Backboard or Hitting Wall Tennis Lesson

[WhatsUpLau]

This was my favorite lesson yet. I love playing with the backboard but I never seemed to improve as much. The advice and tips makes so much sense. It should definitely increase my focus. Also, the two bounce rule just seems to make so much sense haha.

[GMailLeonard]

Ian, thank you, good points. I love your videos, all of them.

could you please show how to practice split step using the wall?

[afcfishwick]

I really want a backboard to practise against but none of my local clubs have any, I wish I lived in america :(

[sixftlion]

Love your Stick It Wear?! :-) and i love to practice against the wall as well. I often do just one bounce, because it makes me quicker in my reactions and feet. Thanks for posting this great video.

[EssentialTennis]

@sixftlion Thanks for watching, Suzanna!

[TheMoses760]

Thnx for the tips...

Quick question. Can you also put targets on the left and right side of the wall ?

[karv22]

never thought of 2 bounces, what a great tip, thanks!

[EssentialTennis]

@karv22 You're welcome :)

[MindsetForSports]

Ian--this is great content. I love the target idea and using the two bounce rule. You are doing a fantastic job with your online videos!

[EssentialTennis]

@MindsetForSports Thank you, I appreciate it! 

[Rambolena]

Thannks now i could practice with the wall with a purpose.

[underdogjo]

I agree with U, sir.

[jamba470]

Thanks Ian. Also, I want to commend you for providing You Tube videos so that others who share your passion for tennis can access video that they might not be able to afford. Your instruction is some of the best I have seen even after watching hundreds of hours of paid for videos.

[EssentialTennis]

@jamba470 Thanks for saying that, I really appreciate it very much. Always great to hear that people are appreciating what I put out, a lot of time and effort goes into this stuff, even the freebees!

[jamba470]

Ian, great advice, I am about to build a wall for my wife and 12 year old daughter. Its hard to judge how far back you are when you are hitting. If you read this, it would be great to know so I can determine the size of the hard surface....

[EssentialTennis]

@jamba470 I'd estimate I was around 40 feet behind the wall or so....

[vohshkab]

Totally agree with this advice - i like to practice really early in the morning (read 5.00 am) and it is hard to find a practice partner so I hit against the wall - Hitting against the wall is tough not only have to focus on a target (and I hit at baseline equivalent) you have to maintain your on court form so no slapping it has to be with good topspin so that it curls back at you (and on a court will dip down) - you can do it right and you can do it wrong - this guy does it right.

[ductrung3993]

tks, i have all 3 ;)

[hawaiidispenser]

Solid advice.

[TennisRocks01]

what if behind me there is a fence how much further can i go?

[EssentialTennis]

@TennisRocks01 If you don't have enough room to use the 2 bounce method then I'd recommend slowing your swing down at least a little bit. Full speed and one bounce tends to get really quick and frantic, usually not very effective practice!

[TennisRocks01]

@EssentialTennis oh ok thanks

[mattfederlas]

Thank you so much!

[EssentialTennis]

@mattfederlas You're welcome!

[ilmelangolo]

Wow

nice tips!

[EssentialTennis]

@ilmelangolo :)

[ilmelangolo]

@EssentialTennis

yesterday, before watching this clip, I've been practicing with the hitting wall and I made ALL the three mistakes... and many more others!!

now I will try to do it properly... Thanks!

[pinnacalada]

wow i never thought about that where you use 2 bounces. back then i usually do one. i dont play the wall anymore but still a good idea.

[AznRey619]

How far should you stand from the wall?

[EssentialTennis]

@AznRey619 As far away as it takes to let the ball bounce twice and have it be in your strike zone!

[vekambar]

I love the 2 bounce idea. I've always tried to hit off of one bounce but then I find myself standing closer to the backboard (in no mans land in a tennis court) or trying to hit the ball real hard. With 2 bounces I can stand back further and keep the distance between me and the backboard the same as if I was standing on the baseline.

[EssentialTennis]

@vekambar Yup, one bounce tends to be much quicker than what you'll actually face in reality, often times players get super rushed and hurried, not good practice at all.

[diehardxiv]

IAN -

You could help all of us who really like using a wall to work on shots by spreading the word to builders that they should build tennis practice walls so that the bottom of the wall is spaced out at the bottom with a 4" X 4" timber. Then, their practice wall would actually have some "throw" to it and we could practice on balls at different bounce heights.

I thought all three of your suggestions were excellent.

[EssentialTennis]

@diehardxiv So you're saying basically angle the board upwards just slightly to created a higher rebound?

[micahtouchet]

@EssentialTennis Yes, I've read that too in my studies to build a more realistic responding wall.

[EssentialTennis]

@micahtouchet Nice, I'll have to look into that, I can definitely see how that would be the case.