Had to pause to comment: I LOVE your advice about not worrying about your opponent but rather concentrate on your own side of the court--that really hit home with me! Excellent vid!
@@warehouse13graphicsolutions This is actually what Roger said he changed about his approach to Nadal that lead him to turn around their rivalry, starting in Australia in 2017
Best real coaching video I have seen and probably better than all coaching I have ever received. This staff is what it takes to break through from recreating level tennis.
Nice topspin backhand! (@4:17) I play wheelchair tennis and that's EXACTLY the type of ball we try to hit. Yours there was a beauty! It's not always easy to hit one of those off a moving ball, especially when you're moving, too. You mean you can hit those at will?! Do a how-to video on being the guy who hits those *Devil Balls* please!
This is the best…their attitudes clash just enough but both have respect for one another. Their interaction cracks me up but also really informative. Props to Shamir for keeping it real. “my wife doesn’t like the questions”🤣 Hope everyone is enjoying their tennis journey🎾👍
This was a super lesson! I took this lesson to the wall. I literally put a tape on the floor and that was my limit, I could not go back past that line. I was forced to take it on the rise. I do about 300 of these. What an improvement and a confidence builder. Thanks for all the gems you put out in this lesson. I thank you both.
The timing on this video was so perfect! I just struggled with this today, returning high penetrating shots that I felt I didn't have the space to move back far enough to hit comfortably and I didn't know what the heck I should be doing. I tried hitting it too low on the rise and was struggling--this video cleared it up. Thanks as always for the videos Nikola, your channel has quickly become my favourite tennis channel on TH-cam. Cheers from Canada.
I love playing people who hit with huge top spin, from playing baseball all my life I am to use my Wilson Profiles and use drive the ball back at them so flat that it throws the top spin plays game completely off. Oh course that was when I was 25 years old and now I 51 and use a completely different swing now. So now I just react to the shots, and try to drive the ball to the corners and just get into the net and hope they don’t hit a lob, but at the level I am playing against I usually get a nice volley. Great video fellas and I appreciate everything you are doing my friend.
Nick, this is the single greatest video on this topic. The format is awesome. We get great instruction from you, but also get to see it demonstrated from a learner. You make it very easy to see how floaters can be dealt with. You very clearly show how hard it is to get the timing right on a heavy high topspin on the rise and at the optimum strike zone. I love it. It is like you read my mind on the exact problems I encounter. Happy 4th!
Just coming back into tennis after 10yrs, so starting to watch some videos. This stuff is great! You tore his ass up in each lesson, but each one was absolutely perfect! Going to watch the rest of this series. I was a 4.5 and was in the same situation trying to get just slightly better. Had some of the same problems he did. Either too lazy, or too low percentage on shots.
LOL :)) Shamir shall be a great guy and fine tennisplayer, but all those questions... please first listen well and let hem finish his clues. And then just execute.. :))
THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST AND MOST IMPORTANT VIDEOS FOR ME. I'd also love to see a video about footwork moving up and moving back. Ive tended to stay on the baseline and not hitting good shots wondering what's going on. Then I realized I am not moving back or up to get the ball in my strike zone. Love this channel!!!!
The way I tell my son to chose whether he should take it on the rise or not is similar, but instead of trying to judge penetration, I tell him to base it on the opponent shot's depth. If the ball is high and short, I tell him to wait and hit it below the apex. The reason why is because when the ball is short, it will be too far from him and he doesn't have enough time to get to it before it gets way too high and if he tries to hit it on the rise, he will be hitting it above his shoulder. If the ball is deep, on the other hand, he must step in and take it early as it is ascending, otherwise he will be pinned at back fence with not a lot of choice but hit another balloon back. Yes taking the ball early is challenging but with enough practice it becomes very doable. It is all about timing your swing (not trying to kill the ball) and being able to position yourself right near where the ball will bounce.
i really needed this because i couldnt find anything about slightly higher level players dealing with this. thank you. every other video just says wait for the ball to come back down so i was frustrated...
Great demonstration and Q&A! Thank you both. Shamir couldn't "read" the penetration (the speed, spin, and depth coming at him) so he couldn't move to position/prepare his swing. He also favored his forehand too much. Moving in to hit balls on the rise is naturally difficult. We all have these problems. Very good video!
My first tennis coach taught me my first technique, and it’s still one of the most important fundamentals I make sure I implement. The technique ( would help with high balls) is to hit through the ball like you were hitting 7 balls in a row. And keep your body weight at least stable and neutral, but ideally moving forward.
When I was learning to play my coach always drilled the importance of moving my feet to adjust and get the ball in my wheel house. Watch some TH-cam video of Jimmy Connors and see all those little steps he use to make to adjust and crush as many ground strokes as he could. Coach always used Jimmy Conners as a example for footwork and court movement.
Anyone saying this is too difficult. Yes, but Shamir is a decent enough player to try working this knowledge into his game. It's also hard to modify your natural instinct but I reckon in a few weeks Shamir will have integrated this new knowledge into his game.
Make a vedio on preparation for a match.....i mean what should be done on the day of the match....what the pros do,what they eat and how many hours before the match they eat....and what exercises they do and how they remain mentally relaxed...
Thanks for the video. Ball recognition is so important. It goes well with your video on footwork. Gotta have the footwork to be able to move appropriately in time to take those high balls the correct way. Also context is important for what to do with balls that have a lot of shape and will bounce high. . If I hit an aggressive shot that I feel will be trouble for my opponent I will take a few steps in. If my opponent hits a great ball I can always move back. If they hit a weak response I can move in and reach the ball. And if they hit a high ball rather than staying back and letting it bounce and restarting the point I like to continue to move in and take a swinging volley to take away time and either finish the point or get one step closer to finishing the point.
I really want to get good at hitting the ball on the rise, it definitely takes good timing and footwork. I remember reading an article awhile back about Andre Agassi and the author was talking about how good a player he was at taking the ball early. He said if you watched Agassi play you would think he was charging the net every time he hit the ball because he attacked the ball to hit it on the rise. Agassi never backed up hitting ground strokes.
Coach, will you please consider making a video on the forehand racket face opening up on backswing/forwardswing and ball going high and long? Causes and corrections. Thanks!
Thanks for the lesson Nick! I'm wondering if you can do a video on how to produce penetrating heavy topspin balls please? When I play, I can produce either a fast ball (flatter shot) or high bouncing ball (heavier top-spin), but not often both at the same time...
@@stevenhowie4219 Heavy spin?? What's helped me was using a modern grip (Semi western or western), more knee bend, proper stroke mechanics (Windshield wiper or do a good reverse forehand) racket head speed through contact while brushing, and most important -- weight distribution (getting your body weight through the hit). Proper footwork.. Falling backwards chances are you won't hit through the ball enough. Make your racket a battle axe. Use spin producing strings (like RPM Blast), Add weight (like lead) to the face (Ie. 10 & 2), In the handle, and make sure you're in shape to handle it. Many pros modify their gear. Channels on yt explaining that. Like this video showed, develop taking the ball on the rise. All these are factors that lead to success in spin or overcoming it.
Im a shorter guy and usually i have to deal with tallers students. Its interesting to watch a taller guy tell a shorter guy about dealing with high balls.
I played matches with a younger guy who was very quick around the court. He loved running balls down. This often resulted in him being way out of position. In one match he dropped his racket while running wide, stepped on the racket, slid into a side fence. Strained hamstring. I said, we better stop. No. He amazed me by hitting my shots on the rise and maintaining tight court position. He didn't have to run as much. His first win against me.
hey nick, would be great if you could do a video about when to hit the ball defensively and when to hit offensively. As well to tie into that explain how your "proper form/technique" changes depending on how high or low the ball is when you hit it... It seems like the proper form you see being taught in videos is only really achievable when the ball bounces and you hit it at medium height (basically at give or take a half a foot off hip level), but in the real game I am constantly being hard on myself feeling like I wasn't able to have perfect form but in reality it is just based on at what height the ball is at when you make your hit, because if it is to low or to high "perfect form" is not achievable in the way it is being taught in all these videos. Edit: Just finished the video and you actually explained a fair bit about my second point, ty.
When you take the ball early you need to accelerate the racket more opposed to late timing. Also hitting early u need to go over the ball, in late timing it goes a little more up.
The very short Justine Henin is the poster child for 1hbh driving high top to her bh. Study her like I have and learn her secret - clue; western bh grip, big L shoulder dip, lots of leg drive. Borg handled these very well but he used a 1hbh with off hand assist and let go on the follow through. Or you can cut the heck out of it either short xc to the 2hbh or float it deep with no pace like Fed does.
Regarding the backhand in particular: As a life long one-handed backhand player, I have found that the best option is a penetrating slice response. There is more leverage in the high to lower racket swing with slice. Also, ball stays low making their attempt to hit the high, jumping ball more difficult. Thoughts?
please make some videos on different surfaces and different strategies we can do on them, and also best and efficient shots on every surfaces. Thanks a lot
Agreed!!! Need to be really gutsy to get to hit on the raise. Even though this a gem of a video with so many great points, there was no info on the ball recognition meaning how to find out if something will have deep penetration or not. Is it just a feel factor and intuitive thing that we have to cultivate? Why not hit on the rise all the time? Just because it seems like it is difficult to know which will have deep penetration before it pitches.
In my league most of the guys play more badminton than tennis. So, I am fed up with struggling with such high balls. Cant get to the point of hitting it comfortably. Sometimes i hate tennis for that. Thanks for the video.
I would definitely not pack my bags and go home against anybody, much less if I had the chance to play with Nadal. So, not the best advice in my opinion, even if it's meant as a joke, especially coming from a coach. Now I'll watch the rest of the video, it looks promising, but I felt I had to point that out. Thanks for posting and regards from Spain.
I started play tennis 6 months ago and my coach and experienced players all time feed me these type of balls. I manage them but do they actually want to bully me? I mean if someone sends u those balls while warm up its kinda unfair
I had just won 16 league matches in a row before losing to a heavy spin player. They beat me because everything was above my strike zone and I'm not good at taking the ball early. I really need to work on this.
![[#2024MAMA] G-DRAGON - 무제(Untitled, 2014)+POWER+HOME SWEET HOME+뱅뱅뱅+FANTASTIC BABY | Mnet 241123 방송](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ox29z5Nf1Uk/mqdefault.jpg)
How to deal with short balls 👉 th-cam.com/video/zbcd2Vqi6B0/w-d-xo.html
Had to pause to comment: I LOVE your advice about not worrying about your opponent but rather concentrate on your own side of the court--that really hit home with me! Excellent vid!
Play the ball, not the player.
totally agree. Applicable in tennis and in life.
@@warehouse13graphicsolutions This is actually what Roger said he changed about his approach to Nadal that lead him to turn around their rivalry, starting in Australia in 2017
Kudos to Shamir for having his lessons filmed, he seems like a nice guy. Great lesson, I needed this!
Coach, the best part of this class was that you answered a lot of "why" questions. And they are valuable!!!
Best real coaching video I have seen and probably better than all coaching I have ever received. This staff is what it takes to break through from recreating level tennis.
Nice topspin backhand! (@4:17) I play wheelchair tennis and that's EXACTLY the type of ball we try to hit. Yours there was a beauty! It's not always easy to hit one of those off a moving ball, especially when you're moving, too. You mean you can hit those at will?! Do a how-to video on being the guy who hits those *Devil Balls* please!
Great to see Shamir's improvement over the past few months.
This is the best…their attitudes clash just enough but both have respect for one another. Their interaction cracks me up but also really informative. Props to Shamir for keeping it real.
“my wife doesn’t like the questions”🤣
Hope everyone is enjoying their tennis journey🎾👍
I love how Shamir overthinks everything he is doing! :D I feel you, bro ;)
I absolutely love these lessons with Shamir. He asks all the right questions! It’s like my own personal lesson :-) Thank you both!
Another great lesson! i love how Shamir always asks and speaks out what he thinks
This was a super lesson! I took this lesson to the wall. I literally put a tape on the floor and that was my limit, I could not go back past that line. I was forced to take it on the rise. I do about 300 of these. What an improvement and a confidence builder. Thanks for all the gems you put out in this lesson. I thank you both.
The timing on this video was so perfect! I just struggled with this today, returning high penetrating shots that I felt I didn't have the space to move back far enough to hit comfortably and I didn't know what the heck I should be doing. I tried hitting it too low on the rise and was struggling--this video cleared it up.
Thanks as always for the videos Nikola, your channel has quickly become my favourite tennis channel on TH-cam. Cheers from Canada.
17:27 Shamir hit the ball on the rise back in the basket. Nice aim.
definitely one of the best and smartest coaches out there
I love playing people who hit with huge top spin, from playing baseball all my life I am to use my Wilson Profiles and use drive the ball back at them so flat that it throws the top spin plays game completely off. Oh course that was when I was 25 years old and now I 51 and use a completely different swing now. So now I just react to the shots, and try to drive the ball to the corners and just get into the net and hope they don’t hit a lob, but at the level I am playing against I usually get a nice volley. Great video fellas and I appreciate everything you are doing my friend.
💯
Nick, this is the single greatest video on this topic. The format is awesome. We get great instruction from you, but also get to see it demonstrated from a learner. You make it very easy to see how floaters can be dealt with. You very clearly show how hard it is to get the timing right on a heavy high topspin on the rise and at the optimum strike zone. I love it. It is like you read my mind on the exact problems I encounter. Happy 4th!
Thank you
Happy 4th
This is a great lesson for me. The theory and practice all combined. It was perfect. Thanks
Great to hear!
I love videos with Shamir as we play at a similar level and style (now I know that we also play with the same string)
Not only great questions, you actually had really good answers in store, respect!
Shamir - this channel's GOAT
Your games sweetly improving
Guru NiK!!!
Just coming back into tennis after 10yrs, so starting to watch some videos. This stuff is great! You tore his ass up in each lesson, but each one was absolutely perfect! Going to watch the rest of this series. I was a 4.5 and was in the same situation trying to get just slightly better. Had some of the same problems he did. Either too lazy, or too low percentage on shots.
Welcome back!
Your client in these videos is a great sport and participant, and tennis player.
Shamir: "my wife doesn't like my questions." 🤣
That was funny
26:13
It means they're good ones
LOL :)) Shamir shall be a great guy and fine tennisplayer, but all those questions... please first listen well and let hem finish his clues. And then just execute.. :))
THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST AND MOST IMPORTANT VIDEOS FOR ME.
I'd also love to see a video about footwork moving up and moving back. Ive tended to stay on the baseline and not hitting good shots wondering what's going on. Then I realized I am not moving back or up to get the ball in my strike zone.
Love this channel!!!!
The way I tell my son to chose whether he should take it on the rise or not is similar, but instead of trying to judge penetration, I tell him to base it on the opponent shot's depth. If the ball is high and short, I tell him to wait and hit it below the apex. The reason why is because when the ball is short, it will be too far from him and he doesn't have enough time to get to it before it gets way too high and if he tries to hit it on the rise, he will be hitting it above his shoulder. If the ball is deep, on the other hand, he must step in and take it early as it is ascending, otherwise he will be pinned at back fence with not a lot of choice but hit another balloon back. Yes taking the ball early is challenging but with enough practice it becomes very doable. It is all about timing your swing (not trying to kill the ball) and being able to position yourself right near where the ball will bounce.
i really needed this because i couldnt find anything about slightly higher level players dealing with this. thank you. every other video just says wait for the ball to come back down so i was frustrated...
Great demonstration and Q&A! Thank you both. Shamir couldn't "read" the penetration (the speed, spin, and depth coming at him) so he couldn't move to position/prepare his swing. He also favored his forehand too much. Moving in to hit balls on the rise is naturally difficult. We all have these problems. Very good video!
Shamir , your tennis has come a long way since the first video ! Good work, and awesome coaching. Thanks for sharing 🙌
Shamir and knick videos are awesome. Thanks a lot guys.
you and shamir’s chemistry is so good. makes me laugh so much. appreciate these videos
🫶
Great stuff! Shamir must be 5.0 by the end of the year! Cheers bro, keep it up!
Great coach and student.
I learned a lot here.
My first tennis coach taught me my first technique, and it’s still one of the most important fundamentals I make sure I implement. The technique ( would help with high balls) is to hit through the ball like you were hitting 7 balls in a row. And keep your body weight at least stable and neutral, but ideally moving forward.
Killer lesson coach. You should charge Shamir double for this knowledge!!🔥
Thank you coach and Shamir. Great lesson, I learned a lot!
Great points. Maria's, Sampras' Lansdorp baseline "Hot Lava" forehand from the baseline on the rise, almost half volley.
Thanks for the lesson, coach. Some pushers use this tactics and hit high balls, sometimes with topspin. Good to know how to deal with this.
Got burnt by a pusher this morning. Had to play so many of these balls it was mind boggling
When I was learning to play my coach always drilled the importance of moving my feet to adjust and get the ball in my wheel house. Watch some TH-cam video of Jimmy Connors and see all those little steps he use to make to adjust and crush as many ground strokes as he could. Coach always used Jimmy Conners as a example for footwork and court movement.
Jimmy had great footwork
ON THE RISE SHAMIR 😂
These high n heavy top spins are the most complicated ones for me. Thanks for these lessons.
Anyone saying this is too difficult. Yes, but Shamir is a decent enough player to try working this knowledge into his game. It's also hard to modify your natural instinct but I reckon in a few weeks Shamir will have integrated this new knowledge into his game.
Make a vedio on preparation for a match.....i mean what should be done on the day of the match....what the pros do,what they eat and how many hours before the match they eat....and what exercises they do and how they remain mentally relaxed...
Great strokes Shamir, on both sides!!
I wish I had a coach like this guy.
I wish I had a coach.
This is just what I needed to see !! Love this channel !
Thanks for the video. Ball recognition is so important. It goes well with your video on footwork. Gotta have the footwork to be able to move appropriately in time to take those high balls the correct way.
Also context is important for what to do with balls that have a lot of shape and will bounce high. . If I hit an aggressive shot that I feel will be trouble for my opponent I will take a few steps in. If my opponent hits a great ball I can always move back. If they hit a weak response I can move in and reach the ball. And if they hit a high ball rather than staying back and letting it bounce and restarting the point I like to continue to move in and take a swinging volley to take away time and either finish the point or get one step closer to finishing the point.
I really want to get good at hitting the ball on the rise, it definitely takes good timing and footwork. I remember reading an article awhile back about Andre Agassi and the author was talking about how good a player he was at taking the ball early. He said if you watched Agassi play you would think he was charging the net every time he hit the ball because he attacked the ball to hit it on the rise. Agassi never backed up hitting ground strokes.
That was a lot of fun to watch
He actually hits good already nice
Coach, will you please consider making a video on the forehand racket face opening up on backswing/forwardswing and ball going high and long? Causes and corrections. Thanks!
Not needed.
Keep your R Face under control slightly Closed .
Sorted 😀
Thanks for the lesson Nick! I'm wondering if you can do a video on how to produce penetrating heavy topspin balls please? When I play, I can produce either a fast ball (flatter shot) or high bouncing ball (heavier top-spin), but not often both at the same time...
Great question, would like to know how to hit heavy spin
@@stevenhowie4219 Heavy spin?? What's helped me was using a modern grip (Semi western or western), more knee bend, proper stroke mechanics (Windshield wiper or do a good reverse forehand) racket head speed through contact while brushing, and most important -- weight distribution (getting your body weight through the hit). Proper footwork.. Falling backwards chances are you won't hit through the ball enough. Make your racket a battle axe. Use spin producing strings (like RPM Blast), Add weight (like lead) to the face (Ie. 10 & 2), In the handle, and make sure you're in shape to handle it. Many pros modify their gear. Channels on yt explaining that. Like this video showed, develop taking the ball on the rise. All these are factors that lead to success in spin or overcoming it.
very nice realistic lesson video. I like it! I'm also one handed backhand and slice often if it becomes high bounce.
🙏
Alot of gems in this video
great lesson. thanks for sharing
great coaching really waiting for this
Im a shorter guy and usually i have to deal with tallers students. Its interesting to watch a taller guy tell a shorter guy about dealing with high balls.
Shamir has developed a very solid forehand
This is what I needed. Great tips coach!
💯
I played matches with a younger guy who was very quick around the court. He loved running balls down. This often resulted in him being way out of position. In one match he dropped his racket while running wide, stepped on the racket, slid into a side fence. Strained hamstring. I said, we better stop.
No.
He amazed me by hitting my shots on the rise and maintaining tight court position. He didn't have to run as much. His first win against me.
Absolutely brilliant lesson
🙏
hey nick, would be great if you could do a video about when to hit the ball defensively and when to hit offensively. As well to tie into that explain how your "proper form/technique" changes depending on how high or low the ball is when you hit it... It seems like the proper form you see being taught in videos is only really achievable when the ball bounces and you hit it at medium height (basically at give or take a half a foot off hip level), but in the real game I am constantly being hard on myself feeling like I wasn't able to have perfect form but in reality it is just based on at what height the ball is at when you make your hit, because if it is to low or to high "perfect form" is not achievable in the way it is being taught in all these videos.
Edit: Just finished the video and you actually explained a fair bit about my second point, ty.
Great stuff from Nick, as usual. 👊
🙌
I'm a simple man I see a video with Shamir I upvote
This coach is legit 🎉
Great education! Thank you!
When you take the ball early you need to accelerate the racket more opposed to late timing. Also hitting early u need to go over the ball, in late timing it goes a little more up.
Great coaching here.
Great focus Shamir you got game and a lot of patience 👍😅
Tremendous video!!! Thank you🙏
"What happen if it comes to your backhand? I ll slice it "lolllll
backhand slices are an addiction haha. i know it's not good for my game but i do it everytime
FANTASTIC INSTRUCTION!!!!!
.... but even for good club players, this is difficult. This will take dozens of hours of practice to get right.
I wish I had a coach like you ...
Wonderful interactive coaching
Shamir is getting good👍
Now I understand the theory but I just need to implement it! It should be easy hahaha
Nice job guys!
The very short Justine Henin is the poster child for 1hbh driving high top to her bh. Study her like I have and learn her secret - clue; western bh grip, big L shoulder dip, lots of leg drive. Borg handled these very well but he used a 1hbh with off hand assist and let go on the follow through. Or you can cut the heck out of it either short xc to the 2hbh or float it deep with no pace like Fed does.
Regarding the backhand in particular: As a life long one-handed backhand player, I have found that the best option is a penetrating slice response. There is more leverage in the high to lower racket swing with slice. Also, ball stays low making their attempt to hit the high, jumping ball more difficult. Thoughts?
please make some videos on different surfaces and different strategies we can do on them, and also best and efficient shots on every surfaces. Thanks a lot
Great 🎾 lesson 👍👏
Agreed!!! Need to be really gutsy to get to hit on the raise.
Even though this a gem of a video with so many great points, there was no info on the ball recognition meaning how to find out if something will have deep penetration or not. Is it just a feel factor and intuitive thing that we have to cultivate?
Why not hit on the rise all the time? Just because it seems like it is difficult to know which will have deep penetration before it pitches.
Way better information in this video than the ear wax commercial that popped up 5 seconds from the end😉
Great lesson...
keep up the good work
In my league most of the guys play more badminton than tennis. So, I am fed up with struggling with such high balls. Cant get to the point of hitting it comfortably. Sometimes i hate tennis for that. Thanks for the video.
Do they play with a tennis racket, hitting on tennis balls on a tennis court? then it is tennis, not Badminton.
Love it shamir is the teacher now
Just in case you are planning to emigrate to The Netherlands and start teaching here. can you please put me on your students list? Thnx!!
I love the Netherlands 🙌🙌
If so I will put u down 😂
Very helpful !!
I would definitely not pack my bags and go home against anybody, much less if I had the chance to play with Nadal. So, not the best advice in my opinion, even if it's meant as a joke, especially coming from a coach. Now I'll watch the rest of the video, it looks promising, but I felt I had to point that out. Thanks for posting and regards from Spain.
Proper footwork allows proper SPACING between player and ball
"My wife doesnt like the questions", felt that brother. lol
Excelente vid! It's really hard to do
Nice video Nick!👌👌👌😎🥰
Hvala Boris 🙌
I started play tennis 6 months ago and my coach and experienced players all time feed me these type of balls. I manage them but do they actually want to bully me? I mean if someone sends u those balls while warm up its kinda unfair
I had just won 16 league matches in a row before losing to a heavy spin player. They beat me because everything was above my strike zone and I'm not good at taking the ball early. I really need to work on this.
very interesting ... thank you.
Shamir is great
Nice video, thank you!! 🙏
Thanx for your great video,s🙏🙏🙏😎🤙