Tennis

[Koing]

Who plays here? I know Fuzzy does, but anyone else?

Just been added to the Tennis box at my gym complex. Pretty dam excited about it. I love playing Tennis and hardly anyone I know does. My bro does but he is very busy and my other mate has been lazy recently. But we have managed to play about 7 matches over summer.

I've been playing every Wednesday for 2hrs with the open club night after gym on Wednesdays.

All of the PTs and most of the guys at the gym don't play Tennis. They were all surprised that I play Tennis and told me that I don't look like a Tennis player. I just tell them I use to be thin when I was 12.

Koing

 

[smackababy]

I have been playing every Sunday with my GF the past few weeks. Nothing really competitive though, just trying to get her to be able to hit the ball back. Read as: I do a lot of running around to hit the ball softly back at her standing still.

 

[Koing]

I have been playing every Sunday with my GF the past few weeks. Nothing really competitive though, just trying to get her to be able to hit the ball back. Read as: I do a lot of running around to hit the ball softly back at her standing still.

It's good your playing with your GF but it does kind of suck when the other person is a relative/ complete beginner and you are not. You can't get rallies in

I'm waiting for a reply from the guy I emailed for the box match

Koing

 

[smackababy]

It's good your playing with your GF but it does kind of suck when the other person is a relative/ complete beginner and you are not. You can't get rallies in

I'm waiting for a reply from the guy I emailed for the box match

Koing

Not really. I am not particularly good, as I never had much interest. I played in highschool almost 10 years ago and only did because I thought "why not?" and the girls on the tennis team were hot. It is just something to do on the weekend that is fun.

 

[Koing]

Not really. I am not particularly good, as I never had much interest. I played in highschool almost 10 years ago and only did because I thought "why not?" and the girls on the tennis team were hot. It is just something to do on the weekend that is fun.

Well that isn't too bad then.

I know when I've played with friends that don't really play or are beginner it isn't as fun as it's just not challenging.

Can't wait to get my first match in the box

Koing

 

[tcG]

Probably the Asians. They are attracted to it since it's not a redneck sport.

 

[Koing]

Probably the Asians. They are attracted to it since it's not a redneck sport.

Hmmm to be fair Fuzzy is oriental so that is 2 on here not sure what ethnicity smack is.

What is classified as a redneck sport?

He's replied back. Next Thursday at midday is the provisional time. Saturday was an option, but my little bro is competing in a weightlifting comp tomorrow and I want to see him lift.

Koing

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Tennis really isn't big here in the US. Actually it's irrelevant tbh. I play basketball when I feel competitive. Plenty of good competition around here. I go to two different locations and lots of people show up. One of the locations it's mostly white guys that show up. The other location it's mostly black guys that show up. I go to whichever one I feel like that day. The black guy court is a much tougher challenge but usually it gets chippy out there. Too many egos out there.

 

[smackababy]

I had to look up what chippy meant and it is either a promiscuous young woman or irritable.

And the only 'redneck sport' I can think of is NASCAR.

 

[tcG]

^ Monster trucks? Top fuel? Street fighting? Eating barbecue? Whittling? Whistling? Spitting?

 

[smackababy]

Are any of those sports? I think not.... Maybe top fuel, but drag racing in general is no where limited to rednecks, or even white people.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

it's fun but it can be very frustrating at the same time. i used to play as a kid and took lessons but i'm pretty terrible now. What kind of racket are you using? I wonder if an oversized racket head would things easier for me. Don't really want to buy one and to only a slight improvement in my progression.

 

[smackababy]

^ Monster trucks? Top fuel? Street fighting? Eating barbecue? Whittling? Whistling? Spitting?

The more I think about it, half of these make no sense. Street fighting? Much more associated with urban environments not rednecks. BBQ? Created by slaves in the south, they certainly aren't rednecks. Whistling? What? Spitting? What?

 

[gscone]

Played competitively for the last 22 years, took some time off since having kids. I picked up my racket and still have good form, timing off slightly but practice will polish that.
Any players in NY?

 

[tcG]

Spitting, not reading, drinking Budweiser, driving trucks, watching television, using a toothpick... all redneck sports.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

it's fun but it can be very frustrating at the same time. i used to play as a kid and took lessons but i'm pretty terrible now. What kind of racket are you using? I wonder if an oversized racket head would things easier for me. Don't really want to buy one and to only a slight improvement in my progression.

Is there a way for you to demo a variety of rackets? Rackets can vary tremendously and having a good one (one that you're good with) is critical.

For example, for some reason I absolutely suck with Head Radical rackets. For years. Sucked in high school, and now more than a decade later I pick one up and it still doesn't feel right. After extensive testing I prefer Wilson Pro-Staff or Babolat Pure Drive.

And even within a certain brand you've gotta test out rackets and iron out what you like. Overall weight is a huge factor. And balance. And string tension. And length. Head size can affect things as well. Tennis Warehouse has an online demo program:

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/demoprogram.html

And as you progress you might find yourself moving to a different racket as you desire more control or more power or more mobility or more flickability or whatever it is you want.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Tennis is the biggest mindfuck ever. I'm convinced that it is maybe 5% physical and 95% mental. I've hit the easiest winners physically simply because I was focused.

And people talk about muscle memory. Well, for me it's mental memory. There are so many things you've gotta ingrain into your mental process:

1. Hawk-like locked eyeball focus on the ball.

2. You're not concerned about the correct hit, but rather the correct follow-through. If your follow-through feels correct, chances are your ball will go where you want it.

3. At contact, don't turn your head to follow the ball as it is leaving the racket (I know, counter-intuitive).

Tennis is 100% a battle of mental concentration between two people. Every time I miss-hit I immediately know that it was because I didn't do something right mentally, and that can be the most frustrating part. Very very rarely do I miss-hit and then think "oh, I mentally did everything right, it was just my body that wasn't up to snuff."

 

[gscone]

Tennis is the biggest mindfuck ever. I'm convinced that it is maybe 5% physical and 95% mental. I've hit the easiest winners physically simply because I was focused.

And people talk about muscle memory. Well, for me it's mental memory. There are so many things you've gotta ingrain into your mental process:

1. Hawk-like locked eyeball focus on the ball.

2. You're not concerned about the correct hit, but rather the correct follow-through. If your follow-through feels correct, chances are your ball will go where you want it.

3. At contact, don't turn your head to follow the ball as it is leaving the racket (I know, counter-intuitive).

Tennis is 100% a battle of mental concentration between two people. Every time I miss-hit I immediately know that it was because I didn't do something right mentally, and that can be the most frustrating part. Very very rarely do I miss-hit and then think "oh, I mentally did everything right, it was just my body that wasn't up to snuff."

A lot of non facts here. There is a good balance of both mental stamina require and good technique form. Also depends if you are playing competitive day in and day out. At my prime, it was a 5 days of hitting and 1-2 physio.

 

[smackababy]

Tennis is the biggest mindfuck ever. I'm convinced that it is maybe 5% physical and 95% mental. I've hit the easiest winners physically simply because I was focused.

And people talk about muscle memory. Well, for me it's mental memory. There are so many things you've gotta ingrain into your mental process:

1. Hawk-like locked eyeball focus on the ball.

2. You're not concerned about the correct hit, but rather the correct follow-through. If your follow-through feels correct, chances are your ball will go where you want it.

3. At contact, don't turn your head to follow the ball as it is leaving the racket (I know, counter-intuitive).

Tennis is 100% a battle of mental concentration between two people. Every time I miss-hit I immediately know that it was because I didn't do something right mentally, and that can be the most frustrating part. Very very rarely do I miss-hit and then think "oh, I mentally did everything right, it was just my body that wasn't up to snuff."

The mental aspects really only come into play after the muscle memory is ingrained. If you have to focus on the actual physical aspects of the game, you are going to lose focus on the game itself. The same is really true for any sport. If, while playing basketball, I have to focus intensely on my shooting form or my dribbling, I am taking that focus away from more important aspects such as other players making cuts or reacting to the defenders.

 

[sweets3450]

there's some really terrible advice here. I've been playing since I was a kid. Tennis is known as a rich kid sport for a reason, you will NEED lessons if you want to improve. Once you learn how to hit the basic strokes it gets more fun. Check youtube for some help if you don't want to shell out 75 bucks an hour for lessons. You can throw a ball 90mph, but if you don't have the right technique, you'll never hit that 120mph+ serve.

As a hobby it's great, find a friend and some balls during the summer and it's cheap exercise. Beware of your knees, tennis makes you move in a very unnatural side to side manor. I honestly wouldn't recommend tennis to anybody unless regularly exercise and stretch their legs, hips, calves, glutes, etc. Can you lay down and bring your leg straight up 90 degrees? If not I would stay away from playing tennis more than once a week, just my personal opinion after seeing so many tennis injuries.

Oh and for rackets, pick something on the heavy side with close to a 50/50 balance. Sounds like you're a fit guy so don't get a light racket, you want to develop technique and rackets with "power" are for less strong players (and girls). This will get you swinging the right way and not hurting your wrist with a head heavy racket. Don't listen to the "pros" at the shop and don't pick a racket based on what's new. You can easily find a 3 year old racket on ebay to get the job done. You're a beginniner and you won't really notice a big difference for at least a year. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trk...actor&_nkw=wilson+k+factor&_sacat=0&_from=R40

 

[Koing]

it's fun but it can be very frustrating at the same time. i used to play as a kid and took lessons but i'm pretty terrible now. What kind of racket are you using? I wonder if an oversized racket head would things easier for me. Don't really want to buy one and to only a slight improvement in my progression.

I use a Fischer racket from 2001 I think?! I wouldn't get a new one for a bigger head. I'd get a new one due to weight and handle length. You have places which let you try out different rackets and you can find one that you like. I was seriously thinking of getting a new one myself as my racket is very long in the tooth. I got a new grip a few months ago and that has helped considering I've not changed it in the time I've had it. I've had it restrung a few times but it's again well over due. I'll look in to getting it restrung again.

Koing

 

[Koing]

there's some really terrible advice here. I've been playing since I was a kid. Tennis is known as a rich kid sport for a reason, you will NEED lessons if you want to improve. Once you learn how to hit the basic strokes it gets more fun. Check youtube for some help if you don't want to shell out 75 bucks an hour for lessons. You can throw a ball 90mph, but if you don't have the right technique, you'll never hit that 120mph+ serve.

As a hobby it's great, find a friend and some balls during the summer and it's cheap exercise. Beware of your knees, tennis makes you move in a very unnatural side to side manor. I honestly wouldn't recommend tennis to anybody unless regularly exercise and stretch their legs, hips, calves, glutes, etc. Can you lay down and bring your leg straight up 90 degrees? If not I would stay away from playing tennis more than once a week, just my personal opinion after seeing so many tennis injuries.

Oh and for rackets, pick something on the heavy side with close to a 50/50 balance. Sounds like you're a fit guy so don't get a light racket, you want to develop technique and rackets with "power" are for less strong players (and girls). This will get you swinging the right way and not hurting your wrist with a head heavy racket. Don't listen to the "pros" at the shop and don't pick a racket based on what's new. You can easily find a 3 year old racket on ebay to get the job done. You're a beginniner and you won't really notice a big difference for at least a year. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trk...actor&_nkw=wilson+k+factor&_sacat=0&_from=R40

That is interesting you talked about injuries. My non Tennis mate asked me about that today in fact as he hears it often from people that do play Tennis. I've never had any injuries from Tennis or Tennis elbow. I have done loads of weightlifting and weight training so my body is use to lifting and as well as playing on and off for 17yrs. More consistent in the first 7yrs as I was in school.

It's also known as a somewhat rich persons sport here in England as well. You are very correct that if you want to get on in Tennis you will need a coach, but isn't the same in most sports though? Maybe they just charge more in Tennis? My bro won a Tennis scholarship when he was younger as well and hits the ball very classically due to his coaching.

When it was raining a bit on Wednesday it was much harder for me to hit the ball due rain drops on my glasses. Sometimes I'd see the ball and just swing at it and the ball would disappear from my vision for a split second LOL.

Koing

 

[Koing]

Played competitively for the last 22 years, took some time off since having kids. I picked up my racket and still have good form, timing off slightly but practice will polish that.
Any players in NY?

Nice! Get back in it! NY. I'm sure there are more open league/ boxes etc for you to play.

Koing

 

[Kaido]

Who plays here? I know Fuzzy does, but anyone else?

Just been added to the Tennis box at my gym complex. Pretty dam excited about it. I love playing Tennis and hardly anyone I know does. My bro does but he is very busy and my other mate has been lazy recently. But we have managed to play about 7 matches over summer.

I've been playing every Wednesday for 2hrs with the open club night after gym on Wednesdays.

All of the PTs and most of the guys at the gym don't play Tennis. They were all surprised that I play Tennis and told me that I don't look like a Tennis player. I just tell them I use to be thin when I was 12.

Koing

I like racquetball. It's nice because you can still play by yourself even when you don't have a partner, so you can still get a good fun cardio workout in every day regardless.

 

[Koing]

I like racquetball. It's nice because you can still play by yourself even when you don't have a partner, so you can still get a good fun cardio workout in every day regardless.

Squash in the UK

You can play indoors which is nice when the weather is heading towards autumn. I've never played squash though.

Koing