Top 10 reasons you're stuck at the 3 5 level

[@torrubirubi]

If you have a weak second serve you should forget a flat first serve. Just learn a proper kick serve and use it for the first and second serve. Both serves will be identical, the only difference is that you can try to place the first service closer to a line. Doing so you will develop a very good kick serve. After one year you can begin again serving a flat first (but always coming back to the two kick serves in critical situations or after a double fault.

[@djgendron]

I like your pace and enthusiasm

[@gregcapobianco5266]

Great stuff. These tips resonate for me, and your communication style is clear and captivating. Thank you!

[@Radnally]

Foot work and serves. I watch a lot of 3.5 to 4.5 tennis. Second serves and good court movement really stand out as major differences.

[@PeterFreemantennis]

good points

[@willzsportscards]

I don't know man. I think it's everything. 4.5 here. Even if I put that ball at a 3.5's feet, they usually can't handle the pace/spin. They struggle with timing. Kinetic chain is wrong too. Usually the swing is all arm. No hip/leg.

[@notsohandytim5090]

@@willzsportscards: Don't get too hooked on THEY Sani.

[@notsohandytim5090]

Radnally: I catch myself leaning for the ball while my feet are anchored to the floor. Hate it when that happens.

[@melfox215]

Referring to 15:17 I am loving this list. Your list really describes my path of improvement between mid 2019 and end of 2021. Looking at my first recorded matches in 2020, I was a solid 3.5 there. I've had a clean backhand, occasionally a good forehand, a solid slice and I was able to put the ball in play with some precision like high focus on opponent's backhand. That being said, my serve was very sloppy, 2nd serve very slow, volleys very inconsistent, overheads very inconsistent and the same for my backhand return. So I didn't only play more tennis, but took some coaching lessons by a great player (easily 5.0+ at being no. 350 in national rankings of Germany) who is a young coach as well in my local club. It was something like 10 hours in summer of 2020 and maybe 5 hrs in winter of 2020-21 and 5 hrs in summer of 2021. Additionally, I was doing my coaching licence here in Germany working on my game and tennis knowledge either. Biggest improvements were footwork and uncoiling on serves, footwork including split step on volleys, split step on returns, moving on the court, focus on follow through on ground strokes, more variation of top spin and slice on backhand, etc. Additionally, in August 2020 I just had begun playing recreational competitive tennis at age 38 after not playing any competition since age 14. The only thing, I' would add to that list is motivation to improve your game and be dedicated in a smart way to get there. Most of my clubmates are satisfied or stuck with their 3.0 to 3.5 level not willing to really work on their game and improve weaknesses. We got around 200 members and only 4 or 5 are playing recreational (1 of them national) tournaments. Their mentioned reason is no motivation or anxiety of losing. For my path another problem of improving is that it gets harder to find other players once you reached a certain level which is necessary to continue improving to 4.0+ level. So I have to travel to other cities, or like today and tomorrow invite guys to play in my town. So that's another challenge to overcome the 3.5 level or maybe even 4.0. I consider myself to try becoming a 4.5 level player (LK 10 or better in Germany) hopefully in 2022 or 2023.

[@notsohandytim5090]

Feeling pretty good. You only mentioned 9 of the reasons that keep me stuck. My favorite tip here is the change of grip while moving forward.

[@michaelmikula3299]

Fabulous! Peter is a great communicator with easy to follow processes for improvement. And as a former collegiate level tournament player I use Peter's tennis videos to show my pickleball buddies. So many principals are the same that they can adopt & apply them to

[@PeterFreemantennis]

thanks so much that is very nice of you to say

[@seanscott394]

Greetings Coach, I believe I have posted before but wanted to update you on what I did based on this video which not surprisingly is one of your most watched videos of the last 8-12 months I would say. I am close to 6-3 and was hovering around 220-225, not outrageously heavy but pushing an XL/XXL across the board let's say...and we all know about the current pandemic but I couldn't play Tennis here in South Florida so I started cycling and also logging a lot of 1 hour+ walks/hikes and over the last 3 months have stripped over 35 lbs off this frame and since we started back to playing organized Tennis around here, let's just say the improvement is obvious. The Court is NOT your gym, just own it is my advice. And I'm an old man(Mid 40s) but I feel a lot younger now. Cut out processed foods is about the best thing I can tell you, if it has more than 1-2 ingredients then it's not for me. Apples are apples, it says so on the label. Thank You for doing all this and inspiring people to get out there. I have so many videos to watch and catch up on, Cheers from Jupiter!!!

[@PeterFreemantennis]

This is an amazing story thanks so much for sharing

[@charliemckay6402]

The simple straight-up talk keeps both feet on the ground and easy to understand.

[@georgebasham2279]

This is awesome Coach Pete! I took your excellent framework and put a "positive spin" to it (and added a couple of things not in your commentary you may or may not agree with, and excuse me if I left our some key concepts). If anyone has any suggestions, disagreements or corrections let me know. I'm going to review this each day to help me stay on track, I'm tired of being a 3.5 level player, I want to move up to a 4.0 even though I'm in my mid-sixties. Sorry if it is a TL;DR for you. Here goes: 10 way to help advance from a 3.5 to a 4.0 player 1. Shot selection: Be mindful of your shot selection. For example, avoid hitting a high percentage of high-risk shots like a down-the-line passing shot, use them judicially to keep opponents honest. 2. Continental grip: To move to the next level you must use the continental grip for your serve and volley. 3. Overhead: Improve your overhead. Don’t ignore practicing your overhead, be willing to hit a high volley if a lob is past the service line. Don’t be too proud to let a high, short lob bounce to give you more time and a better chance to hit the overhead . 4. Advanced stroke techniques: Don’t use advanced stroke techniques in a league or tournament match (for example serve and volley) until you have practiced it to the point the stroke is “baked in” … and therefore no longer advanced for you! 5. Solid stroke technique: Be willing to clean up, improve and even reconstruct the biomechanics of your strokes and master both topspin and slice on both wings so that you can move to the next level. 6. Second serve: There is a famous saying in tennis “you are as good as your second serve”. Improve the consistency and spin on your second serve. Aim for a lane in the service box rather than aiming for the lines. Learn to swing the edge of the racquet up to the ball, pronating right before striking. 7. Reliable weapon to use on a big point: Develop a reliable shot to use on a big point, be it a dependable slice serve, a deep topspin forehand, a consistent second serve return that does not give your opponent a free point. 8. Be willing to take a step back: To reach the next level you may have to sacrifice short term wins against players you normally beat in order to commit to proper mechanics for your long-term benefit. 9. Fitness level: 4.0 level and above players typically are more fit than 3.5 level players and can maintain good form deep into a point and deep into a set. Improve your fitness level to include endurance, strength, mobility and flexibility. Also, warm up before and cool down after each tennis session. 10. Practice habits: Practice does not make perfect, Perfect Practice make perfect! You can groove a poor stroke OR groove a good stroke. Use your tennis practice time wisely by getting on court and / or online training so that you have good mechanics and a good toolbox of drills to improve your game.

[@PeterFreemantennis]

great list mate very well done

[@ArunKanagasabapathy]

Thx

[@thomasmedeiros5722]

Number 8 Take a Step Back is essential. I direct tennis programs for our USTA Community Tennis Association and have observed that players get stuck at this 3.5 level because they are unwilling to change if it means they might lose a set. First you need to practice drills then play practice sets or tie brakes using the new skills you want to develop. That usually means going to,the net,hitting volleys, improve your second serve and backhand. Once you drill and practice you need to use your new shot or tactics in match play. I definitely remember this worked for me when was moving up the ratings in tournament play years ago. Personally I like to move forward and hit a fair amount of volleys so I get into a groove just like my ground strokes and return of service in a match. I you only go to the net at the end of the match to shake hands your not going to be comfortable if you get drawn in during a match. I always check out my opponents volley and overhead during the warm up. I also take lots of volleys and overheads which I direct right back to my opponent to let them know I got game. My first coach told me the match started with the warmup. Advice that served me well over the years.

[@PeterFreemantennis]

good stuff GREAT comments

[@truetub]

I had a lot of 'oh yeah, why didn't I think of that?' moments....big thanks for this

[@alebando1641]

Went to newks as a kid are you in the central Texas area

[@agile_rayc9969]

You play tennis as good as your second service, that's why we need to develop reliable kick top spin serve skill, that is crucial for improvement!

[@PeterFreemantennis]

Yes Yes Yes

[@notsohandytim5090]

@@PeterFreemantennis:...and yes?

[@stevedavis4578]

Pete, you’re a cool dude in loose mood. Thanks for all the great instruction at the Newk camp. Still working on the forehand topspin. You’re the best.

[@PeterFreemantennis]

you are a cool dude too

[@lindaplaylist9560]

This is so on point!😊

[@sabinah]

Take some short term loses against players you know you can beat to win long term against players you cannot beat today. Love it! I am trying to get to this part but honestly extremely difficult to break away from bad habits that have won me so many matches in the past haha...

[@PeterFreemantennis]

yes probably the hardest one for everyone to accept including me

[@bwiz6514]

Great tips. I always wondered what happened to Matthew Modine.

[@PeterFreemantennis]

Is that what I look like?

[@cameranikon]

I'm 62 and have started playing tennis again. After 6 months my tennis stroke has started coming back to my old form but my foot work and speed could use some work. I don't expected to run like did 20 years ago but do you have any helpful training tip to help speed?

[@artes360milestone3]

Thank you Excellent video

[@PeterFreemantennis]

Oh yeah

[@andreasm7306]

Great video. Thanks!

[@marinaobyrne8559]

This is very very good. Wise, clever - and funny. Thank you!!!

[@PeterFreemantennis]

I like you Marina

[@kykwan49]

what about positioning ? Positioning is a dynamic thing - it depends on the position of your opponent, how good your shot is and going where and how your opponent reacts to it.

[@PeterFreemantennis]

yes positioning it really important

[@dantheman1337]

Great tips, i hope!

[@Ockv74]

I am one of those people that served badly and then sent you the same bad serve video a week later like two years ago. I never sent you another video but have been serving from the service line for a couple of years now and my serve is much better now. Thanks Peter, this was a great video.

[@PeterFreemantennis]

thanks Omar so happy to hear of your improvement keep going mate

[@jerrygoff1486]

Hey Pete...I'm still working on "skipping the rocks".

[@djgendron]

I’m a lefty so I like demonstrating with the left

[@aninjame]

*15 minutes in* Why yes, i am loving this list.

[@RodBrites]

1,2 ,3 ( and then some more) I thought you were talking privately with me... For me, there is something that is driving me crazy... my inability to play at my level against worse players... I´m very often leveling my game very low (following my opponent level and not mine...). Any tips?

[@ChaunceyDos]

Shot selection and superior stroke technique are huge. I see guys on public courts who are clearly obsessed with hitting like Federer or Nadal, straight arm, and they never improve. I know even 4.5 and 5.0 players who could instantly be 20% better with better shot selection. They are just obsessed with playing like Stan Warinka.

[@patrickweston3293]

I'm not sure I understand #8. Do you mean losing to lower-rated players because you are trying a new technique or what?

[@julsmazor2930]

Great video. Lots to go out to immediately practice. Need less fun matches and more drills/practice workouts.

[@PeterFreemantennis]

good let me know how it works for you

[@kenkuchnicki9012]

How does losing to people you usually beat prep you for beating people you usually cannot beat Do you mean play weaker players and go for hard shots or low percentage shots to increase percentage ???

[@courtlandbutler242]

I think he means taking a step back to work on your game and implement new and better techniques into your game. These might not work very well at first and you might lose a few games but you will get better in the long run

[@joakimster8431]

Yeah, cool video Pete :-)

[@PeterFreemantennis]

Thanks Joakim

[@joakimster8431]

Crunch Time Coaching Until - after I liked and wrote the comment - you got to reason 7 “you need better fitness” 😬 Hm, maybe I’ll just stay stucked here...

[@projapatiify]

You are unique in your materials. Always to the point. Fantastic video.

[@PeterFreemantennis]

thanks MD M

[@jlook6070]

Why not just always play the most % shot at all times? Won't consistency and predictable shots getting over the net alone be good enough for all rec levels? Only D1 and pros need to play offensively.

[@PeterFreemantennis]

Great point J Look but I do find to jump to the 4.0 plus level you need to start having some weapons...If you just have one gear the entire match often it is not enough to win...being consistent will win you a ton of matches...but I do think it is important to have a couple of go to weapons at important moments in a match....make sense?

[@jlook6070]

@@PeterFreemantennis I've been encouraged to develop speed and consistency as my weapons. All stroke weapons are above what rec players are capable of I'm told.

[@patrickweston3293]

The problem is that your shots can become predictable for your opponent too. My biggest recent improvement has been recognizing where the other guy's next shot is likely going and placing myself there. (On the verge of 4.0 myself and would add court position as #11)

[@jlook6070]

@@patrickweston3293 It's good to improve, that skill of shot recognition is good. That, movement and consistency is all I'm allowed to do on court. One day I'll have and be allowed to use unpredictable weapons on court. I'm a great human ball machine though.

[@jvcelt]

i'm stuck in 3.5 prison, man! liberate me!

[@emilioguerrero3497]

que pena no añadais subtitulos en español

[@GershonBenYitzhak]

People come to the net without continental? I've literally been doing that since I was a child, I though that was basic.

[@JJVee427]

?? If you're at the 3.5 lvl and not using the conti grip for volleys, you are not a 3.5....other than that, good video

[@watcher687]

Pete, Could you change your to ‘you’re’ in the video title?

[@PeterFreemantennis]

I know I caught that too late...please forgive me

[@notsohandytim5090]

@@PeterFreemantennis: Looks like you fixed that. Now YOUR not stuck anymore...ahh haa ha ha....ahem...sorry.

[@kevinforward3249]

Poor footwork...no split step. How could you have missed that?

[@abbasyounus638]

I am stuck at the 4.5 level.....

[@PeterFreemantennis]

that is a good place to be stuck lol...once you get above a 5.0 not many people to hit with

[@georgebasham2279]

I'm crying big crocodile tears for you Abbas. 😂

[@q4short]

You’re

[@Floodland-bn3ol]

how about 10 reasons stuck at 4.0 :-)

[@rezabidell7725]

I give you 10 Reasons to become 5.0 or 5.5 Player : 1- Developing Match Tactics 2- Developing different serves( Flat, topspin, slice and mix of them) 3- Mental Strengthening ( imagine you lost first set six love, Being able to come back again) 4- Run for purpose on the court and not just hit the ball. 5-- Developing deep shots and special on the baseline shots which will trouble every single opponent. 6- Developing Drop-shots. 7- Developing slice forehand 8- Increasing you knowledge on Tennis string 9-- Drop your Racket tension below 40 and i am very serous about this one. 10- Make sure you have everything in your bag and i mean everything...bcs on court its only you and no one can help you except your self( having extra over grips, bandages, bicycle tyre( for warming us an cooling down) extra hand wrists. extra string extra socks , different hand and feet supports. empty can of balls and of course new balls and extra racket). Good Luck.

[@Floodland-bn3ol]

@@rezabidell7725 Thanks. Very good tips. I only have two of the 10.

[@repoman7804]

Arguably the best video I've ever seen from you. However, I'm pretty sure you're missing one reason that has to be a Top 10, and I think in the top 2 or 3: You need to regularly play against people who are better than you. Learning how to deal with better players' weapons (e.g., returning a bigger serve than you've seen in the past) only comes from playing against better players.

[@PeterFreemantennis]

good stuff James glad you liked it

[@georgebasham2279]

True BUT the Catch 22 is better players typically will not want to play with you until you address some of the 10 reasons Coach Pete refers to, so it may require a lot of shadow stroking, ball machine sessions, if you can afford it having a pro rally with you and play points to get you ready to be in the place to hit with folks a level above you. But if you have friends who are better than you and nice enough to play with you, that's awesome.

[@alanras370]

Great point. Actually my ex-coach told me to do this five years ago and I've only done it a little. It's not that fun getting beaten consistently. It's funny, because if Anybody has a serve I can't handle, I know in my gut that all I need to do is see that serve a lot more and I'll improve with it substantially. Never seen it miss. Now I just need to apply it to the better player's whole game. Keep looking at his/her whole game. Eventually I can find adjustments. You learn what to expect. One more thing, though, James. almost all of Pete's points are zeroed in on "stuck at 3.5," while your better players principle applies across the board, 2.0 to pro

[@thomasmedeiros5722]

On the big serve return you can use this drill to build your return skills. Have a practice partner stand at the service line with a ball basket. Have them hit serves as hard as they can in different parts of the service box on your side. I call this the “ Big Smoke” drill. It’s difficult to return a serve when hit from this close. However when you play a match it will seem like you have more time to react. To move up you need to build your return game into a weapon. Don’t forget to drill second serve returns. Also play lots of tie breakers as part of your practices.

[@notsohandytim5090]

Taka: Agree. I play up pretty often. Even though it gets frustrating, I see mini steps in dealing with being overpowered. I see others enjoying the game more once they have committed to playing up.

[@NicoleK71]

I’m stuck at 3.0 😂

[@PeterFreemantennis]

if you are at 3.0 and want to go to 3.5 learn how to hit high and deep cross court

[@gregmaier5151]

You should do these videos as a righty.