Son's Forehand

[postpre]

Thanks John & Stotty. You have noted some things that I have observed as well. His off arm has gotten a bit limp (it used to be stronger). I think he can and should get it stretched more. Regarding letting go of the off arm sooner, check out Nadal here and how long he keeps his off arm on the throat with balls in his comfort zone (as far as his left shoulder): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDg0kxn-xZg

(check forehands at :06, 1:00, 11:21, 13:13, etc...)

I think my son resembles Nadal a bit with his stroke, in terms of his take back, coil, and flip of the racquet.

[johnyandell]

Yes--he should let go sooner and stretch it hard toward the sideline.

[stotty]

postpre,
A couple of thoughts. He could go more to the outside on the initial backswing with the face of the racket closed ever so slightly. Try to keep the racket hand more on the hitting side. He should try to smooth the timing of all this and eliminate the pause or the slowing. He definitely should stretch the left arm across further and harder.

Don't you think he over does it with how far he takes the left arm back? He takes it back way further than Novak who I think takes his left arm back to the limit.

[stotty]

Thanks, Stotty. I will get some clips in normal speed/point play situations. I shot these in slo mo to send to a coach in our section (he requested slo mo to look at technique). I agree things get more complicated when under duress. His greatest improvement over the last year or so is his ability to deal much better with pressure.

That's great. I like his double rhythm steps early on in the clip...useful. Does he move well generally?

A while back a couple of junior players from the other side of the county sent me some clips asking for feedback, which I did. Word got around and now I get sent clips all the time! What I say to them is not to stage or edit the clips. I ask them to send me a warts and all, high intensity, short practice session, with a tie-break thrown in at the end. Coaches can glean far more from that kind of stuff.

[johnyandell]

postpre,
A couple of thoughts. He could go more to the outside on the initial backswing with the face of the racket closed ever so slightly. Try to keep the racket hand more on the hitting side. He should try to smooth the timing of all this and eliminate the pause or the slowing. He definitely should stretch the left arm across further and harder.

[postpre]

Thanks, Stotty. I will get some clips in normal speed/point play situations. I shot these in slo mo to send to a coach in our section (he requested slo mo to look at technique). I agree things get more complicated when under duress. His greatest improvement over the last year or so is his ability to deal much better with pressure.

[stotty]

Looks terrific! Can we see some clips in normal speed too. High speed is great for analysis but I find I can get a better feel for a player's level in real time.

It would be nice to see him under more duress, see him get moved around, maybe see him play some points. That way we can see how good he is as a player. Players like this always look great when the balls coming right to them.

[postpre]

Take a look at my son's forehand. He's a young 14, wants to be great. Let me know what you think:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpqU-nec9qM