What’s The Right Shot? Episode #11
Ok, this week we're going to do a little different version of 'What's The Right Shot".
I've got a slight hitch in my forehand groundstroke that I've been working on.
It's 1 of the 7 fundamentals that make up a solid topspin drive.
It's important to get a sense of "releasing" your racket head out through the ball towards your target rather than pulling the racket up and to the finish position too early.
In the video below, I'm going to show you what I mean.
The Topspin Forehand Groundstroke Drive CourseBrent's Detailed Course Teaches You The Specific Fundamentals
That Make Up A Solid Topspin Groundstroke Drive
Coming Thursday
Here's what's in the upcoming Answer video to this episode of "What's The Right Shot?" ...
What's included in the Answer video?
- I've got a new video where I point out each of the 7 fundamentals of a topspin forehand groundstroke and how I apply them to my own forehand;
- I'll do a series of slow-motion repeats and still frames with my voiceover explanations so that you can see everything that's going on;
- I'll also do a "Copy Brent's" rehearsal style video so that you can copy my topspin forehand groundstroke;
- This video will be included in the WebTennis Players Workshop membership.
- Non WTPW members can purchase this specific episode for $7 on Thursday.
What’s The Right Shot? Episode #10 – The Answer
This video led to a bunch of great comments.
There are a number of really good shot choices for sure, but one of the most important things I want you thinking about is where you are on the court when you play your shot.
Can you cover the middle of your 1/2 of the court depending on your shot selection?
Members - get logged in over to the right in the Members Log-In area --->
Non Members - You've got 2 choices to get access to this post...
1) Join the WebTennis Players Workshop and get all of the episodes of the "What's The Right Shot?" Answer video series PLUS a 25% discount on all of Brent's courses. Click for more info and to join.
2) You can purchase this specific episode's 'Answer' video for $7. This is a 10+ minute instructional video that will show you the different shot choices, why they might work and why they might not work, the shot actually played, and my instruction on why this shot is a good choice.
PLUS, this episode always comes with another instructional video on "Copy Brent's" forehand & backhand volley using mirror image, follow the leader, and side view rehearsing.
I take you through both the forehand and backhand volleys as if your opponent has just played a volley directly at you.
In this video we're rehearsing ...
- the grip,
- the initial reaction shoulder turn,
- the racket prep position,
- the specific footwork pattern to get out of the way of the incoming ball,
- the pre-contact swing path,
- the ideal contact point,
- the post contact swing path,
- and then the recovery footwork.
Here's the $7 payment link that will get you immediate access to these two videos - click here.
What’s The Right Shot? Episode #10
This doubles video features 4 of the top USA senior 60s players - Brian Cheney, Phil Landauer, Paul Wulf, and Bill Matthews.
In addition to asking you what you think is the right shot where I stop the video, I'm also pointing out a couple of court positioning situations that I want all of us to be aware of.
Shot of the Week - "Copy Brent's" volley grip & initial reaction shoulder turn
OK, we're trying something a little different this week. I'd like your feedback on this segment as well as what you think is the right shot from the video above.
Get your tennis racket. If you don't have it available, no problem.
Click on one of the two video below based on whether you're right-handed or left-handed.
You're going to stand up and copy what I do in the video. I'm going to be your mirror image. You'll see ...
Right-handed players, play this video.
If you're left-handed, scroll down to the left-handed video.
Left-handed players, play this video.
Brent's Detailed Forehand & Backhand Volleys Course - Click
The upcoming Answer video to this episode of
"What's The Right Shot?" - Coming this Friday ...
What's included in the Answer video?
- Obviously, I'm going to show you the shot that was played and we'll discuss other shot options;
- I'll do a series of slow-motion repeats with voiceover explanation so that you can see everything that's going on;
- I'll give you this shot's "Copy Brent" video (different than today's "Copy Brent" video);
- The "Answer" video will be available for WebTennis Players Workshop members.
- Non members can purchase this specific episode for $7 on Friday.
Take The Player Learning Survey – Get 2 Videos
What are your favorite methods of learning and eventually improving your tennis game?
Online, on-court with a pro, books, DVDs, downloads, audios, etc. ???
I've got a short survey I'd like you to take.
Is 7 minutes short? I hope so 
I've got 2 videos that I want to give to you as a way of saying thanks for taking this survey that's going to help me better understand your best method(s) of learning and eventually improving your tennis.
The 1st video you may have already seen, but this is an extremely important video to review if you have already seen it.
If you haven't seen this video yet, developing the proper grip tension on your racket handle when playing a topspin forehand groundstroke is what determines a high quality spin as opposed to an artificial spin that doesn't get the job done.
The 2nd video I have for you is an interview I just did with Joel Drucker where we discuss what I think is the best way to improve your game through pure trial & error.
Sounds simple, but it really requires a specific mindset to make it work.
Here's the link to the survey. Big time thanks in advance. I really appreciate it.
Brent
Tennis Forehand Topspin Grip Tension Review
I've got two videos here for you.
1 - Developing the right amount of grip tension on your forehand groundstroke for producing a high quality topspin (2 mins 42 secs)
2 - Interview with Joel Drucker on improving your tennis through trusting Trial & Error (23 minutes 29 secs)
Forehand Topspin Grip Tension ...
Squeezing your tennis racket too tightly absolutely destroys any chance of you being able to produce high quality spin.
Yeah, I know, it can be instinctive to think that we should grip tightly to get better control of our racket during the swing, but applying even a hair too much grip pressure can slow your swing down enough to where any spin you generate is artificial.
Artificial?
Yep, artificial spin might get the ball actually rotating in the direction you want, but the spin doesn't really do what you want it to.
Think about the purpose of spin - specifically topspin.
When we choose to play a topspin forehand example, there are 3 things we want that topspin to do ...
1 - The initial upward swing path creates a shot trajectory up and over the net with enough clearance to be considered safe.
2- Once safely over the net, that upward swing path created a spin that curves the ball back down inside the baseline.
3 - When the ball bounces, the trajectory of the shot and its spin makes the ball move through the bounce as opposed to bouncing and sort of sitting there.
If your grip tension (how much you squeeze the racket handle) is too strong, you might get one of those 3 things listed above, but you won't get all 3.
Developing the right grip tension for producing high quality spin takes mucho practice. This is NOT an overnight quick fix deal.
You have to tinker like a monster and never be satisfied that you've mastered it. It takes constant vigilance, especially during tournament or league matches (you know, when the score is actually publicly published).
And for me, it's my #1 reminder before a point starts and sometimes right before I play a shot - my shot technique cue is often to feel my hand being soft on the handle.
With the video below, let's review the 7 different times you need to check on how grip tension on the handle works on a standard topspin forehand groundstroke.
And by the way, this video was originally published almost a year ago.
If this is your 1st time seeing it, let me know in the Comments area below your thoughts on how this video might help your forehand, and if you've seen this video before, let me know below if you've been able to implement this into your own topspin forehand groundstroke.
Key to the Backhand Drop Shot – False Advertising
Executing a clean drop shot for a winner can be one of the most satisfying plays when we play singles.
Most players spend way too much time working on the drop shot itself.
Instead, you should spend much more time developing a simple slice backhand groundstroke.
That's right, if you can't show a slice backhand groundstroke to your opponent, you'll tell the entire world way too early if you're about to play a backhand drop shot.
Drop shots are effective because of your ability to put out a bunch of false advertising - disguise.
I've got a video for you that I took off of the BNP Paribas Open YouTube channel (You can subscribe here, it's free, and it's loaded with some outstanding video footage).
Subscribe to the BNP Paribas Open YouTube Channel - It's free.
Asking you for a BIG favor
If you liked this video, would you literally "Like" it to your FaceBook friends?
Just click the "Like" button below. A big thanks in advance ...
Brent's Related Lessons For This Video
What’s The Right Shot? – Episode #9 – The Answer
Wow. This 'question' segment of this video really got everyone's juices flowing. Love it!
Here's the 'Answer" segment. I'm going to discuss the different suggestions that were given in the Comments area, tell you why or I like or dislike a suggestion, and then finally, show you the shot I played.
Many of you picked the shot I ended up playing. And just to be clear, in this situation, there really were a couple of shot choices that can work.
Weekend Offer - I've got an offer for you for that expires tomorrow night, Sunday April 1. It's a 2 lesson package that includes teaching you the shot I played in this video plus another closely related lesson that can help you become a much more complete doubles player.
Look for this weekend's package info below the 'Answer' video.
Want To Have That Same One-Handed Topspin Backhand Drive In Your Toolbox?
How to copy Brent's topspin backhand
and have it ready to roll in the next 30 days ...This Weekend Only - 2 Lesson Package
Get Brent's One-Handed Topspin Backhand Drive Course
PLUS ... Brent's Forehand & Backhand Slice Approach Shots Course
( How to approach and put your opponent in a world of hurt ... )$57 for both courses (normally $94) - Click
This package offer expires Sunday April 1, 2012, midnight, Pacific time zone--- OR ---
Brent's One-Handed Topspin Drive Course only - $47 - Click
You get immediate online access to the instructional videos
plus the course's DVDs are mailed to you.$57 for both courses (normally $94) - Click
This package offer expires Sunday April 1, 2012, midnight, Pacific time zoneYou get immediate online access to the instructional videos
plus the course's DVDs are mailed to you.--- OR ---
Brent's One-Handed Topspin Drive Course only - $47 - Click
What’s The Right Shot? Episode #9 – Doubles
I get together every Monday over at the Berkeley Tennis Club with Cliff, Jim, and Guy for doubles.
Cliff and I started this group darn near 10 years ago. Guy joined us shortly thereafter and Jim's been our 4th for the past few years.
Guy is a solid 5.0 player. He can hold his own with the 5.5 fellas as well.
Both Jim and Cliff are rated 4.5.
And as for me, because Mai and I have done well in the 10.0 MXD over the past few years, I can't get my rating down from a 5.0 to a 4.5 where I'd like to be so I can play on our senior team.
I can still hang with alot of the younger 5.0 guys in doubles, but singles, not so much.
So, 90% of the time I partner with Cliff and Jim partners with Guy on Mondays. The matches have been close over the years and I'll bet if we were to add up all of the wins, we'd be pretty close to 50-50. Makes it fun ...
And one of the things I'll be pointing out in my "Answer" video in a couple of days will be the tendencies of each other during this point, how well each of us knows those tendencies, and another rarely talked about dynamic that I think you'll find interesting.
The followup "Answer" video to this "Question" video will be available in a couple of days.
Brent's Instructional Strokes & Strategies Courses
What's the one stroke in your game that's keeping awake at night ? ;-)
Eliminate all of the extra unnecessary crap and pare it all down to the pure fundamentals.
That's when you'll become a consistent shot maker - click
