Watch this Guy!
Every once in a while I run across a video channel that is amazing. Takuyo Komuro is located in Japan, a place I never been but will travel to at some point. I’ve noticed a few interesting attributes that he possesses: quick feet, compact simple shot efficiency, clean ball striking, and the ability for Takuyo to hit two handed and one handed backhands. From a coaching point of view this makes Takuyo a great example of fundamentals and timing. After watching him practice I want to take out the agility ladder and get moving! Just keep moving isn’t a bad mantra for tennis. Here is the link for a forehand on his channel. He has a good mix of short videos and recordings. This one here is an indoor forehand practice. You can hear the clean ball striking well. https://youtu.be/u0fI41qE84A?si=_0kmiiHWXKe22r3R
Every once in a while I run across a video channel that is amazing. Takuyo Komuro is located in Japan, a place I never been but will travel to at some point. I’ve noticed a few interesting attributes that he possesses: quick feet, compact simple shot efficiency, clean ball striking, and the ability for Takuyo to hit two handed and one handed backhands. From a coaching point of view this makes Takuyo a great example of fundamentals and timing. After watching him practice I want to take out the agility ladder and get moving! Just keep moving isn’t a bad mantra for tennis. Here is the link for a forehand on his channel. He has a good mix of short videos and recordings. This one here is an indoor forehand practice. You can hear the clean ball striking well. https://youtu.be/u0fI41qE84A?si=_0kmiiHWXKe22r3R
The slice backhand
Grigor Dimitrov has one of the most poetic slice backhands on the ATP. He uses it to neutralize his opponents. It stays low, can be used to hit cross or long line, angle, return, approach and drop. Because a well hit driving slice skids and slides at an angle it is not easy to attack as the ball height is well below the net. The opponent has no choice but to hit up on the ball. The grip used is continental, with the best contact point struck between the shoulders. Notice his shoulders sideways position when he finishes and his non-dominant hand is behind his back. Listen to Grigor explain his mindset when he hits this shot.
Video 1
youtube.com/shorts/b-vGejrswhM?si=10UwWVK-QaSLoJ-n
Video 2
youtube.com/shorts/d6guONsBMB8?si=auFDJmbRJQVyvMlX.
Grigor Dimitrov has one of the most poetic slice backhands on the ATP. He uses it to neutralize his opponents. It stays low, can be used to hit cross or long line, angle, return, approach and drop. Because a well hit driving slice skids and slides at an angle it is not easy to attack as the ball height is well below the net. The opponent has no choice but to hit up on the ball. The grip used is continental, with the best contact point struck between the shoulders. Notice his shoulders sideways position when he finishes and his non-dominant hand is behind his back. Listen to Grigor explain his mindset when he hits this shot.
Video 1
youtube.com/shorts/b-vGejrswhM?si=10UwWVK-QaSLoJ-n
Video 2
youtube.com/shorts/d6guONsBMB8?si=auFDJmbRJQVyvMlX.
The Next Gen Forehand
Compacted lag unleashed with topspin and pace creating consistency and heaviness. Its where the game is now.
Jannik Sinner has an elastic whip forehand that is one of the best on tour. Note the fluidly and perfect timing of the shot in this video. His strong semi-western grip allows him to generate power and spin both on high and low balls. In this video you can see his backhand as well.
Video 1
youtube.com/shorts/2XjR4TsCOnI?si=R3pzs3lvr5ivAMM4
Video 2
Emma Navarro #13 won last night at the U.S. Open defeating Coco Gauff #3 surfing herself into the quarters. She played flawless. Her form is smooth and technically pure. Emma played for UVA and is from New York. Watch her semi-western forehand control the court.
youtu.be/PmHOK1vK6NU?si=SlsKSm8oQo8OPRjX
Compacted lag unleashed with topspin and pace creating consistency and heaviness. Its where the game is now.
Jannik Sinner has an elastic whip forehand that is one of the best on tour. Note the fluidly and perfect timing of the shot in this video. His strong semi-western grip allows him to generate power and spin both on high and low balls. In this video you can see his backhand as well.
Video 1
youtube.com/shorts/2XjR4TsCOnI?si=R3pzs3lvr5ivAMM4
Video 2
Emma Navarro #13 won last night at the U.S. Open defeating Coco Gauff #3 surfing herself into the quarters. She played flawless. Her form is smooth and technically pure. Emma played for UVA and is from New York. Watch her semi-western forehand control the court.
youtu.be/PmHOK1vK6NU?si=SlsKSm8oQo8OPRjX
Practice Videos
Video1
Roger Federer training on a backboard.
An often overlooked training tool is the backboard. Here, Roger begins the rally with a serve and then returns with forehand drives, backhand drives, and finishes with a forehand inside out winner! It’s fun to watch. The timing and speed required for this practice is at a highly proficient level. I recommend it for any tennis player. Twenty minutes of backboard work is a great workout.
youtube.com/shorts/8EUJXby9szo?si=sBelIVSc-lvTKft_
Video1
Roger Federer training on a backboard.
An often overlooked training tool is the backboard. Here, Roger begins the rally with a serve and then returns with forehand drives, backhand drives, and finishes with a forehand inside out winner! It’s fun to watch. The timing and speed required for this practice is at a highly proficient level. I recommend it for any tennis player. Twenty minutes of backboard work is a great workout.
youtube.com/shorts/8EUJXby9szo?si=sBelIVSc-lvTKft_