Topic: Monster

[Victor]

Overall a very good outing!
Lots of laughs, some great points and I hit some great serves.  I had good success mixing a hard flat serve out wide in the ad court with a nasty slice into the backhand on the same side.  Both opponents remarked on their inability to read the toss or motion in both courts!  wooohooo!
The downer was my smash and forehand volleys were abysmall which contributed heavily to the loss of 3 out of 5 sets.   Oh well, until I get into better shape I'll just have to keep having fun and hold the expectations to a minimum.

From when we worked on the monster drill it's clear why you have issues in those areas. Your volley form overall is very good, and you have good footwork (miles better than I have, though in the same drill I get more balls back). But you are too concerned with the footwork in a volley rally. With your first volley you've got picture perfect footwork. When you have time, you use the feet the right way, unlike yours truly. But when you don't have time, you still move the feet, and your volley suffers for it. Plus it slows down recovery for the next volley.
The overhead was just a matter of recognition. You don't react quickly enough to a ball going up, and you are always off balance because of that.
More monster drills are my perscription.

Interesting observations DM, thanks for the advice.   
Of course you're right about my focus on the footwork during volleys, I'm not sure if I'm trying to keep my balance or just step to the ball instead of lunging.
Spot on with the overhead also.  I got caught numerous times tonight and ended up hitting some poor shots tho' I did have two splendid backhand smashes which elicited ooooooohs and ahhhhs from the boys!

Listen to the docters prescription, more practice!
Good to see you around lil'monster

[monstertruck]

Off to hit with the 5.0+ squad this evening!
Hoping to continue improving my flat serve out wide in the ad court and my Ginsu slice serve in the deuce court.  Will try to focus less on footwork at the net and more on solid CONKS tho' Tsonga hitting those 'droppas' on Rafa has got me thinking I'd like to own that shot!!!

[OSU Buckeye]

Off to hit with the 5.0+ squad this evening!
Hoping to continue improving my flat serve out wide in the ad court and my Ginsu slice serve in the deuce court.  Will try to focus less on footwork at the net and more on solid CONKS tho' Tsonga hitting those 'droppas' on Rafa has got me thinking I'd like to own that shot!!!

Lucky hoe!  I would love to play against some 5.0's more often...........it hardly ever happens. 

[monstertruck]

Off to hit with the 5.0+ squad this evening!
Hoping to continue improving my flat serve out wide in the ad court and my Ginsu slice serve in the deuce court.  Will try to focus less on footwork at the net and more on solid CONKS tho' Tsonga hitting those 'droppas' on Rafa has got me thinking I'd like to own that shot!!!

Lucky hoe!  I would love to play against some 5.0's more often...........it hardly ever happens. 

I think they like 'trying'  to return my serve!

[monstertruck]

Had a very good outing last night.  The first 2 sets I paired with a new fellow and our games/personalities compliment each other.  He did very well cleaning up any weak returns created by my serve covering the court extremely well.  The final 4 sets I was paired with a 4.0+ lefty and we played well against 2 older but very experienced players and 2 5.0+ players.  The first 2 sets we fared well when we played aggressively but as soon as we let off the gas they punished us with steady, controled shots.  We split sets and then lost a TB 7-5.  The final set we played 2 of the best players in town who were trying to 'put out our fire'.  They got off to a quick start taking 3 games before I was able to hold.  I served well against this pair but my partner who normally has great hands was unable to clean up on the opportunities I generated.  I also failed to cover my share of the court and contributed to a 6-3 loss.  Overall, a great outing as I continue to build my Monster serve and settle down on my returns.  It was nice to finally match up with a player that compliments my set up game with put aways!

[Jamesdster]

Had a very good outing last night.  The first 2 sets I paired with a new fellow and our games/personalities compliment each other.  He did very well cleaning up any weak returns created by my serve covering the court extremely well.  The final 4 sets I was paired with a 4.0+ lefty and we played well against 2 older but very experienced players and 2 5.0+ players.  The first 2 sets we fared well when we played aggressively but as soon as we let off the gas they punished us with steady, controled shots.  We split sets and then lost a TB 7-5.  The final set we played 2 of the best players in town who were trying to 'put out our fire'.  They got off to a quick start taking 3 games before I was able to hold.  I served well against this pair but my partner who normally has great hands was unable to clean up on the opportunities I generated.  I also failed to cover my share of the court and contributed to a 6-3 loss.  Overall, a great outing as I continue to build my Monster serve and settle down on my returns.  It was nice to finally match up with a player that compliments my set up game with put aways!

Sounds like your game is rounding into form.

[monstertruck]

Had a very good outing last night.  The first 2 sets I paired with a new fellow and our games/personalities compliment each other.  He did very well cleaning up any weak returns created by my serve covering the court extremely well.  The final 4 sets I was paired with a 4.0+ lefty and we played well against 2 older but very experienced players and 2 5.0+ players.  The first 2 sets we fared well when we played aggressively but as soon as we let off the gas they punished us with steady, controled shots.  We split sets and then lost a TB 7-5.  The final set we played 2 of the best players in town who were trying to 'put out our fire'.  They got off to a quick start taking 3 games before I was able to hold.  I served well against this pair but my partner who normally has great hands was unable to clean up on the opportunities I generated.  I also failed to cover my share of the court and contributed to a 6-3 loss.  Overall, a great outing as I continue to build my Monster serve and settle down on my returns.  It was nice to finally match up with a player that compliments my set up game with put aways!

Sounds like your game is rounding into form.

'Round' being the operative word!
The joke is, I'm playing this well at 110+ pounds overweight.
Actually it's quite sad.

[Pacer]

Off to hit with the 5.0+ squad this evening!
Hoping to continue improving my flat serve out wide in the ad court and my Ginsu slice serve in the deuce court.  Will try to focus less on footwork at the net and more on solid CONKS tho' Tsonga hitting those 'droppas' on Rafa has got me thinking I'd like to own that shot!!!

Yeah I'm pretty jealous of Tsonga net game too!

[OSU Buckeye]

Well done MT!  Playing those better players is sweet!  I so can't wait till we get together for some dubs.........you have to make it happen.   

[monstertruck]

Well done MT!  Playing those better players is sweet!  I so can't wait till we get together for some dubs.........you have to make it happen.   

Will do my best bra'!

[monstertruck]

Got some spur of the moment tennis in today.  Mostly practice with some low key dubs to finish up.  Energy level was very low.
During the 'Alley Rally' drills we tried a different format today.  Instead of each player counting shots to 100 which usually takes about 15 min. (today it took 25min.) we used a differential scoring method so that there was a stroke deducted for every shot that missed.  That was much more fun and I found we both focused more on quality shots rather than power.  I fared much better on the BH than the FH where I still tended to over hit.  Am experimenting with switching the FH grip towards Eastern for low shots and using a semi on higher balls.  I was able to generate some serious pace and flattened the shot out with the E grip!   I think with a bit more practice, I can build my confidence in that shot.

[OSU Buckeye]

Well done MT!  Playing those better players is sweet!  I so can't wait till we get together for some dubs.........you have to make it happen.   

Will do my best bra'!

I will stock your favorite beer for you if you can make it!   What is your fave anyway? 

[OSU Buckeye]

Got some spur of the moment tennis in today.  Mostly practice with some low key dubs to finish up.  Energy level was very low.
During the 'Alley Rally' drills we tried a different format today.  Instead of each player counting shots to 100 which usually takes about 15 min. (today it took 25min.) we used a differential scoring method so that there was a stroke deducted for every shot that missed.  That was much more fun and I found we both focused more on quality shots rather than power.  I fared much better on the BH than the FH where I still tended to over hit.  Am experimenting with switching the FH grip towards Eastern for low shots and using a semi on higher balls.  I was able to generate some serious pace and flattened the shot out with the E grip!   I think with a bit more practice, I can build my confidence in that shot.

Over the years I think I have sort of naturally changed my FH grip like you speak of.  Its all about feel, comfort, and of course results.  I found the high balls and many power stroke FH's to go easier by using the semi-western grip.........and like I said it just started to feel more natural like that over the years. 

[monstertruck]

Well done MT!  Playing those better players is sweet!  I so can't wait till we get together for some dubs.........you have to make it happen.   

Will do my best bra'!

I will stock your favorite beer for you if you can make it!   What is your fave anyway? 

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale!!!  Hops to the max!!!
I'll bring along the clown act!

[monstertruck]

Got some spur of the moment tennis in today.  Mostly practice with some low key dubs to finish up.  Energy level was very low.
During the 'Alley Rally' drills we tried a different format today.  Instead of each player counting shots to 100 which usually takes about 15 min. (today it took 25min.) we used a differential scoring method so that there was a stroke deducted for every shot that missed.  That was much more fun and I found we both focused more on quality shots rather than power.  I fared much better on the BH than the FH where I still tended to over hit.  Am experimenting with switching the FH grip towards Eastern for low shots and using a semi on higher balls.  I was able to generate some serious pace and flattened the shot out with the E grip!   I think with a bit more practice, I can build my confidence in that shot.

Over the years I think I have sort of naturally changed my FH grip like you speak of.  Its all about feel, comfort, and of course results.  I found the high balls and many power stroke FH's to go easier by using the semi-western grip.........and like I said it just started to feel more natural like that over the years. 

I had some success hitting the slice FH using the eastern on the high balls, but I'm not sure that shot will penetrate like my slice BH.  I'll certainly tinker with it some more and see what works.

[monstertruck]

Treadmill  50min.  3.1miles  796calories  114 avg heart rate.
Whew, I'm starvin'!

Treadmill 77min.  4.25miles  1056cal  115avg hrt rate
I feel good!

Treadmill 40min. 2.4miles  672calories  132 avg hrt rt   freeweights!
Time for turkey and squash!

Treadmill 31min. 2.1miles  410cals  120 avg   freeweights!
No pain just walking!

Treadmill 21min.  1.2miles  119avg

Treadmill  42min.  2.5miles  550cals  118avg  freeweights

Treadmill  64min.  3.75miles  860 cals  115avg  560curls  350raises

Treadmill  62min.  3.9miles  1003cals  121avg

Walk/Treadmill  93min  6.3miles  1385cals  125avg  no weights

Wow, over 1 month since my last real fitness session.  That is ugly.
1 hour on court footwork and fitness.
1 hour of warmup and drills.  'Alley Rally' and 'Focus'.
I am toast.

[Jamesdster]

Got some spur of the moment tennis in today.  Mostly practice with some low key dubs to finish up.  Energy level was very low.
During the 'Alley Rally' drills we tried a different format today.  Instead of each player counting shots to 100 which usually takes about 15 min. (today it took 25min.) we used a differential scoring method so that there was a stroke deducted for every shot that missed.  That was much more fun and I found we both focused more on quality shots rather than power.  I fared much better on the BH than the FH where I still tended to over hit.  Am experimenting with switching the FH grip towards Eastern for low shots and using a semi on higher balls.  I was able to generate some serious pace and flattened the shot out with the E grip!   I think with a bit more practice, I can build my confidence in that shot.

Over the years I think I have sort of naturally changed my FH grip like you speak of.  Its all about feel, comfort, and of course results.  I found the high balls and many power stroke FH's to go easier by using the semi-western grip.........and like I said it just started to feel more natural like that over the years. 

I had some success hitting the slice FH using the eastern on the high balls, but I'm not sure that shot will penetrate like my slice BH.  I'll certainly tinker with it some more and see what works.

Slice fh???  You don't see too much of that these days except for on the approach or the squash shot on the dead run. 

[FreeBird]

Slice fh???  You don't see too much of that these days except for on the approach or the squash shot on the dead run. 

How about the return of serve?  It's the one shot I wish someone - anyone - had tried back in the '90s, in the heydey of the big servers.  I think the slice FH return is a great shot to have when you get surprised by the pace or if the serve crowds you, coming into your body on the FH side (which happens alot for us lefties who play deuce court!).

[dmastous]

I also frequently (when I infrequently play) hit slice forehands on low shots, and approaches.

[monstertruck]

I've been using this shot on mostly on shoulder high forehands and approach shots.
Am a firm believer in making the opponent hit up as I approach, especially against opponents who use the semi or full western grip.  Most of these players hate low, skipping shots.