Great video Tomaz, and solid indication that as a coach and a person you differ. I have been competing in sports for my whole life, and I enjoy competing in general. I feel good about my competing. I started competing recreational level tennis 12 months ago. I do feel frustration often. But frustration is not directly connected to the match result, to the win or the loss. For me, it has always been about reaching a performance close to my actual capability. If I manage to play 70% of my level, it is ok. If I play 80% I am good. If I reach 90% of my level in a match, I am happy. Whenever, seldom, I reached 101% percent of my level, it was a day I will always remember! So, that would be my goal. To be able to play 80% of my "at the time” level, against any opponent. I believe it is mostly a mental and physical challenge. And even though I started playing tennis and competing quite old at the age of 45, I believe it is attainable. I give 100% of effort to win, when competing. And If manage to perform close to my potential, I am happy and fulfilled, no matter the result. Kind regards dear Tomaz.
I am demonstrating fundamental forehand technique, not heavy topspin shot. If you would like to see heavy ball, check out this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5wS36C9VapY.html
As somebody who tries to learn tennis in his adultness, I put so much energy in my tennis forehand, but it didn't click. I almost lost hope, but after watching this video my forehand got so much better and the fun returned. Thank you!
Good demonstration but , I think this mostly applies to slow courts like clay. Now, try the same in a fast court like astroturf or synthetic grass (90% of the courts where I live). No matter how hard I hit with heavy topspin, it is never as effective as a fast flat shot.
Yes, then we come into the "it depends" territory. I would argue that a low fast ball is not effective if I can reach it easily which is at least 70% of the time. It does absolutely nothing to a skilled player - but lower level players always have trouble with speed. So as you progress in your tennis skills you will eventually reach a level where your opponent will not be troubled at all with a low fast ball (when they are positioned) and you'll see that It's just pointless risk. Much better to play with a higher topspin that's safer - even if it also does nothing to trouble opponent.
No one plays low without spin, it's too risky. You just didn't notice the spin. I see a lot of topspin here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ndpT4tusb2w.html Or perhaps you are confusing topspin with arc? Meaning you think that low balls are not hit with topspin? Topspin and trajectory have almost no correlation - I can hit topspin into the ground if I want...
2:00 this is the reason the one handed backhand is dying in the pro circuit. Only Stan's and Thiem's backhands were able to compete against the BIG 3. And here you are, saying we don't have to copy the best techniques in the world...
Thx for sharing. I love your videos, great stuff. I would add the length to the definition of a heavy ball. Horizontally the angles, but the vertical length is the most important one. And if you can do it consistent with high and reasonable fast top spin shots, then all comes together...
Hi Tomas ! Greetings 🖖 Always great insights in your vids and I think before anyone goes into technical inputs one must improve timing and more I see your vids iam convinced that timing is critical and a very much overlooked factor while developing technique. Wish you could also provided more inputs on timing and how to be more automated while playing matches. Practice does help but for matches any timing tips will be really fruitful. Regards and wishing you the best always.
Thanks for the feedback! I plan to share more videos on the timing in the future but I have added a few already to the RU-vid Member's area. Consider Joining and getting early access to such videos not to mention being able to watch 130+ additional videos that are already inside the membership section.
I played on clay for the first time in several years, and lost all penetration on my forehand. This was a great video. The high preparation is the key, generally once you prepare high, everything else falls into place
In order to hit with power i need to throw the racket. I can push with power but it would go out, and also wouldn't be as powerful or accurate as a throw. So i need to aim to throw very fast if i want power. So the 'let go' component should include the element of speed as well as the throw. How fast can i throw the racket and the ball goes to the place i want it to go.
Yes, all good points, the key is EFFORTLESS power through throwing. You can hit with power without throwing, 90% of rec players do that and they can generate power - but not effortless. And yes, you can throw slowly and hit an easy ball effortlessly - that's what we tennis pros all do. We can rally with our students at very low speeds very easily...
The thing i would add to this is that you can throw 100%, but it can be a very slow throw. Throwing does not have to be fast, throwing can be slow. A throw is a biomechanical movement, and does not have anything to do with speed.
This makes it so much easier to understand. Been lost in the RU-vid rabbit hole for a while - finally a serve video that explains contact simply and effectively!
finally... great discussion about hitting from the perspective of the hitter (instead of from the observer) - most amateurs start their forward motion after ball bounce which is way too late, and here one can see clearly that the swing started much earlier and meet the ball mid-air. I had similar a-ha moment for serve motions when I looked at a drone view of serve on TV during a ATP match, would be interesting to see a similar analysis on serve, Tomaz!
@@feeltennis I am so glad to hear that, and look forward to your expert demonstration! It would be great if you could analyze the ball position relative to the hitter's head, as well as the shoulder line relative to the baseline. From the drone view on TV (let's forget about ATP players try to disguise to some extent), the biggest takeaway I got is the ball toss placement relative to the hitter's head - the toss is much closer to the hitter in all directions than amateurs where, for example, too much to the right and away from the body will result in "side spin" with no power. Consequently, the point of contact is more on top of the hitter's head (any types of serve), which allows the hitter to extend their body straight upward with no bending (and forward but that's harder for average players).
Great explanation on the heavy ball! As a long-time tennis player, I've always been curious about this. Just started playing pickleball recently-does the concept of a 'heavy ball' apply there too?
I would like to see a drone view of a forehand (and backhand) follow through where the player is continuing towards the net in anticipation of taking their next shot as a volley.
Was recently thinking about the offhand in my open stance forehand - in particular stretching the fingers a bit to bring some tension. This video was great for seeing it in action and how it was related to the coil you got. Very helpful.
Coach! I doubled my power by swinging down! And my timing and sound of the hit is incredible. My movement/footwork is now cleaner too as a result of placing myself in a good position to create the pendulum/hitting below center. I've been forcing my followthrough and robbing myself of free energy for decades! Thank you.
What did you find interesting and different looking at the forehand technique in slow motion from the top view? Share your thoughts below and also let me know what you would like to see in the upcoming videos recorded from the top / drone view!
