My Volleys

I've always enjoyed playing at the net, specially being a son of a serve and volleyer.
On my forehand volley, after the split step, as I start the unit turn, I turn my feet and step back with my right foot so I can have space to step across with my left foot just after I've made contact.
On my Backhand Volley, I start the unit turn and bring back the left foot so I can step across with my right foot. On the backswing The racket is positioned parallel to the net and just behind my left ear, just like a slice backhand. Contact is made just before the foot lands, just like on the forehand volley, and that was a bit surprising since I've always thought you should step at the same time of the contact (or maybe we should on some volleys). Of course observing it in high speed is totally different than observing it with the naked eye. On court I would have sad that I stepped at the same time...

Forehand Volley

24/01/09

Backhand Volley

24/01/09

My Serve

This is my serve. I've been improving the technique of my serve the last few years. The second footage was recorded two years ago in Hong Kong. In that video I have an extremely bend of the spine after the trophy position that allowed me to hit with increased topspin but the chances of having back injury were greater. When comparing both videos I think there has been a significant improvement. The first footage my racket head is higher just as soon as the ball is released by my left hand, my back don't bend so much and for me it feels that I can hit the ball faster. Watching my videos in high speed video is great because it allows me to see what really is happening and what I need to change for my serve. In my case my number one technical aspect that I need to improve on my serve is by keeping the right leg and hip back through the execution of my serve. My right leg collapses after the maximum bend of the knees. Is it because of my hips that are rotating too soon? Is it because my right knee is a bit week?
I need more shoulder turn in my preparation and that is one aspect I will continue to work on.
Lately I've been trying to visualize Pete Sampras Serve. He has a totally different serve where he tosses the ball higher, has a great knee and shoulder turn. Perhaps the way that he serves will allow me to serve withou having my right leg collapse...

Serve 1

27/08/09

Serve 2

10/04/08

My Forehands

This is my forehand. Probably my best shot. I use a normal semi-western grip (3,5 - 4) on most of my forehands that allows me to hit the ball flat and with topspin.I have a very simple unit turn with an unusual high position of my right hand and racquet on the ready position. I have a short swing, with the racquet head kept in a vertical position for a long time until it accelerates on the forward swing. I prefer to hit the balls at chest or shoulder height so I can hit it flat. I rather not let the ball drop after the bounce and if it happens then my right hand has to drop and my racquet head closes and faces the ground.


10/04/08

Forehand mid court winner

17/08/08

Forehand 3

10-04-08

My Topspin Backhands

This is my topspin backhand. I use a semi western Backhand grip (1,5 - 1,5). It's a grip that I advise to most of my one handed backhand students since it gives great support to the hand through contact. The grip consists in having the hand knucles on the same bevel (1,5) and all parallel with the racquet handle.
I hit mainly flat sometimes with a bit of topspin. Looking at my preparation, after the turn, my racquet head is quite high. My left elbow is unusually low and close to the body when I rotate the shoulders. Is that something to be changed? Perhaps, I'm not certain.
Another aspect of my technique that is quite surprising is how I turn the racquet face up in the beginning of the forward swing. When I first saw it I could not believe it!

Still have to go on court and practice my forward swing and keep it straight and then we'll see the results...



24/01/09

Topspin Backhand 2

24/01/09

My Slice Backhands

This is my slice backhand. It's a shot that I've always enjoyed playing. Since I was a little kid this has been the way I prefer to hit my backhands. I use the slice to defend, counterattack, to attack the net and to change the pace of the game. It works well with my forehand since hitting a slice to my opponent forces my opponent to hit a higher ball that I can attack with my forehand. I use a continental grip (3 - 1,5). My unit turn is the same for the topspin Bh, and so gives me great disguise. One particular aspect on my backhand slice is that after the turn, and just after I stepped into the ball, the racquet head drops until its at the same height of my right hand and then I start the forward swing towards contact. Dropping the racquet head till is level with the hand allows me to accelerate the racquet head before impact. On a more defensive shot I probably dont have time to drop the racquet, and the forward swing starts with the racquet a bit higher than my hand.
After impact my followthrough is short, I keep my shoulders and hips still perpendicular to the net and the left hand goes back.



24/01/09

Slice Backhand 2

24/01/09