What Is the #1 Reason Recreational Tennis Players Struggle to Hit Out-In-Front! Not What You Think?

[@TK-Tennis]

UPDATE: There are many excellent comments noted below that fill-in many gaps where I could have explained things better. I will ❤ the ones that I feel are the most helpful and will continue to improve my delivery in the future. Hitting out in front is something many if not most recreational players struggle with, myself included. If you’ve found other tips or drills that have helped you build this habit, I’d love to hear them in the comments. If you like these types of analysis and observations, please consider Subscribing and Like the video. This channel is primarily focused on providing recreational players with perspectives that may be a little more nuanced and different than what's typically presented.

[@123Rockchild]

I learn so much from your video instruction! Keep it coming!

[@Chris-Geezey]

I struggled with this same thing until recently. One thing I did was make sure to work on increasing my spacing from the ball and focus my vision out in front, but the biggest thing that helped me was what I did with my off arm. My off arm used to just tuck in towards my torso once my swing started and that was keeping my hips from rotating fully. Once I started to wave my palm towards the opposing player and finish with my hand up and outside my shoulder everything changed for the better. My power improved, my hips rotated fully, I hit further out in front and I lost the bend in my arm. This allowed me to line up with ball even further away from my body and allowed my contact point to move even more in front of me. I'm 47 years old and was hitting the ball late my entire playing life until I made this change. It absolutely leveled up my game.

[@ad-rock603]

'This is not pickle ball.' lmfao

[@TK-Tennis]

@@ad-rock603 I had to keep a straight face when saying it 😉

[@davidlohan1212]

I love that comment. 😂

[@daniellucas5708]

Loved the video anyway but with the pickleball comment you won a new subscriber!

[@kkarx]

Yes the bad stance is the main issue here. If he had his right leg behind his left leg it would be pretty much perfect contact point because his body would be more backwards. But that requires much more footwork to set it up. He took the easy way to play it and not the correct one.

[@marcg-rj8co]

I think the video is helpful in so far as it is a good explanation the challenge of changing technique. The brain loves taking shortcuts and that's helpful for people to hear. What I have found in recent years is there are multiple solutions you can offer someone to improve technique but it has to make sense to them. When that happens it is great to see the a-ha moment. The solution in this video will work for some players. Others will go searching for the contact point out front with a straight arm and get frustrated. It doesn't mean the suggestion was wrong rather the player needs to find the right prompt for it to make sense to them otherwise they will revert to what their mind finds easier to do. There is no easy fix rather it is a journey to find what works for you and can teach your mind a better shortcut.

[@f14tomcat37]

I loved this video - you know your stuff - and you explained things very well. Thank you.

[@Ms123456oz]

Excellent advice. Hit in the front is so rewarding experience

[@123Rockchild]

Great video. You opened up my eyes. LOVED those last words…..”This is not pickleball.” 👍

[@TK-Tennis]

More of that to come ;-)

[@s2lai]

Loving your videos. I think it’s very important to separate elite level tennis and what a lot of us at 3.5 can achieve. Also appreciated your comment on the inconsistencies of rally tempo and how it’s more difficult to time

[@TK-Tennis]

I plan on trying to do a better job in future videos explaining when and what aspects of professional players strokes lower level recreational should try and emulate versus what not to emulate. Thanks for tuning-in 👋

[@s2lai]

@ It would be great if you did an analysis on how much time is actually spent in each of these phases. I know we all love slow motion but to us recreational players trying to get the racquet flip - I feel like it’s lost on us how little time is actually spent in the flip, and how fast that flip must happen to actually produce the shots we see pros hit. I know my lag and flip is super slow to the point where I wonder if it’s worth it at all

[@TK-Tennis]

You raise a very good point. At high caliber levels the wrist lag is mostly a result of a loose grip and significant acceleration, whereas anyone who is not generating X amount of racquet acceleration will not be able to replicate that. I'm not sure what that level of acceleration is, but "I think" each person probably can determine this for themselves 🤷‍♂️. However, even if you do not possess that level of racquet speed, the wrist lag and drive can still be achieved in a more deliberate manner that relies less on momentum. This could be a very good topic to discuss in a conversational style video 🤔

[@yarivfreed1098]

Never heard it explained this way - excellent.

[@_eyuizcn_6051]

"this is not pickle ball" lmao liked and subbed

[@jackiet9141]

Could you do video analysis on your groundstrokes?

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

TK, Thanks for breaking it down. I hadn't heard this analysis before and appreciated the visuals around 4:50 🙂

[@cliveburks]

I played yesterday in heavy wind and rain and I had a lot to do in the day. I played terrible and the main reason was I was late on every forehand. So probably I was lacking in confidence and wanted to watch the ball and see what it did and I had little belief anyway that meant I didn’t play from habit. Thanks interesting take.

[@mikechan231]

This is a great topic. The reason this particular player is not hitting the ball out in front is because his swing was initiated mainly from the arm. You can tell this because his dominant shoulder is behind his non-dominant shoulder. Initiating the arm too early tends to hamper body rotation, the dominant shoulder stays back, and this is the position you get. Ian Westerman has a great video analysis of this on his channel. In the thumbnail, Carlo’s shoulders are level and you can see his (right) leg drive as a result of his hip rotation at the start of his swing. A good drill would be to try to hit hand-fed balls from an open stance. Initiate with the swing with a (right) leg drive and contact the ball with dominant shoulder out front.

[@TK-Tennis]

Excellent observation and insight. This reinforces our shared perspective that focusing on the initial loading of the leg is crucial to effectively initiate the kinetic chain. This approach is likely to enhance the uncoiling of the shoulders, although it’s not an absolute guarantee.

[@tennisforgood]

I write about tennis and I teach tennis. This is one of the most insightful instructional videos I've ever seen on YT. I'd add that there is a great way to teach people how to meet the ball out front. I mostly teach clinics at an adult getaway tennis camp (Total Tennis in Saugerties NY) and I always start off my clinics with 2.5-3.5 players by having them imagine a glass wall 12-18 inches in front of them, telling them to play the game Pong with that wall, i.e., simply block the ball from coming through the 'wall,' and saying "Now!" on contact. For some people, it's transformative. See Welcome to the Zone, by Scott Ford. He's the guy I learned this from.

[@peterastor613]

I’ve been to Total Tennis in the top group (4.0 & above) several times, and have never seen that drill. I wish I had b/c one of the problems I have is hitting late, especially against players who hit a faster ball. Interestingly, I have no problem against those with lots of topspin since the ball seems to wait for me to catch up 😊. I’ve thought my problem was footwork (like the guy in the video) and the inability to judge where the hitting point will be.

[@tennisforgood]

@@peterastor613 Hi, Peter. It's not a 'Total Tennis' drill. It's a Carl Frankel drill (that's me). It's very unconventional. I'm the only person at Total who uses it, and one of the few people in the world who uses it, in fact. You probably worked with Charles or Andrei or Bubla. I'm typically slotted into the 3.0-3.5 cohort.

[@essouna]

Amazing analysis and concept thank you 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@MrBigwill74]

Love that statement - this is not pickleball 😂

[@TK-Tennis]

Wait until I drop the "Pickleball is dying" video ;-)

[@dwaynebentley1633]

Thank you for this great video. I have always struggled with loading my back leg before striking the ball due to the timing of the incoming ball and where in space should tennis racket be before making contact with the ball. This video gave me some insight. You now have a new subscriber 🙌🏾

[@guyrestivo]

Love your video...ok..my 2 cents because i suffered with this from golf and I love this topic(ps..i dont play tennis/ im into pickleball..sorry..maybe tennis one day)..the absolute main thing is getting the hitting elbow in front of the right hip(or try to)...this creates rt shoulder internal rotation..that elbow needs to be moving in front and not get stuck.....bad footwork..lack of centeredness..body over-rotation..poor off- arm positioning.. rt shoulder too high...hanging back..premature windshield wiper and pronation..etc.. ALL..repeat..ALL CAN FREEZE (and gets stuck)the hitting elbow and you ll never hit out in front...the hitting elbow needs space and movement..one thing that i find that helps is visualizing hitting the inside of the coming ball(and keeping the body closed longer)...this initiates the elbow and bends the wrist back creating LAG...Iga/sinner/djoko and the rest of western grips can play with bent elbows because the western grip naturally brings the elbow up front more with good hinge and lag....yes..many things can throw throw off extension which is why this topic is fascinating but for me the hitting elbow needs to move and not get stuck...again..great video..

[@quentincrisp6933]

Good points. By bending and staying low you can hit the ball earlier. It's plain physics.

[@Kikikuhio]

Very well explained. Thanks!

[@TK-Tennis]

Thanks for watching!

[@macross8767]

I started playing again this year after not playing for over 20 years, and hitting late has been a constant struggle for me. I’ve consciously tried to hit earlier and it’s super hard to override my “natural” late timing but it’s getting a little better. I’ll try focusing on arm extension.

[@DonYang73]

Movement and positioning is super important. On days i hit well, i realise that i am energetic and hardworking, not lazing and not waiting for the ball to come. On days i hit poorly , i am usually lazy and waiting for the ball and twisting my form to fit it instead of adjusting my positioning and soacing to meet it. Lastly, eyes on ball until contact. Watch the racket actually contact the ball before looking up.

[@tamasajtony9855]

Thanks this is really helpful, closing statement is great

[@TK-Tennis]

😉

[@Chi9ja]

thank you for explaining this so well

[@TK-Tennis]

Glad it seemingly worked out. I almost didn't post it since I wasn't very pleased with my explanations and delivery 🤷‍♂

[@orangecoolius]

I'd say it's because he's not releasing the racket. He's too tight and trying too hard to control it so he doesn't make good contact. You need to LET GO. Tension messes up the whole kinetic chain, which you can see for him, is non-existent. Way too rigid and tight. Also, he's hesitant and not confident, which is one reason he's slightly late. Commit to swinging and be free people.

[@TK-Tennis]

👍Very fair point and certainly a factor. Similarly to the mind habit, relaxing the grip is something that requires significant practice as well to form the habit.

[@haljam8828]

You talked about if swing back is long but not about if swing through ball is long and whether extention out for swing is happening. Why not? Great video by the way. Earned a subscribers.

[@TK-Tennis]

Fair point. I overlooked several other aspects as well that I will hope to cover in future vids. Thanks the sub! 👋

[@gnuttz1972]

So what are the cues to look out for to achieve proper positioning without late adjustment of feet? One of the things i always notice if watching pros just warming up rallying is their relative lack of movement to be in position for a rally ball. How do they achieve this? i guess one reason is the ball coming to them is a consistently decent length and pace which doesn’t tend to happen when you’re warming up with an opponent who has the same poor body positioning, late hitting etc as you do.

[@sebastiandomagala9233]

100% agree this time, at least most of the issues. The "T-Rex" myth however has been busted by Nik Aracic (Intuitive Tennis) recently. So if not performed thoroughly a bent arm may be a major issue. But Iga proves that it can work, her forehand is one of the best (if not THE best) on the WTA tour. And she hits the ball very close to her body.

[@SquatLife]

Another good video. I think the hidden gem here is talking about how the brain learns and how habits just process through the brain so much faster. The more you have to think the slower your reaction time is going to be, the tighter you are going to be. I sometime wonder if "natural" athletes don't really use their frontal cortex to learn physical skills and avoid the trap of thinking. They just do it by primarily using their cerebelleum and motor cortexes. No intereferene from the frontal cortex. The bad way is "Ok, make sure I lag, then follow through over my shoulder and step in." Too much thinking. The good way "See ball, hit ball."

[@TK-Tennis]

👍 Maybe it’s less about being a 'natural athlete' and more about the advantages gained when someone learns certain skills at a very young age-before their developing cognitive processes. Overthinking and/or self-consciousness become obstacles to instinctive learning.

[@sportscastercanada]

Interesting.

[@johnwoodstock1893]

I think you are wrong. It's not about eyes really... And the bent elbow at contact is for sure not an issue ... Look sinner contact point .. his bent a lot and swiatek... She's extremely bent.. but his right shoulder is still everytime in front of the not dominant side of her body.... The main problem is the initiating of the rotation over the arm mechanic... If you open your body in a wrong tempo or way... You'll end up with your dominant side behind the non dominant... You have to work on the rythhm the tempo of your stroke.. Record yourself to Involve things... Watch pro in slow mo... To understand...

[@ntnnot]

I tend to think the guy's main issues (in the shot featured in the video) are: 1) poor reading of the incoming ball followed by poor footwork --> Instead of being in the right position with the body coiled and loaded up he's late and needs to scramble with the right foot to reach the ball; and 2) not uncoiling correctly leading with the body so that your dominant shoulder is in front during contact which would subsequently put the contact point in front (unless you're late with the shot/swing). Not uncoiling correctly and far enough automatically leaves the contact point further back. RE straight arm: I'm thinking the bent elbow is fine. More stable than a straight arm. Both obviously work and both used by pros. Look at someone like Novak who has one of the best and most consistent FHs and FH mechanics using a bent elbow.

[@kwallin8136]

Just came back from playing against someone who hits much harder and with more spin than my usual hitting partner. My forehand has felt better and better but now my brain can’t take in that I have to prepare earlier and I’m late too often. It’s like I have to trick my brain to prepare earlier and hit infront. Only then can I play in his tempo but it’s hard. Just got to keep training

[@TK-Tennis]

It's a shock to the mind when you all of a sudden play with someone who hits harder than you expect. If you can hit with these players more often it will slow down, but in the meantime try and get into position and load-up the rear leg and let it rip 👋

[@jakehits]

rec hits at 90°. pro hits at 45°

[@3eran7e13]

What about 2 hands backhand ? Similarly videos.. Thx 😊

[@TK-Tennis]

Yes sir 👍. So much content, so little time ;-)

[@chaoxiang56]

His upper body rotation is also very poor. Hes weight transfer also could be causing him to arm the ball. Good to know about visual preferences. Like your science.

[@TK-Tennis]

All good points 👍. With better coiling and uncoiling it would increase swing speed and enable him to strike the ball in front more naturally

[@lenny6695]

Hi, im wondering what you mean by having a straight arm? Most pros hit with a bent arm but still manage to hit in front? Just wanting some further clarification on this. Thanks

[@TK-Tennis]

Hey Lenny, As a general rule, having less bend in the arm and striking the ball more out in front provides greater leverage, resulting in benefits like more efficient power generation and reduced stress on the body. That said, full arm extension isn’t always ideal, as it depends on individual factors like grip and ball height. Players with full Western grips typically hit with more arm bend, whereas semi-Western grips allow for a straighter arm and closer-to-full extension. Other variables, such as stance and contact point, also play a role. However, an arm bend approaching 40-45 degrees, as shown in the video, is often a sign of being jammed, which limits efficiency and makes it harder to strike the ball cleanly. Hope that provides better context that I failed to explain in the video.

[@twinwankel]

I think his timing and technique needs to be improved. It didn't take me long to learn the modern forehand so maybe my opinion is not really helpful for your topic. It's been a while but I remember just getting the kinetic chain right and making sure I had a loose arm. In my case, I started out playing with the modern forehand so I didn't have the baggage that others might have using old school techniques.

[@HarryMcGuire1738]

Do you recommend a bent or a straight arm forehand? It looks like most pros use a bent arm when hitting so it’s a bit tougher to understand whether you are jammed or not

[@TK-Tennis]

As a general rule, having less bend in the arm and striking the ball more out in front provides greater leverage, resulting in benefits like more efficient power generation and reduced stress on the body. That said, full arm extension isn’t always ideal, as it depends on individual factors like grip and ball height. Players with full Western grips typically hit with more arm bend, whereas semi-Western grips allow for a straighter arm and closer-to-full extension. Other variables, such as stance and contact point, also play a role. However, an arm bend approaching 40-45 degrees, as shown in the video, is often a sign of being jammed, which limits efficiency and makes it harder to strike the ball cleanly.

[@HarryMcGuire1738]

@ thank you. Very clear sir!

[@lrebsten7155]

I’ve taught tennis over 30 years and this is why I demand my students start from closed stance. Most Rec players don’t hit hard enough for you to deviate from closed stance because they are not hitting so hard it forces you to open up. (Think old school here with bare minimal thought). I’ve fixed this with adults by forcing them to hit closed stance and it works WITHIN A SUMMER. (And we are talking about people with full time jobs and not hours to spend on the court). What speeds up the process is having them shadow swing in their living room closed stance for 1/2 an hour when they wake up and make sure they shadow swing and focus on making imaginary contact with the ball out in front … even if they have to halt the swing where the imaginary ball is at the point of contact for one second and then continue through the stroke). Then next is to have them hit against the wall 1-3 hours a week. But closed stance, shadow swinging half an hour every morning with your racket - or even the palm of your hand - and hitting against the wall. Then me hand feeding them balls. And yes I got pushback from all those people, “who want to emulate the pros”. But when they see other Rec players who get better so fast, everyone is lining up to find out how they did it. The WORST ADULTS take me all Summer. Most people get it in a month. (And that is with me instructing them no more than once per week for an hour. And I find that after a while people naturally migrate back to open stance naturally but they still hit out in front. And when hitting out in front is automatic - after 2 month, THEN I emphasize foot work so they TRULY always position their bodies to maintain that feeling of trying to maneuver to every ball they can possibly get and put it in their strike zone. People come up with great new insights … don’t get me wrong. And this video briefly hits on the nuances of ball tracking and that’s great for people with time on their hands and months and years to spend. But most of my students don’t have a lot of money or time to do one on one with me for months. Nor do they always have access to a court. But they still want QUICK RESULTS!! The hardest part for me is to convince them that -Going back to basics is okay - and THEN you can go back to emulating the Pros. But if you want to know how “Johnny”, improved his strokes seemingly overnight training with me - keep it simple and basic.

[@Tonetone389]

How does a bent arm structure mean the player is late? Or I guess better question, how do you define, being in front and being late?

[@SquatLife]

Bent arm can be OK, but look at the shoulder at contact. His doesn't extend out. If the arm is bent and the should is extended forward it can still have good out in front contact. Sinner and Iga both have some degree of arm bend but right shoulder is almost always out front.

[@Tonetone389]

⁠@@SquatLifeappreciate the response! And your insight! I’ll have to rewatch a couple of his hits! From my perspective the position of the shoulder is an indicator of his upper body rotation or lack there of into the acceleration of the racket.

[@TK-Tennis]

A slightly bent arm is quite normal, but when it's as pronounced as shown combined with the ball being more to the side than out in front, then the contact area is too late. Hitting more out-in-front provides much more leverage whereas hitting later provides less leverage against the force of the ball. Depending on the grip, it's not always possible or ideal to have your arm completely extended as shown in the initial snapshot with Carlos. For example, players with full western grips (Iga, Fritz) will rarely ever being fully extended on contact. Players with semi-western grips often will have more extension simply by the nature of the grip. Hope that helps. Your comment is a good one, and tells me I could do a better job with my explanations. TY

[@Tonetone389]

@@TK-Tennislove the conversation! Thanks for bringing this to the online space! Would it be more apt to say then that from a biomechanics/physics perspective that a contact further “in-front” allows us to better optimize our body and racket for applying force.

[@TK-Tennis]

Hi Tonetone, Yes, as a general rule, having less bend in the arm and striking the ball more out in front provides greater leverage, resulting in benefits like more efficient power generation and reduced stress on the body. That said, full arm extension isn’t always ideal, as it depends on individual factors like grip and ball height. Players with full Western grips typically hit with more arm bend, whereas semi-Western grips allow for a straighter arm and closer-to-full extension. Other variables, such as stance and contact point, also play a role. However, an arm bend approaching 40-45 degrees, as shown in the video, is often a sign of being jammed, which limits efficiency and makes it harder to strike the ball cleanly.

[@conanthecribber]

LOL. I mean the video's intention was good, but after ruling out the other reasons it basically said "He's not hitting it in front, because he's not hitting it in front. He has to learn that habit". Not really the best explanation or "ah-ha" moment I was looking for.

[@pacu9]

I like it. Basically, it’s not a technical issue, it’s just the human tendency to try to make contact/catch the ball/whatever, as close to the eyes as possible. You have to fight that tendency. Anyway, I’m going to try it next time out

[@cb3719]

I do not agree with your fixes. Many pros especially WTA have bent elbow at contact. A guy names Novak in particular. His late step into the ball which then made his left foot way way too far back - causing him to decrease power from his legs and leg drive into the ball. Resulting in ‘arming’ the ball over. And when you ‘arm’ the shot, you have to have it near your body and not out in front (since no leg power to transfer into the arm in front).

[@annegross9543]

“This is not pickleball.” LOL

[@tr1ckster726]

Man, you can see Casper's problem clear as day and why he can't compete with the big dogs. He leans or falls backwards on every shot. That only works (amazingly) if you're Rafa or Alcaraz.

[@TK-Tennis]

Kyrios does much the same thing, it's not ideal and has drawbacks yet its easy to visualize for recreational players who need to drive-off their left leg more 👍

[@peterrattenbury8608]

It might help players not to hit late if they were aware of the increased risk of injury to their arm.

[@Tonetone389]

Tell me more!

[@coachhannah2403]

Confidence.

[@K4R3N]

So, reps

[@bennyc9265]

Casper also had more shoulder rotation pre-hit in addition to loading the back leg and hip.

[@TK-Tennis]

Good 👁️!

[@NamesAreRandom]

Nah, he's learned a catch and throw motion, more old school. He swings low under the ball, catches it on his racket and then throws it up and forward. Plenty of coaches still teach this. For the pro the arm swings forward at almost the height of the ball and then rapidly pronates over at contact to give spin. It's a competely feel and contact point - at contact the arm has basically finished going forward and the spin comes from the pronation, where as the more traditional swing the arm continues forward and up after contact and the spin is from that upward motion. I would teach him by emphasising it's always a slow fast motion (light the match), and going back to hitting short court where he can start with the racket out in front and just pronate over fast until he get a feel for it. Then when he goes full court get him not to swing low to high, swing at the height of the ball. See someone like tennis doctor videos.

[@honkeyness9427]

I think it’s because he’s been taught not to use his wrist

[@gydscutroo9973]

No. 1 reason? Not enough practice. Just sayin’.

[@tijgertjekonijnwordopgegeten]

but also not having a correct understanding of what he's supposed to do.

[@gydscutroo9973]

⁠IMHO … if you practice enough, what you’re “supposed to do” eventually becomes apparent through trial-and-error, … and then you either work through it until you get it … or (sorry to be harsh, but …) you just ain’t motivated enough to do that. Getting good is hard, and takes a gajillion reps, but most people watching KZbin videos think it comes down to identifying a weakness and then, as if by alchemy, fixing it because you now know enough to kinda’ recognize it. But it doesn’t work that way. Ask any high level player, and they’ll tell you that the single best thing anyone can do to meaningfully improve is grinding their way to moments of unexpected epiphany, not having those moments by virtue of learning a “tip” or whatever from someone who knows a little more than they do. Again … just sayin’.

[@kkarx]

@@gydscutroo9973 The most effective way to learn something is to know what to learn and how to learn. Trial and error is the least effective. Moreover majority of rec players don't even recognize that there is something wrong with their game. First you need to identify where the problem is. When you know where the problem is then you can start getting rid of it. That alone is very difficult and you constantly need to remind yourself to do it differently.

[@gydscutroo9973]

@@kkarx Fair points, … but “knowing what to learn” is kind of an art form. You have to be capable of objectively recognizing what you do right and what you don’t. Most people just ain’t great at that. When I said “trial-and-error,” I was presupposing that the person had a specific goal in mind (e.g. a shot, certain mechanics, increased power/pace, precision, a rhythm to their footwork, etc.) that they correctly felt was important to their improvement and were trying to learn, not that they were just kinda’ aimlessly drifting in a sea of hopeless confusion as to where their skills are weak and what they might try to do to change that. The “trial-and-error” thing is the necessary search for some sort of flow in the context of the mindful pursuit of the specific skill. What is practice, after all, if not just a lot of trial-and-error? For me, I watched a lot of video, particularly of Fed, and, in terms of mechanics, spacing, timing, etc, asked myself whether I was doing what he was, and, when I wasn’t, I studied the intricacies of what he was doing and worked at it tirelessly until I was … one stroke at a time, one aspect of footwork at a time, blah, blah, blah. Compared to Fed, and to be sure, I still suck, … but compared to most, I’m doing some things pretty well. Not full of myself, just how it is. But that’s all because I practice 1-3 hours a day, not including any match play. Most people just compete, but that won’t take you too far. It’s critical, but you gotta’ get into practice mode and rep it all out over and over and over and over, … until you’re genuinely sick of it, and basically can’t stand tennis anymore. Maybe … just maybe … by then , you’ll be decent. Just sayin’.

[@SquatLife]

@@kkarx So true. Yes if trial and error worked, I'd be on the tour by now. It is so hard to correct ingrained habits and to make long term change. Some people are great at it and others can take forever to change. It somewhat goes to the videos point of how the brain is wired.

[@lrebsten7155]

I’ve taught tennis over 30 years and this is why I demand my students start from closed stance. Most Rec players don’t hit hard enough for you to deviate from closed stance because they are not hitting so hard it forces you to open up. (Think old school here with bare minimal thought). I’ve fixed this with adults by forcing them to hit closed stance and it works WITHIN A SUMMER. (And we are talking about people with full time jobs and not hours to spend on the court). What speeds up the process is having them shadow swing in their living room closed stance for 1/2 an hour when they wake up and make sure they shadow swing and focus on making imaginary contact with the ball out in front … even if they have to halt the swing where the imaginary ball is at the point of contact for one second and then continue through the stroke). And if they don’t have 30 minutes, at least do 100 shadow swings in the AM and 100 shadow swings in the PM. And if they don’t have room in their apartment or living room to swing a racket; they can use the palm of their hand. Sometimes rote learning is best to learn the basics QUICKLY and have them stick and rewire your brain quickly and easily. Because most of the people I know don’t want 30,000 things going through their head when trying to learn and ingrain a new concept. They want autopilot. And THEN they are open to the cerebral side of things. Then next is to have them hit against the wall 1-3 hours a week. But closed stance, shadow swinging half an hour every morning with your racket - or even the palm of your hand - and hitting against the wall. Then me hand feeding them balls. And yes I got pushback from all those people, “who want to emulate the pros”. But when they see other Rec players who get better so fast, everyone is lining up to find out how they did it. The WORST ADULTS take me all Summer. Most people get it in a month. And that is with me instructing them no more than once per week for an hour. And I find that after a while people naturally migrate back to open stance naturally but they still hit out in front. And when hitting out in front is automatic - after 2 months, THEN I emphasize foot work so they TRULY always position their bodies to maintain that feeling of trying to maneuver to every ball they can possibly get and put it in their strike zone. People come up with great new insights … don’t get me wrong. And this video briefly hits on the nuances of ball tracking and that’s great for people with time on their hands and months and years to spend. But most of my students don’t have a lot of money or time to do one on one with me for months. Nor do they always have access to a court. But they still want QUICK RESULTS!! The hardest part for me is to convince them that -Going back to basics is okay - and THEN you can go back to emulating the Pros. But if you want to know how “Johnny”, improved his strokes seemingly overnight training with me - keep it simple and basic. And I do admit that MOST PEOPLE don’t like hearing my advice. But when they see some of my students who use to suck for DECADES!!! EVERYONE wants in on the Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS) bandwagon. 😂😂😂😂 AND YES, I do have those students who REFUSE to do their “Shadow Swing Homework”, or lie about doing it when I know they did not. So I ALWAYS throw in a freebie. I make ALL MY STUDENTS come in 15 minutes earlier than their lesson time and Shadow Swing in the corner while I am teaching the tail end of my lesson - and it usually works out well because my previous student and I are usually picking up the last basket of balls. I can still talk to my current student whilst watching the Shadow Swing student out of the corner of my eye. And with the first student of the day, I just come in 15 minutes early and watch them Shadow Swing or make corrections.