I don't even play tennis but just been watching some of your lessons and this was such an awesome lecture! Who wouldn't love the game with a coach like you. Just been watching your lessons like a tv show. I might pick up a racquet soon.
Actually this is a great video! I once heard someone saying that in tennis your feet indicate your state of mind. I am 37 and recently started playing tennis and find it mentally very hard to stay nimble. I am not super fit but not a slob either and yet I catch myself standing flat footed a lot many times. Would really appreciate a video on the keeping the intensity up in game, how to inculcate that ?
Best tutorial on split step! I intentionally tried to split step, but never got the timing right. Instead I tap on my toes, which got me moving faster. Thanks for your advice, I’ll up my intensity and let me legs do whatever naturally to get ready for the incoming ball.
I hit against a wall a lot. You are right about developing a lazy straight legged ready position. If I really want to crack one, I get into an athletic ready position-on my toes and automatically split step. On a good shot the racquet becomes a whip and the ball has a lot of spin. My hips naturally are sideways, torso drops, racquet path has a nice loop….lot of good things happen naturally. No problems with power. With a lazy straight leg ready position, power is a big problem. It is really hard to load the legs. Lastly I was looking at the great Fernando Gonzalez practicing. He resets into an athletic on your toes ready position after every shot, splits steps, loads the legs and boom. Thanks for a great video.
Loved the ending, brilliant. Nik, you're making a huge point here with your statement about the intensity difference of a 4.o and a 5.o! Shamir is a great guy. Awesome and keep up the good work.
I’m a toe walking guy since forever. Among the many issues this caused me (mainly postural ones), there’s one pleasant good side: never had my coach complaining about my footwork ;) Great content, as usual!
Just want to thank you for this simple yet impactful advice about keeping on my toes. As a beginner I had so much trouble with split step as it felt very unnatural and ended up as weird hops that sometimes slowed me down. Since trying out your advice about staying on my toes for intensity, I found myself moving much naturally and no longer spacing out comfortably especially during doubles game. Don't even have to time my split step with ball contact as I'm pretty much moving all the time now. You really live up to your channel name.
Great tip. I found out on my own that keeping my head in front ahead of my body always helped me react. I think this forces the feet to balance on the toes by itself ! Tks Nick 👍
Great subject Nik . It amazes me on how many rec players do not split step . I agree with your theory that they are not at a high enough itensity level .
This was simple advice, but yet gamechanging advice. I played with a usual tennis partner that I normally have close exchanges with but just by upping my intensity significantly on every single ball, I steamrolled him 6-1, 6-3. I was getting to balls super quickly and able to apply a ton of pressure on him simply by being super ready at all times.
staying on your toes the whole time is a great way to train - thanks - great video. The ticks at the end should be red crosses though since his heels were on the ground.
Hey Nick great video as always. Do you think you could make a video teaching HOW to feed balls effectively? Me and my friend want to be able to do drills but we have no idea how to feed a ball consistently and with different spins and speeds. I think it would go a long way for us since we don't have a coach available in our area especially during covid
@@IntuitiveTennis thanks for the reply! But I meant with feeding training balls (with a big bucket of balls) to someone else as if you were a coach making them and doing drills. Is it the same technique as in the video? Thanks!
I like this rendition of the Split step. There was some other explanation out there about getting ready to change direction, but it didn't quite make a lot of sense. I did this instinctively before even knowing what a split step was. And when playing against faster ball, you naturally are much more alert as soon as your opponent hit, and instinctively you're on your toe when he hits. If I play against slow ball, I don't care at all, just casually stroll there and hit.
Hey Nick! Can you do a Video on different playstyles and how to beat them? I know people hate us but Im more of a pusher and struggle against people that pull me around too much.
Intensity really makes an insane difference. It's actually kind of hard to explain, though. I've been taking lessons once a week, but since the outdoor area was opened for the summer, I've been on the wall almost every day. At first, I could maybe return a ball once or twice, but I would always lose it very quickly. A couple days ago, I started understanding intensity, and it's night and day. Suddenly I was able to return the ball five, six, sometimes even ten times, before it got out of control. Another thing I quickly noticed is that exhaustion makes high intensity more difficult, but not impossible. After a couple rallies, I would lose my intensity and not really realise. Once I did notice this, I made a conscious effort to fully concentrate on the ball and have high intensity, and even though I was already somewhat exhausted, I played a lot better. It's all mental! Really wish I had a training partner to play more than once a week, but for now the wall will have to do.
Hey Nick...Thanks for the useful videos ; we need more Videos elaborating specifically on how to raise stamina and enhance foot work to be a better tennis player. Thx.
Love these lessons with Shamir! What about when you transition to the net, or serve and volley? Should there be a purposeful split step in that circumstance?
haha! Shamir looks tired after a minute of this drill :D no wonder, it's exhausting. he also needs to hit earlier and lean forward a little bit more, as if trying to attack each ball (without actually attacking it), it's easier then. My best experience in tennis is when I can feel my shins afterwords because this part of the legs works the hardest when you run around on your toes making tiny little intense moves. I'm ca 3.5-4.0, light and rather springy naturally, so for me it might be a bit easier to "toe" than it is to some, but it requires so much stamina, it's hard to keep it up long enough...no wonder recreational players don't like it. However, in high intensity rallies it's the only way to do it. keep it up Shamir!
Next to the use of the Continental grip the Split Step is the other major tennis fundamental that the majority of recreational players fail to utilize, especially those below the 4.0 NTRP level. If you need a to make a triad I would also include meaningful off court aerobic and strength training.
Nice job with the snake! I am sure Shamir will never forget about the split step. Hope he is not too traumatized. I notice at the end when Shamir was moving on his toes, he was also trying to stand on toes during his swing. Is it better to set feet solid on the ground to have a good foundation during the swing?
This is great! Wish I can play like Shamir. I’ve noticed myself that after about 1 hour of doubles my intensity level started to raise, I can swing more freely, footwork and volleys become much better especially against high level players. Is it possible to train to have this kind of intensity especially against low level players?
I think the fake snake outperformed both of you in natural acting. Good you chose to be a tennis coach ... The MJ impersonation was spot on though! Cheers!
Interesting, Nik, that you don't talk about when to split step with respect to when your opponent is striking the ball. There are a couple of tennis channels where they claim that you should be in the air just as the opponent is striking the ball. Personally, I am unconvinced by the necessity of such exact timing and a related claim that the loading created by a split step helps you move in all directions (I find it actually hampers forward and backward movement somewhat).
Like this coach very much, but would say that it is better for the tennis student to focus on bouncing on the front foot and not on the toes, because bouncing on the toes is for ballet dancers while tennis players should lift on the heels which is very rightly pointed out. ❤😉
It is a good video, and I agree with hopping and trying to be light on your feet, but why only the student and not the coach? As I was watching this, I was intentionally looking at the coach, and he was very flat footed most of the time!!! Sorry
coaches have many lessons throughout the day..... it will be so tiring to maintain high intensity all throughout the day especially when hes not super young
I would add that a hunter/killer instinct is what you need. I grew up hunting, trapping, fishing, I get the same feeling when I'm primed for a stalk as I do when I'm in the zone athletically. Cycling or tennis, I get the stalking for the kill and ready to pull the trigger feeling. I don't want to be afraid of the other player, I want to eat him.
Relaxation vs Intensity 👉 ua-cam.com/video/r_HjbsspSLI/v-deo.html
I knew this day would come. intuitive tennis was becoming too big to not become a prank channel.
😂😂🙌🙌
Thanks!
Much appreciated, thank you
I don't even play tennis but just been watching some of your lessons and this was such an awesome lecture! Who wouldn't love the game with a coach like you. Just been watching your lessons like a tv show. I might pick up a racquet soon.
Awesome, thank you!
Actually this is a great video! I once heard someone saying that in tennis your feet indicate your state of mind. I am 37 and recently started playing tennis and find it mentally very hard to stay nimble. I am not super fit but not a slob either and yet I catch myself standing flat footed a lot many times.
Would really appreciate a video on the keeping the intensity up in game, how to inculcate that ?
Best tutorial on split step! I intentionally tried to split step, but never got the timing right. Instead I tap on my toes, which got me moving faster. Thanks for your advice, I’ll up my intensity and let me legs do whatever naturally to get ready for the incoming ball.
It is all about footwork. I find it extremely important to move the feet when I am nervous in a match.
I hit against a wall a lot. You are right about developing a lazy straight legged ready position. If I really want to crack one, I get into an athletic ready position-on my toes and automatically split step. On a good shot the racquet becomes a whip and the ball has a lot of spin. My hips naturally are sideways, torso drops, racquet path has a nice loop….lot of good things happen naturally. No problems with power. With a lazy straight leg ready position, power is a big problem. It is really hard to load the legs. Lastly I was looking at the great Fernando Gonzalez practicing. He resets into an athletic on your toes ready position after every shot, splits steps, loads the legs and boom. Thanks for a great video.
The snake prank cracked me up ! You two were hilarious!! 😂
Loved the ending, brilliant. Nik, you're making a huge point here with your statement about the intensity difference of a 4.o and a 5.o! Shamir is a great guy. Awesome and keep up the good work.
I’m a toe walking guy since forever. Among the many issues this caused me (mainly postural ones), there’s one pleasant good side: never had my coach complaining about my footwork ;)
Great content, as usual!
Just want to thank you for this simple yet impactful advice about keeping on my toes. As a beginner I had so much trouble with split step as it felt very unnatural and ended up as weird hops that sometimes slowed me down. Since trying out your advice about staying on my toes for intensity, I found myself moving much naturally and no longer spacing out comfortably especially during doubles game. Don't even have to time my split step with ball contact as I'm pretty much moving all the time now. You really live up to your channel name.
💯🙏🙌💪
Shamir is back! Have a match tonight and using this as motivation.
Great tip. I found out on my own that keeping my head in front ahead of my body always helped me react. I think this forces the feet to balance on the toes by itself ! Tks Nick 👍
Great subject Nik . It amazes me on how many rec players do not split step . I agree with your theory that they are not at a high enough itensity level .
Planted on your toes like Michael Jackson 😂😂 I'm gonna have to start using that one
This was simple advice, but yet gamechanging advice. I played with a usual tennis partner that I normally have close exchanges with but just by upping my intensity significantly on every single ball, I steamrolled him 6-1, 6-3. I was getting to balls super quickly and able to apply a ton of pressure on him simply by being super ready at all times.
Probably the most important thing about playing well- intensity and the split step. Great video!
staying on your toes the whole time is a great way to train - thanks - great video. The ticks at the end should be red crosses though since his heels were on the ground.
Underlooked & practiced.. this subject is another golden nugget that you bring cool insight into.. Cheers again Nik..👌💥🍾
The control on the volleys in the opening minute - so good
Enjoyed a lot. Especially how much sense it makes. "Survival mechanism" Yeess!!!
Hey Nick great video as always. Do you think you could make a video teaching HOW to feed balls effectively? Me and my friend want to be able to do drills but we have no idea how to feed a ball consistently and with different spins and speeds. I think it would go a long way for us since we don't have a coach available in our area especially during covid
👉 ua-cam.com/video/iy3idwBiYxU/v-deo.html
@@IntuitiveTennis thanks for the reply! But I meant with feeding training balls (with a big bucket of balls) to someone else as if you were a coach making them and doing drills. Is it the same technique as in the video? Thanks!
@@MrSubWright same thing
I like this rendition of the Split step. There was some other explanation out there about getting ready to change direction, but it didn't quite make a lot of sense. I did this instinctively before even knowing what a split step was. And when playing against faster ball, you naturally are much more alert as soon as your opponent hit, and instinctively you're on your toe when he hits. If I play against slow ball, I don't care at all, just casually stroll there and hit.
Nikola,
Thanks for the video! The amount of times I have been sleeping waiting for the ball... I'll try to stay more on my toes, but no snakes please!
Hey Nick! Can you do a Video on different playstyles and how to beat them? I know people hate us but Im more of a pusher and struggle against people that pull me around too much.
Great lesson! Thank you!!
Spot on! Great video Nick!👌🏽
Intensity really makes an insane difference. It's actually kind of hard to explain, though.
I've been taking lessons once a week, but since the outdoor area was opened for the summer, I've been on the wall almost every day. At first, I could maybe return a ball once or twice, but I would always lose it very quickly.
A couple days ago, I started understanding intensity, and it's night and day. Suddenly I was able to return the ball five, six, sometimes even ten times, before it got out of control.
Another thing I quickly noticed is that exhaustion makes high intensity more difficult, but not impossible. After a couple rallies, I would lose my intensity and not really realise. Once I did notice this, I made a conscious effort to fully concentrate on the ball and have high intensity, and even though I was already somewhat exhausted, I played a lot better.
It's all mental!
Really wish I had a training partner to play more than once a week, but for now the wall will have to do.
Need to buy that "tool" you used for my own split-step reactions, great idea!
I keep buying t shirts to support for all this great advice. Love ur channel.
Thank you for your support 🙏🙏
Hey Nick...Thanks for the useful videos ; we need more Videos elaborating specifically on how to raise stamina and enhance foot work to be a better tennis player. Thx.
While hitting we are putting the feet down correct... Getting energy from ground correct?
^I have the same questions, great vid tho!
These lessons are awesome
Love these lessons with Shamir! What about when you transition to the net, or serve and volley? Should there be a purposeful split step in that circumstance?
Yes
Awesome as usual.
haha! Shamir looks tired after a minute of this drill :D no wonder, it's exhausting. he also needs to hit earlier and lean forward a little bit more, as if trying to attack each ball (without actually attacking it), it's easier then. My best experience in tennis is when I can feel my shins afterwords because this part of the legs works the hardest when you run around on your toes making tiny little intense moves. I'm ca 3.5-4.0, light and rather springy naturally, so for me it might be a bit easier to "toe" than it is to some, but it requires so much stamina, it's hard to keep it up long enough...no wonder recreational players don't like it. However, in high intensity rallies it's the only way to do it. keep it up Shamir!
Next to the use of the Continental grip the Split Step is the other major tennis fundamental that the majority of recreational players fail to utilize, especially those below the 4.0 NTRP level. If you need a to make a triad I would also include meaningful off court aerobic and strength training.
You're a very good coach!
Nice job with the snake! I am sure Shamir will never forget about the split step. Hope he is not too traumatized. I notice at the end when Shamir was moving on his toes, he was also trying to stand on toes during his swing. Is it better to set feet solid on the ground to have a good foundation during the swing?
LOL good one with the snake 🐍
Poor man is going to wake up screaming “Toes!!”
Question: Do you need to plant your feet when you are in position then back on your toes again?
Shamur really improved his groundstrokes and aim
Edit: HAhahaha nice one Nik
This is great! Wish I can play like Shamir. I’ve noticed myself that after about 1 hour of doubles my intensity level started to raise, I can swing more freely, footwork and volleys become much better especially against high level players. Is it possible to train to have this kind of intensity especially against low level players?
It’s possible
Got the new Tennis mantra: On your Toes :) :)
I think the fake snake outperformed both of you in natural acting. Good you chose to be a tennis coach ... The MJ impersonation was spot on though!
Cheers!
Thank you coach !
Can you post a video of you playing a match coach??
I have. Here’s one 👉 ua-cam.com/video/S5HWZyQgEiA/v-deo.html
@@IntuitiveTennis thanks
Great instruction, acting wasn't Oscar worthy though 😂 looked like both were controlling the laughter
Fake Snake 🐍 scare split steps is great idea 👍🎾🙏
Looking good!
Interesting, Nik, that you don't talk about when to split step with respect to when your opponent is striking the ball. There are a couple of tennis channels where they claim that you should be in the air just as the opponent is striking the ball. Personally, I am unconvinced by the necessity of such exact timing and a related claim that the loading created by a split step helps you move in all directions (I find it actually hampers forward and backward movement somewhat).
Thank you George. Doing a conscious split step is easy to spot on player. Looks unnatural and could possibly be a problem
Hey what Microphone do you use?
How much tension do you put on your string? It's a new sound
High 30’s low 40’s 👉 ua-cam.com/video/3CyNgcHE_uo/v-deo.html
I thought Djokovic was the only joker in tennis 😂😂😂
Sir, Just wanted to know which strings do you use?
👉 ua-cam.com/video/sILz1OjSxzw/v-deo.html
That was great. Lol'd at the snake
Like this coach very much, but would say that it is better for the tennis student to focus on bouncing on the front foot and not on the toes, because bouncing on the toes is for ballet dancers while tennis players should lift on the heels which is very rightly pointed out. ❤😉
nice prank attempt ! but ive never seen anybody stare at one direction for so long without turning back when theres nothing there :P
Sharmir the bomb.
What skill level is the guy hitting the balls
Comedy! That slapping routine was real Three Stooges!
I understand it all but why did he moan when he slapped your hand 🤣
Okeeheelee park!
I noticed that you, Nick, remained "flat-footed" when you were returning Shamir's baseline hits.
Yes I never move when I teach. Ball needs to come right to me
so do we think Nik carries a fake snake with him everywhere or did he plan this lesson hahaha
The snake, I'm dead ☠️☠️
LOL @ 9:04!!
lol I only do pranks like this on athletes (heart's in shape)
Shamir has a nice style
Maybe he should beat himself up a little less
Shamir & Anna are going to put a fake gator 🐊 in Nick’s car. 😂
😂😂👍👍
That was hilarious
wait.... You got that snake from the Amazon?
I think he looks where his shots go way too long instead of hitting the ball and getting ready for the next one
Shoot! I need a snake too to practice split steps..
It is a good video, and I agree with hopping and trying to be light on your feet, but why only the student and not the coach? As I was watching this, I was intentionally looking at the coach, and he was very flat footed most of the time!!! Sorry
coaches have many lessons throughout the day..... it will be so tiring to maintain high intensity all throughout the day especially when hes not super young
I would add that a hunter/killer instinct is what you need. I grew up hunting, trapping, fishing, I get the same feeling when I'm primed for a stalk as I do when I'm in the zone athletically. Cycling or tennis, I get the stalking for the kill and ready to pull the trigger feeling. I don't want to be afraid of the other player, I want to eat him.
gay
👊
rip headphone
At the end he was not in his toes,he was on his heels,how he is corrected.he was wrong but you mark it correct.
When tennis becomes HIIT
Boats and toes
Heeee
It's fake It's fake It's fake It's fake
It's fake It's fake It's fake It's fake
Tennis lessons working . Acting lessons .... not so much
🙄Bad acting.
what a crappy tennis coaching
We're all waiting for your high quality tennis coaching channel!