Have a Question for Me?

[stotty]

Referring to Phil's lack of racket drop: When it comes to actual serving, won't he need to have significant external rotation to in turn achieve a good drop?

I guess like many things in coaching, fathoming the conundrum of what is causing what is where the battle is won. I find this can be straightforward with some motions and complicated with others.

Be good if Phil posted a rear view of his serve so we can see what's going on more clearly...

[gzhpcu]

Thanks, will try...

[johnyandell]

Practice pointing your arm and racket directly upward at the sky and letting it literally fall into the drop thru gravity with the arm fully relaxed--almost the racket falling out of your grip. Close your eyes and visualize that image and the feeling.

Do it many times. No take that image?feeling and visualize it at the start of the motion--let your arm and racket cover the mental image and also imagine the looseness of the drop.

[gzhpcu]

John,
Have been trying to alter my backswing on the serve as you suggested. Strange thing is I do the movement in front of the mirror, think I have the "feel", go on court, think I am doing it, video record it, and, low and behold, I am still doing the old movement. Reprogramming is not so easy. Any tips?
Thanks, Phil

[johnyandell]

That's what I think. Try bringing that elbow really forward and high and then just let gravity take it.

[gzhpcu]

Thanks John, I will work on the bigger backswing next.... (might help my racket drop too...)

[johnyandell]

Looks pretty good. I always felt a lot better coil and leg drive with the platform personally. the pinpoint you are over there to right flailing... I still think that compressed backswing is the problem with the racket drop.

[gzhpcu]

Thank you John. I value your insights. P.S. I really feel much better with my first attempts as a platform stance. It is not a very wide stance yet, but at least it is stable.

I am using Ubersense, and made these clips of my serve. Still working on my racket drop...

[johnyandell]

I would say it's important to minimize this. To me the best servers land on balance with the torso and spin straight up and down. If it happens it is a reaction to the force of the swing. Trying to make it happen will drag the head and racket down.

[gzhpcu]

John, how important are the "jutting buttocks" on the serve? i.e., the upper torso jackknifing after impact? Is it essential? Thanks, Phil

[johnyandell]

Somewhere there is an expert...any suggestions?

[kenh]

fh backswings and softball pitchihg and baseball hitting

I am not sure how this forum works or how I follow up, but here goes. It might be interesting to have a fast pitch softball coach talk about generating speed and see what similarities there are to forehand. Also in looking at Pujols swing you can see how his rear hand and elbow are in a situation very similar to a pro forehand like Agassi. Also his elbow drops into the unit turn position in a similar fashion. It would be interesting to know if they (Pujols and Agassi) are exerting forces the same way.
ken

[johnyandell]

I love that drill. Do it with a tennis ball, an American football, and an old racket--should be ok on your red clay...

[gzhpcu]

John, another racket drop question on the serve. What do you think of the concept to think you are hitting up instead of hitting forward, to bring the racket lower? You know, the throwing the racket straight up in the air drill?

[johnyandell]

I am in the dark here guys. Didn't know it existed.

This is the description:

Zepp Tennis features the ability to track the amount of forehands, backhands, serves and smashes you hit, how much power you generate with each stroke, how many topspin, slice and flat shots you hit, your trends for an entire match or practice session, the total amount of time you spend on court and the active time you spend playing points and rallying.


Not sure what this means though or how helpful some of it could be. How many topspin, slice, or flat shots doesn't sound like a measurement and how much "power" you generate is vague as well.