Any tennis players here?

[Jammy B*st*rd]

Taking lessons is good but there is no right or wrong way of playing really, imho. I find most coaches teach their students to be carbon copies of themselves.

First concept you've out to figure out is topspin, which is really physics. Once you've discovered there is a way to hit the ball as hard as you can, without it going out, (ie with Topspin), then you'll take to it like a duck to water.

[realityhack]

I used to teach tennis in my uni days.

3 books for you -

Tennis for dummies - this is a good book to explain the fundamentals.. co-written by patrick mcenroe.

Inner Game of Tennis - This is a book which focuses on the inner game, ie the mental aspects of it. It's about tennis but you can use the principles to learn and execute just about any sport.

Winning Ugly - another good one.

Thanks JB - I may put the odd question your way every now & then if that's ok?
Will probably buy one of those out of curiosity, but as the others are saying - look into some coaching sessions.

I've seen a few of the tennis clips on the 'videojug' website - way more useful than the BBC's tennis tips site - which is quite info-lite.

[Xenophon]

I've seen a few of the tennis clips on the 'videojug' website - way more useful than the BBC's tennis tips site - which is quite info-lite.

Ahem...

[Jammy B*st*rd]

RH.. no worries.. feel free to PM me.

Try looking on youtube.. these days with the camera's you'll find some super slow motion clips of federer, nadal, etc which can give a lot of insight into what a tennis stroke really looks like, point of contact, stance, use of shoulders and wrist, footwork etc.

[realityhack]

Taking lessons is good but there is no right or wrong way of playing really, imho. I find most coaches teach their students to be carbon copies of themselves.

First concept you've out to figure out is topspin, which is really physics. Once you've discovered there is a way to hit the ball as hard as you can, without it going out, (ie with Topspin), then you'll take to it like a duck to water.

Carbon copies... thought as much.
Topspin before the one-handed backhand/forehand and stance?
Haven't even cracked the serve yet - keep lamping the bugger past the baseline!

I may just buy a whole cage full of balls and practise one shot at a time, over and over again, until it's instinctive. This could take some time.

[oracleslave]

Taking lessons is good but there is no right or wrong way of playing really, imho.

I agree there is no single way to hit a forehand for example. However there are certain things that a coach will be able to point out that you just won't pick up from a book. Proper coaching will fast track your development way more than any book and I say this as someone who has been for and given coaching.

I find most coaches teach their students to be carbon copies of themselves.

Only the rubbish ones do that.

[oracleslave]

I may just buy a whole cage full of balls and practise one shot at a time, over and over again, until it's instinctive. This could take some time.

The problem with doing this is you just end up perfecting your mistakes. i.e. you groove an imperfect technique

[realityhack]

The problem with doing this is you just end up perfecting your mistakes. i.e. you groove an imperfect technique

Good point. Although, as there seems to be no one 'set' method, perhaps it's a case of choosing the one that feels most natural - and if that leads to you being able to place the ball consistently instead of hit&hope, then that's the one.
However - there are so many variables in even a basic forehand... perhaps it's worth the price of a coach.

[tay]

Your boat has sailed. It will be years before you are even mildy proficient. Its one of those sports where getting trained up as a junior makes a massive difference.
You can do it, but it is going to take years of practice not months... and even then you will still be a very low level club player, which is fine as you can still have just as much fun.

I used to have a 2 handed backhand, but due to a rugby injury permanently bending my thumb sideways.. thats a little tricky, so am changing to a one handed top spin backhand... painful, frustrating process... but in a year or so it should be worthwhile.
2 main tips that peoepl always forget are

1/ Watch the ball right on to the tacket, people 'think' they are watching the ball.. they aint. Really focus on it onto the racket.

2/ Weight transfer, move your feet and transfer your weight from back foot to front foot on contact. If you have played cricket this will be easy.

Didnt your gf win Wimbledon or some other bullcrap? Cant she tell you how to play?

P.S Actually there is a 3rd .. always complete a follow through (unless you are backspinning the ball)... never get in the habit of blocking the ball back. Elbow should end up pointing towards the other end of the court

[realityhack]

Your boat has sailed. It will be years before you are even mildy proficient. Its one of those sports where getting trained up as a junior makes a massive difference.
You can do it, but it is going to take years of practice not months... and even then you will still be a very low level club player, which is fine as you can still have just as much fun.

I used to have a 2 handed backhand, but due to a rugby injury permanently bending my thumb sideways.. thats a little tricky, so am changing to a one handed top spin backhand... painful, frustrating process... but in a year or so it should be worthwhile.
2 main tips that peoepl always forget are

1/ Watch the ball right on to the tacket, people 'think' they are watching the ball.. they aint. Really focus on it onto the racket.

2/ Weight transfer, move your feet and transfer your weight from back foot to front foot on contact. If you have played cricket this will be easy.

Didnt your gf win Wimbledon or some other bullcrap? Cant she tell you how to play?

Yep - I realise I've started late - but it's for enjoyment and at a low level, part of that enjoyment will be picking up these techniques. Not bothered about going up through any rankings!!! Like you say - it's a lot of fun, and a great way to get fitter.

MrsRH did give me the advice to watch the ball right to the racquet - a top tip. I'm gathering that weight distribution is also key, as is transferring the power from your feet, through your body to the racquet, using your whole body. She is a good player, but well out of practice, and is hesitant to teach me for 2 reasons - 1: She might be teaching me her bad habits, and 2: She doesn't want me to accelerate past her and start winning.