The Key To Finishing Easy Balls

www.feeltennis.net/fewer-mist...
When you receive an easy short ball in tennis, whether that's on a groundstroke, a volley or even a smash, you definitely want to hit it with power.
And yet, you make too many errors.
How can you minimize these mistakes?
The key lies in accelerating your racquet GRADUALLY.
Most players accelerate their racquet very suddenly and in the process become tight and muscle the ball as we like to say.
You need to learn to accelerate the racquet gradually as only then can you avoid tensing up and losing control of your shots.
This method applies to all strokes including the serve even though it's a stroke you would use on easy balls, but the principle of generating effortless power with control is the same.

[@nolanreed7090]

I came here looking for tips on how to improve a very uncommon kill shot on the short sitter and, instead, got one huge tip on how to improve every shot in the game. This guy is awesome.

[@lmet6174]

Nolan Reed exactly!!!

[@carlosoliveira9708]

Agree

[@guineapig6582]

Ikr

[@imranbutt3876]

This is without doubt the best tennis tutorial video I have ever seen. After watching 20-30 different tutorial videos and still not overcoming my timing, finishing and power problems it all came down to this one simple bad habit - sudden fast power swing instead of a smooth accelerating swing. It took me a while to get use to the change and I actually say vrrroomm as I take that shot (and it works!!!). I finally have a tennis stroke I can be proud. Thank you so much Feel Tennis for this (and other) excellent tutorial videos. Please keep positing!!

[@rickthompson9585]

100% agree. And saying “vroom” (or “smooth”) during the swing is helpful.

[@rdchenweb]

A revelation. This explains quite a lot: why my tennis has plateaued; why my shots are not as strong as the effort I felt I've put in; not as consistent and not as sturdy in match play as I would like. Found the side-by-side comparison of you and your student particularly instructive. Best tennis instruction video I've ever seen!

[@lokustic]

hands down you are the best tennis coach on youtube! :)

[@Ghethard]

agreed

[@mjaaouf481]

Very smooth coaching, and helpful, thanks

[@andreandrade8898]

Brazil agrees

[@ifeanyiikpegbu6465]

Yeah, he's the best.

[@TheVinylFactor]

No doubt. The way he explains and the examples he gives are always easy to understand for me

[@rtaghavi]

The sound effects really help conceptualize the point you’re making.

[@pedrokoury1352]

REz T indeed!

[@ostojicnikola81]

Tomas, I wanted to share my experience with you. I was practicing this very shot tonight with a ball machine. After 40 disapointing minutes of mishits I was about to give up and go home. Then this video came to my mind and I started swinging earlier and gradually accelerating. All of a sudden I started hitting cleaner and putting the ball inside the lines. Amazing concept! I wish I had a coach like you.

[@feeltennis]

Great to hear, Nikola, thanks for the feedback. Tennis strokes and movement don't function on forcing, it's always something based on feel, something more gentle, with touch...

[@dbcane]

Genius! For all you 3.5ers out there, pay attention to this lesson. It will be the best piece of knowledge to have for your acceleration of improvement. It's the lifeblood of all strokes explained perfectly by coach. Well done

[@CelticGunner1992]

By far the best tennis coach on youtube!

[@pedrokoury1352]

"Think FAST not HARD" That is one of those phrases that truly give us insights and a better understanding of what we want to do. Perfect! 👍

[@lucamolenhof3747]

This frase literally made my mind click. I started to think the difference between hitting hard and hitting fast and now I realize how hitting fast is the much better option for any shot. Great way of explaining how to hit the ball in such a simple and intuitive way.

[@ccw39]

Best instructor on YT! Thanks for explaining the "why" for everything!

[@jayKayCH1]

What a great video. After 6 years, you are still influencing many people including myself. Thank you. I was a varsity player back in highschool. After almost 15 years of gap I got myself back in the game couple years ago. I still can make some deadly finishing blows, but at the same time, I have been struggling for a long time that my average shots are annoyingly inconsistent. Only relying on the past memories, I was missing the basics. Your video just made me realize what my biggest problem is. Thank you.

[@lindasoyer4663]

Tomaz, This video was priceless. You are a fantastic coach. I consider you an incredible gift to tennis players seeking to improve their game. Linda

[@joepini6988]

Brilliant! Really shows the difference between an intermediate and advance player.

[@andrewbarnett3752]

Every time I watch one of your videos, I'm amazed at how simply you put such a difficult concept to understand. You are a true tennis guru! Thank you.

[@damirgreis2930]

Great video and explanation! I think that this "gradual acceleration" thing deserves separate video and title because I think it is one of the key parts for basic (topspin forehand and backhand, serve) strokes. Long ago I incorporate in my strokes things like proper grip, prepare early, have good follow through and so on, but many times (especially on short, slow balls where I have "too much" time) there was just something missing and I wandered why my shots sometimes were kind of erratic. When I saw this video I said ok, this is something good and something that "is understand" but ok, I will try to incorporate consciously. And, what can I say, suddenly my forehand gets more consistent, but also having good depth, speed and spin! I assumed that before I often had too much "waiting" on some points of the backswing and/or the stroke itself and it was resulting with arm contraction when trying to resume the stroke. Now, after I correct this, I am so thankful! Overall, great job for "Feel tennis"!

[@rickthompson9585]

Tomaz, this is such excellent advice. It’s exactly why I can hit so many good shots and then miss the easy kill shots. Without realizing it, my mindset shifted and caused me to tense up, resulting in a loss of smoothness. The entire concept of maintaining the mindset of gradual acceleration and trusting that you will have plenty of power is perfect.

[@Widmer09]

Great tips! My serve broke down in a match today (4.0 single), and I was able to bring it back on the 3rd set and won the match. I didn't realize how tense I am when hitting serves under pressure. It's amazing what relaxation can do to the mind and body. I decided to just "let the swing take care of it", and my serves started to go in at much higher percentage with just enough pace that my opponent can't really attack. Thank you so much. You are the best coach on YT!

[@flandino]

A lot of wisdom in this lesson. It seems simple and it is, but it is easy to forget. How many times this can be the reason for having a "bad day"...

[@pedrokoury1352]

Fernando Landino Exactly! Oh, the bad days...

[@practiquemos]

Very useful video. Thank you 😊

[@geoffhess2267]

Tomaz, Your advice here has really helped me handle these easy balls. I've been playing doubles with "paddy-cake" servers and often need to return soft, short serves and dinked ground strokes. I was hitting way too many of these long, which of course was incredibly frustrating. This morning I employed your technique to accelerate through the stroke instead of focusing on hitting hard. This made a tremendous difference not only in control and consistency, but in power as well. Personally, I found that saying a verbal cue (such as what you emphasized) to myself during the stroke to be very helpful. (I'm also using a semi-western grip which is giving me more topspin on these shots.) THANK YOU!

[@jlgroovetek]

I like these videos as Thomas shows how to visualize each shot, and then manages to physically demonstrate his examples. In this sense I find these videos more useful than that from Essential Tennis.

[@the-backgroundnoise]

One of the most useful 15 minutes of my life. Thanks for the tips and lessons.

[@RossCallen2028]

Man, I absolutely love your analysis every time!! You can take a simple subject like gradual acceleration and describe it better than anybody on the internet, GREAT JOB Tomaz! :)

[@yuyifu]

Very true. Every time I am thinking I need to "kill" the ball, I lose control of the shot (the same in golf).

[@tepeassydac]

Thanks Thomas, you are a great coach!

[@harishreddy4034]

Another ridiculously good video by you. Can't thank you enough. Hope you realize you are the virtual coach for a lot of people across the world.

[@user-tc1kk2xw2z]

Your videos are all so great ! I have seen lots of professional tennis player's practice videos on youtube, but it doesn't very helpful for me to progress in tennis.You always point out the key point in tennis,and it's very very helpful. Thank you a lot ~ and I hope that you can keep making new videos !

[@possong6307]

Wonderful tips! Here in Korea, I always learn from your video. This lesson is precious! Thanks a lot!!!

[@smokinjoe4684]

This video really helped me put A LOT of my mechanics together into 1. Helped with natural racket lag too. Wow. Thank you Tomaz. I watch them all.

[@golias12345]

One thing, coach. I'm a Linguistic student, most foccused on Phonetics and I couldn't help noticing the phonemes you used. As you said, "vvvvum!" sounds longer than "bum!" and that's because /v/ is a fricative phonem, articulated between the lips and the teeth, which cause a kind of "acceleration" or "momentum". /b/, instead, is an occlusive one, also called as an explosive phonem. Both are voiced (need sound to be pronunciated). Just adding this information. You are a good teacher because of the resources of your explanation! Thank you.

[@ge6384]

Fantastic coaching! Unlike anything I have seen before, really enjoy your take on gradual acceleration. Will put it into practice right away. Thank you.

[@ubitsa1985]

thank you the instructions. i tried to play under your advices and i already saw some difference. thank you

[@brightandsunny]

That is THE BEST explanation- simple, clear, and it works!! Difficult concept to convey. Thank you for all your videos!!!. I have learned so much from all your videos.

[@freedomrace1]

I'm a 5.5+ player and I must say this is a very intelligent approach to hitting any ball. I just tried it and the results were impressive. Thanks coach, subscribed.

[@his1ojd]

I've recently got back into tennis, but it's been many years since I've had any coaching and there are lots of technical errors in my game. I find your videos, and this one in particular, very help as I realised before I watched it I wasn't giving myself enough time to hit the ball and, as a result, my technique disintegrated through my rushed shots. Last week, before having a coaching lesson and watching your videos, I got thrashed by a player at the club I joined. After a tennis lesson, watching your videos, and three practice sessions in between, I managed to beat the same player who completely annihilated me only one week beforehand. Thank you Tomaz for producing the best tennis coaching sessions on KZbin, they're a great aid!

[@JSJChannel]

Hi Thomás. In the last couple months I have been study your movies, and they were very important to increase my tennis. Thanks a lot for your enforce and please don't stop!

[@booJay]

You have so many great videos, Feel Tennis Instruction Tomaz Mencinger, but I would have to say this is definitely one of my favorites as it's something you can apply to all strokes. I've always liked that you try to steer people clear from the idea of "hitting hard". You even refrain from using the word _hit_ and instead say _sweep_ which I completely agree with. Lately I've been thinking of "hitting" the ball as creating an optimal surface for the ball to bounce off of, and "hitting fast" as creating an _accelerated_ surface. It allows me to swing fast with control and I don't think of it as hitting hard, but more like creating the ideal conditions for the ball to make clean contact with the string bed so that it trampolines or bounces as fast as it can off of it. It takes less effort and gives me more time to think because there's so much you have to do beforehand in order to produce those conditions before the ball even comes to you, so that promotes early preparation and planning.

[@Rrrremguy]

All good points. We really should strive to have smooth swings and make clean contact, learn to lean into the shot and basically HARNESS the power that's already there instead of flailing away at the ball like we're engaged in a battle to one of our deaths. We so want to groan and sweat like the pros, but we REFUSE to put in the time mastering the intermediate stages they did. Hit slowly WELL. Wanna drip sweat and grunt like the pros? Try running around the court and bending your knees more! Leave smashing the ball with all your might to people who know what they're doing.

[@akufan]

. But

[@pedrokoury1352]

Rrrremguy Extremely well said! I agree

[@AztecsPasture]

Thanks for this! Had so much trouble with short balls and just accelerating in general and I feel like this will help a lot :D

[@kahan]

Thank you for you very helpful tips and suggestions.

[@carlobacca7840]

8 years ago and it's still the best video on youtube for attack short ball

[@fakhertoumi9691]

I don’t think I have ever seen a more intelligent and analytical coach ever… bravo ! M astonished

[@coma5laeki]

the lesson I needed the most! thanks a million coach!

[@Princesstennis1964]

I like the demonstrations and the side by side differences. Thanks. Cant wait to try it

[@josetv1202]

I've been watching all your videos practically and i must say that is a pleasure do it.

[@christianfloresmontoya2937]

Wow great concept, gradual acceleration, thanks!!!

[@mauriziovacca872]

Hi Thomas! Really great video, on the spot as always. Congrats!

[@smallworld707]

Criminally under-subscribed you are... Brilliant, natural coach!!!...

[@oozonyt]

As always, superb instructions coach!

[@v3v]

Thomas, You knack of explanation and applying logic to it is pretty darn good!

[@sanjivshah123]

Great stuff!! It is almost like he knows exactly what my mistakes are and talking directly to me and showing me exactly how to correct them. GENIUS!!!

[@Shebsthewanderer]

Fantastic stuff has helped me in my strokes big time

[@ralphpartie756]

Thomas, thank you for inspiration

[@linazudiene5765]

Such great lessons and brill advices !! Please continue and thank you

[@Smoothways]

Brilliant explanation! Thank you very much!

[@crazylector]

This is such a great video! Im afraid a single like cannot even begin to reflect my appreciation for these priceless tips.

[@nixonv1]

You did it again! Thanks again for the videos. You are truly the best for online instructions.

[@funfoot1]

Excellent suggestions. I can't wait to try it out!

[@rv2450]

Amazing coach..your videos helped me improve my game so much.. especially pronation on my serve. Will watch all your videos. It's a pleasure, and can't thank you enough.

[@jesuslyman5335]

Awesome Video, Best tennis channel out here, thank you.

[@kks3186]

I Love the way u make sounds and make it realistic. So practical. Best Coach.

[@biaoyang6207]

This is very helpful. Changed my mindset

[@meafordmichael]

Great observation, as usual, of what is ACTUALLY occurring - with a practical approach to correcting the error. Thanks, Tomaz - I always look forward to your insightful and helpful videos.

[@sellisrodrigo]

Great video Thomas as usual!!! thanks for sharing the info.

[@daniel.t3024]

Thank you this helped me a lot in Tennis matches😀.

[@davidpare6440]

You are an excellent teacher and this is a good point. What is missing is how often this is an issue when we play players of "lower" level. It is much easier to maintain rhythm wth someone who hits it about the same pace, but when we play against players who balloon the ball , it's vey easy to have crazy numbers of unforced errors. Your tips here are very helpful for dealing wth that.

[@logus0079]

great concept. very interesting and helpful.

[@muyu69]

This makes perfect sense! And I thought that the same applies to not only easy balls, but also any ground strokes and possibly even serves. Later in the video, you actually covered that point as well!

[@jeanc9868]

You are the best coach ever!! None of my coaches ever told me this stuff growing up!

[@skavist]

thank you so much coach! my 9 year old son and i watch your videos, and our tennis is much much better! thanks again !.

[@sautante]

wow thanks for the tips, can't wait to try them out. You've earned a sub!

[@siddharthb2633]

Best Tennis channel on KZbin

[@timw22020]

This is actually a really helpful video because I struggle the exact problem in my game. As I am getting strong in the past three years, the tennis ball that I hit hasn't been consistent. Thank you for putting this video on KZbin.

[@philiptan1976]

really insightful video - keep up the good work!

[@hermanodejesus7264]

Tomaz, you are THE GURU of training 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@Pthophen]

Fantastic trig"""I love it. Many thanks.

[@mikalkocwa]

Very very very good idea of accelerating gradually. Thank you very much for sharing.

[@funkyatfourty]

good coaching approach, thanks

[@TNToncourt]

Wonderful video. Thank you.

[@MA-dw2yl]

Great lesson!

[@loutfimustapha9641]

you are really amazing. I learned lot from you , thank you coach

[@SSPeriway]

It's incredible how ALL your videos are such a treasure of good advices! it's like you know beforehand what is the right video to make...that's kinda creepy :D thank you for everything!

[@didanhtennis]

Another excellent video. Thank you

[@chansuri608]

Great teaching. Thank you.

[@camtuquan]

Amazing clip. Thanks Tomaz alot

[@MrNguyenquocanh]

The best video I've ever seen!

[@phanminhlong7177]

Excellent explanation. You’re best coach

[@dineshkumarthiyagarajan703]

Best video ever, thanks a ton Thomas!

[@speedmishra13]

Love the way your brush over the ball. Effortlessly the racket head closes

[@paulg9644]

This has shown all my problems playing this shot and the solution. Great video!

[@harrissiahamis5999]

Great informations coach! I'll try this for sure as I make these mistakes with easy balls

[@joh2744]

I've never thought about this point of hitting (gradual acceleration) and now I feel it will improve my shots a lot.

[@kbalasa]

Your training videos have immensely improved my game. Thanks for all of your videos. Do you have any videos on how to play volley?

[@MrWhitianga]

This tip really helped my game. I've been guilty of hitting to hard and making lots of errors. The gradual swing really helped my serve and backhand to, hitting less errors and using less energy.

[@zhouzhu3058]

Best tip in a while for me! Thanks a lot!

[@adrenomedullin]

Thank you for your informative video!

[@Starkada]

Excellent lesson! Thanks

[@theobeulakker3492]

again a very instructive video well done

[@Cirosan]

Wonderful lesson! I'm going to play right now.. I'll try ^^ - THANKS!

[@june8960]

Best tennis tip EVER!

[@Sharur1]

i am a 13 year old tennis player. Advanced. I play national tournaments and have trouble with these shots. This will help a lot. Thanks!