I've been recording all my matches and free hitting sessions in the past 3 years. What's worked for me: - small gorilla tripod (attaches everywhere, super versatile) - ask respectfully to my tennis partner du jour if they are ok with my recording our match/session (knowing the video will never be shared publicly, only with them). - recording at the maximum frame rate my phone can offer (60fps in my case) and the max resolution (2100p). - upload to my YT channel immediately after the match/session. Never public, always private (link to the YT will be sent to my partner/opponent). - delete the footage from my phone to make space. - analyse the footage with the YT playing speed function for slow motion (that why a high frame rate is crucial) and pinch to zoom (why a high resolution is crucial). Though zooming might be a Premium subscriber feature only. - rinse and repeat. Without ever taking a lesson I've been able to build very solid and, more importantly for me at least, pleasant-looking strokes after the initial shock of seeing myself on tape the first time (oh, the horror!). Important caveat: you need to know what you're doing wrong when you watch yourself. I've watched all Nik's YT videos (and some others) to build a theoretical understanding of what I was supposed to achieve technically. A quick note on the 2H backhand stroke: Nik is the only one as far as I know who is currently giving the "secret" to this stroke (it is NOT a lefty forehand). If you want to build a solid 2HBH I recommend you watch his lessons on the topic and avoid other channels.
Absolute legend for sharing this information, thank you! Surprised not many people do no. 2 or are willing to share the footage, I have to normally ask for it.
I agree that video can help a lot, on the other hand sometimes its demotivating, cause you hope that your forehand looks like RF forehand and slowly you realise that this will be impossible to imitate. It can kill the joy a little bit if you get obsessed with how things look
I did a Smrtphone+Tall Tripod recording last week. It was a really good start for actually see stuff i didn't even notice. E.g. my Ball Throw when serving was not high enough and i tend to shift my body not so much into the ball (direction) rather then tip off to the left front - that was a easy fix with great results.
Nick, your piece on this is super valuable. Video recording is an aspect of improvement that I haven't seen focused on as much as it should be. I started video recording my practice sessions several years ago with my iPhone on a tripod, and it's been incredibly helpful in identifying flaws that I would have otherwise been unable to detect. Yes, as you emphasize, video recording of one's strokes quickly shows the difference between perception and reality. Also, thanks for discussing dos and don'ts for effective recording AND slow motion and the slow motion apps available. I'm currently working on my serve racquet drop, and I'm eager to get a slow motion app to help me more easily analyze this.
I use the possibilities of video analysis very often in my training. I have made the experience that players can reflect on their mistakes much better when they see themselves. That's why a go pro is always part of my training equipment. But you can also make very good slow-motion recordings with good smartphones.
One of the best and most important videos I had the privilege to watch ! Thank you Nik for sharing such important information for anyone who loves tennis and wants to improve their level. You are the GOAT of modern tennis coaches. Thank you my friend !
I film nearly every match I play, and ~300 balls of serve practice every week. I put a phone up on top of the chain link behind me and spend $10 a month for swingvision, but it has been incredibly helpful, not to mention enjoyable to have footage to watch and send to my opponents. Every time I watch myself I see multiple things I hate about my technique and focus on the next time I hit a basket of serves or hit against my club's ball machine. I'm not as good at analyzing my strategic mistakes in match play, but I send lots of footage to my coach so he can roast me instead
I tried it many times and Nikola is absolutely right about it - it is a meeting with reality. The things I noticed about my game were: 1. I was way much slower than I used to think. 2. Although there were some issues with the groundstrokes, especially with backhand, the fundamentals, like the racket lag, were in place😂 Thanks for this vid Nick😊
lol yeah same here, when you're playing it feels like all your strokes are clean and smooth for the most part and as soon as you start watching yourself instant cringe
Recording tennis matches and analyzing the stats is super useful for me. I even built a software to do that and get very detailed stats for singles and doubles matches. I prefer to record matches with a GoPro and external battery pack. When I record my serves I use my iPhone
I've made it from 2.0 to 4.0 in 3 years in my late 30s with TWO coaching sessions and hundreds of hours of self-study and watching videos like Nick's. Having a coach will almost certainly be better, but for those of us who are able to watch video and analyze our strokes and footwork, it's much more important to simply get reps in.
Hey Nick, In a previous video, you warned us from being too obsessed about filming and analyzing our game via recording. I'd like to add that, based on my experience, that it is good to do it, but nothing more than once a month.
Yes you can overdo it and become obsessed where you’re constantly looking at footage and tinkering with strokes that are fundamentally sound. That can be a big problem.
Another reason why your instruction is superior to others. Do you have a link for the phone attachment that works well with the tripod noted here? Thank you.
You are 100% correct coach Nick. I do that and uploaded it on youtube practicing on my one handed backhand and I have to say it looks and is better than yours. I too was a 2 handed backhand players years ago and barely took up tennis again back in late Nov 2023. You can see the big difference from the 2 sessions i had and it was about 2 weeks apart from each other. Goal this year is play at least 2 or 3 times a week over once every 2-3 weeks like last year. Im sure if we played in a match you would whip me but my one hander is actually looks better than a former D1 tennis coach. 😎Oh and I mean that is a very respectful way.
The thing about video taping oneself can be this, If you don't have a profound knowledge of tennis technique you may inadvertent be "analyzing" yourself incorrectly. There is one person in particular on a large whatsapp forum I'm in who very obviously knows very little about technique yet tries to analyze his game and diagnose his problems. He falls very short of being accurate.
I have a friend who constantly videotapes himself serving for the past 20 years and his serve still sucks !! 🤣🤣😂 He says his brain tells him one thing but his body says another . I told him if your body and mind aren’t in sync with each other, you’ll never improve your serve no matter how many times you videotape yourself.
@@cloudsmith7803 It shouldn't be time or compensation - I would expect them to do it as part of the lesson, or if they do it offline then I would expect to pay them for that. My guess is that there are two main reasons (1) equipment used to be much more expensive and without the necessary features and they simply have not caught up with the technology, and neither have the national governing bodies and (2) they know that if they filmed most adult recreational players they would be horrified and would stop playing or lose confidence in themselves or in the coach. Young players who are good probably don't "need" video analysis because they can watch and copy much more readily. I've had lots of different coaches and seen many others operating, at different venues and clubs in the UK where I am. None of them have ever offered to do this, and I've never seen any of them filming any of their students. It's much more common in figure skating, but that's slightly different because (1) it's partly a presentation "sport" so people competing need to know what they look like and (2) the technical elements like multi rotation jumps are so hard that you need all the help you can get. I've filmed myself, and someone I used to play with filmed himself a lot - but nobody else I know or have seen has ever done this.
Serve Style vs Fundamentals
👉 th-cam.com/video/0xvMRtEkbEE/w-d-xo.html
I've been recording all my matches and free hitting sessions in the past 3 years. What's worked for me:
- small gorilla tripod (attaches everywhere, super versatile)
- ask respectfully to my tennis partner du jour if they are ok with my recording our match/session (knowing the video will never be shared publicly, only with them).
- recording at the maximum frame rate my phone can offer (60fps in my case) and the max resolution (2100p).
- upload to my YT channel immediately after the match/session. Never public, always private (link to the YT will be sent to my partner/opponent).
- delete the footage from my phone to make space.
- analyse the footage with the YT playing speed function for slow motion (that why a high frame rate is crucial) and pinch to zoom (why a high resolution is crucial). Though zooming might be a Premium subscriber feature only.
- rinse and repeat.
Without ever taking a lesson I've been able to build very solid and, more importantly for me at least, pleasant-looking strokes after the initial shock of seeing myself on tape the first time (oh, the horror!).
Important caveat: you need to know what you're doing wrong when you watch yourself. I've watched all Nik's YT videos (and some others) to build a theoretical understanding of what I was supposed to achieve technically.
A quick note on the 2H backhand stroke: Nik is the only one as far as I know who is currently giving the "secret" to this stroke (it is NOT a lefty forehand). If you want to build a solid 2HBH I recommend you watch his lessons on the topic and avoid other channels.
Absolute legend for sharing this information, thank you!
Surprised not many people do no. 2 or are willing to share the footage, I have to normally ask for it.
Karue sell also has a great video on the 2BH with similar advice.
@@jphayes21 cool. Will check. His two-hander is really something.
PLEASE PLEASE Omg! PLEASE show us your old videos! I would love to see you playing back in the day. Full matches if possible!
I have to digitize the vhs tapes. I have been recording the tv and the already poor quality is even poorer.
I think many of us would like to see it.❤
I agree that video can help a lot, on the other hand sometimes its demotivating, cause you hope that your forehand looks like RF forehand and slowly you realise that this will be impossible to imitate. It can kill the joy a little bit if you get obsessed with how things look
I did a Smrtphone+Tall Tripod recording last week. It was a really good start for actually see stuff i didn't even notice. E.g. my Ball Throw when serving was not high enough and i tend to shift my body not so much into the ball (direction) rather then tip off to the left front - that was a easy fix with great results.
Nick, your piece on this is super valuable. Video recording is an aspect of improvement that I haven't seen focused on as much as it should be. I started video recording my practice sessions several years ago with my iPhone on a tripod, and it's been incredibly helpful in identifying flaws that I would have otherwise been unable to detect. Yes, as you emphasize, video recording of one's strokes quickly shows the difference between perception and reality. Also, thanks for discussing dos and don'ts for effective recording AND slow motion and the slow motion apps available. I'm currently working on my serve racquet drop, and I'm eager to get a slow motion app to help me more easily analyze this.
💯
Thank you for this! The no 1 mistake when you film yourself is to send it to Nick and expect a free full analysis!
lol
I use the possibilities of video analysis very often in my training. I have made the experience that players can reflect on their mistakes much better when they see themselves. That's why a go pro is always part of my training equipment. But you can also make very good slow-motion recordings with good smartphones.
One of the best and most important videos I had the privilege to watch !
Thank you Nik for sharing such important information for anyone who loves tennis and wants to improve their level.
You are the GOAT of modern tennis coaches.
Thank you my friend !
Thank you Rui
I film nearly every match I play, and ~300 balls of serve practice every week. I put a phone up on top of the chain link behind me and spend $10 a month for swingvision, but it has been incredibly helpful, not to mention enjoyable to have footage to watch and send to my opponents. Every time I watch myself I see multiple things I hate about my technique and focus on the next time I hit a basket of serves or hit against my club's ball machine. I'm not as good at analyzing my strategic mistakes in match play, but I send lots of footage to my coach so he can roast me instead
super helpful video, thank you Nik!!
🙏
I tried it many times and Nikola is absolutely right about it - it is a meeting with reality.
The things I noticed about my game were:
1. I was way much slower than I used to think.
2. Although there were some issues with the groundstrokes, especially with backhand, the fundamentals, like the racket lag, were in place😂
Thanks for this vid Nick😊
🙏
first time i recorded myself i literally cried watching it bc it was so
bad 😂😂
lol yeah same here, when you're playing it feels like all your strokes are clean and smooth for the most part and as soon as you start watching yourself instant cringe
Great video Nick! 😀😀
Thank you Hans
Recording tennis matches and analyzing the stats is super useful for me. I even built a software to do that and get very detailed stats for singles and doubles matches.
I prefer to record matches with a GoPro and external battery pack. When I record my serves I use my iPhone
I remember you did stats on Maci vs Ema
🙌🙌🙌💯💯💯
Yes, also for the set where you played Milan. I’m happy to do stats for any of your future matches, for free of course
I've made it from 2.0 to 4.0 in 3 years in my late 30s with TWO coaching sessions and hundreds of hours of self-study and watching videos like Nick's.
Having a coach will almost certainly be better, but for those of us who are able to watch video and analyze our strokes and footwork, it's much more important to simply get reps in.
💯
Hey Nick,
In a previous video, you warned us from being too obsessed about filming and analyzing our game via recording. I'd like to add that, based on my experience, that it is good to do it, but nothing more than once a month.
Yes you can overdo it and become obsessed where you’re constantly looking at footage and tinkering with strokes that are fundamentally sound. That can be a big problem.
Another reason why your instruction is superior to others. Do you have a link for the phone attachment that works well with the tripod noted here? Thank you.
Thank you. It’s in the description
Agreed! 🎾
Just in case, iMovie app can play back in 1/8 speed.
What's the tripod mount you're using to hold your phone?
Pro tip: film 60 frames per second(or higher) for sport for smooth replay and accurate in/out check, benefit more than 4k
You are 100% correct coach Nick. I do that and uploaded it on youtube practicing on my one handed backhand and I have to say it looks and is better than yours. I too was a 2 handed backhand players years ago and barely took up tennis again back in late Nov 2023. You can see the big difference from the 2 sessions i had and it was about 2 weeks apart from each other. Goal this year is play at least 2 or 3 times a week over once every 2-3 weeks like last year. Im sure if we played in a match you would whip me but my one hander is actually looks better than a former D1 tennis coach. 😎Oh and I mean that is a very respectful way.
I get the point you make but I still think it’s good to compare yours to multiple different pros and see what they are all doing differently
The thing about video taping oneself can be this, If you don't have a profound knowledge of tennis technique you may inadvertent be "analyzing" yourself incorrectly. There is one person in particular on a large whatsapp forum I'm in who very obviously knows very little about technique yet tries to analyze his game and diagnose his problems. He falls very short of being accurate.
Will the ball hit the camera if put it behind?
It can
do you recommand swing vision?
I do, th-cam.com/video/7qDxh1haAcA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=EoDNqEuDyUaHbntY
do people like swingvision?
All pros have modified and deviated and improved fundamentals and skills. Style is merely the result of those fundamentals
That's not the point he's making. Style, in this context, is the bits between the fundamentals.
Good luck
I have a friend who constantly videotapes himself serving for the past 20 years and his serve still sucks !! 🤣🤣😂 He says his brain tells him one thing but his body says another . I told him if your body and mind aren’t in sync with each other, you’ll never improve your serve no matter how many times you videotape yourself.
So why don't more coaches use video analysis as part of their teaching?
That's a good question, you should ask your coach why it's not part of the program.
The ones out here do, might be a time vs compensation issue.
@@cloudsmith7803 It shouldn't be time or compensation - I would expect them to do it as part of the lesson, or if they do it offline then I would expect to pay them for that. My guess is that there are two main reasons (1) equipment used to be much more expensive and without the necessary features and they simply have not caught up with the technology, and neither have the national governing bodies and (2) they know that if they filmed most adult recreational players they would be horrified and would stop playing or lose confidence in themselves or in the coach. Young players who are good probably don't "need" video analysis because they can watch and copy much more readily. I've had lots of different coaches and seen many others operating, at different venues and clubs in the UK where I am. None of them have ever offered to do this, and I've never seen any of them filming any of their students. It's much more common in figure skating, but that's slightly different because (1) it's partly a presentation "sport" so people competing need to know what they look like and (2) the technical elements like multi rotation jumps are so hard that you need all the help you can get. I've filmed myself, and someone I used to play with filmed himself a lot - but nobody else I know or have seen has ever done this.
Play a match wit a racketball racket
I've seen myself. It's horrifying!!!
I have offered to film a girl with my own phone and she declined. Why in the world would she do that?