Great stuff! If more coaches taught this stuff to the young ones we might have more variety in the game nowadays. Too many juniors don’t want to approach the net and volley for fear of being passed or embarrassing themselves with a volley miss. An over emphasis on baseline play lessons at all ages nowadays, is, IMO slowly dulling the whole fun of the game overall for both players and spectators. Loved watching Jimmy btw.
Great video! I'm having trouble putting short balls away and I always feel like I only have one option that is going for top spin. Now I realize that I have many options that can help improve my game and my confidence. Thank you.
Nice video. I would add some discussion about where to stand after going down-the-line and deep to one side or the other. Specifically, *Cover your line,* because the down-the-line passing shot gets to you the fastest. Many top pro's are standing near the net strap after hitting a down-the-line approach shot, and then look surprised when they get burned by a down-the-line passing shot
This strategy is so apt while receiving slow second serves in recreation tennis. I always wanted to attack the second serve but had just 1 strategy which was to attack by taking the ball on my forehand and hitting on opponent’s backhand while hopping on my left foot. This is why i used to struggle with low balls or too high balls as I would push them out of bounds. This should help me as I will now choose when to hit the hopping and when the underarm forehand. Thank you so much. My club tournament starts tomorrow and will let you know how it goes. 👍🙏
Excellent teaching, specially the forehand slice approach. I used to start running late to the approach and/or drop shots and get over excited with poor foot work and producing a jerky fast swing. I will practice running through the ball technique you showed and explained in your video. For me it is critical getting as soon as possible to the approach or drop shot so that I can get a more stable foot work and ramp up the swing acceleration from low (preparation) to medium initial downward forward swing to faster in the last phase from down and forward. This way I can produce a controlled, deep good pace shot.
Best two instructional tips I've received. Simply conveyed to help you hit agressive shots. I put them into use this past weekend with great results. Thank you!
Thanks for this lesson. I never considered the slice approach. Will try this my next match. I also appreciate how you split stepped when approaching net :-)
Oh you made it look so easy! My two problems I didn’t hear much about in this video are spacing and timing. Your unit turn looked a little different I thought than a baseline stroke (ie nondominant arm) and I assume you tried to hit the ball at the peak. Between different grips, swing pattern high/medium/high, footwork patterns, and maybe slightly different unit turn I can see why this can be an elusive shot for many. I’ll need to see this video multiple times and practice! Happy Thanksgiving!
I like how you don’t stop to hit but move through the ball which creates more accuracy and power. Is the hop step better used with the flat stroke? Is it no longer a hop step if I bring my back foot forward? Thank you Ryan!😊
Thank you for another great video. My 8-year-old son plays tennis and we've learned a lot from your videos. We have a slinger bag and would like to practice this drill. What settings did you use for this drill? (speed and angle). Thank you!
This is good. I coach a group that struggles to put the ball away when they get a short ball. Many of their opponents have mastered hitting slice put-a-way's from inside the service box. Would you be able to put a lesson together for that? It would be cool if you had points being played and you had the goal of hitting a short court slice winner that crosses the sideline first. This group doesn't have the power or control to crush a ball from the short court, so I need to give them something to use when they have the advantage.
Ryan, I noticed you are using the Slinger ball machine, can you please share your experience and whether it is worth for intermediate level player? Thanks in advance. I am huge fan of your teaching style.
I own a SlingerBag. It is a great ball machine for almost anyone looking to improve their game. There are endless drills you can find on TH-cam to fit your needs (beginner, intermediate, advanced). Only downside to the SlingerBag is the speed is generated with top spin alone and there is no way to turn that off. Also there is no option for backspin. Overall, my game has improved tremendously from using the SlingerBag. For reference, I'm a solid 4.0 player.
Underspin doesn't keep the ball low, it makes the ball bounce higher. Underspin can change the attack angle (from differences in air pressure on top versus bottom and front of ball), on a medium to high place ball and THAT keeps it low, or it can change attack angle attack angle on a medium to slow ball and it'll check up.... But relative to attack angle undispin makes the ball check up not down, it's topspin that makes the ball check down relative to attack angle, and again top spin changes the angle of attack to be more vertical and that's the reason it appears to make the ball check up, yet in reality if not for angle of attack the ball on top spin would check down. It's side spin that'll always make the ball stay low regardless of pace and attack angle. Connor approached with side spin, sometimes it was side to topspin, sometimes side to under spin. That's what made the balll scoot
So, am I correct that in all three cases, whether you arrive at the ball on your right foot and step through or on your left and hop, the common component is that you land on your left? That would seem to keep you in balance with your racket arm, no?
Great video. if I want to have heavy topspin, is it enough if I just put the racket under the ball and swing through or do I have to intentionally brush upwards? I always thought it's enough to just get under the ball.
Ryan, what's the reason you don't recommend the open stance strike on the slow, high approach? Also, can the slinger bag timing be set to longer intervals to have time to reset? I'm considering getting one
Yes the slinger can be set to long intervals. I was being lazy and I didn’t want to waste the time to correct it. I had to finish the video quickly in order to get over in time to the school to pick up my kids. Every second counted for me. As for the open stance short ball, I don’t consider that an approach shot. To me that’s a forcing shot that ends the point. Usually too risky for players and they’d benefit from hitting an approach and being more consistent.
1:54 Yay, that was me. Thanks for making the video!
Love this. This is my new winter 22-23 obsession. Thanks for the boost.
So glad to hear that. Appreciate the support!!!
Great stuff! If more coaches taught this stuff to the young ones we might have more variety in the game nowadays. Too many juniors don’t want to approach the net and volley for fear of being passed or embarrassing themselves with a volley miss. An over emphasis on baseline play lessons at all ages nowadays, is, IMO slowly dulling the whole fun of the game overall for both players and spectators. Loved watching Jimmy btw.
Thx for instruction. I like how u explain all slow, intentional and perfectly!!!
Exactly the video I've been waiting for. Superb instruction, as always.
Great video! I'm having trouble putting short balls away and I always feel like I only have one option that is going for top spin. Now I realize that I have many options that can help improve my game and my confidence. Thank you.
Nice video. I would add some discussion about where to stand after going down-the-line and deep to one side or the other. Specifically, *Cover your line,* because the down-the-line passing shot gets to you the fastest. Many top pro's are standing near the net strap after hitting a down-the-line approach shot, and then look surprised when they get burned by a down-the-line passing shot
hey thanks chuck. Yep, you're 100% correct. I've made dozens of videos on the exact topic you've brought up in your comment. Thanks so much!
This strategy is so apt while receiving slow second serves in recreation tennis. I always wanted to attack the second serve but had just 1 strategy which was to attack by taking the ball on my forehand and hitting on opponent’s backhand while hopping on my left foot. This is why i used to struggle with low balls or too high balls as I would push them out of bounds. This should help me as I will now choose when to hit the hopping and when the underarm forehand. Thank you so much. My club tournament starts tomorrow and will let you know how it goes. 👍🙏
Excellent teaching, specially the forehand slice approach. I used to start running late to the approach and/or drop shots and get over excited with poor foot work and producing a jerky fast swing. I will practice running through the ball technique you showed and explained in your video. For me it is critical getting as soon as possible to the approach or drop shot so that I can get a more stable foot work and ramp up the swing acceleration from low (preparation) to medium initial downward forward swing to faster in the last phase from down and forward. This way I can produce a controlled, deep good pace shot.
Best two instructional tips I've received. Simply conveyed to help you hit agressive shots. I put them into use this past weekend with great results. Thank you!
Thanks for the great tips Ryan! I’ve been needing a refresh on my technique after a few years off tennis, and these approaches are tricky
This dude is smooth as butter
Haha my wife feels differently. She knows I’m a dork.
Thanks Ryan. This was such a great instructional video.
Thanks for the tip! Will try this technique tomorrow!
Thanks for this lesson. I never considered the slice approach. Will try this my next match. I also appreciate how you split stepped when approaching net :-)
Oh you made it look so easy! My two problems I didn’t hear much about in this video are spacing and timing. Your unit turn looked a little different I thought than a baseline stroke (ie nondominant arm) and I assume you tried to hit the ball at the peak. Between different grips, swing pattern high/medium/high, footwork patterns, and maybe slightly different unit turn I can see why this can be an elusive shot for many. I’ll need to see this video multiple times and practice! Happy Thanksgiving!
Excellent Video!!!
This’s awesome-thanks!
Great video!!! Thanks
So glad you liked it Tuan
Well presented. Must apply this drill
I like how you don’t stop to hit but move through the ball which creates more accuracy and power. Is the hop step better used with the flat stroke? Is it no longer a hop step if I bring my back foot forward? Thank you Ryan!😊
Hi Ryan. Thanks for the great instructions. What kind of grip one shall use for these three type of approach shots?
The underspin should be volley grip. Topspin is just topspin grip.
Can you also please do a video on how to change grip positions between shots.
Thanks for the video. One question, for underspin approach do you change grip from your usual forehand grip ?( ex. Semi western to contiental.)
Thank you for another great video. My 8-year-old son plays tennis and we've learned a lot from your videos. We have a slinger bag and would like to practice this drill. What settings did you use for this drill? (speed and angle). Thank you!
This is good. I coach a group that struggles to put the ball away when they get a short ball. Many of their opponents have mastered hitting slice put-a-way's from inside the service box. Would you be able to put a lesson together for that? It would be cool if you had points being played and you had the goal of hitting a short court slice winner that crosses the sideline first. This group doesn't have the power or control to crush a ball from the short court, so I need to give them something to use when they have the advantage.
Great teaching!!
I algo impressed by the court and landscape. Where are you making the video?
Thanks so much! I live in Pennsylvania! Thanks!!
Ryan, I noticed you are using the Slinger ball machine, can you please share your experience and whether it is worth for intermediate level player? Thanks in advance. I am huge fan of your teaching style.
I own a SlingerBag. It is a great ball machine for almost anyone looking to improve their game. There are endless drills you can find on TH-cam to fit your needs (beginner, intermediate, advanced). Only downside to the SlingerBag is the speed is generated with top spin alone and there is no way to turn that off. Also there is no option for backspin. Overall, my game has improved tremendously from using the SlingerBag. For reference, I'm a solid 4.0 player.
Thanks!
Hmm I use the racquet flip when I do the forehand slice drive approach. It allows me to be more aggressive with it.
Coach can you tell me the settings for approach shot with slingerbag?Please make a video with slingerbag drills and explain settings
Good video.
👍👍👍..nice..thanks for trik.. 🙏
Underspin doesn't keep the ball low, it makes the ball bounce higher.
Underspin can change the attack angle (from differences in air pressure on top versus bottom and front of ball), on a medium to high place ball and THAT keeps it low, or it can change attack angle attack angle on a medium to slow ball and it'll check up.... But relative to attack angle undispin makes the ball check up not down, it's topspin that makes the ball check down relative to attack angle, and again top spin changes the angle of attack to be more vertical and that's the reason it appears to make the ball check up, yet in reality if not for angle of attack the ball on top spin would check down.
It's side spin that'll always make the ball stay low regardless of pace and attack angle.
Connor approached with side spin, sometimes it was side to topspin, sometimes side to under spin.
That's what made the balll scoot
Yep! Vic Braden proved this 50 years ago! Thanks!!
And he always struggled with low fhand approach. Why?
Okay then slice the ball. Slice keeps the ball low when correctly executed.
So, am I correct that in all three cases, whether you arrive at the ball on your right foot and step through or on your left and hop, the common component is that you land on your left? That would seem to keep you in balance with your racket arm, no?
❤ it👊🏿
Are u changing grips on any of these shots or staying with Semi- Western? any benefit of switching for any?
Great video. if I want to have heavy topspin, is it enough if I just put the racket under the ball and swing through or do I have to intentionally brush upwards? I always thought it's enough to just get under the ball.
Can you teach us whats your forehand grip? Tnx!
Hi! I was just told to split step on approach shots. Do you advise this?
You should split step every time your opponent hits.
Hey Ryan, Head has come out with a new racket line "Boom" and the tagline is "YOU GOT THIS". They totally copied you man!
Another super lesson. Thanks. Please do back hand approach one too. Thanks.
I agree...if you could do a similar video for the backhand, that would be awesome. Thanks so much!!
Smooth
I’m jealous of people who can actually get coaching from him…
Ryan, what's the reason you don't recommend the open stance strike on the slow, high approach?
Also, can the slinger bag timing be set to longer intervals to have time to reset? I'm considering getting one
Yes the slinger can be set to long intervals. I was being lazy and I didn’t want to waste the time to correct it. I had to finish the video quickly in order to get over in time to the school to pick up my kids. Every second counted for me. As for the open stance short ball, I don’t consider that an approach shot. To me that’s a forcing shot that ends the point. Usually too risky for players and they’d benefit from hitting an approach and being more consistent.
What if it's a Low Ball what type of Forehead should you hit?
Underspin or topspin. But use the footwork I explain in the video.
I always hit flat and wide to my opponents Backhand when approaching
what about a LOW ball approach shot?
That’s the underspin. Ball stays low because of the backspin.
Thanks for the video but I thought you are supposed to hit high balls with an open stance.
When moving forward this type of closes stance works really well.
The reason for success here is because of the split step on approach shots and volleys. That wasn't addressed in this video.
Best serve I’ve had in 50 years. Cannot hit an approach.
😂