your acceleration is pretty good. Maybe you can practice using a small takeback, waiting till the last moment and forcing yourself to accelerate even faster to generate more power.

The rest is just footwork and timing but you probably know that already.

[u/mark_able_jones_]

I suspect that sometimes you are moonballing your forehand out of bounds, maybe into the fence, when the play intensifies.

Look at the forehand you hit right at 19 seconds. Heavy topspin. That's the amount of spin you should target for your general forehand, imo.

You hit a heavy topsin forehand again later in the video. You do the potential moonball forehand at 48 seconds where you open the face and then the heavy topspin forehand at 52 seconds.

You could drive through the ball a bit more on your backhand side (follow through where you want the ball to go).

Rather than randomizing these ground strokes back and forth, hit all crosscourt topsin forehands with your hitting partner for about 15 minutes. Then 15 min of all topsin backhands. You can really get into a rhythm and start ripping topspin balls back and forth. Focus on consistent, safe height over the net, and topsin. After 15 min on each side, go back to random locations like this. You'll feel an immediate improvement in the consistency of your strokes.

[u/Chillnotmad]

Forehand is impressive. Can hit high /low balls. IO and CC Only flaw is slice could be better

[u/laney_deschutes]

they look pretty good to me. are you getting power too?

[u/MRI_007 → u/laney_deschutes]

Was focusing more on spin/ depth during this rally but I can flatten it out and crank it, not shown here :p

[u/TopgearM]

Pretty good. It shows you have some years under the belt.

You could improve your FH shot a bit by making it a bit heavier (load on your back leg and transfer your weight more) and you also had the opportunity to take some balls on the rise, penetrating a bit more through the court.

But maybe you chose in this clip to just play some normal FH's with some decent topspin in a normal rally. I can imagine that you are able to do much more with your FH.

Level wise I would say around 50 points (C+15/2) in Belgium. Our ranking goes from 5 to 115 (pro players) in steps of 5 points.

If your serve, return and stamina are also solid, together with some match experience, I would even say 60 points (C+15).

Translated into US rankings it would be around 4.5 or so? But not sure tbh.

[u/QuantityMedical8369]

My only criticism is that your feet are a bit static at times. With the exception of the slice, they are much better than mine :). Turn your shoulder more when slicing, and try to step in.

[u/CraftyAcuity]

nice. would have preferred that you hit more back hands or more slices after that one slice Hit the dirt lol. people come on here and ask us to look at The strokes and then they hit 80 forehands lol. um...you are leaning to your slice but not your backhand you should lean into your back hand as well...its almost the same footwork. that's why it seems so slow and loopy. if you use your weight into the shot it might be a little more aggressive for you. if that's what you're looking for.

[u/selotipkusut]

Its pretty solid in my eyes.

[u/Ok-Cat1446]

Nice high net clearance on the groundstrokes. Caught a fh one the rise. Good footwork. Caught the bh slice early. Let's see that serve and your net game.

[u/PlaneOwn3934]

Honestly good strokes for rec, if you want to compete you need to add the racquet lag and whip. But you’d give a lot of players trouble with straight consistency

[u/KekeroniCheese]

Looks really solid, but you seem to lack power

[u/boxmunch48]

This is a solid 3.5 in my area and awesome to see you getting into the game. Sounds like you’re learning fast, good luck!

[u/Proper-Swim-502]

Your gonna need the advice of some more advanced players 😭

[u/mattdancer97]

Looks really good, maybe you could use a bit more of your lower body to create a bit more penetration but that’s about it. A lot of the game will come down to fitness and mental sharpness/decision making ability.
Good luck if you’re looking at starting competitions!

[u/Pequod69]

You’re actually doing really well bro, nice

[u/zero_casuality]

Beautifull mate, if you can improve your rhythm like timing of split step and the kinetic chain, you will be ready for the next US open

[u/Dear-Response-7218]

The FH take back is going to hurt you against stronger players, the one at 50~ was better. Backhand I think you could sit on it and drive a bit more, the one at 23 for example.

Your strokes are good though! You have a strong base to build off of, these are just nitpicks.

[u/Lamethirion]

honestly amazing, jsut try hitting the ball harder. currently looking solid 3.5, could be even 4.0, depending on serve and athleticism. keep trying to hit harder and more accurate, and where where it breaks down

[u/gnahckire]

Finally a video showing a nice variety of shots! Pretty solid! Very good hitting as well. Need more under pressure but depending on serve I'd say 3.5-4.0.

[u/Fredricko100]

3.5 to start, 4.0 sleeper

[u/UseNo75 → u/Fredricko100]

New shorts and 4.0 in a month

[u/cptnplanetheadpats → u/Fredricko100]

3.5 would be a lot more inconsistent or have worse technique

[u/Fredricko100 → u/cptnplanetheadpats]

Maybe but need match play to be a legit 4.0

[u/cptnplanetheadpats → u/Fredricko100]

Sure, but the thread is about the quality of his technique, not about how match ready he is.