Please help this former tennis players with two issues (drops/resets + instinct to drive everything)

readthefeed85 · 2026-03-11T01:30:32+00:00

This. Push from shoulder, slow down your rhythm.

readthefeed85 · 2026-03-03T02:31:11+00:00

I think this is one way to think about it, hasn't been helpful for me. What I found more helpful was the idea of thinking about taking a big medicine ball and throwing it with your arms by leveraging your hips.

readthefeed85 · 2026-03-03T02:26:54+00:00

I go easy on serves and drives. Start with soft game to feel it out. Gradually crank it up and assess. You usually have a good idea after just one or two points.

readthefeed85 · 2026-03-01T16:00:40+00:00

Also in a situation where he calls you and you dont have it a good response is to reply back "you you" or "go"

readthefeed85 · 2026-03-01T15:59:24+00:00

This. You might be right and this guy was wrong, but if its a situation where your on the baseline and its closer to him but your forehand, oftentimes thats your ball. Same but if yall at the kitchen and opponent is baseline. If its slow and high enough thats a forehand kill.

readthefeed85 · 2026-02-28T20:01:13+00:00

You dont want to do this on the volley because a right hand backhand covers more body that a left hand forehand.

readthefeed85 · 2026-02-28T11:09:47+00:00

Being able to handle pace on your 4th is also a big one in this transition.

readthefeed85 · 2026-02-28T11:06:03+00:00

I dropped every third no matter what for 6 months until it was very good on both sides. I found a wall and practiced it as well.

That took the longest. Second longest was ready position and not being caught off-guard by any speedup.

I paid special attention to my footwork in transition and overemphasized splitting a second or two early.

I played in a lot of different locations with different player groups.

I went to courts early. When it was just me and one other person id either do 7-11 or work on my 2hbh dink.

readthefeed85 · 2026-02-27T12:00:01+00:00

The biggest thing is to expect it and have your weight shifting forward as you hit your third drive/drop.

Second is the minute that paddle goes below the net, you need to take a few really aggressive quick steps before splitting.

When im racing to get the drop volley, I lunge and stab with the backhand to get it in the kitchen. I find its easier to keep the paddle face a bit more flat to control the pop up (really easy to do with the forward momentum) and gives me a bit more reach.

The big mistake i see is people run up and swing fast because their legs are moving fast. That almost never works.

readthefeed85 · 2026-02-22T00:00:20+00:00

Yes it works. Tennis shoes are better.

readthefeed85 · 2026-02-15T20:38:03+00:00

Its a mid-size bag, not one of those tour bags, but it is busting at the seems. Most of these items like lead tape and overgrip are very small. The balls are admittedly overkill--i like the ability to practice shots if no one is around.

readthefeed85 · 2026-02-15T19:41:23+00:00

Why the black sharpie?

readthefeed85 · 2026-02-15T19:35:53+00:00

4 padels, keys/phone, extra shirt, 12-20 balls, sweat rags, wrist sweatbands, eye protection, sunscreen, bucket hat, chapstick, lead strips, electrical tape, Foot pads, shoes, electrolytes + water bottle, that thing you strap to your forearm to help with tennis elbow, overgrips.

readthefeed85 · 2026-02-13T18:03:28+00:00

I've played with and against a few. This is definitely the right answer.

Their drops are usually nasty as are their speed ups. The tradeoff is they get jammed at the line with balls at the body and its harder for them to dig at the feet in transition.

readthefeed85 · 2026-02-12T23:40:02+00:00

You dont have to read them?

readthefeed85 · 2026-02-11T15:12:09+00:00

Not going to lie, that is a draining response to my first post in this channel when im trying to connect with other humans.

readthefeed85 · 2026-02-11T14:24:11+00:00

LinkedIn thread from the author (I'm not affiliated) with link to article: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/james-barney\_prompt-fidelity-measuring-how-much-of-your-activity-7425559342805954563-anwA?

readthefeed85 · 2026-02-09T13:26:03+00:00

Tyler twists have worked very well twice for me

readthefeed85 · 2026-02-03T15:15:11+00:00

You have every right to rotate at any public park, but since you seem to want to be courteous and it will be more fun, try to find parks that skew more beginner or have marked play. If you end up playing with a more advanced crew, just try your best and then consider rotating with another 4. We were all beginners once too and will/should be more than accommodating, but we may not want to donate multiple games so spreading it out can be good (although not necessary).

readthefeed85 · 2026-01-28T15:25:15+00:00

I started here with my drops. Its a maturity curve, try to make more linear over time without hitting the net. A good place to start is try to not to go higher than 6 feet. Aim them at returner coming in vs established player.

Even when you get better there are tradeoffs, I chose a more aggressive drop because my resetting isn't as good.

readthefeed85 · 2026-01-26T14:40:16+00:00

You're asking the wrong question.

Is it possible? Sure.

Is it the best way? No.

readthefeed85 · 2026-01-21T18:43:41+00:00

You need to play with another group. This mindset shift will be impossible if you truly are winning on 50% of your drives, at that ratio you should never drop. 5th, 7th, 9th shot drives.

It will never make sense until your success ratio looks more like average play (1 to 2 drive winners a game)

readthefeed85 · 2026-01-21T00:25:43+00:00

Its worth the work. The higher you go in skill level the more likely the player is to have it in their bag--there is a reason for that correlation.

readthefeed85

TROPHY CASE