Have a Question for Me?

[John Yandell]

Well we've all heard the saying you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.

If a player is unwilling or unable to discipline himself then really there isn't anything the coach can do--because players play tennis not coaches. So I think the idea that you are somehow powerless when you go on the court is weak and misleading.

If you really want it you will make the change.

[John Yandell]

Frank,

I don't think I need to do anything actually--no one does--only what they wish and desire. But we will do more of the voice over--the response has been tremendous.

[uspta4201423750]

Hey John,

My 7 year old is developing into a very good player (he's getting close to winning a level 3-10 and under). However, he plays it too safely (just like me) and doesn't really hit the ball as hard as he can. It's a mental barrier only because he does sometimes (when forced), and it still goes in. How do I change his philosophy and make him more aggressive. How do I get him to go for it? Thanks, Harry Kingsley

[John Yandell]

Age 7?? You're kidding right? I think age 7 is a little early to worry about this too much. You can definitely create some negative mental currents by being too concerned about anything that happens on the court at that age.

Some players win by being more conservative and building their confidence. As confidence grows they will naturally want to become more agressive. Apparently Sampras was a consistent backcourt player in his early junior career. Some players, maybe Becker is an example just always went for it no matter what which was why he wasn't considered a great prospect in Germany.

In any case playing style will evolve over time and be in large part a function of the player's personality and confidence level, not what a coach or parent thinks the kid should do.

[mdhubert]

Hi John,

I love your site and learn a lot through it, but I've observed lately that you tend to publish articles that were already online (i.e. inside out FH, Eliot Teltscher's shot tolerance). Am I wrong or is it so ? If it is the case, could you precise which are new articles and which are not in order to avoid re-reading them, even if they are interesting.

Thanks and keep on the good work,

Mat

[John Yandell]

Uh, that's why it says Tennisplayer CLASSIC Lesson. I get so many questions that are addressed in detail in various articles and we have so many good ones, we note a classic one each month on top of the new material.

[uspta1704381969]

zennis

I was in the zone. Attacking the net. Didn't care about my errors. Hot day. Shadowy court, lots of sweat. Attacked down the line with my forehand to my opponent's back hand corner, righty. Played this guy a lot, so I knew his game. All of a sudden, my field of vision wavered. I was now looking at me, seeing me come in through his eyes and feeling his body move, and deciding where to hit the ball, cross court passing shot. Then I came back into my own body, knowing exactly where the pass was going to be hit. I pivoted to the spot and crushed a back hand volley inside out, at about 85 mph.

Anyone else ever had a similar experience?

[John Yandell]

85 mph is big!

[vespasianvs]

[help!] Uncomfortable Strokes

Hi, John,

I have three questions: first about racquet, second about backhand slice and third about topspin backhand on high balls

1. I have been playing tennis for a half year but never feel uncomfortable with my stroke. When I hit the ball (especially the new ones), I can not hear the crisp "Pang" sound as I hear on tennis TV or your videos. Instead, I hear a muffled sound of strings rubbing each other even when hitting on the sweet zone. The ball also does not spin well as I feel it should. The racquet I am using now is a Head ExtremePro Min Plus given by a friend. It is my first one and all set up when I got it (I don't know its strings and tension). I am thinking about making some adjustment to it. Could you give some recommendation, especially on the stringing?

2. What is the ensentials to hit a backhand slice flat and deep instead of high and shallow?

3. Does one-handed backhanders always have to slice when the ball that jumps high around shoulders on their backhand? Is there any effective way to hit topspin one-handed backhander on high balls? Which professional players can do it excellently?
Thanks

Hongchao

[John Yandell]

On the racket I really have very little idea! Sounds like the strings could be too loose. This is not a question to answer over the internet but more one to figure out through experimenting. When I went to poly hybrid strings I tried about 5 combinations of strings and tensions before finding the right one.

On the slice, go to the archive and watch Don Budge hit the slice drive and also read Trey Waltke's article in classic lessons. Depth comes from extension on the swing and also a flatter swing plane.

Unless you go to an extreme backhand grip it's very difficult to drive a high one-hander. That's not really recommended for recreational players.

[vespasianvs]

Strokes

Thanks, John.

I just found Scott Murphy's The High Backhand in the Classic Lessons quite helpful. It is a very detailed especially with those video demonstration.

As for the slice, I can't find that Don Budge article. Could you specify the location or give me the link?

I love this website.

[vespasianvs]

Racquet Stringing

Hi, John

You suggest experimenting the string tensions to find out the right one. My racquet's tension range is 52 lbs to 62 lbs.

1. Should I start from the higher end, lower end or the middle?

2. How many pounds should I change every time I experiment a new tension?

3. Should the crosses be strung 2 lbs less than the main?

Thanks

Hongchao

[John Yandell]

Don's in the stroke archive. I'd start in the middle. The only difference in tension would be if you went poly on one and syn gut on the other. Really though I'm out of my element here--maybe someone else can jump or just talk to an experienced stringer.

[vespasianvs]

Got it.

Thanks, John.

I found the video and the your article about it in Your Strokes.

I am gonna try it out when I got my re-strung racquet.

Hongchao

[airforce1]

Hi, John

You suggest experimenting the string tensions to find out the right one. My racquet's tension range is 52 lbs to 62 lbs.

1. Should I start from the higher end, lower end or the middle?

2. How many pounds should I change every time I experiment a new tension?

3. Should the crosses be strung 2 lbs less than the main?

Thanks Hongchao

I think
#1 yes, start in middle, unless you Know you prefer tighter strings, then 2-3 lbs from the top.
*also you "may" like 2-4 lbs less tension in cold weather

#2 change 2 lbs each time till you get real close on tension

#3 yes to crosses 2lbs lighter,
except if hybrid with poly mains