Clear, concise . It is hard to go from a nice shadow swing that follows the technique to a swing that has a ball. I keep working on it and this reinforces what I need to do. Thanks
John - great point on not breaking the plane!! -- I've never heard of this but makes a lot of sense for the overhead too! (right) and let the body move before the arm - I like that too! (i tore my rt cuff twice trying to throw so I don't do that, but I can serve in a fluid motion, but tend to waiter tray sometimes. I do best when I toss out in front, pronate like Pete, and go spaghetti, but could use more power & racquet drop. I'm working on a higher elbow & relaxation. Thanks for your help, John!
I think it's trouble when the forearm to upper arm angle approaches 45 degrees. People do this to increase depth of their racquet drop when they should really improve and then increase their rotator cuff flexibility in external rotation. The more you can externally rotate your shoulder the naturally lower your racquet drop is going to be. Closing the forearm too much changes the shape/path of the swing and racquet, because the forearm has a longer way to go towards extension. People also tend to drop their elbow when it's too bent. Also, the racquet drop should be initiated by upper torso rotation, much like the lag on the FH.
Thanks Maurice. I don't disagree. Get flexible, establish the proper grip, positions and sequence of movements, and the racquet drop will naturally fall into place. That is the essence of the video. Best, John
What will help is the position with the racket head up In the L position with a calm down and then salute behind your head and try to feel shoulder over shoulder coming forward slowly😮
Hi Mark, That is what I am presenting although I am not a fan of the term "salute", as it often creates a lasso pattern that is detrimental to an efficient motion. Best, John
What I noticed you doing in your shadow swing, which I do similarly, is rotating the upper body too soon and looking forward almost before the racquet head has hit the imaginary ball. In other words not looking up for long enough. Such that when you have to try and hit the ball, you have to look up, and the positions are all different. I found myself repeatedly doing this over a year or more. It's very difficult to make the transition to hitting the ball with the correct motion and position if you are not doing the correct form in the shadow swings.
Thanks for your comments and observation. Interesting: I frequently make this comment to my students when they are practicing/ shadow swinging. I will be sure to emphasize this in future videos, and also focus on it when presenting. Thanks, John
Good video. Now that trophy position on the right side I have difficulty with but I’m fine where the racquet is slightly above my head in the trophy phase as tomaz from feel tennis showed (head pointed towards net). Is there any benefit to mastering the way you’re showing compared to the other? Thanks
Thank you for the feedback and great question. The benefit from starting at an earlier stage is you create more lag...very similar to throwing a ball. However, Federer was in the position you (and Tomas) describe and his serve was great! So experiment and find out what is best for you! Kindly, John
Clear, concise . It is hard to go from a nice shadow swing that follows the technique to a swing that has a ball. I keep working on it and this reinforces what I need to do. Thanks
Thanks for the feedback and keep up the practice! Best, John
John - great point on not breaking the plane!! -- I've never heard of this but makes a lot of sense for the overhead too! (right) and let the body move before the arm - I like that too! (i tore my rt cuff twice trying to throw so I don't do that, but I can serve in a fluid motion, but tend to waiter tray sometimes. I do best when I toss out in front, pronate like Pete, and go spaghetti, but could use more power & racquet drop. I'm working on a higher elbow & relaxation. Thanks for your help, John!
Thank you for your feedback. Let me know your progress!
I think it's trouble when the forearm to upper arm angle approaches 45 degrees. People do this to increase depth of their racquet drop when they should really improve and then increase their rotator cuff flexibility in external rotation. The more you can externally rotate your shoulder the naturally lower your racquet drop is going to be.
Closing the forearm too much changes the shape/path of the swing and racquet, because the forearm has a longer way to go towards extension.
People also tend to drop their elbow when it's too bent.
Also, the racquet drop should be initiated by upper torso rotation, much like the lag on the FH.
Thanks Maurice. I don't disagree. Get flexible, establish the proper grip, positions and sequence of movements, and the racquet drop will naturally fall into place. That is the essence of the video. Best, John
“don’t try to make a racket drop”. “You can’t force a racket drop”. key key statements.
Thanks for your comment and contribution to the video! Best, John
good stuff
What will help is the position with the racket head up In the L position with a calm down and then salute behind your head and try to feel shoulder over shoulder coming forward slowly😮
Hi Mark, That is what I am presenting although I am not a fan of the term "salute", as it often creates a lasso pattern that is detrimental to an efficient motion. Best, John
What I noticed you doing in your shadow swing, which I do similarly, is rotating the upper body too soon and looking forward almost before the racquet head has hit the imaginary ball. In other words not looking up for long enough. Such that when you have to try and hit the ball, you have to look up, and the positions are all different. I found myself repeatedly doing this over a year or more. It's very difficult to make the transition to hitting the ball with the correct motion and position if you are not doing the correct form in the shadow swings.
Thanks for your comments and observation. Interesting: I frequently make this comment to my students when they are practicing/ shadow swinging. I will be sure to emphasize this in future videos, and also focus on it when presenting. Thanks, John
Good video. Now that trophy position on the right side I have difficulty with but I’m fine where the racquet is slightly above my head in the trophy phase as tomaz from feel tennis showed (head pointed towards net). Is there any benefit to mastering the way you’re showing compared to the other? Thanks
Thank you for the feedback and great question. The benefit from starting at an earlier stage is you create more lag...very similar to throwing a ball. However, Federer was in the position you (and Tomas) describe and his serve was great! So experiment and find out what is best for you! Kindly, John
You are the best. I share with friends. Ellen
Really appreciate it