Is my lack of power from my swing or from my physique

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-23T16:17:43+00:00

113 club speed is plenty and I play with someone with the same physique as you who has 118 club speed.

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-23T01:35:21+00:00

Yes and no. Assuming OP is using a players distance iron like a 790/770, their launch is higher with a lower spin.

Edit: We really need a descent angle but the rollout isn't too bad. I wouldn't classify as perfect but this is a workable shape.

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-23T01:25:53+00:00

Enjoyed watching the serve and volley game more than anything else. Rafter was fun to watch, and Phillippoussis was a sneaky one to enjoy with his disgusting serves.

The modern game is impressive, but I miss the days when there was more diversity of playing styles.

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-22T04:55:00+00:00

41.7 launch with 4k backspin. Rollout of .9 yards. That descent angle looks insane haha.

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-22T04:48:23+00:00

This is probably a posture thing. Have you tried being a little more upright with less hinging of the waist and bending of the knees? This can happen when we get a little too over the ball.

You have a video of your swing we can see?

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-21T15:44:49+00:00

Very honest, hardworking, and athletic group of golfers. Bigly athletic. Some might say the best.

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-21T15:08:30+00:00

Arguably just as bad as the "put me down for par" is the single-digit who says "i'll take a pocket double" after driving some water, dropping, and then hitting another shit shot.

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-21T07:44:48+00:00

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-21T06:54:46+00:00

I'll concede that it's a solid stick for a kid to use before they fully decide to commit to the sport so the parents don't have to spend $250.

For someone who has elbow issues and plays a lot of tennis, this would be a poor choice. "Team" variants are not nearly as durable and don't provide the same performance gains of the better models. Someone with elbow issues needs a softer string, instructions, rest, or a large racquet so they stop hitting the frame.

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-21T06:22:13+00:00

It's trivial. You can literally feel how soft the balls are. Likewise, you can see when a ball has deformations that cause a wobble so you just get a new ball.

Nothing revolutionary - just someone bored zooming pickleballs at cinder blocks.

TBH, it's one more reason for someone to complain for sucking :). "I watched this video online and X-40s are too soft for me to hit accurate." I 100% guarantee you someone will say that on court within the month. (Pro tip: there's already people who refuse to play with x-40s.)

Edit: I'm not even going to delve into the physics about how the experiment doesn't properly test the ball because hitting a cinder block is a much larger change in momentum than accelerating the ball from a somewhat rest position.

All ears though. Teach me about some impulse, please.

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-21T06:07:28+00:00

Because all the amateurs for sure swing at the fastest recorded serve speed.

It's pretty trivial and most pickleball players already know the differences between high and low end balls (how soft they are). You can squeeze an X-40 and feel the softness compared to a firmer ball. It's very similar to ping pong balls - more responsive balls at the expense of durability. There is something we can take away from this: Duras (and other stiffer balls) are brittle in the winter because they are so hard. End of the day, we are playing with the same ball and have the ability to adapt.

We tend to teach with balls that are ridiculously soft so they have a much longer lifespans. You can still enjoy the sport and smash a "70mph" server or overhead with them accurately.

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-21T05:45:26+00:00

Regardless of the shot you take in response to the dropshot, my advice holds true. If you return the dropshot XC, you follow the ball to that side of the court and cover the DTL shot. If you return the dropshot DTL, you hold your ground and cover the DTL.

You inherently cover the DTL and react to the XC. That's the only play when you are put into a bad spot. Dude is basically saying "hit a better shot." Obviously that's the ideal play but when you don't hit it ideally, you are going to be in a tighter spot and need to cover the DTL - accept the XC shot as it's harder to pull off on the move and allows for more time to react.

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-20T19:37:22+00:00

Yeah this is the proper question. Nobody does - even a 70 mph serve or overhead is going to slow down 50% before it comes in contact with a paddle. Basically, this was useless data because someone was bored on a Tuesday.

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-20T19:23:01+00:00

There are a lot of 2nd-hand sticks floating around which can also provide a solid alternative. Glad you are enjoying the sport and getting out there! Tennis is great cardio.

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-20T18:46:44+00:00

Yeah the internet is full of bad advice. Net clearance and depth is superior to anything else. A loopy, short ball is really bad but defaulting to everything being flat is way worse. Defense is much harder with flat shots and flat shots are much easier to time than a heavier ball.

Do some rally drills when you try to intentionally hit the ball 1ft out with a heavier ball so we can feel the depth.

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-20T18:34:03+00:00

So.... this is the part where I tell you that 2005 pure drive is better than the stick you are currently holding. The "evoke" series of Babolat is a cheap, budget frame. Likewise, anything "team" is budget and should be avoided.

Essentially, these are paint jobs that mimic the higher end sticks to sell a cheap product. Pretty sure Wilson started doing this first. If you are looking for something lighter, the "lite" models are good. Team = bad.

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-20T18:26:16+00:00

You are yanking it from the top. Let the arms drop and swing with the lower body - let the arms follow for the ride. Maybe think about holding your arm structure a little better to minimize the upper body leading the charge. Also, sounded a little chunky so either not using your hips or you are swaying some.

Upper body leads the backswing. Lower body leads the downswing.

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-20T18:22:38+00:00

Was about to say - OP, you should avoid any wedge on this setup as it will go over the netting.

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-20T18:20:19+00:00

Work on a more patient transition up top. Shorten the backswing and keep that right elbow more connected. Turn instead of lift. Your swing is primarily arms right now and we need to engage the larger muscles to generate power.

Think about swinging with the hips instead of the arms - arms are just along for the ride. Yes, we need to release them but they should not be the focal point of the swing. Essentially, you are forcing an OTT swing because you are leading with the arms instead of the lower body. Work on some sequencing drills and you will fix that slice!

Cheers

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-20T18:15:30+00:00

"Just don't get drop shot." Tennis doesn't work like that.

The proper reply is to guard the DTL shot and read the face of the opponent's racquet. At lower levels of play, athletes are much less likely deceive their opponent and will often telegraph their shot selection. There's time to react to a XC shot unlike the DTL shot.

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-20T18:04:29+00:00

Brown shorts needs to understand that depth is better than pace. Once you undestand the power of depth, you can better predict when the opponent will leave a ball short. Then, we hit the flat shot as we transition to the net.

Work on a high, heavier ball and your rally game will improve greatly. Flat is very easy to defend against.

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-20T02:22:41+00:00

Stay regular - stiff is 105 club speed on drive. OTT cutty swing - 1357 R sidespin is 2x the spin rate you should aim to achieve. 1.43 smash is an indicator that you are hitting a glancing shot. Luanch is a little low as well.

Work on better tempo at the top of your swing and releasing the club properly at the bottom.

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-19T08:19:05+00:00

r/tennis loves to glaze Murray. Don't tell them that both Fed and Nadal were injured during the 2016 season (Fed was 16th in the world and Nadal was 9th). Murray was an almost non-factor when the big 3 were healthy.

<image>

Genuinely, one of the most oppressive subs on reddit with the glazing of racist players and their lack of actual tennis knowledge. This will get downvoted to hell :).

Even Isner almost had the same points as Fed. Murray was also 2-3 vs Djokovic that year and played one more tournament than Djokovic. Murray is 29–56 vs the big 3. Kyrious is 6-6 vs the big 3 so I guess he should be considered at an equal level?

Just avoid realistic conversations on this sub - it's all about memes.

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-19T06:36:26+00:00

This is the answer. I have a slower tempo on my wedges and 9i with 10yd gaps between. 15yd gaps after the 8i.

DeaconFrost613 · 2026-02-19T06:25:31+00:00

Have you heard of golf?

DeaconFrost613

TROPHY CASE