YouTube is NOT Helping Your Tennis!

#1 Amazon new release for tennis book - Essential Tennis: www.amazon.com/Essential-Tenn... Order your copy today and learn from my top 38 principles for tennis success!
Are you spending hours learning new mechanics and ideas from the internet to try and improve your tennis? Is it working? For most players, the answer is no...
Weren't not saying online instruction is bad, it's just most players don't know how to properly utilize this tool, or the improvement process in general. Here's how...
#tennis #coach #youtube
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#tennis #essentialtennis #tennislesson

[@EssentialTennis]

Get 15% off ALL Diadem gear here: diademsports.com/discount/ET15 Their racquets, strings, grips and balls are all fantastic!

[@MyTennisHQ]

😂 I love this. I often question if any of my videos make a difference. Hard to know. But yeah most people don't have the time to actually get better. It's hours and hours on court creating good habits. Strokes are ever changing, adjustments are always happening. There's never really a final form yet most people are looking for that! Great video

[@EssentialTennis]

I respect your honesty and authenticity so much, Karue! Love your content 🔥

[@marcelobarros5729]

While it's true that most of us don't have the time to apply many of your tips and lessons, I can say I've picked up some tips here and there that have helped me on technique. A very simple example is just the psychology of the serve toss when you talk about just placing the ball and not tossing. Now, of course that's a simple one and I think many teachers do teach that ... but I am not taking lessons :-) . So I think your videos do provide value even for the weekend warriors although I think your content is typically geared more towards the more advanced level (5.0).

[@nightowldickson]

It most certainly does, but probably for players who are around advanced intermediate level.

[@bournejason66]

Karue’s right to left weight shift on forehand and Ian’s racket face and path help me improve my game tremendously.

[@guitarnoob4568]

Karue, your videos helped A LOT! Just from that latest video you did with Winston about his second serve, the tips were just so on point, I played two days in a row after that video, and I got so many love games from my service games lol (i'm lefty btw)

[@user-gy2lh1qn4e]

A coach told me, and I think it’s true. You can really only change one thing at a time-and need to give it a week or two of constant attention. There is a tendency to lose focus and start working on something else before the habit is firmly ingrained. As a result, people really don’t change at all. Getting better quickly is the enemy of getting better at all.

[@Jitzie]

it's not a week or two, every individual is different. It's however long it takes...

[@electric_boogaloo496]

My personal goal is to be able to look at a video of myself playing and feel proud. As a pure casual player, aesthetic improvements to my game has taken priority over winning "dirty" points.

[@jordanwinn5330]

“You can’t break an old habit if your primary goal is to win.” GOLD advice! Nothing wrong with playing to win but technical improvement and immediate results almost never go hand in hand! Love this video!

[@EssentialTennis]

You got it. Thanks for watching!

[@wackojumey]

For me KZbin videos did help me get a lot better! During the covid lockdowns I took the dive and did at home training with a lot, a lot, of video's. Before I was just a wild boar that swung a racket at a ball but after I know what I am doing (the tennis lessons at the club were fun, but it didn't teach in dept technique) Mostly it was understanding what and how technique influenced the ball and how to move the body in the right way for strokes (slow shadow swings). I didn't just watch Quick Tips video's but also a lot of videos with real life lessons and actually participate in them. Then I took it to the courts and implement the new learned stuff to real ball play (just hitting with a friend no matches). Of course it still took a while before everything became as fluid and normal...but also during the first few matches I kept on focusing on the technique and not the win, getting used to using the technique while having some pressure on me. But without EssentialTennis, MyTennisHQ, PlayYourCourt, TopTennisTraining and many others I would still be that wild boar! I still do at home practice when I feel like swinging haha.

[@BeastRane]

Step 1. Record yourself on video. Step 2. Compare yourself to a professional Step 3. Start easy, to make sure you focus on doing the technique correctly. Ex: shadow swings, no ball. Step 4. Verify with video. Doing step 1 and 3, you can verify your technique is correct. Step 5. Increase the level of challenge slowly (10% at a time). Find small ways to increase the difficulty. Don't jump up the difficulty a ton right after doing some shadow swings. Step 6. Verify verify verify. Continue to verify as you increase the difficulty. You might go back to your old habits as you increase the difficulty. Step 7. Repetition!!! Continue to train and re-verify. You need to repeat a lot to make the correct technique become subconscious habit. Expect it to take long, do not expect your technique to be fixed in a day. For myself to refer back to. Great video, will think of this when I catch myself watching too many videos and not practicing!

[@andygilhooley]

Don’t sell yourself short Ian. Before I watched your vids I could only do a one handed floaty slice backhand that often went long. Now I have a decent enough top spin double handed backhand that can be hit fast enough for clean winners. 💪🏻 🎾

[@EssentialTennis]

So glad to hear that!

[@jassay6435]

Nice and wise tips. About new skills in match, I’d like to say more, “you cannot be happy if you win and if you didn’t do what you said you would do, you have to be happy only if you did what you promised yourself you would do, that is the process to perform.” We call it success to change a skill, and cwhat’s more, this is the happiness that tennis/competition bring to us

[@nvl6880]

I try to improve one aspect in about 6 to 7 month, before moving to the next. Typically after competition season, to have it ready intime for the next. I started playing in 1977, with Borg's Donnay. Changed my technic over the years a lot. But take one max two things you feel you need to improve overall the most and stay with it until you feel you're ready for the next. If I try to improve too many aspects at the same time, I feel I lack enough computational brain power to think of all that. Then, after a while, in a game, you notice there is enough memory left to excecute your new leanings. I learn from all youtube coaches, starting with Jeff Salzenstien way back to you Ian. And thanks for that too you all. I whish one day you all find yourself learning from eachother, comparing technics, sharing feedback and coming together. Sincerely, Niek

[@SeireaTennis]

This is one of the things from your book I've taken to heart most. If I really want to change something, or break a bad habit, I *have* to either shelve the thing during match play, or shelve match play entirely for a while.

[@EssentialTennis]

Awesome, glad to hear it

[@Shaunsweeney-Kubach71]

I have gotten a lot better from watching tennis videos, and I utilize the knowledge and training by using the information on the tennis court.

[@grimson]

Excellent video Ian! I have definitely been helped by your videos, and Karue's and others, but it helps that my profession is coaching (soccer) and I therefore have a pretty good understanding of the process of improvement. As you say, it's not as simple as watching a video and then trying your 'new' technique in a match. Under pressure, we almost always default back to old habits, until the new habits are truly ingrained. And that takes time and effort!

[@seanmurphy7858]

Love this message Ian. Appraise, verify, do. Appraise, verify, do. I have made so much progress by breaking down movements into easy chunks, quality repetitions, review and slowly increasing the pressure. For us old dogs, focusing a rebuild on a single stroke/movement at a time is well worth it. The time commitment can be reduced if the focus is increased.

[@thenaturalyogi5934]

This is exactly what my coach keeps telling me regarding focusing on what I should be doing and not the match itself, but I don't see myself while playing matches so the last time I played a match I recorded myself on my side of the court and saw stuff that my back hand wasn't what I thought it was. 😂 From now on I'm going to be recording my drills and every session especially the matches. 😂

[@FortuneTennis]

Thanks Ian for this! I do believe that it is important to realize the difference between feel and real. That is why I video record my students so they can see the difference. I’m starting to provide tips on KZbin too which I’m excited about this journey, but I also see how students can miss out on really improving if they only apply a few tips here and there. Awesome content Ian!!!

[@EssentialTennis]

Amazing, good for you! Your students will be better for it!

[@hexabusman]

I totally agree with you, Ian. Though I have to admit that I find these videos relaxing and can't help hoping something sticks by magic. It doesn't. As you have illustrated repeatedly, knowing what you need to do is not enough, it's just step 1, and a relatively easy one at that. My problem is that in order to make durable, major changes to my technique I have to stop playing matches for 6 months, and I don't want to. It's just too much fun to play, even with our not perfect but serviceable enough strokes. I will go out and practice alone, serve whole baskets, hit agains the wall, but come the weekend, it all goes out the window, mostly.

[@staceyzoller2811]

Great timing! I played a match this morning and told myself I would stay committed to implementing the serving changes I am working on. It was a rough first set, but I stayed the course on the new serve technique because that's what I need to do for "big picture" improvement. And the second set serving went much better!

[@EssentialTennis]

Good for you, Stacey!

[@dadsfreetimeclassicgaming1220]

What were the changes?

[@joysonmenezes2158]

Great video! Very helpful 😊 Do you advise correcting one or two techniques during training? E.g. if I am drilling for an hour, so should I focus on just forehand drive for 1 hour or 30 mins each on forehand drive and volley? Thanks kindly.

[@SickAttorney]

I learned proper serve motions and stuff with videos and after the idea was in my head I just kept doing it until I got better. That's the only case I can think of, nothing else

[@trevormay226]

As somebody who’s played for awhile and has never taken an in person lesson I was at first a little disappointed you were knocking the online learning process . But when I watched the video and heard what you had to say it aligned with a lot of the things I’ve felt but haven’t had words to put to. I had started taking videos before watching this videos but I only did it sometimes . I think from now on most of my practice will start with videos of myself , and go from there . Great video , great to learn some techniques to make practice more effective and productive , thanks.

[@andriimuzychuk711]

26 years in tennis as amateur. Played since 10. Coached for a few years in a group of 4-6 kids. My MAIN point - all youtubers are good! I watch you all. Why? Because someone will explain a thing in a bit unique way that I personally will understand how to execute it on court. The second point - you need to PRACTICE! I successfully turned a few of my tennis partners into practicing and not playing competitive match. This is the key - practice! All videos help. You just need to train, practice. You need repetitions.

[@robertyacoub9705]

More brilliant stuff from Ian. He is the ultimate in getting into the head of a tennis player. Just so much value in this. It’s so incredible how deeply he thinks about this and how well and consistently he communicates it.

[@blarpieman]

Doing video's is really the only way to make improvements without a coach. I video every session and analyze each one what could be better and take that to my next session that way there is always something on the menu to focus on. In 15 months of doing this I moved from around 3.0 to around 4.5-5.0 in practice. It can be done and the wall is a key component and Not slamming balls against the wall but establishing repeatable new patterns that focus on quality not quantity. Shadow swings in the living room are important too.

[@EssentialTennis]

That's super impressive, good for you!

[@blarpieman]

@@EssentialTennis Thanks so much you guys are the best!! I never understood why so few record their sessions. Its essential no pun!

[@xg3069]

What do you mean by “4.5 - 5.0 in practice”? Bear in mind that most tennis players plateau, some at 4.0, some at 4.5, lots of tennis players have been playing for 20 years + and never reached 5.0. So good for you if you managed to do it in 1 year!

[@blarpieman]

@@xg3069 I practice at a high level just haven’t played a match in years. I will say I obsessed everyday about the stroke and how it looked and still do. This last week was a huge upgrade in consistency and fluidity. I played in college but quit for 25 years and took it back up at 47 in sept 2021 and my game was horrific I mean like beginner status bad. Old world strokes. I used the phone did a ton of drop ball, wall ball and then some playing then now I play once a week and add improvements every couple weeks. I also studied the pros in slow motion a lot which is useful.

[@xg3069]

@@blarpieman that means hopefully you haven’t reached your best level in tennis yet! Am sure you can become better than during your college years, age 49 should not be a factor.

[@spacexbrawler]

Thanks for pointing all this out. I've recently started going deep into tennis tube and I've already found improvements in my serve and mechanics on specific shots. I think a lot of people can know the info but it's a whole other thing to see it in your game. I think the top two things people need to be doing is recording themselves playing to see the mistakes happening and developing better body awareness.

[@nathanmiller6051]

We've never talked about it Ian but you have helped me understand coaches, get the most out of a lesson, how to be coachable, take a lesson and appreciate different tennis Coaches, I've learned a ton from maybe five or six of my favorite tennis Coaches, things I've never seen or thought about 😊 plus I just enjoy watching great tennis coaching! I agree 💯 with you tho Great job! Thanks 🙏❤️🎾💪

[@EssentialTennis]

Good for you, Nathan! Way to take charge of your tennis learning!

[@lyndseyandandrew5771]

Can't tell you how much using slow mo video on my phone for solo practice has helped me over the last few years! Learning still takes ages but I've learned that it's possible. I appreciate youtube coaches for showing me the way. Definitely a "necessary but not sufficient" situation for youtube coaching!

[@EssentialTennis]

Good for you! So few players record themselves!

[@lyndseyandandrew5771]

@@EssentialTennis Appreciate it! I've found the next level of challenge for me is identifying what, on video, is causing what I'm seeing. That's really hard! But good video instruction with occasional personal reviews has helped a lot.

[@SkittlesandFiFi]

One of your best. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@EssentialTennis]

Glad it was helpful!

[@deantanglis9511]

Something to add to this. Especially when you were talking about the consistent issues that always show up amongst all students. The equipment most tennis players use, don't require them to develop clean technique. For example, your forehand example, if people used heavier, players' frames, they wouldn't be able to just muscle balls. It would require them to recruit the proper muscles. Instant results usually get appreciated more than long term results. Dealt with this a lot growing up from club pros. My father had me using a pro staff 6.0 85 from 10-14. Every single coach I had begged me to switch frames, claiming how much more power I'd have, more spin I'd have and so on. By the time I was 15-16, I had the biggest forehand at the club, but even coaches didn't see the long term approach to it. It applies to juniors and adults, people tend to pick what feels easiest and requires the least amount of struggle, which usually results in the least amount of progress as well. It's extremely hard to reinforce change on your own as it is, when the equipment you use lets you rely on bad technique, it makes it almost impossible.

[@EssentialTennis]

Really appreciate your thoughts!

[@wackojumey]

Nice comment! I heard from a coach who took a like wise approach to coaching and gave a newer player a Vcore Pro 97 instead of like an oversized power racket. Especially to not get results from the racket but from technique. And let them not be afraid to swing out on the ball while using the techniques where the big power racket would smack the ball out of the park and make the trainee get scared to make the full swings. Plus the racket is comfortable and not a baseball bat on the untrained arms.

[@davidwickersham710]

It’s hard to find club pros who will spend the time with amateurs on drilling new habits. I even had a popular youtube coach tell me amateur club players can never really improve. I think he meant because they do not put in the hundreds of hours it takes to make fundamental changes. It’s tough for sure to change old habits. This video really hits that point

[@EssentialTennis]

Unfortunately I agree: it's hard to find a really good coach who actually understands what it takes to change habits.

[@portlandtennis4646]

I will tell you this, your channel has made me a better coach. Especially the videos with a live look at the lessons.

[@swagger2009]

Thanks for this video - makes good sense but nice to be realistic about the process. I was curious to know if there is a particular app you use on your iPad to do the video capture and slow-mo playback. Can you please share a link? Thanks

[@Shaunsweeney-Kubach71]

I watch your videos and every one of the videos of the people you mentioned in the video. I also practice and play tennis 4 to 5 days a week. I have improved my tennis tremendously. Benjamin Franklin said you can form a habit or break a habit in 3 days. I use videos of myself to make sure I am playing properly. Ty my dude.

[@user-pm6dm2qg6h]

I found out that no matter how many hours and how intense the training is you cannot beat time. In order for the mind and body to absorb any critical change in technique, serious amount of time is needed. KZbin coaches help a lot if someone can filter and try out their advice... btw the same applies for face to face coaches.

[@oliviamou60]

probably one of the most important youtube videos on tennis out there. Watching videos and practicing doesn’t guarantee success. Failure #1: You can’t break your own habit if your primary goal is to win. FEEL VS REAL. Problem #2: progressions.. Making a tiny change feels gigantic. Good improvement but only is 25% of the position it needs to be. Reason #2: Repetition, Quality, & Quantity CORRECT repetition is KEY. First time you do it, don’t expect to get it right away. Steps… #1: Record your wrong thing. #2: Compare where you are starting to a WORLD CLASS result. Step #3: Start easy..record yourself doing shadow swings. Start without a ball. Step #4: Record yourself & verify you are doing it right. Step #5: slowly increase the challenge..small ways Step #6: Continue to verify. Step #7: Repeat! Rinse and repeat and verify and train.

[@saschamillard8270]

I have to admit, I was a bit of a critic of your channel a couple years ago but this video especially solidifies to me you're a great coach. And I mean great, because there are a lot of experienced coaches who don't get this. The feel vs real is something my coach and I talked about, and it is genuinely something you do not figure out as a player until you're thousands of hours in. So this information is indispensable as someone with only a couple hundred. I'd also add to something you alluded to, it isn't just that people don't like get to worse and don't realize how long it takes to learn a new stroke, it's that most people do not realize they don't want to put in that time. It becomes a second job in some cases. I personally compare it to walking through a thick sea of mud. Every step is slow and the sea just seems to get thicker and larger, but if you can push through it to notice some semblance of improvement, that dopamine hit will kick in and you can learn to enjoy the process. Great work, Ian!

[@butchgo6130]

On the contrary, YT videos did help my tennis game improve. I love and learned the game in my teens without a trainer. I'm in my seventies and I still play singles and doubles. This old dog learned new tricks by watching YT videos.

[@gabrielariveramagallanes2695]

I actually use a combination of your videos (and Karue's and Winston's honestly) as my study time to make very MINOR improvements or to get ideas on the court. I am an amateur player but want to constantly improve and understand the endless amount of tweaks you can do to your game - for many reasons: to improve my form, and technique, prevent injuries, and enjoy myself more when practicing or playing USTA leagues. That said, your content and MyTennisHQ is amazing but I study it with a realistic perspective that not everything applies to me or my game. I consult with a coach and then dedicate sessions just to make sense if it works for me. So, if anything this is a disclaimer that your content is study material, and same as everything else needs to be adjusted and adapted to you. Thank you for this video and for your incredible work!

[@robertyacoub9705]

This also helps immensely even if you are working with a live coach because it empowers you to have great input into the coaching.

[@eliastieleniuskruythoff7588]

So true! ......

[@user-iw5bk7nq2l]

Great information. However, is there a particular app that you'd recommend using to video our strokes, particularly one that will provide a side-by-side comparison of my stroke vs. Federer's or the ideal form? That would be tremendously Helpful. Thanks...

[@EssentialTennis]

The one I use is called "OnForm". Cheers!

[@user-iw5bk7nq2l]

@@EssentialTennis Perfect! Thanks very much.

[@markchan006]

Progress is only made with hundreds of hours of training with constant focus. I was new to tennis last year and developed a waiter tray serve in the first two months of playing. Then it took me like 4-5 months of solo practice just for the serve on an empty court with self-recording (3-4 hours a week, which adds up to around 70-80hours of training, probably hundred thousands of repetitions) while getting tips from coaches in group class, to finally get good racket drop on edge, leading with the edge & tossing arm extended then tucked inside body subconsciously. But still even my serve motion is pretty "proper" now I have bad control on my serve placement. And I only hit slice serve by accident and still can't do any kick serve even though in my mind I know how to do them after watching youtube vids. Watching a 10 mins video is perhaps all you need to understand the mechanics of serve but being able to hit the fundamentals takes at least 100 hours of training (moths of very dedicated training), and to do it well may take 1000+ hours, that is, years of training. In the meantime, I can only accept progress is made with non-stop practice and hopefully my serve will further improve after more months, years, decades of training.

[@paddlepower888]

I read Inner Game of Tennis. Not really long. Could help.

[@RobManser77]

This is so, so true. I’ve had intensive coaching in quite a few sports in my life so far, and coached one myself, and everything you say here applies universally to everything I know. The most profound thing is probably the difference between what you think you’re doing and what you are doing, which is why real life coaches are important, and why You Tube and books often fail.

[@deadpres]

Ian, what are you using to record, and what program are you using to play back side by side?

[@rayrozema5960]

Very Insightful

[@EssentialTennis]

Good to hear!

[@DelMelo]

Well this is a sobering splash of cold water on my ATP dreams! But always appreciate your honest and forthright insight, Ian.

[@EssentialTennis]

😆 Sorry!

[@mvmcali6900]

What a great video you made here. It really made me smile. So funny and so true 👍

[@rainsprinkle1965]

Is there an app you use to analyze the tennis stroke?

[@CuddyTennis]

Feel vs Real plays such a huge part in the swing. Very similar to baseball where the player must establish their own mental cues for execution. Whether or not those cues are what they are actually doing. (example: wind shield wiper, petting the dog, etc.) Practice what the goal is and use mental cues to guide the body

[@EssentialTennis]

Keep up the good work, Cuddy!

[@dai786]

what good slow mo player we can use for iOS or Windows ?

[@cincotennisacademy3449]

Preach Ian!!

[@TennisHacker]

Great video Ian! Hopefully lots of players will get to see it and it won't get downed out by yes another video claiming we can hit Federer's forehand in 3 simple steps (even though no youtube coaches can hit their forehand like Fed, including amazing players like Jeff Salzenstein, Alex Slabinsky & Karue). The only think I would add and know you've talked about this in other videos is the importance of working off the court so that your body is capable of doing the thing you are trying to do. The simplest example being if you want to use a split step your calves have to be strong enough to do it on every shot. People often use time as an excuse, but there's normally a way to fit things in because you can do calf raises while watching YT videos and scrolling on insta.

[@EssentialTennis]

Fantastic reminder! Appreciate your support!

[@nathanmiller6051]

It's exciting to see the NexGen tennis Coaches too! some of them are on 🔥 there coming!!!! 🙏

[@EssentialTennis]

Lots of fantastic content out there

[@gavinmasterson2242]

I am always recording myself during practice to give me feedback on my intentions vs outcomes. I've been working on my forehand for 5 weeks with video, and I'm finally seeing it move in the direction I've been aiming since day 1. I now have correct body rotation, which causes the wrist lag and gives me the world power and safety that the videos are not lying about. Maybe I'll even post some clips of my evolution one day if I'm brave enough. Importantly, I'm not trying to change anything else. Just my forehand technique, consistency, and feel.

[@patb.814]

I'm very happy after the first few sentences after having seeing my intuitive tennis boy on the thumbnail.

[@EssentialTennis]

Nikola is awesome!

[@adriant240]

Nah, Tomaz is the goat.

[@vectorthurm]

I have recently only focused only on 1 thing at time with the help of a pro, constant video and some online tips. I have put match play on hold. Better technique is more important to me, once I am satisfied my strokes are where I want them to be (which may never happen lol) I will dial up the match play. I stopped watching KZbin videos…until now! Thanks a lot Ian for getting me sucked back in lol😂

[@crruan1142]

Thank you for this welcome realism in tennis 101 Vid‼️👏❤️

[@melfox215]

Improving gets so difficult at a certain point. I try improving my level from a level like US 4.0 to 4.5 (German rating is different), but regardless hours of training serves whilevrecording, adjusting, talking to various coaches, etc., progress is slow. My experience is, that progress doesn't run linear. You have to be patient and find out what keeps you from improving to exactly transform it.

[@yutooober]

"Slowly but surely" - I don't think people understand how hard the first element is. There is no sure without slow. And we can spend years rushing through development stages and never improve. Last year I put my commitment to slow to the test. I tried to learn how to spin a ball on my finger. You can't skip here - each step is built on the other. I committed to five minutes or 100 attempts every day, and tried not to get discouraged or give up. TEN MONTHS later, it started to click. I might be an outlier, but I was shocked how long it took for my brain to knit that skill together. Now when I work on my serve, I try to bring that same mentality to the process. Step, step, step. Now my progress is slow, but it is sure.

[@EssentialTennis]

Good for you, keep up the good work!

[@-Munditimum-]

Love it. So precise and right to the point about rewriting tissue memory. What I love more is that it's highly likely that even this video will probably not make that difference.🤦‍♀ Hope that this is one of the cases where I'm 100% wrong. Cheers, M

[@EssentialTennis]

❤

[@-Munditimum-]

@@EssentialTennis 👊🙂

[@phillipenriquez2325]

3:46 Someone hitting the wall up at Smith Park in San Gabriel!

[@neygercey7899]

It's a long way from Brazil to USA. Have to use local tennis instructors.😊

[@tomk5238]

Yup I ve been trying to change my forehead and my serve. I noticed on camera when ever I play a game I default to the old one.

[@luyin1961]

So true, not just for tennis, but many other things as well. Most people look for easy and quick fixes, but don't have the time or discipline to actually practice. Same can be said of people taking lessons. I have some friends who take 2 lessons a week, but never practice/play tennis outside the tennis lessons. Guess how well they hit the ball.

[@EssentialTennis]

YES, so true about lessons being the same way.

[@luyin1961]

​@@EssentialTennis Thank you for the reply. Just want to thank you for the youtube videos and the book. For a lot of people, watching online instructions is fun by itself. And most people like the idea of improving, but not actually improving. It is a hobby, and whatever encourage people to have some cardio and fun is helpful. So keep the good work.

[@scissorsharp9032]

1. I can just imagine Nikolas face as he sees your thumbnail for the vid.😂 2. 100% but tennis is pure meritocracy and the people that assume yt is helping them improve whilst not improving are the ppl that haven’t ever earned a high level in anything… if your not willing to hit thousands of balls to ingrain a particular technique then you don’t care enough about improving. Thanks Ian, your insight on video analysis is not just important, it’s essential!😉

[@EssentialTennis]

Thanks for your support, Scissor!

[@astropiazzolla]

Excellent video, and perhaps a much needed one in the age of high consumption in this medium. In reality most instructional videos seem like documentaries on how someone who is already very competent does it, rather than how someone who's doing it already wrongly can fix it. Every time I see a video about "How to hit xxx", I feel like asking how many of your students have you changed by following this advise? Perhaps what we need more of is an evidence based approach, though that would be much more work to implement and perhaps go against the way these contents are meant to be consumed quickly.

[@speedymr]

Great Video Ian.

[@jb43311]

Hey Ian, very good insights. But what about age (adults vs kids). How much or I should say what is achievable for an adult player who is learning the correct forehand/backhand/serve mechanics? Is age a limiting factor and adult will always arm more or less the shot instead of using a full kinetic chain?

[@EssentialTennis]

Making big changes is much harder for adults than it is for kids. That does NOT mean it isn't possible, just takes more work.

[@repoman7804]

Thanks. That's one of your greatest ever instructional videos. In golf, there is a video teaching system that puts a monitor on the ground just in front of the ball that can show you a front and rear live video of your swing. You see yourself taking a backswing, the forward swing, the follow through, and immediately after ball impact, it shows the whole thing to you again in slow motion. It can also show your swing side by side with a pro swinging. It's the greatest teaching tool ever for golf instruction. An analogous system is obviously not possible in tennis since we're running around while hitting the ball, but your 7-step process is the next best thing.

[@AB-xp8im]

Sorry Ian but i got to disagree with the title of this video. You and other youtubers have shown me things i should be doing differently and then recognize that its going to take time for me to "get through the jungle"...and you know what, it works! I am SO much happier with my game now AND i've saved tons of money on lessons, or simply getting bad instruction, thanks to such videos

[@Brian_Pathitta_Life_Journey]

1. practice not play matches initially. So many of my comrades are so focus on playing matches/sets instead of taking the time to practice what they learn. 2. record yourself. you gonna hate it but you will find out what you are doing wrong comparing to the instructional videos. 3. be patient and do not give up. it will take time. took me a year to change my serve a little bit at a time.

[@asbestomolesto]

I can add that private sessions / lessons for just a week / ten days doesn't help also, because when the session finished, everybody goes back home and stop training over and over in the correct way, to transform all those precious advices and adjustement into habits. And this is another problem... :)

[@EssentialTennis]

You're absolutely correct

[@anacap007]

Feel is how we learn things but if you learn the wrong way, Feel can also trap you because we don't realize how easy it is to fool yourself. That's where video can help break someone free from that but that's only the first step. You have to accept getting worse before getting better when you implement something new. A lot of players aren't willing to pay that price.

[@EssentialTennis]

Very well said!

[@paddlepower888]

Playing sets with friends is fun, but my level after four years (and no lessons) isn’t something to write home about. I don’t get many good shots in during points in our doubles games-I blow a lot of shots. If I can practice a lot, I find I hit better in casual rallies and do things in rallies like aim at my partner’s backhand or move to the net if I’ve stretched him out. I can dip into games and matches gradually and retreat if I suspect declining technique. The tripod really shone today-my “Feel” was non dominant hand bringing the racket back on my forehand take-back. The video showed “real": my nondominant hand letting go of the racket very early in my take-back. I corrected that (confirmed with video) but tomorrow the old habits will try to erase today’s progress.

[@gab_ale]

5:00 Trey cameo. He has actually improved a lot with his private lessons.

[@EssentialTennis]

Love Trey's videos!

[@julianpenfold1638]

The approach described seems like the right one to me and the only one likely to produce results for most adult recreational players. I wonder why it's not the default approach. I suspect because most students and most coaches simply don't have the patience, get bored easily and prefer to kid themselves they are getting better. It's much easier to kid yourself if you're not working very specifically. If you focus on getting basics right, step by step, you are likely to notice that progress is incredibly slow and you will realise that your level of expectation is much too high and you will never be anywhere near the level you hoped when starting. What I would add to the approach described is to try to enjoy the process and to be relaxed but not sloppy - this is something I really struggle with and sometimes wish there were pills to help with that...

[@aleluia01]

Well, my game improved tremendously watching your videos and other videos. Certainly, it can only take you so far, but we are not aiming to be GS champions

[@EssentialTennis]

So glad to hear that!

[@2033rabbit]

As a tennis coach myself, you’re a true warrior letting that lesson throw your racquet for that serve practice.

[@gouveia305]

Which software you use to compare two videos side by side?

[@EssentialTennis]

OnForm

[@merileetanbara9749]

If I want improve Ms I have 1.25 hours of court time, how do I split up the time? For example, 5 min of shadow swings, 10 min of someone hand feeding, etc?

[@smokinjoe4684]

Tomaz deserved a photo in the thumbnail 4:27. Glad he got mentioned though LOL.

[@mixmastermikebiz]

If you don't practices this way, KZbin may not help your tennis. Better headline, or would it be as the current one got my attention! Anyway. KZbin has def helped my tennis, albeit slowly at times. Good motivation for me to add video and practice intentionally, thanks! I just played an opponnent who used Swingvision, I plan to get that app for use in my matches, eye opening!

[@ijz8543]

I cannot pay private lessons, and youtube videos really help me to improve. For me the key is to record myself and change the technique gradually. There's no such thing as instant improvement, it takes weeks or months to master a stroke

[@mohammadabuqubu7079]

THis video deserves Mil+ views and likes. Thank you, subscribed :)

[@chuckersthenut2097]

I understand your frustration. Most people just want to consume. It's what they're trained to do. To simply consume, not work hard. Then they run into this beast called tennis. Why can't I eat this? They wonder. Tennis has so many benefits socially, mentally, and physically. But it is hard. I can say for certain that your kinetic energy video changed fundamentally how I approach my groundstrokes. But I already had a solid foundation backed by uncountable ungodly, grotesque even, hours on the court.

[@wolfpacknation69]

“KZbin is not helping my tennis” - me watching KZbin to help my tennis. Now I’m really lost

[@mauricecatayan3406]

Tennis is technically a very difficult sport. There are a lot of reference points/body positions/postures you have to hit dynamically and fluidly to perform a stroke correctly or most effectively/efficiently. Therefore, it is hard to pick up, especially for adults who don't have above average coordination. KZbin videos are best for those who already have the strokes down but are hindered or confused by only one or two specific mechanical problems of any particular stroke.

[@dan.0]

This is the G.I. Joe fallacy in action. Knowing is not half the battle. We think that we can learn something from a YT video, do a couple of shadow swings at home, then go out to the court and execute it. But in reality, learning a new movement pattern takes a ton of consistent focused practice. I've been reworking my serve for 2 years and while I've made huge progress, I'm still making mistakes that I "learned" on day 1.

[@EssentialTennis]

💯🔥

[@doosrajawad]

How much jungle is cleared by each machete slash? This remains a total mystery to me. I watched a Mika Babel video dissecting Ash Barty's offensive slice down the line. I went on the practice court and cleared a path a mile deep. It has been my most reliable finishing shot in match play for a couple of years now. I have hacking away at the OHB topspin version of this shot for a decade, and I have not cut very deep at all.

[@lessfatty]

Whilst the content of this you tube isn't that bad the video thumbnail has crossed the line of responsible or reasonable. Imagine the reverse any of those creators having a thumbnail with your face with a big red cross saying "NOT Helping". We all know that you cannot watch any you tube head down to the court and do a Fed level airborne reverse backhand cross court volley. Their intent is to help and to the limit of the you tube media they do help in a way that is different but valuable to directly coaching.

[@majormajor9672]

I think it does help - obviously anyone who even plays the game knows that the ONLY way to get better is lots of ACTUAL practice with good and timely corrective coaching. But most people do not do this for a living and can only dedicate a small amount of time in-between job, family, and day drinking to play tennis. I would look at your channel, and also MyTennisHQ, and find maybe one or two tips to try next time. Does it magically make me a better player? Of course not. Is it enjoyable? Yes. If your goal is to go from a 4.0 to a 4.5, or from 4.5 to a 5.0, I think you are experienced enough to already know that watching a few videos ain't gonna work. But if my goal is just to find enjoyment and maybe marginally make my game better, then I find these clips useful and a way to pass 10 minutes while day drinking...

[@EssentialTennis]

Maybe it's obvious to you that watching videos doesn't = improvement, but for most people, it isn't obvious. If you're viewing them for enjoyment/entertainment only then by all means, watch them all! 😆

[@xawee7254]

How about if mental is the problem? I have played over 160 real matches in the last two years and my practice level is free swinging and my match especially against slower balls is very bad cus I tense up.. hate it etc..In practice I hit those balls fine.

[@ianbuick8946]

Diadem discount link doesn't seem to work.

[@EssentialTennis]

It's definitely working! Where are you located? As of right now I think it's US only.

[@JerryKellar]

I highly recommend the book, The Inner Game of Tennis. Our minds can't consciously control so many muscle group in real time. It's easier to imagine the stroke, and let your body mimic it. This is why young kids can do amazing things. Their minds are not clouded with so much info.

[@paddlepower888]

Yup. Just read the audiobook version and doing it again. Interesting how self 1 overthinks things that self 2 can do once he/she knows the technique.

[@adriant240]

KZbin is amazing for my tennis. So much good advice for free. I'd have to spend thousands of dollars with IRL coaches to acquire the same amount of knowledge. But yes you do have to put in the hours on the courts as well. It works if you know how to coach yourself.

[@EssentialTennis]

Yup, there's unlimited information on KZbin about how to get better at tennis. More isn't always better!

[@adriant240]

@@EssentialTennis I only watch stuff that I find interesting or I think might help my game. There's a lot of bad videos out there as well. The truth is also that I'm not willing to put in big bucks to get better. Tennis is for fun and exercise. If I don't improve then oh well. Life goes on. But I'm not close to reaching a dead end so it's still fun.

[@EssentialTennis]

Awesome, glad to hear that. Hope you keep enjoying it!

[@sonicmilk]

I've improved a lot thanks to KZbin. IMO key is to practice what you learn from the videos and I mean a LOT of practice.

[@thomasmedeiros5722]

Developing tennis skills is a long and continuous process. I started way back in the 1970’s with coaching by a teaching professional. I spent lots of hours developing proper strokes by doing drills and hitting with my coach. As the decades passed I started teaching and coaching. An important part of coaching is teaching players how to practice. I believe in doing drills to build skills. Then practice the way you want to play. Play points with a practice partner with out keeping score. Set a goal like you have to go to the net and volley to win the point. Then play tiebreakers using that skill. Then play a practice set emphasizing that skill. Don’t be afraid to lose points when developing or practicing skills.

[@filipposclub]

He spoke some facts

[@EssentialTennis]

🔥

[@FF_AlohaEdition]

Most people fail to realize their strokes are linked to another part of their strokes. For example, your forehand influence the way the backhand works and vice versa. Therefore you can't just change one stroke and expect your game to be better. Your strokes might change for the better but then makes another part of your stroke worse. Don't believe me? Well Federer never use a ball machine. Wonder why? It's because he won't learn anything from consecutive shots that's limited in varieties. He wants to hit with a live person so when that person expose a weakness in his stroke he can analyze it and fix it. All hope is not lost. Over time you will learn what works and what doesn't work. You will find the "Key". This key is the technique that makes your strokes better without making anything worse. Wonder why I say "Key" instead of saying exactly what it is? Well it's like I'm trying to explain what it's like to skydive to another person who hasn't skydive yet. Even if I tell you the key, you can't use the key because you won't understand it. Most of all, if your body is out of shape, unless you are in shape and experienced in the past, your body will only slow you down in the learning process. Sadly that's the truth. There's a reason why they teach kids tennis very early on because their brain can absorb information easier and most of all their bodies are nimble enough to execute all the techniques. Not to say youtube videos are useless. If you have no clue where to start, those video definitely is helpful to get you started. However be aware that these coaches are good at doing what they do because they are mediocre. They are good at teaching the basic to medium level skills. If they are truly great, they wouldn't be teaching but instead playing on the tour. True tennis professional has an even higher understanding of their techniques than whatever all these coaches can teach them. I myself got started watching intuitive tennis and got to say his advice is very helpful. However, it did not get me to where I want to be so I have to analyze myself and finally I figured out and reached a higher level. Lastly, just set a real and attainable goal. Don't say you want to become Federer. Be content with developing your own style. To me that's what motivated me to be better: To be similar to pros but at the same time be unique. That's why I never teach other people unless I get asked because I want them to find their own style. To me the second best thing in tennis is to play like a professional. The most best thing in tennis is to play unlike anyone else. I see all these generic tennis players and it's great that they find success playing the way they do but at the same time they are not unique and honestly not fun to watch. Just be yourself but be a better version of yourself tomorrow.

[@jakehkign]

Yes they are