Since I am 70, but still trying to improve, videos like this are helpful to evaluate what I am doing and what I may or may not be able to develop. Thanks!
Hitting the ball in front shouldn't be age related (I'm 56 played continental grip from age 11 to 19, stop playing then resumed age 53 and within a week or two, I started hitting in front with lag. It's all about the level you are at ie your confidence in delaying contact with the ball. If you still struggle to make good contact with the ball at will and repeatedly, you will never get lag. Lag = being able to be deliberately late for contact and recover on time. Nothing to do with age.
@@alteroccatv hi :) delaying contact ?? deliberatly late ... ?? racket ?? arm ?? i don't get it ^^^ nothing to see with continental or what ever ! right ??
This is true not only for older players, but I would say for MOST recreational players.Trying to duplicate pros will only give you injuries to different parts of your body over time.Simplicity is all you need.
This is not true. Search for and study Oscar Wegner and his Play like the Pros method. It will explain to you how the top pros play and how they apply the most effective techniques. And that those techniques are the simplest at the same time, and that's why everybody, from total beginners to advanced and pro players should copy them. He has a practical method, too, to achieve this which I, for one, use it with great success. Greatings from Hungary!
So grateful for this! At 62, took up the game last year … my game has improved considerably but my forehand has been going backwards as I drive myself nuts trying to implement the timing, the s-w grip, the racket pointing up, lag, whip etc. Can’t wait to get back out there and just simplify as per this instruction!
Just want to thank you thinking of us older players over 50. We still love playing the game. I’m 62 playing in a flex league and losing badly. But at least I’m out there trying to compete against younger faster players.
You’re just a pup! I’m 76 still trying to improve. Find a friend to feed you sitters at the service line. For at least one hour a week AFTER a good warm up. If you are after optimal results you have to use semi western grip. Concentrate on your shoulder turn, coil and execution. Film yourself to see what you’re doing. When your technique starts to break down, be it three balls or 10, shake it out and reset. Switch after half a hopper and you feed your partner balls. Sprints. Good luck.
I'm in my 60s and I do have the lag thing. I had to get up and air swing to see it. It's not something that I think about in playing. What I actually have to think about is getting the racquet head set up for the modern or nextgen forehand or modern backhand. If I get early preparation, then things go well. Focusing on footwork helps too. There are only one or two things that you can focus on in a practice session so building the muscle memory with mostly the right stuff allows you to practice fixing the problems. I used the Contiental in the early 1970s and switched to the Eastern in the late 1970s. I switched to the Semi-Western around 2008 and then the modern forehand and backhand around 2018 and worked on the nextgen forehand around 2020. Each transition took at least six months because changing technique or grip is hard as you tend to revert to what you used to use under pressure.
When I started playing tennis more seriously 45 years ago, I was criticized for using a wrist snap action on my forehand. I tried to get that under control, but the local pro recognized that it gave me more power on my shot. About five years ago a pro recommended using racquet lag to get more power, and it came quite naturally to me, and now at 72 I use it if I think about it, mainly on sitters. ;)
Finally, a forehand instruction that is practical for the player of only modest ability. Modern strokes are an improvement for good players and a welcome development of technique, but coaches forget that old school forehands by the top players of the day were still damn good shots hit with a surprising level of power. Elite players from the '50s and '60s who were not known for their forehands, still hit all their strokes, (with wooden rackets), better than your average modern club coach hits his ATP forehand with his carbon fibre racket. If I had Ken Rosewall's forehand stroke today, (not his much lauded backhand; his forehand), I'd be a far better club player than I am now !!!)
I found the racquet lag is useful only if the player has a relax wrist and able to “throw” the racquet at the ball. Most rec players’ wrists are simply too tense including mine at majority of the time especially when under pressure or contacting late.
@@watersmoke1114 If you achieve proper contact the wrist is in full extension, which is why it's stable but in order to achieve this position your wrist needs to be relaxed prior to acceleration.
Haha. I always imagine people going to a running coach and the coach tells them to pump their arms like Usain bolt. Yeaahhhh it’s not that easy to have a contact point out in front for a lot of people.
My dear friend, you just gave me the best explanation of forehand lag - how it can happen - I have seen tens of videos repeatedly over the years! (you also solved the mystery of exact timing of the hip turn)? you also solved the mystery of how far in-front one must hit to have an effective lag. Thanks but I will keep trying. What's holding back in bicep tendonitis!!!
Glad you found the video helpful. Injuries suck! Sorry to hear you are dealing with an issue. When I switched to playing lefty, it took me a long time to get my wrists strong enough to handle the load from a racket lag.
super helpful video. i’m 58. played tennis growing up and for my hs. i’m a 4.0. continental grip and flat strokes. had my second lesson today on the modern forehand. i can wait to drop half of what i learned and try your suggestions! thank u!
Hahahha. Glad you found the video helpful. Maybe don't drop everything.... having an understand of how it works is useful. Just take it with a pinch of salt and find what works for you.
I’m 68 and trying a semi western and getting no bang for my buck.The lag requires so much effort.Thanks for this. I’m going back to my Eastern and enjoying the game again.
Hey Richard, you are talking about the racket lag (70%) in the video, and maybe 20% about the alternative stroke for us older players. No offense. I love your channel. The best I have ever seen. Forget Rick Macci (the clown), and Jeff Salzenstein, who has been pretty quiet lately. Keep it hitting with your left hand, I am a lefty too.
useful reflexion indeed - not all coaches understand the ramifications - but for the continental grip, in my view, I wouldn't let players to stay with it (ok to take the players as they are but the grip change is a fundamental aspect in modern tennis that needs to be acquired)
Bottom line is lag is only good if you are smart and can afford a pro to teach you correctly. You are right most players swing late or barely on time unless they either play over 20 hours a week or have been taught correctly. Most coaches don't know how to instruct on the lag and that is why they would say most older players shouldn't use it.
Thank you for this very informative video. I have been trying to change to a semi-western grip after using an eastern forehand grip for like 50 years (I'm age 75). I did not realize until this video that the EF grip allowed you to contact the ball easier when your swing is a little late and not quite out in front as it should be. I remember Connors using the other player's pace and having a short but effective swing on his forehands as an example.
I've just learned this yesterday! LOL! My coach (beginner here, hiring a coach to get better) noticed that most of the time, I am late with my swing especially my backhand. He recommends that I simplify my strokes. This video really solidifies his lesson and explains it even in much better details! THANK YOU!
I couldn’t disagree more. Racket lag is a byproduct of relaxation. Timing is about having confidence not reprogramming the brain. Catch a ball exercises will help “retrain” the fear of missing the ball through timing. Everything the solution here is proposing is contrary to relaxation which is the key as you get older. Adding any phase of tension in the swing should never be encouraged. Timing is not a dark art. We all have it. Some more developed than others maybe but easily enough to time hitting a moving tennis ball. Stay relaxed. Abbreviate the swing arc length and pivot point or fulcrum but dont lose the relaxation. The lag will always happen if you are relaxed.
If you have good timing thats great, but there are a lot more people that don’t. And the reason they don’t is because their eye to foot / hand coordination isn’t good enough. There are literally millions of players that prove this point. They all want good timing. They’ve all watched the videos about how it should work. But they aren’t able to do it, just like not everyone can run as fast as a world class sprinter.
@@TennisHacker thx for your reply. hand eye coordination is something we are born with sure but it can be improved and developed. Sure it is lost with age but the way to improve it is the opposite of what you are teaching. The trick is to take the brain out of the equation not make people think about hitting the ball more. Relaxed arcs are easier and more natural and require less processing and are more easily repeatable. Kinetic chains are more somatic and simply more effortless. Also 50 is not an age that should be considered old or be differentiated from someone who is twenty. The same issues and principles apply. We have all seen kids with relatively poor hand eye coordination but it can be taught using simple catching games and teaching techniques in sport that are fundamental and natural and have often been blocked or underdeveloped because of anxiety and the reliance on conscious intervention rather than relaxation.
@@KenFlanaganagree with you… Using the non-hitting hand is also IMPORTANT. Actually the fundamentals should be contact, balance, and the use of the non-hitting hand for racquet face, and grip adjustment, (racquet preparation), keeping the racquet head up, and relaxing the hitting hand in between points. The wrist is a flexible joint, the elbow is a bendable joint, and the shoulder is a rotational joint; not using a lag could create injuries, making the student use their elbow as a flexible, or even rotational joint giving tendonitis on elbow and shoulder joints.
I think Ken is correct. We do our best with age or other limitations. The kinetic chain can be adjusted ti fit individual needs, AND racquet lag is still part of an efficient, effective movement. This clip demos an example of limited time/ability for a full "professional" preparation. czcams.com/video/X8_3I21qgm8/video.htmlsi=RyCNZlMCwqHPqv2k&t=223
True but It really depends… one of the things is the grip. If you as an older player uses a continental grip on your forehand or a strong eastern grip (closer to continental) it is difficult to create a proper lag and it will probably be a forced lag. I am 70 but I use a semi western grip and the lag comes very naturally if your wrist is loose. In my case I love the modern game with spin and changed from the old style. It took efforts but I enjoy my forehand. It does require a proper preparation of the body and other technical details and the use of the kinetic chain but that’s the fun part for me.
If people have the timing to use a racket lag, then it's the most optimal way to hit the forehand. This video is more to point out, that if players don't have the timing, it's ok to simplify things.
Absolutely! Yes for us older folks it can be quite demanding to have a good string preparation and all around bodily requirements. So yes simplify things can be the right option to enjoy your game… for me I love the modern game so I could not help to experiment modern hitting in spite of my being 70. I am quite fit, play 4 times a week with younger players. Actually since 2-3 years I started to copy the Next Gen forehand 😎🤣. Seriously ! … 😅 I chose at first Thiem then went all the way with the Sinner one! 🤪And loving it. Really depends on our vision for the game. Thanks for all your great videos. You are an expert. 💫
Great explanation 👍🏻 now imagine playing „blind tennis“ tennis for blind and low vision … you don‘t have the visual system as we play with a „sound ball“ and see (depending on classification) the ball very very late! So early preparation is key but then sometimes you are able to get the raquet lag 👍🏻
6:11 classic style with easten grip, is much simpler to learn for better timing. Removing the modern tricks like racket lag, pat the dog, etc, simplify FH much, might be better for bigginers, and most of rec players. Thanks for the great tip!
If u are just trying out racket lag for the first time it help to first try it on a wall. It screws up your timing and your rythm. U will also lose your feel for the ball. It might take a while, u might even have to let go of everything u know about hitting the ball to get it right. If u get it right it feels like an effortless shot but it has power.
Racquet lag is directly proportional to your racquet take back . If you reduce your take back to a minimum,, the racquet lag will be less accordingly. How do you do that you ask ? The answer is by keeping your racquet in ready position and making unit turns with your upper body to position your racquet instead of using the right arm to swing it back (like you see Sinner doing here)! Then at the very last moment,, gently jerk the wrist back. The jerking back motion creates enough opposing force to propel the racquet face forward! How ? By leading with your right shoulder and “ Whipping “ the racquet forward . Imagine a string connecting your right shoulder to your right wrist . Whip that string and watch the racquet face strike the ball .
Sorta, never “jerk”, that portion is the result of the circular swing, bringing the butt cap forward violently which loads the tendons for release just prior to contact. Look at Manarino’s FH stroke and compare it to your favorite new guy. Super compact but all the elements are there.
I agree with you. Theorically the racket lag is good. But to achieve it for an amateur is quite impossible. You cannot reproduce what the pro do. A pro is an alien who practices tennis 6hour per day. He has good sight, good complexion, good technic, good experience, good coach, good food etc. An amateur has to simplify all the shots 'cause he does not manage the timing on the ball and will never do. If you' re not convince, take a vid of your game and you 'll see you' ll be always too late on the ball and never hit the ball in front. Don't dream, tennis is a full time job.
I think it's hard for most people to comprehend how good the players are that we see on tv (in all sports). It's a good ideal to model some of that the pro's do. But we have to keep in mind that they can do what they do because of how insanely talented they are.
The longer the take back - the more difficult timing. I went from full 0 degrees (to fence) takeback on backhand to 45 degrees and I started to hit everything with ease and with the racket lag. Actually the racket gets into the same position when it drops as with 0 degrees take back so it is still very powerful.
Absolutely! Yes for us older folks it can be quite demanding to have a good strong preparation and all around bodily requirements. So yes simplify things can be the right option to enjoy your game… for me I love the modern game so I could not help to experiment modern hitting in spite of my being 70. I am quite fit, play 4 times a week with younger players. Actually since 2-3 years I started to copy the Next Gen forehand 😎🤣. Seriously ! … 😅 I chose at first Thiem then went all the way with the Sinner one! 🤪And loving it. Really depends on our vision for the game. Thanks for all your great videos. You are an expert. 💫✨
To me it’s not about old or young, but about which way you learned from the beginning. If you’ve played for a while with continental grip and hit the ball a little further back, it’ll be really hard to change to a more mordern grip and change your timing. I started learning in my mid 40s with the modern technique and I’m in mid 50s now. I have no problem. I started teaching my wife when she was 51, never played before, with a very western FH and she had no problem learning it. I’ve also helped some others friends that have already played with the old FH technique and they couldn’t change it after trying so they just stuck with the old way.
If someone started with a continental grip then it's definitely going to be a tough thing to change. The timing is still very hard for players who started learning with a "more Modern" style grip and swing. There was a big tournament on here recently, with a thousand or so players and pretty much without fail everyone below the 4.5 level was hitting the ball late. And half the players at 4.5
@@TennisHacker To me the rating doesn’t always mean you have good technique. Your rating is based on your win/loss records and in tennis there’s many ways to win points. I’m 3.5 but I can say I look much better than players higer rating than me because other players and a coach told me so. But I’m only 5’3” and in mid 50’s so it’s hard for me to get to 4.0. My son is about UTR 8-9 and hits the ball probably up to 70-80 mph so it’s too fast for me that causes me to hit late but when I have time I don’t hit late. If you train properly and use your non hitting hand as a guidance you won’t hit the ball late.
Great video! There's so much going on between getting yourself to the ball, positioning yourself relative to the ball and your reach and initiating your swing sequence etc. Really appreciate the complete breakdown here. Subscribed!
@@TennisHacker 100%. If positioning isn't right then none of what follows will be either. I'm a 30+ player who's just starting to play again after about 20 years. My brain is telling me to swing at a certain distance but the ball keeps going to the left(I'm swinging too late). But when I swing earlier, my brain is telling me that it's too early and I won't make contact with the ball. But turns out when I swing "early" it's actually perfect timing and an amazing shot follows. 😂
I see this so many times in so many sports. Cycling, skiing and rallying us mere mortals can’t adopt extreme positions, use pro stiffness equipment or think or control a WRC car. We need to accept we are mortals and that using solid techniques and equipment closer to our abilities would be beneficial. I’ve been a class winner in a 1600 corsa went slower in a grp A Subaru, I had just enough talent to max the corsa and not enough to be consistent and be faster in the Subaru.
Yep. We all just have to become the best versions of ourself that we can. It's hard to comprehend how good most professional athletes are because what they can do is so far in excess of what we can do. And I say that as a decent athlete (but far from elite).
There is a on line coach name Broudy that said that lead the forehand with the elbow in the backswing is "vague at best" meaning that in the unit turn You are putting a Lot of energy in the upper body elbow, shoulder example: what Roddick does on his forehand backswing and that he likes Federer forehand backswing that in the unit turn dosen't use at all his upper body elbow shoulders as Roddick does!¡ What's your opinion about it?¿
Honestly I don't think there is a right or wrong way to prepare. Biomechanically we have to get are upper body rotated and our back leg loaded. But how you get there depends on the person. It's about finding what works for you. Different coaching cues help different players. Then you have to factor in skill level.
The problem is that the correct sequence is much more faster from the moment of decision of hitting a forehand to the contact point, so timing argument doesn't work at all. It's just laziness argument and not putting more effort argument. Step on court and improve your ball recognition, agility, speed or play poorly. It is what it is.
No offense intended, but I’ve never understood the value of using “it is what it is” in any conversation. It literally doesn’t communicate ANYTHING more than “It is.” It’s wild that it has become so common in modern communication. Again, I’m not intending to insult you…just have noticed the phrase showing up a lot.
@golllaur If you are a high level athlete then that's the way it works. But not everyone has that starting point and they really struggle with timing because they don't have the eye to hand coordination. Is it ok if they get help and improve as well?
@@TennisHacker what a provoking question)) of course it's ok if they buy your lessons )) but my point is that understanding the correct technique from early on is the key and it's not about physical abilities at all, it's much more simple to let the gravity and kinetic energy to do the work than consciously dropping the racquet down and then lifting it. and the latter is bad for timing as well, because it's slower, so you have to compute more. Am I wrong?
Thanks. I totally get what you are advocating (at least, I think I do !). I play with a slight natural lag because I grip the racquet more loosely than many players. I particularly do this on serve and sometimes grip the racquet with the little finger slightly off the handle. It certainly gives an extra zip but Is this bad ?
It's definitely not bad if you can make it work. If something works, don't let anyone tell you what you do is bad. My point here was that if players are hitting the ball late, then it's ok not try and copy the "pros" and instead focus fixing underlying problems.
I do think there is some false choice being presented here. You can have eastern grip, keep the racket in front of shoulder line and adjust amount of lag depending on how much time you have and how agressive you want to be with your shot.
Some people can make the adjustments. But if a player isn’t able to make the adjustment based on late contact or other reasons, then their best option is not to focus on using a racket lag. And instead focus on foundational elements
@@TennisHacker To me it seems like the simplest way to play for anyone able to make a unit turn, because it's the fastest way to get set, so you can meet the ball in front.
It is a tennis academy swing. While the racquet is still going back you initiate the forward swing. If it comes to a stop like in this video it is not lagging. I see so many teachers teaching classic tennis. Please at least teach the Agassi forehand. If you want to learn lag get (cut) a 30 inch long 1/2 inch diameter wood dowel from home depot and practice lagging with that.
Hi I m from India. Love to play tennis and improve. Can you please tell me a normal fitness routine Like what should i do per day in week to improve my fitness
Also, I have notice slight flick of left foot upon forehand completion. This manifests overrotation. You need to clean this. When you want more power, go more upward, instead of excessive shoulder turn. And the flick will disappear. Not biggy, but aestetically more pleasing. Would not look too WTA-ish.
@@TennisHacker I mean that "twister dance move" of your back leg. It happens, when most of power generated by rotation , but your feet stay grounded ( heels are still planted on floor) . your body prevents you from overtwisting your knee , so it prefers to twist your hill. Or else you need Tiger Wood knee surgery pretty soon. :) This techique is perfectly legit in some cases. Also It is prevalent in WTA tennis - ladies are not fond of getting in the air during their shots. However in ATP, you cant afford hitting ball grounded... as it wont pay your bills. :)
so how about : concentrate on starting your swing EARLY , pull back early , read the game better, move your feet back fast if the ball is fast......or jus play against a less hard hitting player [ if you are getting on w age ]..... rather than messing w the CORRECT STROKE
It’s pity when you watched tons of videos about ATP or New Gen forehand and spend hours mastering it and in the end you get bitten by a player with old school loopy swing, who’s last training session was in last century. It is indeed hard to time this type of Forehand swing especially when you’re learning this at some older age. During the matches it only brings confusion. Why can’t we stick with what works and leave all the rest to younger players.
What works for each person is different. It’s about finding the best technique based on your level of eye to hand coordination. If that isn’t the same as a top pro, thats totally ok. There a plenty of players playing fantastic tennis with “more classical” styles. The issue is the way a lot of coaching is done these days.
This is kind of dumb. You can't hit a traditional forehand late either. Sure it's more of a challenge to learn as is anything but the benefits are way worth it. I switched to a modern forehand at the age of 40 and haven't looked back since. If you're starting at a later age, just work a bit harder and you'll get it. A late forehand is bad no matter what style you use. Timing is important for this sport no matter what shot you hit, forehand, backhand, volleys, serves. The better your timing, the better your shot...
The whole video is based on wrong premise that pros hitting far in front. This is myth, easily disproved. Any side view of forehand will reveal that Federer and others , being in closed position, making contact on the level of front toe. This is by no means is not " hitting far in front". In fact, during the lag raquet butt is travelling NOT FORWARD, but 45 degrees toward side fence. Having said that , lagged forehand does not require more timing skills due to advanced contact. It requires better timing due to higher raquest speed this lag produces. But, as always, better timing is coming from more practice. So don't avoid lag, just practice more and you move to new level in your club. Cheers.
Yeahhhh no. High level plays generally have contact points that are much farther in front than lower level players. Hitting the ball late is one of the biggest issues following on from preparing late and not setting up in the right position.
@@TennisHacker Tons of roookes hit both late and too early, especially when taught to "step into ball". I guess we need some reference here. If you check sideview of any pro forehand you will observe that contact point is on same level as front foot ( given that player is in fully closed position ) This would be a "reference point". The more pro is open the more ball will be further in front of front foot. So pro's contact point in close position would be refered as neutral. If pro pushed far behind baseline and pro heavily loaded backfoot, then his front foot will be more in front than contact point. So it is more complicated , depending on stance and kind of ball. Bottom line... "hitting in front" is not "one bill fits it all" .. .. It depends ! Very.
Bad Coaching to Encourage anyone to hit the Ball LATE . late point of contact means No control and stresses uour body . So totally disagree with this . Even without lag you shouldn't hit ball late . Also misreading info . Poin of contact depends on where you hitting.
No good coach should tell someone to "use a racket lag". The lag is a consequence of take back, relaxed arm and meeting in front. The way the lag is generated indeed depends on the type of take back, which has evolved over the years. So I would argue your point is "be careful with using a modern take back" rather than "be careful with using a racket lag". Your other points are also valid: some players have difficulty timing and meet the ball too much sideways, and some (older) players are not as relaxed. Adapting to that by adopting a more classical forehand is probably good advice. I think your wording of "not using a lag" is countering the advice of "using a lag". But two negatives don't make a positive :) So, I agree with all your points, just not with the articulation. Cheers.
Hahaha. The problem with youtube is you have use titles that people click or you don’t get to help people. If i phrased things how i want to no one would watch 😂
I'm surprised to why/what you talk about "lag" "use". Racket lag always happens when: you play with your arm relaxed throughout the stroke. It's not something you think about. Good luck with analysis and stuff but try not to mislead people :)
You nailed it by writing: "play with your arm relaxed". This is precisely what most players DON'T do. There are tense because of all the reasons possible, such as being late to react. And this is exactly what he described and why he explained that focusing mainly on racquet lag MAY not be right for everyone. In other words, he is 100% right.
@@yvesb1227 I was trying to say that it is not a conscious decision. It’s not our choice to make, it happens or not. It’s not a thing that is meant for one or another. If it makes sense. :)
This video is totally misleading. His technique in demonstrating the lag isn't even correct. I really dislike coaches like this as they tend to limit player development by telling people they should just settle for inferior form. Most people want to improve and this advice will prevent players from reaching the top of their game.
Sorry, but I have to disagree with the theme of your video, as it is yet another example of ageism, which I find to be rampant in American society. I am 79 and play doubles 3-4 times a week. Having been taught to use a locked wrist as a teen, I'm a 4.5 to 5.0 player who picked up the lag forehand from watching slo-mo recordings of the pros a few years ago. It is a very reliable shot, more reliable than the locked wrist technique because it imparts considerably more topspin onto the ball. It has turned my forehand into a very reliable weapon. Reflexes don't necessarily decrease with age. Assumptions based on age are offensive to the aged.
I think you are missing the point of the video. If you are able to make the racket lag work, that's awesome do it! But there are thousands and thousands of players out there, that don't have the timing to do it. This video is for those players to let them know that it's ok if your shot doesn't look like the pro's. Do what works for you and you can still enjoy playing good tennis.
This person don’t have any sounding tennis techniques! He don’t even know how to hit a forhand properly. A lag and pulling is different. On shbh and shbh, writ or buttcap move first. Unlike dhbh, wait move slightly 1st or at same time with racquet swing to back. Lag only happened at very fast acceleration and it’s not a have to. But pulling is a must.
Considering he doesn’t know what he’s talking about, he’s achieved a pretty decent level with his right and left hand. And he’s worked / helped some very high level players. 😂
@@TennisHacker through years of training and work with different coaches, I realize the top level coach don’t talk or lecture; they feed balls and bring students to better level with hands on rallies. They place ball and adjust intensity and difficulty. They make students become better through practice sessions, no word is required.
players should just learn to hit the ball with their racket and not with their body !!!just like you want to hit something with a stick also here nobody tells you how to do that and it comes naturally . there is TOOOOOOO much information on how to hit a ball
Not true. Most players with limited experience (even most recreational players with plenty of experience) Will end up ‘arming’ the Ball if they are told to just hit it. THIS is what creates injuries in shoulder and arm, Which is Exactly why it’s of such importance to learn Where the power comes from: Down under, legs, hips, trunk. The arm just follows this kinetic chain of energy, acting like a whip, completely relaxed. Following this will not create injury, far smaller risk than arming it. Is it easy? No. Is it worth learning for most people up to 70 years of age (even older I’d say) with average body function and athleticism? Most definitely. The video might work for some, but I think it is not for the people regardless of age who has even average athleticism and want to put in a couple of hours per week on their training.
@@rlv252300 well 40 years of teaching experiance has thought me that theres to much explanation on how to hit a ball and for that a lot of people strugle to get a decent level. ok it might not sound that simple as i say it but its all on how you bring it to them, in a natural way like refering to throwing a ball or touching something and then you do the same with the racket. but everybody his opinion and this is mine
If you’ve been teaching for 40 years then you know how many players arm their shots. And all sports use the kinetic chain when done efficiently. Thats a different thing to forcing a complete beginner to use “pro” technique thats not appropriate for them.
@@TennisHacker the kinetic chain that everybody is talking about comes natural for a lot of things but because of taking away natural movements and forcing some people into positions that are not really adecuate for their body they feel uncomforteble. a throwing motion is the same for a profesional as for a beginner so thats not forcing beginners into profesional stuff, and after throwing becomes hitting in that natural way . i didnt wanted to go to much in competition because it doesnt make money like recreational tennis does , but even not wanting it i had a few top 50 players in my country and 2 wta top 700 players which is not bad and thanks to recreational tennis i could stop working at an early age and enjoy life
@@TennisHacker well there are indeed , probably didnt get a proper xplanation on how to do it naturaly. the first thing people think when they come to the court for the first time is that they have to HIT the ball which should be taken out there head imediately
This is a great common sense video on lag. I've tried it but don't like it as the feeling of it is like hitting a half-,volley. Well I don't like half volley's & I don't know anyone who does. Great tips on alternative fh's.
HOW TO USE BRAIN BASED TRAINING TO IMPROVE YOUR TIMING
tennishacker.krtra.com/t/1SmNaHz7o2dT
Since I am 70, but still trying to improve, videos like this are helpful to evaluate what I am doing and what I may or may not be able to develop. Thanks!
Hitting the ball in front shouldn't be age related (I'm 56 played continental grip from age 11 to 19, stop playing then resumed age 53 and within a week or two, I started hitting in front with lag. It's all about the level you are at ie your confidence in delaying contact with the ball. If you still struggle to make good contact with the ball at will and repeatedly, you will never get lag. Lag = being able to be deliberately late for contact and recover on time. Nothing to do with age.
I'm finding that adequate footwork seems to be What effects my strokes more than how I swing. @@alteroccatv
@@alteroccatv hi :) delaying contact ??
deliberatly late ... ?? racket ?? arm ?? i don't get it ^^^
nothing to see with continental or what ever ! right ??
@@antoinev9733 LOL!!! He does explain it waaaaaay better than me/anyone czcams.com/video/VHOW68mt4hk/video.html
This is true not only for older players, but I would say for MOST recreational players.Trying to duplicate pros will only give you injuries to different parts of your body over time.Simplicity is all you need.
This is not true. Search for and study Oscar Wegner and his Play like the Pros method. It will explain to you how the top pros play and how they apply the most effective techniques. And that those techniques are the simplest at the same time, and that's why everybody, from total beginners to advanced and pro players should copy them. He has a practical method, too, to achieve this which I, for one, use it with great success. Greatings from Hungary!
So grateful for this! At 62, took up the game last year … my game has improved considerably but my forehand has been going backwards as I drive myself nuts trying to implement the timing, the s-w grip, the racket pointing up, lag, whip etc. Can’t wait to get back out there and just simplify as per this instruction!
what a lovely court: in the woods, silent and serene
Yes, it’s a glorious and peaceful spot for recording. Takes me a while to clean the leaves of the court though 😂
Just want to thank you thinking of us older players over 50. We still love playing the game. I’m 62 playing in a flex league and losing badly. But at least I’m out there trying to compete against younger faster players.
I am also 62 - we need to use our brains/experince to beat a younger player.
me too but my body is after one day hurting me sooo much
You’re just a pup! I’m 76 still trying to improve. Find a friend to feed you sitters at the service line. For at least one hour a week AFTER a good warm up. If you are after optimal results you have to use semi western grip. Concentrate on your shoulder turn, coil and execution. Film yourself to see what you’re doing. When your technique starts to break down, be it three balls or 10, shake it out and reset. Switch after half a hopper and you feed your partner balls.
Sprints.
Good luck.
Absolutely right! The best technique sometime is not the best for every one. Versatile is more important for most recreational players.
Exactly. People have to find the best version that works for them.
Nope.
Great tip for us who never got coaching as kids .
I'm in my 60s and I do have the lag thing. I had to get up and air swing to see it. It's not something that I think about in playing. What I actually have to think about is getting the racquet head set up for the modern or nextgen forehand or modern backhand. If I get early preparation, then things go well. Focusing on footwork helps too. There are only one or two things that you can focus on in a practice session so building the muscle memory with mostly the right stuff allows you to practice fixing the problems.
I used the Contiental in the early 1970s and switched to the Eastern in the late 1970s. I switched to the Semi-Western around 2008 and then the modern forehand and backhand around 2018 and worked on the nextgen forehand around 2020. Each transition took at least six months because changing technique or grip is hard as you tend to revert to what you used to use under pressure.
When I started playing tennis more seriously 45 years ago, I was criticized for using a wrist snap action on my forehand. I tried to get that under control, but the local pro recognized that it gave me more power on my shot. About five years ago a pro recommended using racquet lag to get more power, and it came quite naturally to me, and now at 72 I use it if I think about it, mainly on sitters. ;)
Finally, a forehand instruction that is practical for the player of only modest ability. Modern strokes are an improvement for good players and a welcome development of technique, but coaches forget that old school forehands by the top players of the day were still damn good shots hit with a surprising level of power. Elite players from the '50s and '60s who were not known for their forehands, still hit all their strokes, (with wooden rackets), better than your average modern club coach hits his ATP forehand with his carbon fibre racket. If I had Ken Rosewall's forehand stroke today, (not his much lauded backhand; his forehand), I'd be a far better club player than I am now !!!)
Thanks for your comment 😀
I found the racquet lag is useful only if the player has a relax wrist and able to “throw” the racquet at the ball. Most rec players’ wrists are simply too tense including mine at majority of the time especially when under pressure or contacting late.
the relax wrist is also a myth - at contact it is not relax and is generally badly explained on internet or by coaches
@@watersmoke1114 it may not be relaxed, but it is a damn smooth kinetic chain sequence..
@@watersmoke1114 If you achieve proper contact the wrist is in full extension, which is why it's stable but in order to achieve this position your wrist needs to be relaxed prior to acceleration.
@@tijgertjekonijnwordopgegeten tx a lot, I had forgotten this, I will try
I rank "just hit the ball out in front" advice right up there with "keep your eye on the ball" advice.
Haha. I always imagine people going to a running coach and the coach tells them to pump their arms like Usain bolt.
Yeaahhhh it’s not that easy to have a contact point out in front for a lot of people.
My dear friend, you just gave me the best explanation of forehand lag - how it can happen - I have seen tens of videos repeatedly over the years! (you also solved the mystery of exact timing of the hip turn)? you also solved the mystery of how far in-front one must hit to have an effective lag. Thanks but I will keep trying. What's holding back in bicep tendonitis!!!
Glad you found the video helpful.
Injuries suck! Sorry to hear you are dealing with an issue. When I switched to playing lefty, it took me a long time to get my wrists strong enough to handle the load from a racket lag.
super helpful video. i’m 58. played tennis growing up and for my hs. i’m a 4.0. continental grip and flat strokes. had my second lesson today on the modern forehand. i can wait to drop half of what i learned and try your suggestions! thank u!
Hahahha. Glad you found the video helpful. Maybe don't drop everything.... having an understand of how it works is useful. Just take it with a pinch of salt and find what works for you.
I’m 68 and trying a semi western and getting no bang for my buck.The lag requires so much effort.Thanks for this. I’m going back to my Eastern and enjoying the game again.
You're so right ! Remember Michael Chang's forehand? I think's it's a much more in between achievable movement despite the loop.
I loved Michael Chang!
Hey Richard, you are talking about the racket lag (70%) in the video, and maybe 20% about the alternative stroke for us older players. No offense. I love your channel. The best I have ever seen. Forget Rick Macci (the clown), and Jeff Salzenstein, who has been pretty quiet lately. Keep it hitting with your left hand, I am a lefty too.
Thank you for your kind words! I apreceate it 😀
useful reflexion indeed - not all coaches understand the ramifications - but for the continental grip, in my view, I wouldn't let players to stay with it (ok to take the players as they are but the grip change is a fundamental aspect in modern tennis that needs to be acquired)
Good advice. Shorter take-back when playing against better/younger players. Or use classic grips.
Bottom line is lag is only good if you are smart and can afford a pro to teach you correctly. You are right most players swing late or barely on time unless they either play over 20 hours a week or have been taught correctly. Most coaches don't know how to instruct on the lag and that is why they would say most older players shouldn't use it.
you are right,it is not the age of the player but rather hitting with the correct timing.....
Correct.
Thank you for this very informative video. I have been trying to change to a semi-western grip after using an eastern forehand grip for like 50 years (I'm age 75). I did not realize until this video that the EF grip allowed you to contact the ball easier when your swing is a little late and not quite out in front as it should be. I remember Connors using the other player's pace and having a short but effective swing on his forehands as an example.
Glad it was helpful! Yes the grip has a huge impact on the most comfortable contact point.
I've just learned this yesterday! LOL! My coach (beginner here, hiring a coach to get better) noticed that most of the time, I am late with my swing especially my backhand. He recommends that I simplify my strokes. This video really solidifies his lesson and explains it even in much better details! THANK YOU!
Glad you found it helpful (and that you have a good coach to help you!)
I couldn’t disagree more. Racket lag is a byproduct of relaxation. Timing is about having confidence not reprogramming the brain. Catch a ball exercises will help “retrain” the fear of missing the ball through timing. Everything the solution here is proposing is contrary to relaxation which is the key as you get older. Adding any phase of tension in the swing should never be encouraged. Timing is not a dark art. We all have it. Some more developed than others maybe but easily enough to time hitting a moving tennis ball. Stay relaxed. Abbreviate the swing arc length and pivot point or fulcrum but dont lose the relaxation. The lag will always happen if you are relaxed.
If you have good timing thats great, but there are a lot more people that don’t. And the reason they don’t is because their eye to foot / hand coordination isn’t good enough.
There are literally millions of players that prove this point. They all want good timing. They’ve all watched the videos about how it should work. But they aren’t able to do it, just like not everyone can run as fast as a world class sprinter.
@@TennisHacker thx for your reply. hand eye coordination is something we are born with sure but it can be improved and developed. Sure it is lost with age but the way to improve it is the opposite of what you are teaching. The trick is to take the brain out of the equation not make people think about hitting the ball more. Relaxed arcs are easier and more natural and require less processing and are more easily repeatable. Kinetic chains are more somatic and simply more effortless. Also 50 is not an age that should be considered old or be differentiated from someone who is twenty. The same issues and principles apply. We have all seen kids with relatively poor hand eye coordination but it can be taught using simple catching games and teaching techniques in sport that are fundamental and natural and have often been blocked or underdeveloped because of anxiety and the reliance on conscious intervention rather than relaxation.
@@KenFlanaganagree with you… Using the non-hitting hand is also IMPORTANT. Actually the fundamentals should be contact, balance, and the use of the non-hitting hand for racquet face, and grip adjustment, (racquet preparation), keeping the racquet head up, and relaxing the hitting hand in between points. The wrist is a flexible joint, the elbow is a bendable joint, and the shoulder is a rotational joint; not using a lag could create injuries, making the student use their elbow as a flexible, or even rotational joint giving tendonitis on elbow and shoulder joints.
But essentially ALL pros do it!!! So who are you????
I think Ken is correct. We do our best with age or other limitations. The kinetic chain can be adjusted ti fit individual needs, AND racquet lag is still part of an efficient, effective movement. This clip demos an example of limited time/ability for a full "professional" preparation.
czcams.com/video/X8_3I21qgm8/video.htmlsi=RyCNZlMCwqHPqv2k&t=223
True but It really depends… one of the things is the grip. If you as an older player uses a continental grip on your forehand or a strong eastern grip (closer to continental) it is difficult to create a proper lag and it will probably be a forced lag. I am 70 but I use a semi western grip and the lag comes very naturally if your wrist is loose. In my case I love the modern game with spin and changed from the old style. It took efforts but I enjoy my forehand. It does require a proper preparation of the body and other technical details and the use of the kinetic chain but that’s the fun part for me.
If people have the timing to use a racket lag, then it's the most optimal way to hit the forehand. This video is more to point out, that if players don't have the timing, it's ok to simplify things.
Absolutely! Yes for us older folks it can be quite demanding to have a good string preparation and all around bodily requirements. So yes simplify things can be the right option to enjoy your game… for me I love the modern game so I could not help to experiment modern hitting in spite of my being 70. I am quite fit, play 4 times a week with younger players. Actually since 2-3 years I started to copy the Next Gen forehand 😎🤣. Seriously ! … 😅 I chose at first Thiem then went all the way with the Sinner one! 🤪And loving it. Really depends on our vision for the game. Thanks for all your great videos. You are an expert. 💫
Question for all the older players here: do you allow two bounces to get to the ball since we’re not as fast as we used to be?
Great explanation 👍🏻 now imagine playing „blind tennis“ tennis for blind and low vision … you don‘t have the visual system as we play with a „sound ball“ and see (depending on classification) the ball very very late! So early preparation is key but then sometimes you are able to get the raquet lag 👍🏻
Yep. Bringing the racket right back also gives you the added time to get your feet and body into position.
Yep.
6:11 classic style with easten grip, is much simpler to learn for better timing. Removing the modern tricks like racket lag, pat the dog, etc, simplify FH much, might be better for bigginers, and most of rec players.
Thanks for the great tip!
I agree. People are different. It’s about finding the best solution for the individual. Both in terms of ability and playing age.
If u are just trying out racket lag for the first time it help to first try it on a wall. It screws up your timing and your rythm. U will also lose your feel for the ball. It might take a while, u might even have to let go of everything u know about hitting the ball to get it right. If u get it right it feels like an effortless shot but it has power.
It’s a case of if people can lake the timing work for it to be the best technique for them.
Just depends how fast the ball is coming at you , no? Adjust accordingly between block/chip and full blooded modern forehand.
Yes, it depends on the type of ball you are dealing with. As a general thing, not enough players move back though.
Classic never goes out of style.
😀
Racquet lag is directly proportional to your racquet take back . If you reduce your take back to a minimum,, the racquet lag will be less accordingly. How do you do that you ask ? The answer is by keeping your racquet in ready position and making unit turns with your upper body to position your racquet instead of using the right arm to swing it back (like you see Sinner doing here)! Then at the very last moment,, gently jerk the wrist back. The jerking back motion creates enough opposing force to propel the racquet face forward! How ? By leading with your right shoulder and “ Whipping “ the racquet forward . Imagine a string connecting your right shoulder to your right wrist . Whip that string and watch the racquet face strike the ball .
Sorta, never “jerk”, that portion is the result of the circular swing, bringing the butt cap forward violently which loads the tendons for release just prior to contact.
Look at Manarino’s FH stroke and compare it to your favorite new guy. Super compact but all the elements are there.
I agree with you. Theorically the racket lag is good. But to achieve it for an amateur is quite impossible.
You cannot reproduce what the pro do. A pro is an alien who practices tennis 6hour per day. He has good sight, good complexion, good technic, good experience, good coach, good food etc. An amateur has to simplify all the shots 'cause he does not manage the timing on the ball and will never do. If you' re not convince, take a vid of your game and you 'll see you' ll be always too late on the ball and never hit the ball in front. Don't dream, tennis is a full time job.
I think it's hard for most people to comprehend how good the players are that we see on tv (in all sports). It's a good ideal to model some of that the pro's do. But we have to keep in mind that they can do what they do because of how insanely talented they are.
took me a few years to push the contact point forward enough. i came to the same conclusion as you! but its been a learning, somewhat fun experience.
The longer the take back - the more difficult timing. I went from full 0 degrees (to fence) takeback on backhand to 45 degrees and I started to hit everything with ease and with the racket lag. Actually the racket gets into the same position when it drops as with 0 degrees take back so it is still very powerful.
Well, I start to learn how Continental Grip can create that massive top spin as well from older folks.
Yep, you can hit lots of spin with a continetal.
So true. The modern racket and strings do so much already you don't need the massive racket speed that the pros generate to hit something solid.
Absolutely! Yes for us older folks it can be quite demanding to have a good strong preparation and all around bodily requirements. So yes simplify things can be the right option to enjoy your game… for me I love the modern game so I could not help to experiment modern hitting in spite of my being 70. I am quite fit, play 4 times a week with younger players. Actually since 2-3 years I started to copy the Next Gen forehand 😎🤣. Seriously ! … 😅 I chose at first Thiem then went all the way with the Sinner one! 🤪And loving it. Really depends on our vision for the game. Thanks for all your great videos. You are an expert. 💫✨
Very good advice. Also its only easy enough if one is drilling, in a small area of predictability.
To me it’s not about old or young, but about which way you learned from the beginning. If you’ve played for a while with continental grip and hit the ball a little further back, it’ll be really hard to change to a more mordern grip and change your timing. I started learning in my mid 40s with the modern technique and I’m in mid 50s now. I have no problem. I started teaching my wife when she was 51, never played before, with a very western FH and she had no problem learning it. I’ve also helped some others friends that have already played with the old FH technique and they couldn’t change it after trying so they just stuck with the old way.
If someone started with a continental grip then it's definitely going to be a tough thing to change.
The timing is still very hard for players who started learning with a "more Modern" style grip and swing. There was a big tournament on here recently, with a thousand or so players and pretty much without fail everyone below the 4.5 level was hitting the ball late. And half the players at 4.5
@@TennisHacker To me the rating doesn’t always mean you have good technique. Your rating is based on your win/loss records and in tennis there’s many ways to win points. I’m 3.5 but I can say I look much better than players higer rating than me because other players and a coach told me so. But I’m only 5’3” and in mid 50’s so it’s hard for me to get to 4.0. My son is about UTR 8-9 and hits the ball probably up to 70-80 mph so it’s too fast for me that causes me to hit late but when I have time I don’t hit late. If you train properly and use your non hitting hand as a guidance you won’t hit the ball late.
Great video! There's so much going on between getting yourself to the ball, positioning yourself relative to the ball and your reach and initiating your swing sequence etc. Really appreciate the complete breakdown here. Subscribed!
Absolutely. In my opinion high level tennis is about setting up n the right position. You have to get that part down, then it all builds from there.
@@TennisHacker 100%. If positioning isn't right then none of what follows will be either. I'm a 30+ player who's just starting to play again after about 20 years. My brain is telling me to swing at a certain distance but the ball keeps going to the left(I'm swinging too late). But when I swing earlier, my brain is telling me that it's too early and I won't make contact with the ball. But turns out when I swing "early" it's actually perfect timing and an amazing shot follows. 😂
Excellent tips for improve the game for mature players. Thank you!
Incredibly informative. Thanks!!!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks, you pointed out the point about timings
You're welcome
I see this so many times in so many sports. Cycling, skiing and rallying us mere mortals can’t adopt extreme positions, use pro stiffness equipment or think or control a WRC car. We need to accept we are mortals and that using solid techniques and equipment closer to our abilities would be beneficial. I’ve been a class winner in a 1600 corsa went slower in a grp A Subaru, I had just enough talent to max the corsa and not enough to be consistent and be faster in the Subaru.
Yep. We all just have to become the best versions of ourself that we can. It's hard to comprehend how good most professional athletes are because what they can do is so far in excess of what we can do. And I say that as a decent athlete (but far from elite).
Simple and understandable. I'm looking forward to trying your method out (as one of your "older" viewers. :)
That was very interesting....thanks!
Serious calf muscles there coach 🎉🎉
This is great advice. Quite timely for me. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
There is a on line coach name Broudy that said that lead the forehand with the elbow in the backswing is "vague at best" meaning that in the unit turn You are putting a Lot of energy in the upper body elbow, shoulder example: what Roddick does on his forehand backswing and that he likes Federer forehand backswing that in the unit turn dosen't use at all his upper body elbow shoulders as Roddick does!¡ What's your opinion about it?¿
Honestly I don't think there is a right or wrong way to prepare. Biomechanically we have to get are upper body rotated and our back leg loaded. But how you get there depends on the person. It's about finding what works for you.
Different coaching cues help different players. Then you have to factor in skill level.
Great video, great advice
Glad it was helpful!
The problem is that the correct sequence is much more faster from the moment of decision of hitting a forehand to the contact point, so timing argument doesn't work at all. It's just laziness argument and not putting more effort argument. Step on court and improve your ball recognition, agility, speed or play poorly. It is what it is.
No offense intended, but I’ve never understood the value of using “it is what it is” in any conversation. It literally doesn’t communicate ANYTHING more than “It is.” It’s wild that it has become so common in modern communication. Again, I’m not intending to insult you…just have noticed the phrase showing up a lot.
@@brianjowaisas3460 language is not a computer code. If people use a phrase a lot then it has value despite being not logical sometimes)
@golllaur If you are a high level athlete then that's the way it works. But not everyone has that starting point and they really struggle with timing because they don't have the eye to hand coordination.
Is it ok if they get help and improve as well?
@@TennisHacker what a provoking question)) of course it's ok if they buy your lessons )) but my point is that understanding the correct technique from early on is the key and it's not about physical abilities at all, it's much more simple to let the gravity and kinetic energy to do the work than consciously dropping the racquet down and then lifting it. and the latter is bad for timing as well, because it's slower, so you have to compute more. Am I wrong?
Thanks. I totally get what you are advocating (at least, I think I do !). I play with a slight natural lag because I grip the racquet more loosely than many players. I particularly do this on serve and sometimes grip the racquet with the little finger slightly off the handle. It certainly gives an extra zip but Is this bad ?
It's definitely not bad if you can make it work. If something works, don't let anyone tell you what you do is bad.
My point here was that if players are hitting the ball late, then it's ok not try and copy the "pros" and instead focus fixing underlying problems.
I do think there is some false choice being presented here. You can have eastern grip, keep the racket in front of shoulder line and adjust amount of lag depending on how much time you have and how agressive you want to be with your shot.
Some people can make the adjustments. But if a player isn’t able to make the adjustment based on late contact or other reasons, then their best option is not to focus on using a racket lag. And instead focus on foundational elements
@@TennisHacker To me it seems like the simplest way to play for anyone able to make a unit turn, because it's the fastest way to get set, so you can meet the ball in front.
It is a tennis academy swing. While the racquet is still going back you initiate the forward swing. If it comes to a stop like in this video it is not lagging.
I see so many teachers teaching classic tennis. Please at least teach the Agassi forehand. If you want to learn lag get (cut) a 30 inch long 1/2 inch diameter wood dowel from home depot and practice lagging with that.
The correct technique has to be based on the individual and their level of skill.
Hi
I m from India. Love to play tennis and improve.
Can you please tell me a normal fitness routine
Like what should i do per day in week to improve my fitness
Also, I have notice slight flick of left foot upon forehand completion. This manifests overrotation. You need to clean this. When you want more power, go more upward, instead of excessive shoulder turn. And the flick will disappear. Not biggy, but aestetically more pleasing. Would not look too WTA-ish.
What do you mean when you say flick with the left foot?
@@TennisHacker I mean that "twister dance move" of your back leg.
It happens, when most of power generated by rotation , but your feet stay grounded ( heels are still planted on floor) .
your body prevents you from overtwisting your knee , so it prefers to twist your hill.
Or else you need Tiger Wood knee surgery pretty soon. :)
This techique is perfectly legit in some cases. Also It is prevalent in WTA tennis - ladies are not fond of getting in the air during their shots. However in ATP, you cant afford hitting ball grounded... as it wont pay your bills. :)
so how about : concentrate on starting your swing EARLY , pull back early , read the game better, move your feet back fast if the ball is fast......or jus play against a less hard hitting player [ if you are getting on w age ].....
rather than messing w the CORRECT STROKE
It’s pity when you watched tons of videos about ATP or New Gen forehand and spend hours mastering it and in the end you get bitten by a player with old school loopy swing, who’s last training session was in last century. It is indeed hard to time this type of Forehand swing especially when you’re learning this at some older age. During the matches it only brings confusion. Why can’t we stick with what works and leave all the rest to younger players.
What works for each person is different. It’s about finding the best technique based on your level of eye to hand coordination.
If that isn’t the same as a top pro, thats totally ok. There a plenty of players playing fantastic tennis with “more classical” styles.
The issue is the way a lot of coaching is done these days.
This is kind of dumb. You can't hit a traditional forehand late either. Sure it's more of a challenge to learn as is anything but the benefits are way worth it. I switched to a modern forehand at the age of 40 and haven't looked back since. If you're starting at a later age, just work a bit harder and you'll get it. A late forehand is bad no matter what style you use. Timing is important for this sport no matter what shot you hit, forehand, backhand, volleys, serves. The better your timing, the better your shot...
They use a "chop suey" forehand with a 110 square. in. racquet while using a continental grip.😢
Racquet lag is essential
No it’s not
an old tennis player do not need power just need hit the ball whit spin to enjoy
The whole video is based on wrong premise that pros hitting far in front. This is myth, easily disproved. Any side view of forehand will reveal that Federer and others , being in closed position, making contact on the level of front toe. This is by no means is not " hitting far in front". In fact, during the lag raquet butt is travelling NOT FORWARD, but 45 degrees toward side fence.
Having said that , lagged forehand does not require more timing skills due to advanced contact. It requires better timing due to higher raquest speed this lag produces.
But, as always, better timing is coming from more practice.
So don't avoid lag, just practice more and you move to new level in your club.
Cheers.
Yeahhhh no. High level plays generally have contact points that are much farther in front than lower level players. Hitting the ball late is one of the biggest issues following on from preparing late and not setting up in the right position.
@@TennisHacker Tons of roookes hit both late and too early, especially when taught to "step into ball".
I guess we need some reference here.
If you check sideview of any pro forehand you will observe that contact point is on same level as front foot ( given that player is in fully closed position )
This would be a "reference point". The more pro is open the more ball will be further in front of front foot.
So pro's contact point in close position would be refered as neutral.
If pro pushed far behind baseline and pro heavily loaded backfoot, then his front foot will be more in front than contact point.
So it is more complicated , depending on stance and kind of ball.
Bottom line... "hitting in front" is not "one bill fits it all" .. .. It depends ! Very.
Bad Coaching to Encourage anyone to hit the Ball LATE .
late point of contact means No control and stresses uour body .
So totally disagree with this .
Even without lag you shouldn't hit ball late .
Also misreading info .
Poin of contact depends on where you hitting.
Who is recommending hitting the ball late?
That’s obviously not what I said!
Most old players , I mean really old use continental grip so their tennis hitting is garbage anyway
I know a number of over 70’s and 75’s players, who hit a great quality ball!
No good coach should tell someone to "use a racket lag". The lag is a consequence of take back, relaxed arm and meeting in front. The way the lag is generated indeed depends on the type of take back, which has evolved over the years. So I would argue your point is "be careful with using a modern take back" rather than "be careful with using a racket lag". Your other points are also valid: some players have difficulty timing and meet the ball too much sideways, and some (older) players are not as relaxed. Adapting to that by adopting a more classical forehand is probably good advice. I think your wording of "not using a lag" is countering the advice of "using a lag". But two negatives don't make a positive :) So, I agree with all your points, just not with the articulation. Cheers.
Hahaha. The problem with youtube is you have use titles that people click or you don’t get to help people.
If i phrased things how i want to no one would watch 😂
The broken y has been used forever. Very normal
i am 51, dont think i have problems with lag....
That’s awesome. If you can do it effectively, it’s the way to go.
@@TennisHacker the morning after every session of tennis, i wake up with oooohs and aaaahsss. 😁
I'm surprised to why/what you talk about "lag" "use". Racket lag always happens when: you play with your arm relaxed throughout the stroke. It's not something you think about. Good luck with analysis and stuff but try not to mislead people :)
You nailed it by writing: "play with your arm relaxed". This is precisely what most players DON'T do. There are tense because of all the reasons possible, such as being late to react. And this is exactly what he described and why he explained that focusing mainly on racquet lag MAY not be right for everyone. In other words, he is 100% right.
@@yvesb1227 I was trying to say that it is not a conscious decision. It’s not our choice to make, it happens or not. It’s not a thing that is meant for one or another. If it makes sense. :)
This video is totally misleading. His technique in demonstrating the lag isn't even correct. I really dislike coaches like this as they tend to limit player development by telling people they should just settle for inferior form. Most people want to improve and this advice will prevent players from reaching the top of their game.
Sorry, but I have to disagree with the theme of your video, as it is yet another example of ageism, which I find to be rampant in American society. I am 79 and play doubles 3-4 times a week. Having been taught to use a locked wrist as a teen, I'm a 4.5 to 5.0 player who picked up the lag forehand from watching slo-mo recordings of the pros a few years ago. It is a very reliable shot, more reliable than the locked wrist technique because it imparts considerably more topspin onto the ball. It has turned my forehand into a very reliable weapon. Reflexes don't necessarily decrease with age. Assumptions based on age are offensive to the aged.
I think you are missing the point of the video. If you are able to make the racket lag work, that's awesome do it!
But there are thousands and thousands of players out there, that don't have the timing to do it. This video is for those players to let them know that it's ok if your shot doesn't look like the pro's. Do what works for you and you can still enjoy playing good tennis.
By "older players," I hope you mean 90+! 😇
I agree, this is bad advice for anyone with satisfactory athletic ability at almost any age.
This person don’t have any sounding tennis techniques! He don’t even know how to hit a forhand properly. A lag and pulling is different. On shbh and shbh, writ or buttcap move first. Unlike dhbh, wait move slightly 1st or at same time with racquet swing to back. Lag only happened at very fast acceleration and it’s not a have to. But pulling is a must.
Considering he doesn’t know what he’s talking about, he’s achieved a pretty decent level with his right and left hand. And he’s worked / helped some very high level players. 😂
@@TennisHacker through years of training and work with different coaches, I realize the top level coach don’t talk or lecture; they feed balls and bring students to better level with hands on rallies. They place ball and adjust intensity and difficulty. They make students become better through practice sessions, no word is required.
players should just learn to hit the ball with their racket and not with their body !!!just like you want to hit something with a stick also here nobody tells you how to do that and it comes naturally . there is TOOOOOOO much information on how to hit a ball
Not true. Most players with limited experience (even most recreational players with plenty of experience) Will end up ‘arming’ the Ball if they are told to just hit it. THIS is what creates injuries in shoulder and arm,
Which is Exactly why it’s of such importance to learn Where the power comes from: Down under, legs, hips, trunk. The arm just follows this kinetic chain of energy, acting like a whip, completely relaxed. Following this will not create injury, far smaller risk than arming it.
Is it easy? No. Is it worth learning for most people up to 70 years of age (even older I’d say) with average body function and athleticism? Most definitely.
The video might work for some, but I think it is not for the people regardless of age who has even average athleticism and want to put in a couple of hours per week on their training.
@@rlv252300 well 40 years of teaching experiance has thought me that theres to much explanation on how to hit a ball and for that a lot of people strugle to get a decent level. ok it might not sound that simple as i say it but its all on how you bring it to them, in a natural way like refering to throwing a ball or touching something and then you do the same with the racket. but everybody his opinion and this is mine
If you’ve been teaching for 40 years then you know how many players arm their shots. And all sports use the kinetic chain when done efficiently.
Thats a different thing to forcing a complete beginner to use “pro” technique thats not appropriate for them.
@@TennisHacker the kinetic chain that everybody is talking about comes natural for a lot of things but because of taking away natural movements and forcing some people into positions that are not really adecuate for their body they feel uncomforteble.
a throwing motion is the same for a profesional as for a beginner so thats not forcing beginners into profesional stuff, and after throwing becomes hitting in that natural way . i didnt wanted to go to much in competition because it doesnt make money like recreational tennis does , but even not wanting it i had a few top 50 players in my country and 2 wta top 700 players which is not bad and thanks to recreational tennis i could stop working at an early age and enjoy life
@@TennisHacker well there are indeed , probably didnt get a proper xplanation on how to do it naturaly. the first thing people think when they come to the court for the first time is that they have to HIT the ball which should be taken out there head imediately
Not even going to bother watching this - the stupid click-bait title already tells you this channel is nonsense!
No you are way too open.
Rubbish racket lag works
Of course racket lag “works”. That doesn’t mean everyone should focus on it.
This is a great common sense video on lag. I've tried it but don't like it as the feeling of it is like hitting a half-,volley. Well I don't like half volley's & I don't know anyone who does. Great tips on alternative fh's.
Jesus Crist, the CZcams algorithm show me this video and was exactly what my mind was searching for .,...great tip sir!